Solutions for shooting a Pentax 67 or Canon AE-1 with glasses?

[frequencies]

Hi all,

I've developed astigmatism in both of my eyes over the years, and using my current cameras with glasses has become a hassle, mainly because the viewfinder either scratches the lens of my glasses or because the entire viewfinder can't be seen when I'm wearing glasses.

Other than eschewing the eye-level finder by getting a WLF (for the 67) or delving into an entirely new system, are there any solutions for eyeglass wearers? Maybe a reducing diopter that allows you to see the entire viewfinder without cramming the camera against your face?

Thanks in advance.

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

Is use anglefinders on most of my SLRs, it works with my glasses very well.

 

[sevo]

You might have a dioptre with the value of your glasses made - but then you'd have to remove them to look through the finder.

You presumably aren't myopic, as that has the side effect of resolving eyepoint issues. If you want to look through the finder with hyperopia glasses, you'll be SOL on the AE-1 - it has a low eyepoint, any rubber protector would stack up even more distance, and hyperopia glasses (positive values) do lower the eyepoint even further. And vision-neutral eyepoint adjusters are a relatively recent product, only made for modern-style large round eyepieces with already high eyepoint. Switching to a (New) F-1 (with big round eyepiece, and WLF option) probably would be easier than working around the poor AE-1 finder...

 

[frequencies]

I am nearsighted, but focusing is still a bit tough without glasses presumably because the astigmatism is screwing things up. What vision-neutral eyepoint adjusters are you talking about?

 

[RandyB]

I've had your problem for over 30 years, you just have to get used to your limitations and do a work-a-round. I can see about 75%-80% of the screen on my various cameras which is about the way I like to frame most shots. That 20-25% is a safety margin for cropping. On shots where the camera is on a tripod I usually check all corners and fine tune my framing. The problem only gets worst as you get older, in the last 10 years I have had a marked change in my vision. A diopter won't correct for astigmatism. I've asked several different times when I get my eyes checked if a diopter can be cut for my cameras, the response has always been " That would be beyond our capabilities". The short answer is: I just learned to live with it. Perhaps your eye doctor can do better, just be prepared for "sticker shock"

 

[charjohncarter]

Same here, I put masking tape on all of my eyepieces that are not rubber (including my Pentax 6x7). So far that has solved the problem. I just wish I had a solution for my lack of (because of age; I think) focusing ability.

 

[aizan]

i replaced the metal eyepiece with the rubber eyepiece made for the 67ii.

as for the canon, i think a round rubber eyecup will do the trick.