Eyecup for K20D

*jbinpg* · 04-23-2009, 11:36 AM

Has anybody run into the older style of eyecup that was a necessity years ago before the digital age on SLRs? You know, the one with the metal mount that slid over the viewfinder port with the large rubber hood that sat against your eye when using it. I tried a couple of camera stores and they seem to be a thing of the past now. The one on my K20D finally fell apart and I wish to replace it with something more durable.

Jack

P.S. - Yes, I know they are trying to flog replacements such as the "HoodEye" in the camera mags but they want ridiculous money for something that is only available in Canikon flavors.

Russell-Evans · 04-23-2009, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by jbinpg

Yes, I know they are trying to flog replacements such as the "HoodEye" in the camera mags but they want ridiculous money for something that is only available in Canikon flavors.

Seagull Eyecup US $3.38 Uses the same universal mounting system as the Seagull right angle finder so swapping between the two is very easy. I didn't find the tear drop shape workable, so used a pair of scissor to trim the rubber into a more round shape.

If you are looking for a magnifier as well an eye cup you might like the KPS U-13C

Forum discussion of the KPS

Thank you
Russell

*kristoffon* · 04-23-2009, 03:15 PM

I purchased the O-ME53 eye cup from pentax with a lens that magnifies the view. Really recommed it. It is more solid than the stock one, and puts the eye some distance more from the camera.

*jbinpg* · 04-23-2009, 10:41 PM

Thanks, guys. That gives me a few options.

Jewelltrail · 04-24-2009, 12:01 AM

Since the light in the viewfinder is always dimmer than the light in the area you are shooting, it is important to use an eyecup. In order to have your shooting eye's pupil the most dilated, it needs to have all light, outside of the viewfinder, blocked from its view. To do this, an eyecup is essential. The benefits of the eyecup are not limited to bright, sunny conditions either. The eyecup will always dilate the shooting pupil because, if used properly, the light the pupil receives will only come from the viewfinder.

This becomes even more apparent when we try to focus manually. I do not know why all the Pentax cameras lack an eyecup--this is a silly omission IMHO by Pentax. The more dilated the pupil, the more light it receives. It is inexpensive, but provides a big boost for manual focusers.

Anyway, I finally got fed up with the OME-53 Pentax magnifier, for the above-mentioned reasons. I bought the U13 of the KPS and could not be happier. I highly recommend it, or buying an eyecup which seals out all light, except that light which the viewfinder provides.

Chris Stearns · 04-24-2009, 01:02 AM

I just received the OME-53 today from B&H. I really want the KPS, but the Pentax one is at least half the price and readily available.

The OME-53 is definitely an improvement over the K100d eyepiece. It gives you 18% magnification and that's not much when you're looking through it. I had to take it off a couple of times just to sense the slight increase.

Also, it doesn't have a proper eye cup, rather a cushioned eye ring. I do, however, like the rear extension the the eyepiece provides. Overall, I like it and it didn't cost that much.

axl · 05-02-2009, 02:47 AM

I have recently purchased O-ME53 too, and I'm really pleased with it. The magnificaltion is just big enough so I can see whole VF without having to move my eye around too much, any bigger magnification would mean most of my FOV would be concentrated on the centre of the VF and checking corners would mean taking my eye off the center to have a look around...

anyway, I'd love to get eyecup for it.. is it possible? Or is the rubber piece fixed in irreplacible way?

BR

*Ratmagiclady* · 05-02-2009, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by axl

I have recently purchased O-ME53 too, and I'm really pleased with it. The magnificaltion is just big enough so I can see whole VF without having to move my eye around too much, any bigger magnification would mean most of my FOV would be concentrated on the centre of the VF and checking corners would mean taking my eye off the center to have a look around...

anyway, I'd love to get eyecup for it.. is it possible? Or is the rubber piece fixed in irreplacible way?

BR

Hrm, well, it'd be nice if they made something like that for these pieces I've considered what I might do for that, too. (If the pieces existed, I don't think it'd be too hard to switch out the rubber parts: it wouldn't be impossible for someone enterprising to just make a mold and turn out a bunch of them. Bit of a project, there)

Though the KPS piece looks like a pretty nice option. The rigid part of the Pentax magnifier helps do *some* of the job of an eyecup for me, too, at least, (compared to not having one. ) Hardly perfect, but it's there.

Jewelltrail · 05-02-2009, 04:45 PM

Axl: I have recently purchased O-ME53 too, and I'm really pleased with it.

Chris Stearns: The OME-53 is definitely an improvement over the K100d eyepiece.

Ratmagiclady: Though the KPS piece looks like a pretty nice option. The rigid part of the Pentax magnifier helps do *some* of the job of an eyecup for me, too, at least, (compared to not having one. ) Hardly perfect, but it's there

kristoffon: kristoffon I purchased the O-ME53 eye cup from pentax with a lens that magnifies the view. Really recommed it.

I agree the OME-53 was an improvement over the stock eyepiece. I think my eyes are very sensitive to sun though, because out in bright light it was tough for me to compose sometimes. And it did block some sun as Ratmagiclady says. I am grateful for the use I got out of the Pentax OME-53 while I owned it.