Veteran Member Registered: September, 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322 | | Review Date: January 1, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $4.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Does the job. | | Cons: | Pressure tabs break too easily, replacements too expensive. | |
I have quite a few of these, and they all have broken tabs. They came to me either already broken or broke during use. That means they fall off easily if the camera is tilted above 90º. Haven't lost one since I always remember to take it off, but it's annoying that they all break. Really bad design and material selection. I also guess they didn't test it enough in the field and just kept the design until today. Perhaps they changed the material at the manufacturing stage at some point for a cheaper one. Seems PS and that's too stiff and brittle. ABS, PC (or a mix of those) or PP would've been tougher and more elastic. This deserves a slap in the back of the head of the team that put these out!
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Closed Account Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 8,694 | | Review Date: December 3, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Does its job well | | Cons: | Easily lost if not careful | |
This accessory is a must have for maintaining correct exposure when using BULB mode, or when using a remote control IMO. Any time the viewfinder allows extraneous light into the camera, it risks incorrect exposure. Get 2 though, as 1 will always go missing !!  | |
Loyal Site Supporter Registered: January, 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Posts: 2,772 | | Review Date: January 22, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | more accurate exposures with remote shutter | | Cons: | easily lost | |
I say 'free with camera' but Pentax has stopped including this item with some cameras [bad move Pentax], and a replacement of this $0.03 worth of plastic will cost close to $9.
As to loss, if you normally have a fabric neck strap on your camera, drill two small holes through the back of the cap and stitch it like a button to the inside of your neck strap. Place it far enough up the strap to reach the viewfinder, but not so far that it rubs on your shoulder or neck. The assumption is you won't have the camera hanging on your neck when you need the cap, but it will always be handy.
As to breaking the tabs as reported by others - all I can say is I know it can be broken so I am gentle. I've had one with my Pentax Super Program for 25 years. Oh, and the attached neck strap gives you an easier grip for installation and removal.
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PEG Moderator Registered: August, 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Posts: 57,818 | | Review Date: January 28, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | A good cheap viewfinder blind | | Cons: | None | |
A must if your planning longish exposures, it just stops any extra stray additional light from entering the camera via the eyepiece.  | |
Veteran Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 4,461 | | Review Date: November 17, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Necessary for long exposures | | Cons: | Tabs prone to breakage | |
These caps were standard issue with all Pentax film cameras back in the day and I even got one with my K10 a few years ago. As indicated above they are very useful for keeping light out of the viewfinder during long exposure. With every camera but the LX which meters off the film plane they are necessary. The plastic tabs which hold them in place on the viewfinder are kind of spindly and prone to breakage. They are also easily lost as I have proved on several occasions. A handy accessory to have if you do any long exposures.
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