Protection for eyeglasses?

OptiKen · Nov 2, 2014

Now that I really have to replace my eyeglasses due to scratches where they meet with the metal viewfinders on my classic cameras, I was hoping that someone might have a solution?

Thanks in advance
Ken

HowardDvorin · Nov 2, 2014

Hello,
When I had this problem, I used a piece of self adhesive bandage./ the type intended for appling to your foot.

Alan Gales · Nov 3, 2014

Perhaps wearing contacts instead of glasses?

If you can't get along with contacts then maybe wearing cheap readers while using the cameras? At least the readers will be cheaper to replace than the lenses in your glasses. Some large format photographers use readers instead of loupes.

TooManyShots · Nov 3, 2014

You can try to use an eye cup. Some eye cups are too big and would actually blocking some portions of your viewfinder. You can use window sealing foam tape to tape around the viewfinder eye piece area.

trythis · Nov 3, 2014

I use self adhesive silicone weather strips that are 1/4" wide and either 1/8" or 1/4" tall and stick short pieces on the back if the camera next to the finder. They look ghetto, but save the glasses. They also fall off easily but not as fast as the $20+ things that Nikon sells for the Fe/fm series.

Steve Smith · Nov 3, 2014

My father cured this problem by buying a selection of rubber O rings and glueing a suitably sized one to the outer edge of the viewfinder.

I cured it by changing to contact lenses,

Steve.

baachitraka · Nov 3, 2014

Contact lenses for SLR and glasses for TLR. I'm myopic and I'm glad that I can see clearly the image on focusing screen in a TLR.

Xmas · Nov 3, 2014

Use the old specs for shooting the new ones for seeing.

The Nikon FM eyepiece can be secured with dab of nail lacquer on outside.

Peltigera · Nov 3, 2014

I keep a special pair of specs for my old cameras - two years out of date but still usable (and very scratched!). When these old cameras were made, specs were made of glass so there was no problem.

bsdunek · Nov 3, 2014

My Father used black electrical tape (get the best you can find). Applied it and trimmed with an Exacto knife. It would stay on for about a year.

bdial · Nov 3, 2014

Maybe better scratch coating on the glasses? My most used camera for the past year has a metal framed viewfinder and the eyeglasses are just fine.
Other than that, as suggested, o-rings, eye cups, tape are all possibilities, depending on the camera's specifics.

ic-racer · Nov 3, 2014

I take my glasses off and use diopter viewfinder lenses.

lecarp · Nov 3, 2014

Carefully coat the protruding metal with liquid electrical tape with a small paint brush. Readily available at hardware stores.
Also good for emergency light leak repairs. Easily removed if needed.

Trail Images · Nov 3, 2014

I find standard rubber eye cups work well for me. RB67 standard eye cup and the clip-on magnifier also has one on it. For 4x5 the Rodenstock loupe has a rubber eye cup on it.
Depending upon the camera I assume with a bit of crafting one could adhere some kind of eye cup or rubber grommet to the viewer. Might be a bit crude to just glue it on, but maybe even with some work you could devise a removable one.

Sirius Glass · Nov 3, 2014

I wear contact lenses. However you may want to use rubber eye cups or attach rubber padding to the viewfinder.

cliveh · Nov 3, 2014

Steve Smith said:
My father cured this problem by buying a selection of rubber O rings and glueing a suitably sized one to the outer edge of the viewfinder.Steve.

This sounds like a very good solution.

OptiKen · Nov 3, 2014

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I just ordered a mixed bag of small 'O' rings to try on some of my cameras. I can't find any actual eye cups to fit the small viewfinders on these old cameras. When I first got serious about photography, I switched to contacts because it made focusing so much easier. My eyes are now 40+ years older than they were then and I don't picture contacts in my future again, however, time will tell.

Arklatexian · Nov 4, 2014

OptiKen said:
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I just ordered a mixed bag of small 'O' rings to try on some of my cameras. I can't find any actual eye cups to fit the small viewfinders on these old cameras. When I first got serious about photography, I switched to contacts because it made focusing so much easier. My eyes are now 40+ years older than they were then and I don't picture contacts in my future again, however, time will tell.

Hang in there. Last year, I had cataract surgery and now the only time I use glasses is to read. With the built in magnifiers on the Rolleicord and Hasselblad, I usually don't even need the reading glasses, but best of all: I CAN SEE AGAIN......Regaerds (except to see how to spell regards)

Protection for eyeglasses?

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