30d viewfinder at bright sunny day

[stipe_marinovic]

Hi everybody!

I have a problem with Canon 30d (and 350d).. when I'm shooting at bright sunny

day I can't see exposure data in viewfinder.. they are just not bright enough,

big enough, bold enough.. actually I don't know what is the real problem is it

font size, viewfinder size or something else.

The same problem I had before with using Olympus E-1.

Only with Nikon (D200, D2H,..) camera I didn't have this problem. Every time I

would look thrue Nikon D2H's viewfinder the first thing I would notice was

exposure data..

I'm trying to get used shooting in M mode.. but this makes it really hard when I

have to struggle trying to read exposure data.. :(

Is there anyone with the same problem.. how did you resolve it?

Thank you!

[martin_howard1]

I use the top panel on my 30D when it gets to bright for the viewfinder, fortunately it is not that sunny in the UK so it is not much of a problem.

[robin_sibson1]

The 20D, 30D and 5D all have this problem and there is no adjustment available. The 40D is considerably better.

[stipe_marinovic]

I was shooting sailing regatta few days ago.. and since we were cruising around boats, some times boat was be in the sun, some times in shade..and some times against the sun.. it was (pardon me for expression) pain in the ass shooting it in M mode.. I couldn't see any data in viewfinder :(

 

Would some different viewfinder eyecup (bigger one used for shooting with glasses) or magnifier help?

[mark u]

Try using DoF preview - assuming you aren't shooting wide open it will darken the viewfinder and make the data display more legible.

[stipe_marinovic]

Thanks!

I tried few hours ago :( not good :(

Any other solution?

Anyone?

[PuppyDigs]

"The 20D, 30D and 5D all have this problem and there is no adjustment available. The 40D

is considerably better."

 

Hmm, I find them all about the same--can see VF data just fine, even in sunny Honolulu. I

read so many divergent opinions about this issue there must be considerable variation in

human eyesight and/or Canon's backlight QC. I can say the VF data display in my my 20D,

5D and 40D adjust according to ambient light, getting very bright when I shoot on sun lit

white sand beaches.

 

The main VF problem I've encountered is side light from the setting sun causing glare on

the VF lens. No a problem for sunsets but if you shoot the surrounding landscape it's a

pain. Wish I had an oversized rubber cup to seal the VF better.

[William Michael]

>>> Is there anyone with the same problem <<<

 

 

Yes, and I am not alone, (obviously).

 

 

>>> how did you resolve it? <<<

 

ND8, (well an ND4 also)

 

WW

[William Michael]

And an old Minolta rubber eye hood assists. (the kind that wraps around the side of the eye like swimming goggles).

 

I had to make it fit the Canon 20D (read: `butcher the Minolta slide on metal mount`.

 

I found this keeps the stray, bright light stuffing up my right eye: great for snow and sand.

 

WW