Farsighted solution at DVinfo.net

Marcus Marchesseault · May 3rd, 2010, 10:34 PM

I recently came to the conclusion that my slight farsightedness is making it hard to get critical focus with the LCD. Just as a test, I tried low-power reading glasses and they allow me to see the individual pixels of the LCD about 6" from my nose which is an acceptable distance regarding image size and working in tight spaces.

Before anyone says, "Search the forums", I have done that and simply became more confused. From what I can tell, loupes provide magnification and negative diopter adjustment but do nothing for positive (farsighted) diopter.

I also am accustomed to shooting in a fairly dynamic fashion with slightly low or high angles being an important capability. Low angles are easy enough with bending the knees, but I also shoot high angles and need to see the screen from below. None of the loupes allow visuals from below. I like that they block out light from above and the sides, but they do nothing for farsightedness besides magnification. I don't really need magnification but rather want to move the camera in closer and see more clearly. I also would like to keep composing with both eyes and avoid the discomfort of different brightness levels in each eye.

Is there a solution that would allow viewing the screen from several inches away as well as up close? Cinevate was talking about their Cyclops but that has not materialized. What sort of system would work for people without nearsightedness?

Marcus Marchesseault · May 4th, 2010, 01:48 PM

Perhaps I should keep it simple. Is there any loupe made with positive diopter capability?

I am looking into "close-up" filters to see if they might do the trick. Unfortunately, there are few square closeup filters I could turn into a full-size corrective screen.

Don Miller · May 6th, 2010, 09:53 AM

A dark cloth and reading glasses is the low tech approach. The dark cloth can even be a jacket.

I got past the feeling of looking silly under a dark cloth when I shot large format film. I have stronger than normal reading glasses on a string and can put my face a couple inches from the screen. As far as angles I have an ikam monitor.

Marcus Marchesseault · May 6th, 2010, 02:26 PM

Thanks, Don. That is probably the direction I will go as I can't seem to get over shooting with the LCD visible from different camera positions. Maybe reading glasses and a velcro-on hood will by my happy medium. I tried strong reading glasses and they didn't make the focus distance much closer. I read about reading glasses and the focal distances only change from something like 4.75 inches to about 4 inches when going from weak to strong. For me, the 1.0+ diopter allows me to see perfectly up to the point my eyes start to cross and they don't completely destroy my distant vision.

I tried out a Z-focus last night and it does allow critical focus for farsighted people. I think I would want the 2.5x version as the 3x just puts the image too "in your face". I found composition a bit challenging but focus was easy enough.

May 3rd, 2010, 10:34 PM	#1
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Farsighted solution I recently came to the conclusion that my slight farsightedness is making it hard to get critical focus with the LCD. Just as a test, I tried low-power reading glasses and they allow me to see the individual pixels of the LCD about 6" from my nose which is an acceptable distance regarding image size and working in tight spaces. Before anyone says, "Search the forums", I have done that and simply became more confused. From what I can tell, loupes provide magnification and negative diopter adjustment but do nothing for positive (farsighted) diopter. I also am accustomed to shooting in a fairly dynamic fashion with slightly low or high angles being an important capability. Low angles are easy enough with bending the knees, but I also shoot high angles and need to see the screen from below. None of the loupes allow visuals from below. I like that they block out light from above and the sides, but they do nothing for farsightedness besides magnification. I don't really need magnification but rather want to move the camera in closer and see more clearly. I also would like to keep composing with both eyes and avoid the discomfort of different brightness levels in each eye. Is there a solution that would allow viewing the screen from several inches away as well as up close? Cinevate was talking about their Cyclops but that has not materialized. What sort of system would work for people without nearsightedness?

May 4th, 2010, 01:48 PM	#2
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Perhaps I should keep it simple. Is there any loupe made with positive diopter capability? I am looking into "close-up" filters to see if they might do the trick. Unfortunately, there are few square closeup filters I could turn into a full-size corrective screen.

May 6th, 2010, 09:53 AM	#3
Don Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	A dark cloth and reading glasses is the low tech approach. The dark cloth can even be a jacket. I got past the feeling of looking silly under a dark cloth when I shot large format film. I have stronger than normal reading glasses on a string and can put my face a couple inches from the screen. As far as angles I have an ikam monitor.

May 6th, 2010, 02:26 PM	#4
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Thanks, Don. That is probably the direction I will go as I can't seem to get over shooting with the LCD visible from different camera positions. Maybe reading glasses and a velcro-on hood will by my happy medium. I tried strong reading glasses and they didn't make the focus distance much closer. I read about reading glasses and the focal distances only change from something like 4.75 inches to about 4 inches when going from weak to strong. For me, the 1.0+ diopter allows me to see perfectly up to the point my eyes start to cross and they don't completely destroy my distant vision. I tried out a Z-focus last night and it does allow critical focus for farsighted people. I think I would want the 2.5x version as the 3x just puts the image too "in your face". I found composition a bit challenging but focus was easy enough.