[Arrvon]

Hi guys and gals,

I recently received shipment of an O-ME53 Pentax 1.2x viewfinder magnifying eye cup for my K7. So far I like it a lot. Slightly larger viewfinder size with no real draw backs for me. I can see the entire frame, including the info below the screen, and have the added benefit of some extra nose clearance from the LCD screen.

Either way, I wanted to create this thread simply for a reference point for anyone interested in the actual difference between the K7/K5 viewfinder WITH the O-ME53 magnifier against the view finder in a Spotmatic F. Each shot was taken with my cell phone and I apologize for the poor quality and massive barrel distortion (partly why the red and blue borders were made so thick). I used a SMC 55mm f1.8 Tak and mounted it on each to take the photos. I know the field of view would be different this way, but correct me if i'm wrong, since I took a picture of a blank wall, all that this should show is the physical difference in size between each viewfinder image. I have attached the photo for anyone else to reference if this kind of thing interests them!

Attached Images

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Last edited by Arrvon; 09-04-2012 at 01:47 PM. Reason: Changed the attachment to show the stock K7 screen as well.

[sbroadbentphoto]

That's cool. Where can i get 2 or 3 of them?
Do they have diopter focus control or does that still work on the camera part?

[sbroadbentphoto]

Bought 2 on ebay. thanks!

[Arrvon]

You'll definitely enjoy them. And you're correct, the diopter control remains on the camera itself. In hindsight, I should have also taken a photo without the o-me53 on the k7 for comparison's sake...should be around 20% smaller I guess!

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Last edited by Arrvon; 09-02-2012 at 04:09 AM.

[Imcalfin]

I have one on mine and am quite happy with it. The edges of the frame get obscured or hazy quite easily but I find it well worth the advantages.

For me the biggest positive has been the nose relief. As a left eyed shooter I still have a well greased rear LCD but at least my nose isn't hurting anymore.

[Arrvon]

While we're on this topic, and given the absolute craziness of the full frame topic on this forum, I have a question to pose...

According to DPreview of the K5, when they adjust the viewfinder magnification number to a full frame equivalent, it comes to a 0.61x viewfinder. If I look up the Spotmatic F stat, it appears to be a 0.88x. Now the K5 0.61x with the O-ME53 magnifyer of 1.2x, should be roughly equivalent to a 0.73x.

Is that math correct?

Because if it is, that would put the K7/K5 with O-ME53 right in between the D800 and Canon 1DX mIII which are 0.7x and 0.76x respectfully.

[CrazyNuts]

Excuse my stupidity, but what exactly are you guys talking about here? Spotmatic viewfinder on a K7/K5?

What exactly is that?

I have the O-ME53 and wasn't all that impressed with it to be honest. Put it on the K20D and it's a lot more suited for it.

[Arrvon]

I was talking about the size of the viewfinders as you look at them through the eye piece. I photographed the view through both my Spotmatic F and K7 eye pieces (w/ O-ME53 installed) and then superimposed the K7 image over the Spotmatic image so people can get a visual representation of the difference between them in size. I found it helpful in seeing the difference in size between a full frame SLR and APS-C DSLR viewfinders and actually seeing the difference that before were only represented by the 0.61x and 0.88x viewfinder stats provided in the spec sheets of the cameras.

Again though, i'm curious if my math in my previous post is correct. If so, that would mean that the K7/K5 with O-ME53 magnifyer on it would show a viewfinder image that's slightly large than the Nikon D800 FF camera...to me, that's kind of shocking as the viewfinder size advantage of FF was for me, always one of the attractions to upgrading to a FF DSLR down the road.

[sbroadbentphoto]

If i like it, then i would only find two advantages of FF cameras for me. The DOF and the field of view. No big worry though!

[RonHendriks1966]

I have two of them, one on each of my K-5's. They work very fine. You still use the dioptric of the camera to adjust to your eyes.

[jac]

One on each of K5, K20 and *ist. Never take 'em off.

[Canada_Rockies]

Have the O-ME53 on my K10D. It only comes off for cleaning. I don't have nose grease problems because I use a Delkin LCD cover that I bought because it shades the LCD in sunlight when it is open.

[Tanzer]

Thanks for the posting. It looks like the K-7 w/ O-ME53 is in RED, while the Spotmatic is in BLUE -- you might want to state this up front in your original post.

[Arrvon]

It looks like the K-7 w/ O-ME53 is in RED, while the Spotmatic is in BLUE -- you might want to state this up front in your original post.

Yeah I should have made it more clear in the first post. In my mind it was a little clearer because I was familiar with how each viewfinder looked. The K7 with the auto focus brackets and the Spotmatic with the +/- exposure area on the right side. In any case, i'm still loving the O-ME53!

[filoxophy]

Very much appreciate this post! I'm looking at buying one of these, and this comparison is very helpful. The inclusion of a frame indicating the unmagnified vf would make this even better. Thanks for posting!