Eye Piece Focusing at DVinfo.net

David Morgan · February 19th, 2007, 01:40 PM

I recently came across the technique for focusing my eyepiece by selecting the color bar pattern. However, if a person uses glasses, what do most people do about this? My eyes aren't that bad but I do have glasses for reading and distance. How can I trust the focus in the viewfinder and consequently, the video even if I think I've adjusted it sharp without my specs?

Canon XH-A1 camera

Richard Alvarez · February 19th, 2007, 02:02 PM

Try not to wear glasses when you're looking through the viewfinder. That's what the 'diopter' adjustment is there for.

Instead of focusing on bars, I like to focus on the PRINTING that's on the screen of the viewfinder. Leave the lens cap on, or just turn the camera on, so that the information is fed to the viewfinder on black. Timecode, date, battery indicator, whatever you got. Then adjust the diopter untill the words are nice and sharp.

Bingo, your screen is 'focused' to your eyes without your glasses on.

David Morgan · February 19th, 2007, 03:27 PM

Even better, as I think something like text offers the most potential for sharp focus. I guess it's a given somehow that the video will be in focus even though people's eyes differ.
thx for the reply

February 19th, 2007, 01:40 PM	#1
David Morgan Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 466	Eye Piece Focusing I recently came across the technique for focusing my eyepiece by selecting the color bar pattern. However, if a person uses glasses, what do most people do about this? My eyes aren't that bad but I do have glasses for reading and distance. How can I trust the focus in the viewfinder and consequently, the video even if I think I've adjusted it sharp without my specs? Canon XH-A1 camera

February 19th, 2007, 02:02 PM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Try not to wear glasses when you're looking through the viewfinder. That's what the 'diopter' adjustment is there for. Instead of focusing on bars, I like to focus on the PRINTING that's on the screen of the viewfinder. Leave the lens cap on, or just turn the camera on, so that the information is fed to the viewfinder on black. Timecode, date, battery indicator, whatever you got. Then adjust the diopter untill the words are nice and sharp. Bingo, your screen is 'focused' to your eyes without your glasses on.

February 19th, 2007, 03:27 PM	#3
David Morgan Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 466	Even better, as I think something like text offers the most potential for sharp focus. I guess it's a given somehow that the video will be in focus even though people's eyes differ. thx for the reply