Anyone use the Pentax right angle finder on their 645?

Silent Street · 07-12-2020, 10:29 PM

For people who have trouble precisely focusing slow lenses in low light, or when photographing in an awkward position e.g. at right angles to the camera, a right angle finder is the single most useful accessory, after the cable release! I do not know if the 645 RA finder has dioptric correction, but if it does, don't hesitate to get it. It will have to be removed/re-attached every time you pack the camera away and unpack it for use.

w2ck · 07-13-2020, 11:57 AM - **1 Like**

Hi,

Hmmm. I might have to try one. I hadn't thought about this yet. I have done all such shooting with a Nikon F5 and it has swappable viewfinders. One being waist level and another a magnifying vertical one. I used to have a right-angle for the Nikon FE and FA, but quit using one when I moved to an F4 and then the F5 with their swappable viewfinders. And, various digital backs on F5's.

But my P645D lacks the capability. Something else to add to the list.

Stan

**gofour3** · 07-13-2020, 12:49 PM - **1 Like**

One thing to add regarding the use of right angle finders, is the use of the optional rubber eyecup. Way easier to use with the eyecup to block stray light.

Phil.

**grhazelton** · 07-13-2020, 02:09 PM - **1 Like**

I forgot to add in my post about right angle finders for 35mm Pentaxes, the finder for the K mount cameras has a diopter adjustment, and a selectable 1x or 2x magnification, really useful for critical focusing. A correction to my earlier post: The angle finder for the M 42 cameras also fits the first K mount cameras, the K-2, KX, KM, and the K 1000.

**rdenney** · 07-14-2020, 05:37 AM

Originally posted by wa2kqy

Hi,

Hmmm. I might have to try one. I hadn't thought about this yet. I have done all such shooting with a Nikon F5 and it has swappable viewfinders. One being waist level and another a magnifying vertical one. I used to have a right-angle for the Nikon FE and FA, but quit using one when I moved to an F4 and then the F5 with their swappable viewfinders. And, various digital backs on F5's.

But my P645D lacks the capability. Something else to add to the list.

Stan

Speaking of foreign brands, I do miss the high-eyepoint speed finder for my Canon F-1. It rotated about a 45-degree plane to become a right-angle finder. Great idea not duplicated by anyone.

(From a Photo.net post—I own the lower one for my first-gen F-1)

Rick “imagining the hunks of glass requires to do this on a 67” Denney

**barondla** · 07-14-2020, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by rdenney

Speaking of foreign brands, I do miss the high-eyepoint speed finder for my Canon F-1. It rotated about a 45-degree plane to become a right-angle finder. Great idea not duplicated by anyone.

(From a Photo.net post—I own the lower one for my first-gen F-1)

Rick “imagining the hunks of glass requires to do this on a 67” Denney

Those and the 250 filmbacks always looked so cool. What is the difference between this and the Pentax LX action finder? Pentax FC-1 Action Eyepiece reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

Surprised no one brought out a pro digital camera with interchangeable viewfinders.

Thanks,
barondla

texandrews · 07-14-2020, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by rdenney

Speaking of foreign brands, I do miss the high-eyepoint speed finder for my Canon F-1. It rotated about a 45-degree plane to become a right-angle finder. Great idea not duplicated by anyone.

(From a Photo.net post—I own the lower one for my first-gen F-1)

Rick “imagining the hunks of glass requires to do this on a 67” Denney

Wish the Z had something like that.

07-13-2020, 12:49 PM - 1 Like	#18
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	One thing to add regarding the use of right angle finders, is the use of the optional rubber eyecup. Way easier to use with the eyecup to block stray light. Phil. Attached Images

07-14-2020, 05:37 AM	#20
rdenney Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NoVA Posts: 635	Anyone use the Pentax right angle finder on their 645? Originally posted by wa2kqy Hi, Hmmm. I might have to try one. I hadn't thought about this yet. I have done all such shooting with a Nikon F5 and it has swappable viewfinders. One being waist level and another a magnifying vertical one. I used to have a right-angle for the Nikon FE and FA, but quit using one when I moved to an F4 and then the F5 with their swappable viewfinders. And, various digital backs on F5's. But my P645D lacks the capability. Something else to add to the list. Stan Speaking of foreign brands, I do miss the high-eyepoint speed finder for my Canon F-1. It rotated about a 45-degree plane to become a right-angle finder. Great idea not duplicated by anyone. (From a Photo.net post—I own the lower one for my first-gen F-1) Rick “imagining the hunks of glass requires to do this on a 67” Denney

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07-12-2020, 10:29 PM	#16
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	For people who have trouble precisely focusing slow lenses in low light, or when photographing in an awkward position e.g. at right angles to the camera, a right angle finder is the single most useful accessory, after the cable release! I do not know if the 645 RA finder has dioptric correction, but if it does, don't hesitate to get it. It will have to be removed/re-attached every time you pack the camera away and unpack it for use.

07-13-2020, 11:57 AM - 1 Like	#17
w2ck Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Albums Posts: 442	Hi, Hmmm. I might have to try one. I hadn't thought about this yet. I have done all such shooting with a Nikon F5 and it has swappable viewfinders. One being waist level and another a magnifying vertical one. I used to have a right-angle for the Nikon FE and FA, but quit using one when I moved to an F4 and then the F5 with their swappable viewfinders. And, various digital backs on F5's. But my P645D lacks the capability. Something else to add to the list. Stan

07-13-2020, 02:09 PM - 1 Like	#19
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	I forgot to add in my post about right angle finders for 35mm Pentaxes, the finder for the K mount cameras has a diopter adjustment, and a selectable 1x or 2x magnification, really useful for critical focusing. A correction to my earlier post: The angle finder for the M 42 cameras also fits the first K mount cameras, the K-2, KX, KM, and the K 1000.

07-14-2020, 06:47 AM	#21
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714 Original Poster	Originally posted by rdenney Speaking of foreign brands, I do miss the high-eyepoint speed finder for my Canon F-1. It rotated about a 45-degree plane to become a right-angle finder. Great idea not duplicated by anyone. (From a Photo.net post—I own the lower one for my first-gen F-1) Rick “imagining the hunks of glass requires to do this on a 67” Denney Those and the 250 filmbacks always looked so cool. What is the difference between this and the Pentax LX action finder? Pentax FC-1 Action Eyepiece reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database Surprised no one brought out a pro digital camera with interchangeable viewfinders. Thanks, barondla

07-14-2020, 11:07 AM	#22
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,394	Originally posted by rdenney Speaking of foreign brands, I do miss the high-eyepoint speed finder for my Canon F-1. It rotated about a 45-degree plane to become a right-angle finder. Great idea not duplicated by anyone. (From a Photo.net post—I own the lower one for my first-gen F-1) Rick “imagining the hunks of glass requires to do this on a 67” Denney Wish the Z had something like that.