Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying eyepiece good for glasses wearer?

Kenneth3aracing · 06-08-2011, 08:03 AM

Hi, I have a k-x and its viewfinder is kind of small, especially giving me a hard time when I shooting with manual lens. I know the Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying eyepiece can do the job, but I am not sure it is good for the users with glasses on? and can I read the data bar at the bottom in VF clearly?

Web research has 50/50 people saying good and bad. I hope some experienced users can share their thought.

Thank You.

Marc Sabatella · 06-08-2011, 08:35 AM

I wear glasses. It *is* both good and bad. It does help with MF. Not a *huge* difference, but every little bit helps. But it does make it harder to see the info display. You can still see it; you just have to move your eye, so you can't see the full frame of the image and the info at the same time. The tradeoff is worth it for me.

eddie1960 · 06-08-2011, 08:57 AM

depends on why you wear glasses as well. i need reading but nothing else. my prescription for my right eye is +3
I just contacted Pentax parts and got a +3diopter. set the variable diopter back in the center and bobs yer uncle so to speak, shoot without the glasses. it was about $30 CDN i think. It could likely be retrofitted for another prescription by an optometrist as well. last i looked -1,-2,+1,+2,+3 were all available as parts, for anything between of course there is still the variable on the camera to fine tune things

fit's all my digital but unfortunately is to small for my film bodies, i've been looking for an older style but they are pretty rare

**Ahab** · 06-08-2011, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

I wear glasses. It *is* both good and bad. It does help with MF. Not a *huge* difference, but every little bit helps. But it does make it harder to see the info display. You can still see it; you just have to move your eye, so you can't see the full frame of the image and the info at the same time. The tradeoff is worth it for me.

Yup, same here.

Kenneth3aracing · 06-08-2011, 01:30 PM

Thanks all experts fast and detail sharing.

**manishved** · 06-08-2011, 01:36 PM

Yes, I have had no issues - in fact I prefer to use it since it increases the distance between my nose and the LCD - so I have less smudges on the LCD

Edvinas · 06-08-2011, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Kenneth3aracing

Hi, I have a k-x and its viewfinder is kind of small, especially giving me a hard time when I shooting with manual lens. I know the Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying eyepiece can do the job, but I am not sure it is good for the users with glasses on? and can I read the data bar at the bottom in VF clearly?

Web research has 50/50 people saying good and bad. I hope some experienced users can share their thought.

Thank You.

So, your problem is manual focus? Much better solution that magnifying cup is split prism focusing screen. That's not a guess, that's my experience

Marc Sabatella · 06-08-2011, 04:16 PM

Some of us don't *like* split prism screens, though - I find them very distracting to look through. That plus the difference in cost, in ease of installation, and the potential effect on metering makes a split screen something I'll only resort to when my eyesight deteriorates to the point where I have no other choice.

m42man · 06-08-2011, 11:08 PM

I agree with Marc on all counts.

In the old film days, I found I never used the split prism, because it was easier to get accurate focus just using the matte area (the viewfinder image was bigger and more sensitive to focus error in those days). Possibly I'd use a split prism nowadays on my DSLR, if I had one. BUT, the thought of having to install a replacement screen with the correct shimming is just too much...

magkelly · 06-09-2011, 06:45 AM

This might be a good thing with a K-x. LOL My nose isn't even near what you'd call big but I am constantly hitting the LV button trying to see through the viewer.

Originally posted by manishved

Yes, I have had no issues - in fact I prefer to use it since it increases the distance between my nose and the LCD - so I have less smudges on the LCD

Docrwm · 06-09-2011, 01:29 PM

Originally posted by eddie1960

depends on why you wear glasses as well. i need reading but nothing else. my prescription for my right eye is +3
I just contacted Pentax parts and got a +3diopter. set the variable diopter back in the center and bobs yer uncle so to speak, shoot without the glasses. it was about $30 CDN i think. It could likely be retrofitted for another prescription by an optometrist as well. last i looked -1,-2,+1,+2,+3 were all available as parts, for anything between of course there is still the variable on the camera to fine tune things

fit's all my digital but unfortunately is to small for my film bodies, i've been looking for an older style but they are pretty rare

Newb here - can you tell me more about this and how it works from a purchasing and installation standpoint? Thanks.

shooz · 06-09-2011, 03:14 PM

I've been using the O-ME53 for a while now and wonder how I got along with out it.
I'm near sighted and wear my glasses all the time.
Never used a split prism, don't think I'd want to for macro work.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-09-2011, 03:26 PM

+1 what Marc says on first post

Me, I luv split screen/prism screens (Katzeye) and would not leave home without 'em

DaveHolmes · 06-09-2011, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

But it does make it harder to see the info display. You can still see it; you just have to move your eye

I find it actually makes it easier to see the info... Weird... I had to move my eye much more with the stock eye-piece in order to see the info...
However, since working out how to use the green button I look at the info a lot less than I did... Lazy I know!

Marc Sabatella · 06-09-2011, 10:07 PM

If you can see the info with glasses on, then you aren't seeing the whole image frame.

06-08-2011, 08:03 AM	#1
Kenneth3aracing Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 233	Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying eyepiece good for glasses wearer? Hi, I have a k-x and its viewfinder is kind of small, especially giving me a hard time when I shooting with manual lens. I know the Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying eyepiece can do the job, but I am not sure it is good for the users with glasses on? and can I read the data bar at the bottom in VF clearly? Web research has 50/50 people saying good and bad. I hope some experienced users can share their thought. Thank You.

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06-08-2011, 08:35 AM	#2
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I wear glasses. It is both good and bad. It does help with MF. Not a huge difference, but every little bit helps. But it does make it harder to see the info display. You can still see it; you just have to move your eye, so you can't see the full frame of the image and the info at the same time. The tradeoff is worth it for me.

06-08-2011, 08:57 AM	#3
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	depends on why you wear glasses as well. i need reading but nothing else. my prescription for my right eye is +3 I just contacted Pentax parts and got a +3diopter. set the variable diopter back in the center and bobs yer uncle so to speak, shoot without the glasses. it was about $30 CDN i think. It could likely be retrofitted for another prescription by an optometrist as well. last i looked -1,-2,+1,+2,+3 were all available as parts, for anything between of course there is still the variable on the camera to fine tune things fit's all my digital but unfortunately is to small for my film bodies, i've been looking for an older style but they are pretty rare

06-08-2011, 10:04 AM	#4
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella I wear glasses. It is both good and bad. It does help with MF. Not a huge difference, but every little bit helps. But it does make it harder to see the info display. You can still see it; you just have to move your eye, so you can't see the full frame of the image and the info at the same time. The tradeoff is worth it for me. Yup, same here.

06-08-2011, 01:30 PM	#5
Kenneth3aracing Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 233 Original Poster	Thanks all experts fast and detail sharing.

06-08-2011, 01:36 PM	#6
manishved Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N. Calif Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,652	Yes, I have had no issues - in fact I prefer to use it since it increases the distance between my nose and the LCD - so I have less smudges on the LCD

06-08-2011, 02:02 PM	#7
Edvinas Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaunas Posts: 1,458	Originally posted by Kenneth3aracing Hi, I have a k-x and its viewfinder is kind of small, especially giving me a hard time when I shooting with manual lens. I know the Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying eyepiece can do the job, but I am not sure it is good for the users with glasses on? and can I read the data bar at the bottom in VF clearly? Web research has 50/50 people saying good and bad. I hope some experienced users can share their thought. Thank You. So, your problem is manual focus? Much better solution that magnifying cup is split prism focusing screen. That's not a guess, that's my experience

06-08-2011, 04:16 PM	#8
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Some of us don't like split prism screens, though - I find them very distracting to look through. That plus the difference in cost, in ease of installation, and the potential effect on metering makes a split screen something I'll only resort to when my eyesight deteriorates to the point where I have no other choice.

06-08-2011, 11:08 PM	#9
m42man Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623	I agree with Marc on all counts. In the old film days, I found I never used the split prism, because it was easier to get accurate focus just using the matte area (the viewfinder image was bigger and more sensitive to focus error in those days). Possibly I'd use a split prism nowadays on my DSLR, if I had one. BUT, the thought of having to install a replacement screen with the correct shimming is just too much...

06-09-2011, 06:45 AM	#10
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	This might be a good thing with a K-x. LOL My nose isn't even near what you'd call big but I am constantly hitting the LV button trying to see through the viewer. Originally posted by manishved Yes, I have had no issues - in fact I prefer to use it since it increases the distance between my nose and the LCD - so I have less smudges on the LCD

06-09-2011, 01:29 PM	#11
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by eddie1960 depends on why you wear glasses as well. i need reading but nothing else. my prescription for my right eye is +3 I just contacted Pentax parts and got a +3diopter. set the variable diopter back in the center and bobs yer uncle so to speak, shoot without the glasses. it was about $30 CDN i think. It could likely be retrofitted for another prescription by an optometrist as well. last i looked -1,-2,+1,+2,+3 were all available as parts, for anything between of course there is still the variable on the camera to fine tune things fit's all my digital but unfortunately is to small for my film bodies, i've been looking for an older style but they are pretty rare Newb here - can you tell me more about this and how it works from a purchasing and installation standpoint? Thanks.

06-09-2011, 03:14 PM	#12
shooz Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Detroit Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,491	I've been using the O-ME53 for a while now and wonder how I got along with out it. I'm near sighted and wear my glasses all the time. Never used a split prism, don't think I'd want to for macro work.

06-09-2011, 03:26 PM	#13
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	+1 what Marc says on first post Me, I luv split screen/prism screens (Katzeye) and would not leave home without 'em

06-09-2011, 09:19 PM	#14
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella But it does make it harder to see the info display. You can still see it; you just have to move your eye I find it actually makes it easier to see the info... Weird... I had to move my eye much more with the stock eye-piece in order to see the info... However, since working out how to use the green button I look at the info a lot less than I did... Lazy I know!

06-09-2011, 10:07 PM	#15
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	If you can see the info with glasses on, then you aren't seeing the whole image frame.