Originally posted by pacerr I just finished " fixin' " the viewfinders on my MX and Mamyia 645.
Cut and filed the plastic lens from an old pair of reading glasses (1.25x) to be a press fit in the VF frames. Added a tiny touch of silicon sealer to hold 'em in place. Three blanks from one lens.
Cost - nuthin' but time. Results - excellent. No more juggling reading glasses to manually focus.
To try it, hold an appropriate diopter lens to the VF frame. Whatever works for about 2 1/2 - 3 feet distance reading should work.
If precise cut n' file is too much, the additional lens works just as well cut to " sort'a fit " glued to the outside of the VF frame - just doesn't look good. Black marker for the edges to kill side light.
H2
That sounds pretty interesting, could you clarify? You essentially replaced the viewfinder optics closest to the user's eye with a cut-down lens from a pair of reading glasses? Or did you attach it as an additional "element" to the viewfinder? My confusion is from your use of "viewfinder frame" as, to me, it could mean the actual view inside the viewfinder or the physical metal-plastic frame holding the viewfinder together.
I'm still rather new to the 645.
I have adjusted the stock diopter so the LCD reads clearly, but that didn't fix my problem. I think it's a question of eye relief; for me, it is rather short so I have to place my eye very close to the viewfinder to see the whole image and the information on the LCD.
I bought an eyecup from KEH but I can't figure out how to attach it. Might want to read the manual someday...but even with the eyecup on it will only reduce the level of distracting outside light and doesn't look like it will address my primary complaint above.