Pentax Magnifying Eyecup 0-ME53

Lucky Sky · 01-31-2007, 05:11 PM

I received my magnifying eyepiece today from B&H for $40 incl S&H.

The brochure says that it magnifies 1.18X and weighs a whopping 0.4 ounce.

Question- Does a magnifier device reduce the brightness of the image as seen the viewfinder? I have read elsewhere the usual yes/no and point/counterpoint. This more an academic question than anything......I'm satisfied with the item.

To me it appears not, but maybe the brightness loss is there, but negligible. I can't tell (as of yet).

The larger image thru the viewfinder is certainly a quite nice enhancement to the camera, and I'm glad that I made the purchase.

Thanks to all......

Lucky Sky

Scott Rylance · 01-31-2007, 06:21 PM

Hi,
I'm sorry I can't answer your question, except I have the Nikkon one I used on my K100 with No reduction of brightness.
I have a request if possible....could you post a pic of the camera with the eyepiece on it.
Cheers.

Lucky Sky · 01-31-2007, 06:51 PM

Scott-

I certainly will post a pic tomorrow as requested........I'll fire up my little Canon A610.

I had better ask right now.......how do I embed an image into a message on this forum?

Lucky Sky

dave sz · 01-31-2007, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by Scott Rylance

Hi,
I'm sorry I can't answer your question, except I have the Nikkon one I used on my K100 with No reduction of brightness.
I have a request if possible....could you post a pic of the camera with the eyepiece on it.
Cheers.

woah, and which one are you using? I'm trying to get one but I'm not sure if 1.18x magnification is enough of a difference...

Scott Rylance · 01-31-2007, 08:56 PM

Hi Lucky, thanks.
Here's how you can post a pic here.
"Put [IMG] before the link to the pic on a web site and [/IMG] after the link.
Example "[img]www.photosareus.net/mine/me.jpg[img]"
Don't include the inverted comers.

Cheers.

Scott Rylance · 01-31-2007, 09:01 PM

Hi Dave,
I bought the Nikon DK-21M off ebay. It's 1.17x and fits pretty tight but works fine, especially for manual focusing.
Cheers.

Lucky Sky · 02-01-2007, 05:44 AM

Scott- A couple of pics:

Lucky Sky

Jonas B · 02-01-2007, 05:53 AM

Originally posted by Lucky Sky

This more an academic question than anything......I'm satisfied with the item.
To me it appears not, but maybe the brightness loss is there, but negligible. I can't tell (as of yet).

Academic questions get academic answers: Yes, it reduces the brightness. Thinking about it is is hard to imagine anything (a "picture" built by rays of light) getting bigger without getting dimmer. With this level of magnification you'll probably not noticing unless you check for it very hard.

I have two other questions: Is it easy to see all info around the viewfinder? Is the glass (plastic?) coated? I'm asking as the Nikon counterpart I'm using now for my DS isn't coated and sometimes that makes a difference.

thank you,

newtmaker · 02-01-2007, 08:23 AM

Are you using eyeglasses when you shoot or naked eye? I read somewhere that the magnifier is not useful if you wear glasses.

Walt

Lucky Sky · 02-01-2007, 08:49 AM

Jonas & Walt-
1) I cannot see any difference in brightness as you stated.
2) There is some slight vignetting around the corners as the brochure warns about. The viewfinder information area is not affected.
3) Unable to determine if the piece is glass or coated, but this may help: when I look at it under my tungsten desk light, the reflection of the lightbulb has a very distinct green color to it.
4) I don't wear glasses except for reading. With my reading glasses on (magnifying lenses), the vignetting effect is much more pronounced.

Lucky Sky

Scott Rylance · 02-01-2007, 02:41 PM

Thank for the pics Lucky. It looks nicer than my Nikon one.
Cheers.

dave sz · 02-01-2007, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by Scott Rylance

Hi Dave,
I bought the Nikon DK-21M off ebay. It's 1.17x and fits pretty tight but works fine, especially for manual focusing.
Cheers.

well sir, I just ordered the nikon piece........

jnorth · 02-02-2007, 01:38 PM

I see a big upside to that - not smearing the LCD preview screen

I was out shooting yesterday and the angle of the sun was killing me. I was shifting around mashing my face against the camera to avoid a stray ray squeezing in between me and the camera, holding one hand up and cursing. Then checking the preview screen after to see if what I thought I was getting was what it was, but each time having to stop and clean the screen. Seems worth it if it helps avoid that grief again.

Jonas B · 02-02-2007, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by Jonas B

I have two other questions: Is it easy to see all info around the viewfinder? Is the glass (plastic?) coated? I'm asking as the Nikon counterpart I'm using now for my DS isn't coated and sometimes that makes a difference.

thank you,

Bumping my own questions...

Lucky Sky · 02-02-2007, 05:30 PM

Jonas B-

This was my reply yesterday to you & Walt-

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jonas & Walt-
1) I cannot see any difference in brightness as you stated.
2) There is some slight vignetting around the corners as the brochure warns about. The viewfinder information area is not affected.
3) Unable to determine if the piece is glass or coated, but this may help: when I look at it under my tungsten desk light, the reflection of the lightbulb has a very distinct green color to it.
4) I don't wear glasses except for reading. With my reading glasses on (magnifying lenses), the vignetting effect is much more pronounced