Large Eyecup Problem with P645N

[pentaxuser]

I have the above on my camera. Eye cup is really the wrong description as it is totally flat with nothing to "cup" the eye. and therein lies the problem I suspect. As I only got the camera a few weeks ago and had very dull light conditions I have had no problems until this Saturday just past when we had strong sunshine in my part of the U.K. Then I noticed that I could see what I assume to be the image of the round viewfinder glass in the viewfinder( circle) when shooting at an angle that put the sun to the side of my eye.

When the sun was behind me and the back of my head blocked the light the problem disappeared. I have sinced developed the film and even when the problem in the finder showed itself there was no issue with the neg. So I think it is purely a reflection in the finder but it is disconcerting.

If the sun is to my right side the I can hold up my hand by the eyecup and this would seem to work but I cannot shoot as the shutter is also on the right and besides the camera really need two hands to steady it given its weight.

Anyone experienced this problem and if so any thoughts on how to overcome it?

It has been suggested to me that if the sun in on my right then I simply switch to using my left eye so most of my face and presumably my nose blocks the light from the eyepiece. This might well work but I am naturally left eyed for shooting and besides I'd need to alter the diopter adjustment as my two eyes have different sight strengths

A big round eyecup as per Nikon might be the answer but I have no idea if such cups or any curved cups coud be fitted

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[GRHazelton]

I lost the small eyecup for my 645n and replaced it with the large one. I have difficulty in screwing it on and I worry about stripping or crossthreading the eyepiece and then being unable to mount the ref converter.

I see you've posted it to the Pentax US forum, perhaps we'll both find a good solution. It seems that the DK-2 eyepiece is not available from B & H, I think I'll take my 645 to a big camera shop and see if there're any third-party eyecups that would fit.

 

[pentaxuser]

Thanks for the reply. Yes other than you as a fellow sufferer on the other site no-one seems to have any problems! There are a number of P645 users here but no replies so far. Maybe it is only you and I that have a problem.

I have the P645N instructions and changing from large to small and vice versa seems straightforward but your hesitancy suggests otherwise.

Another thing I am unclear about is what advantages the large eyecup confers. I know that there is at least one problem with it but not what advantages counterbalance this.

pentaxuser

 

[GRHazelton]

Yes, before my large eye cup arrived I had imagined that it would be somewhat conical, or cup-shaped! Foolish me. It does give a softer surface for one's forehead....