Loyal Site Supportaxian Registered: September, 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 503 | Review Date: March 5, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 7 |
Pros: | Adds diopter correction to older bodies. Rotates. | Cons: | Not laterally correct image (original version) | | This review is for the original version (Refconverter)
If you are an prescription eyeglass wearer, this is an inexpensive and adjustable way to add diopter compensation to your older camera.
Well made, decent optics, good mechanics. Very helpful for macro and astrophotography.
| |
Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,085 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: June 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $110.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Diopter adjustment, laterally correct image. Very well built. | Cons: | The rubber eyecup is optional and hard to find. Blocks part of viewfinder. | | This review is also for the Refconverter II right-angle finder and not the simpler Refconverter pictured in the item description.
This is a must have accessory for me in any outdoor daylight tripod work. I’m nearsighted and don’t like wearing glasses when using my camera, so the built in diopter adjustment is wonderful. This is especially useful when I’m focusing using my large telephoto lenses. (K400/5.6, K500/4.5 & K1000/8).
I recommend getting the optional rubber eye cup, as it helps reduce reflections when it’s sunny out. The only issue I have with this refconverter is that it blocks some of the viewfinder area when attached and makes it a little hard to see the meter needles.
I highly recommend getting the Refconverter II if you are looking for a right-angle finder for a “K” series or screw-mount film body. Don’t bother with the regular Refconverter, which has a reduced +2 to -2 diopter adjustment, has a laterally incorrect image and is not as well built. Refconverter II: | |
Veteran Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 4,461 | Review Date: June 14, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Quality build, improves focusing for macro work | Cons: | none | | Pentax has produced three Refconverters I am aware of: Refconverter-M, Refconverter-II and Refconverter. They are similar enough that the manual I received with the Refconverter-M also includes instructions for the other two.
This review concerns itself with Refconverter II. Refconverter II was designed for use with the following cameras: K2, K2DMD, KX, KM and S-series models. I purchased it as a fine focusing aid for use with my bellows equipment and for that function it works very well. It shows an “unreversed, laterally correct” image and features 1x magnification. It also features an adjustment ring which according to the manual provides approx. +4 to –4 dioptre adjustment. The ring is calibrated for “simplified” readjustment. This is very handy for those who wear eyeglasses or those with some vision irregularities.
It is more substantial than Refconverter-M. Like the K series cameras/lenses it was designed to be used with its construction is tank like. It originally it came with a leather case and an accessory eyepcup. The eyecups are easily removed with the larger accessory eyecup recommended for non-eyeglass wearers. The unit slides into the back of the eyepiece groves while squeezing the lock levers. The back of the camera can be opened and closed while attached. The unit rotates through 90 degrees and can be used for low angle, high angle and macro applications. My primary application for Refconverter II was as a fine focusing aid with my bellows unit. It works very well for this application.
| |