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05/01/2006 12:18:30 PM · #1 |
Ok, so I like the idea of an angled viewfinder. I have been toying with the idea of the digital viewscreen one, but there's something about having a direct optical line that I like.
But the Canon angle viewfinder is EXPENSIVE!!!
So I found one today that is around 80 dollars US.
I thought I would share.
It's the Seagull Angle viewfinder. When I got it, it came with a bag, a semi-useless dust cleaner (which is probably almost useful for cleaning those pesky corners in camera viewfinders) and adaptor attachments which will allow it to adapt to all kinds of DSLR's and SLR's including Pentax, KM, Nikon, and probably 10 more.
I got a real kick out of the fact that there was listed among the Canon models an EOS 50D.
It has all of the functions of the Canon, almost identical detents too... The canon has a 1.25x or 2.5x magnification and a stunningly crisp mirror. The Seagull appears to be almost imperceptibly weaker in the colors and has 1x or 2x magnification. Both have eyepeice focusing. It isn't part of the imaging system, so I wouldn't think that this is a major deal. Considering it's around a third the price of the Canon (depending on how you look at it).
It's fantastic for shooting over people's heads as well as shooting from lower perspectives a la MF cameras as well as odd angles and low-down macro shooting. I shoot a lot of kids, so it might come in handy there as well.
Anyhow, just a heads up on this great deal! |
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05/01/2006 12:26:57 PM · #2 |
I've never physically tried the Seagull, and have seen both good and bad reports on it. The bad reports normally knock the build quality, but you never know if they're just equipment snobs.
The Canon *is* expensive for what it is. I own one, and find it very useful, particularly for astrophotography and macro work. I do think that for the price, the build quality could be better. In particular, the focus adjustment should be less subject to movement through contact with the eyecup. It is also not parfocal, meaning that you have to readjust focus when you switch magnification, which is a pain. Even with the warts, though, it is still a valuable tool. An optical device is far superior to the "EVF simulators" out there. No way can you judge focus through one of those.
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05/01/2006 12:44:15 PM · #3 |
| Thanks for the reviews! These look like a very useful aid for specialized photography such as macro and astro. |
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05/01/2006 12:46:51 PM · #4 |
Agreed. Incidentally, the Seagull has exactly the same features/faults as you mentioned.
It is also susceptible to focus readjustment through the somewhat oddly designed eyecup.
As far as build quality, I was allowed to handle and mount both on my camera and found build quality to be so close that it was not even worth blinking about. There is roughly the same amount of effort required to slide it on, pretty much the same amount of flex/play in the joint and I felt that both focus adjustors were quite smooth.
The Seagull probably uses cheaper glass in the optics which accounts for very slightly weaker colors.
The magnification switcher is pretty much the same thing.
I didn't feel that I was really getting double the view. It's possible that such is indeed the case, but it felt more like a 1x to 1.2x increase to me. Both are identical in the jump of magnification (probably a reason for this).
There seems to be more 'vignetting' with the 1x on the Seagull which is probably why the Canon starts at 1.25x.
Again, as it's not part of the imaging system, I can't see why this would be an issue to anyone.
Incidentally El Gordo, I got interested in this concept for two reasons. One is because I highly value the flip and twist screen on my S2 IS and my sister/father's A80's. The other is because my roommate let me have a go with his Bronica MF system with the big sheet of ground glass. What a fun way to shoot pictures. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to get this effect because it clearly isn't the same thing.
What did tweak my interest is what he told me about the way that people react to being snapped by someone whose face they cannot directly see looking at them. Something in their subconscious perhaps...
It will be interesting to see if this makes any difference in the behavior of my subjects...
Message edited by author 2006-05-01 12:50:35. |
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05/01/2006 03:57:27 PM · #5 |
| cool, I have been wanting one. thanks. |
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05/01/2006 04:27:47 PM · #6 |
| I frequently use my Nikon cp8800 because of the flip and twist display, just as you use the S2 IS, but the D50 is a much more verstile camera. I will probably get one of the Seagull angle finders soon. Thanks! |
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05/01/2006 04:44:38 PM · #7 |
Sounds liek itll help with my skate photography in getting lower angles...
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05/01/2006 09:54:02 PM · #8 |
Just as a word of note, be aware that this is just an eyepeice, you will still have to stick your face on it to see your composition. This is still a little less versatile than the flip and twist screen.
Weight the factors... If it's for composition only, consider the digital one as well.
I personally decided to go with the optical one because I'm also a big fan of panning shots which are *MUCH* harder to do with digital viewfinders. |
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05/01/2006 09:58:57 PM · #9 |
I have the expensive one and frankly can't imagine not having it. It's just great for when you have your camera on a tripod at some funky angle not to mention macro shots.
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05/02/2006 10:01:19 AM · #10 |
I've been wanted one for astrophotography (Mostly the moon). How do you know when the focus of the angle is right?
I am trying to use the 20D on my C5 telescope (manual focus), but focusing is next to impossible, due to the viewfinder. I think the 2.5x angle viewfinder would help greatly, IF I could get the angle focused correctly too.
-Chad |
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05/02/2006 10:30:39 AM · #11 |
where can i get one of these or read more about it?
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05/02/2006 11:15:10 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by k4ffy:
where can i get one of these or read more about it? |
//www.adorama.com/CAAFC.html
And to answer my own question, here is a review and how to focus the angle viewfinder:
//www.astromart.com/articles/article.asp?article_id=198
-Chad |
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