Looking for 35mm slr with great viewfinder for poor eyesight

[voceumana]

If you can live with the limited range of focal lengths and don't need particularly close focusing, maybe you would be happier with a rangefinder?

 

[John Earley]

I realize that you specified manual focus, but I suggest taking a close look at the Nikon F100. For these reasons:

-- It has an eye relief viewfinder. If you're shooting with glasses on, I strongly suggest getting a camera with eye relief. It allows you to see everything in the viewfinder, even when wearing glasses. The F3HP has eye relief as well, but I prefer the viewfinder readout of the F100.
-- It has a large, bright viewfinder.
-- Although it is autofocus, you can easily use it in manual focus mode. It aids manual focusing by means of a rangefinder, which provides a green dot to indicate when you've achieved focus. I use this camera with manual nikon lenses all the time; it works great, and I don't miss focus.
-- The F100 is very well built and reliable.
-- It's not as bulky and heavy as the F4 or F5. I can't see using the massive F5 unless you need 5 frames/second.
-- F100's are plentiful and can be had at very low prices now. You can easily find them for around $200.

Dale

I purchased an F100 for the reasons you mention. I had recently replaced my Nikon F and after using more modern cameras I was a bit underwhelmed by the viewfinder/focusing. I have an F5 (works great for sports but big) and three N80s but wanted something a bit more lightweight than the F5 and more "substantial" than the N80 so went with the F100. Great eye relief, bright viewfinder and the autofocus is excellent. I no longer pine for an F6. I've wanted to stay with manual focus but at age 71 I find that I get more frames in focus when I let the camera do the work.

 

[Pioneer]

Ok, right off the bat, if you have trouble seeing and focusing then find a good autofocus camera that you can work with. Nothing else is going to be as good. I love manual focus but as I age I am absolutely flabbergasted at how sharp the photographs are when I use my Pentax PZ1p, and that camera is not one that you will find listed with the top as far as autofocus is concerned.

However if you, like me, insist on continuing to fool yourself into thinking you can actually focus a manual focus camera then the Pentax LX probably has the best viewfinder of any manual focus camera I have ever used, and I have used a bunch including Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Olympus, etc.

Next, though a fast lens (f/1.4) is a must for getting a clear view when you are focusing, don't ever, ever try to shoot anything at that aperture unless you are interested in proving to yourself just how bad your eyesight really is. Do yourself and everyone else who has to look at your photographs a favor and stop down. F/4 is a good starting point though you really should start living by the little adage "f/8 and be there!"

Finally, if you MUST use a manual focus camera, get rid of your SLR and move to a really good rangefinder. Obviously Leica makes some good ones (they are kind of known for that kind of thing) but the Zeiss Ikon is by far the best for those of us with questionable eyesight.

Once more I will repeat what I already said, bite the bullet and buy an autofocus camera you can live with. Even the worst of these will probably be better than anything you will be able to do a a clear, bright day outdoors.

Now, where did I put that Vivitar V3800n slr again??

EDIT - Of course a nice little 8x10 field camera with a good ground glass and a clear magnifier may also be a good option...

 

[Russ - SVP]

+1
I recently picked up a Nikon N90S due to my failing eyesight. Auto-focus is fast and extremely accurate. The view finder is very bright

+1

 

[Russ - SVP]

I purchased an F100 for the reasons you mention. I had recently replaced my Nikon F and after using more modern cameras I was a bit underwhelmed by the viewfinder/focusing. I have an F5 (works great for sports but big) and three N80s but wanted something a bit more lightweight than the F5 and more "substantial" than the N80 so went with the F100. Great eye relief, bright viewfinder and the autofocus is excellent. I no longer pine for an F6. I've wanted to stay with manual focus but at age 71 I find that I get more frames in focus when I let the camera do the work.

+1

 

[mshchem]

F100 I sold mine kept the F5, if you keep fresh lithium battery in a F100 it's a dream of a camera. Only thing I use 35mm for anymore is color slides. The F100 has lighted viewfinder focus points. Auto bracket etc.

I have become totally won over by the Hasselblad Acute-Matte screens for medium format, so bright .

 

[thornhill]

Pentax LX with an FC-1 Action Finder. Lots of eye relief. Glasses aren't a problem.

 

[GRHazelton]

Pentax LX with an FC-1 Action Finder. Lots of eye relief. Glasses aren't a problem.

Right on for the Pentax LX. Could be a long wait for the FC-1 Action Finder. And no, mine is not for sale!

 

[Pioneer]

Right on for the Pentax LX. Could be a long wait for the FC-1 Action Finder. And no, mine is not for sale!

Nor mine.