Looking for an eyecup for OM-2

goombles · Aug 8, 2010

Hello there APUGers! Im currently having some trouble looking for a good eyecup that's compatible with the Olympus OM-2. Unfortunately the OM-2 has 0.92x magnification so the majority of the eyecups out there will be too far away from the eye piece, resulting in a APS like crop of the image through the viewfinder.

Ive looked at the Canon AE-1 eyecup and it looks like it could work as it doesnt stick out too much, which hopefully means I can get my eye close to the cameras eye piece for optimal viewing.

Has anyone out there with an OM series camera tried this to see if it fits/works or have another working solution?

Regards,
Goombles

thuggins · Aug 8, 2010

The evil auction site has a number of OM eye cups currently available. In fact, they have such a wide selection that there were several styles that you can choose from. In addition to the ellipsoidal shaped cup (that in my experience is the most common), there is a round cup (eye cup 1), and a rectangular one (eye cup 2) that looks like a rectangular diopter lens can be snapped into it.

Jeff Kubach · Aug 8, 2010

Have you check out KEH?

Jeff

goombles · Aug 8, 2010

I havn't looked at KEH, im not sure if it's a viable option being a UK resident (delivery prices n' all).

The problem with the official OM eyecups is that they have a substantial working distance from the camera's eyepiece which crops the image in the viewfinder.

Thanks for the advice but it looks like I'll have to come up with a custom design!

Zuikopath · Aug 9, 2010

I've just fitted an ellipsoid OM eyepiece to an OM2n and as long as you push your face into the eyepiece (which you need to do to cut out the extraneous light), there is no cropping of the view.

thuggins · Aug 9, 2010

I've used the Olympus eye cups on my OMs for a number of years, mainly to hold a corrective lens. The OM series has a fairly substantial eye relief, and I can see the whole viewfinder even when wearing glasses. Mounting a corrective lens in the eye cup holder (a fairly simple procedure with a plastic lens from an old pair of glasses, and a Dremel tool) makes it even easier to use.

The various eye cups will probably give different results. Eye cup 1 (the round one) looks like it would hold you farther away from the viewfinder window and be less flexible. Eye cup 2 (the rectangular one) appears to add almost no additional distance. My experience with the ellipsoidal one (eye cup 3?) is pretty much along the lines of what Zuikopath describes.

goombles · Aug 9, 2010

Could the ellipsoidal one be Dead Link Removed? I can't find the one you're talking about in any Olympus documentation (only eyecup 1 & 2), but I have seen generic ones just like you described it. i'll keep my eyes peeled and try and purchase one, thanks for the advice!

Allan Swindles · Aug 9, 2010

There is an original Olympus eyecup on ebay listed today, Item No. : 250680009383

Zuikopath · Aug 10, 2010

Allan Swindles said:
There is an original Olympus eyecup on ebay listed today, Item No. : 250680009383

Six quid for postage is ridiculous...

John Hermanson · Aug 10, 2010

Olympus only made 2 eyecups, 1 and 2. In the early 80's, we (Olympus in Woodbury NY) used to modify Eyecup 1 for use by UPI. Since EC1 is round, we'd cut the bottom off, aron-alpha it all together with the proper diopter inside (also cut off). Then we'd paint bottom edge flat black. Looks cool. I have a few left (all with +2 diopters). Picture is on my website. http://www.zuiko.com/index_019.htm. I dug this eyecup out, photographed it for this thread and put it on my site, cus' I thought people might find it unusual. Eyecup was modified in quantity so UPI photographer (Jerry Soloway) could open the back of the camera without either removing eyecup OR ripping the eyecup off of the camera by forcing the back past the overhanging eyecup. Hence the need to create Eyecup 2. John

Allan Swindles · Aug 11, 2010

Zuikopath said:
Six quid for postage is ridiculous...

It sure is, I didn't say it was a good deal, just listed.

Looking for an eyecup for OM-2

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