Anyone used a Seagull Right-angle viewfinder?

Bend The LightBend The Light Registered Users Posts: 1,887 Major grins
edited November 18, 2011 in Accessories
I just bought one on ebay...not sure of the model but the guy had it on a 350d, and since I have a 400d which is identical in the viewfinder department, I figured it would be fine.
I paid £5 for it which I think is reasonable...they are priced £50 and up when i searched t'interwebs...

Anyone used one? Any good? I have issues sometimes when shooting macro, spiders and the sort...they're never easy to get and having no live view makes it harder.

Any thoughts?

Comments

  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited November 18, 2011
    Whilst I regularly use an angle finder, I've no experience with this particular model.

    The criteria I've suggested people check out (in ideal world) if considering one of these items are:

    Prism rather than a mirror - many of the cheaper ones use silver surfaced mirrors and are slightly dimmer.
    Ensure that the image isn't inverted in any way with respect to the viewfinder image - you'll go mad otherwise.
    Positive (preferably lockable) 90deg click stops / indents for landscape / portrait stuff - imo it gets somewhat disorientating if the AF rotates 'out of square' with the viewfinder whilst tracking a subject.
    Diopter adjustment.
    Eyecup.

    One of the old Canon FD Afinders (can't remember which, but can find out if necessary) fits many 1.6 crop Canon bodies (not 7D) and can be obtained reasonably cheaply - jfyi if the one you've bought isn't ok.

    Personally, I use a (self) modified Pentax one which can now be locked in any angular position, and just slides on the viewfinder (no spring loaded 'locking clips') - so can be removed very quickly, single handedly.
    Whilst I rarely use mine for macro, it was very useful when trying to get water level shots of things like pond skaters etc.
    Have never used live view for macro with live subjects ...

    Take a bit of getting used to, but great bits of kit imo - great when the cam's resting on the ground/floor/table/ice etc, and you know you can't get any lower ... but you can still use it (in comfort).
    I'd also recommend half a sleeping bag roll mat (or similar) for kneeling on / being comfortable - esp with winter nearby.

    pp
  • Bend The LightBend The Light Registered Users Posts: 1,887 Major grins
    edited November 18, 2011
    Whilst I regularly use an angle finder, I've no experience with this particular model.

    The criteria I've suggested people check out (in ideal world) if considering one of these items are:

    Prism rather than a mirror - many of the cheaper ones use silver surfaced mirrors and are slightly dimmer.
    Ensure that the image isn't inverted in any way with respect to the viewfinder image - you'll go mad otherwise.
    Positive (preferably lockable) 90deg click stops / indents for landscape / portrait stuff - imo it gets somewhat disorientating if the AF rotates 'out of square' with the viewfinder whilst tracking a subject.
    Diopter adjustment.
    Eyecup.

    One of the old Canon FD Afinders (can't remember which, but can find out if necessary) fits many 1.6 crop Canon bodies (not 7D) and can be obtained reasonably cheaply - jfyi if the one you've bought isn't ok.

    Personally, I use a (self) modified Pentax one which can now be locked in any angular position, and just slides on the viewfinder (no spring loaded 'locking clips') - so can be removed very quickly, single handedly.
    Whilst I rarely use mine for macro, it was very useful when trying to get water level shots of things like pond skaters etc.
    Have never used live view for macro with live subjects ...

    Take a bit of getting used to, but great bits of kit imo - great when the cam's resting on the ground/floor/table/ice etc, and you know you can't get any lower ... but you can still use it (in comfort).
    I'd also recommend half a sleeping bag roll mat (or similar) for kneeling on / being comfortable - esp with winter nearby.

    pp

    Thanks for that...I just tried it. I think the fitting that is with it is a little loose, but I just tried it indoors and it's quite nice. I need to look at some method of tightening it on the viewfinder of the camera...very loose. Other thing is is that it fits the 400d, but I am now getting a 40d for christmas and the fitting might be different...might need to seek out another adaptor for it.
    Image looks nice and bright, and is 1x or 2x magnification. It locks at angles about 20 dgrees, 70, and 90 degrees, all the way around. That should be ok.

    Worth a fiver, anyway, but the daughter may end up with it when she gets my 400d for christmas. :)
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