Right-Angle Finder - Will It Enable Me To....

DF · Mar 4, 2019

...get the best ground-level shot looking upward possible?
What I mean is this: I have this idea of of mounting my camera to the tripod center post -
but through the opposite end so It's as close to the ground as possible -
but of course I can't get THAT close down to see through the viewfinder, not unless something that would give me half-a-foot-or so of crouching space to help me peer into the image. Get It ? 'Want tp try this out at local camera store run out of stock.
Lastly, if this were possible, what would be the best for a Minolta X-700? There's this off brand on E-Bay called "Seagull" -
any good?

DWThomas · Mar 4, 2019

Might depend on how young and physically flexible you are. I used a right angle attachment on my Canon A-1 to photograph the eclipse in 2017. It was the "official" Canon item (older, manual, FD series stuff). I found that it was a bit lacking in eye relief and I had considerable trouble keeping my eye on the optical axis and not losing the image. Of course, a total solar eclipse is a bit of a special case. My biggest problem was an inability to see any edges of the frame which might have been nearly as bad viewing direct, but it made it difficult to center the eclipsing sun. That would be less of a problem with more normal subjects in daylight.

Your best bet is to try one some where before plunking money down. Although that said, I believe I paid the princely sum of about $25 for the Canon item. The early FD finder actually installed and worked on my EOS series camera too, although I believe they make a more exotic (and $$$) one in the EOS line.

Waist level finders would likely be handier, but I think there are not too many 35mm cameras that can use them. WLFs are relatively common with medium format.

Ben Hutcherson · Mar 4, 2019

I have an older Nikon brand one. It will only work with certain Nikon models-Fs with round eyepieces, Nikkormats with the same, F2s, the F3 non-HP, FE, FE2, FM2(n), and FM3a. There's probably an adapter to work with other Nikon models, but Nikon also makes virtually the same piece for rectangular eyepieces and the larger diameter high eyepoint screw-ins(F3HP to F5, D1 series, N8008, N90, F100). I'm not sure if they've made a round locking version for use on the F6(and D2 and newer series round eyepiece cameras).

The one I have is a lot like using a microscope eyepiece. There's next to no eye relief, although it's also somewhat magnified vs. viewing directly through the finder. I see it as somewhat of a limited use accessory-I could see myself using it with bellows and a macro focusing rail on a tripod, and it could POSSIBLY be useful on a copy stand(depending on exactly how you had the camera positioned). I don't find it useful for general photography.

For cameras with a removable finder, I'd rather use a waist level or a chimney finder. I love the Canon speed finders for the F-1 series cameras, which give you a big, bright image that you can see from a good distance away and position in several positions.

Deleted member 88956 · Mar 5, 2019

Minolta finder newer

Minolta finder older

There are plenty of these and there are no better replacements. Minolta was a high quality stuff, all up until it died Sony's death. By the latter I mean people forget what Minolta did for Sony's current status in camera manufacturing.

And yes, it will give you much better approach to the finder above ground level, but still ... down there.

John51 · Mar 5, 2019

The camera will be on the lower end of the tripod post looking upwards. Won't this mean that the rest of the tripod is in shot?

Assuming a flat surface, the easiest way to get a ground level facing upwards shot is to lay the camera on the ground and use the self timer or a long cable release. A bit of guesswork needed with the composition but you're not going to see the full frame with a right angle finder either.

Deleted member 88956 · Mar 5, 2019

John51 said:
The camera will be on the lower end of the tripod post looking upwards. Won't this mean that the rest of the tripod is in shot?

Assuming a flat surface, the easiest way to get a ground level facing upwards shot is to lay the camera on the ground and use the self timer or a long cable release. A bit of guesswork needed with the composition but you're not going to see the full frame with a right angle finder either.

For most ground level shots tripod is still preferable and camera can, most of the time, be positioned so tripod itself does not get in the way, but with camera mounted it can be locked in an exact position as needed.

AgX · Mar 5, 2019

DF said:
I have this idea of of mounting my camera to the tripod center post -
but through the opposite end so It's as close to the ground as possible - but of course I can't get THAT close down to see through the viewfinder, not unless something that would give me half-a-foot-or so of crouching space to help me peer into the image.

There are better ways to gain extreme low perspective, but this is the easiest way:

Hang the camera upside-down on the tripod, mount the right-angle finder, facing upwards. As getting to its eyepiece is now blocked by the collumn and tzhe rear leg, you have to turn the finder a bit to the side, say by 45°.

DWThomas · Mar 5, 2019

Since the camera won't have far to fall, you could consider using one of those $10 table top tripod thingies too.

Arklatexian · Mar 24, 2019

DF said:
...get the best ground-level shot looking upward possible?
What I mean is this: I have this idea of of mounting my camera to the tripod center post -
but through the opposite end so It's as close to the ground as possible -
but of course I can't get THAT close down to see through the viewfinder, not unless something that would give me half-a-foot-or so of crouching space to help me peer into the image. Get It ? 'Want tp try this out at local camera store run out of stock.
Lastly, if this were possible, what would be the best for a Minolta X-700? There's this off brand on E-Bay called "Seagull" -
any good?

Have you thought of taking a piece of plywood, drilling a 1/4" hole in the center and mounting your tripod "head" to the board with a 1/4,20 screw. Mount your camera on the tripod head and you would then have a "ground level tripod" for "ground level photographs" made with your right angle viewfinder.......I have a wheeled dolly for one of my tripods that has a screw in its center so I can do the same thing...........Regards!

narsuitus · Mar 24, 2019

DF said:
...get the best ground-level shot looking upward possible?

I use a Nikon DR-3 Right-Angle Eyepiece Viewer (shown attached to the eyepiece of my Fuji GW670III) to obtain the ground-level shots you describe.

Nikon Eyepiece Accessories by Narsuitus, on Flickr

jeffreyg · Mar 24, 2019

I don't have it handy but check the Bogen/Manfrotto catalog. They have a number of clamps and attachments. You can probably find one that will connect to your tripod or rig something that will work along with a right angle finder from a comfortable position and can be used at other times as well.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculpture and photography.com/

guangong · Mar 24, 2019

Arklatexian said:
Have you thought of taking a piece of plywood, drilling a 1/4" hole in the center and mounting your tripod "head" to the board with a 1/4,20 screw. Mount your camera on the tripod head and you would then have a "ground level tripod" for "ground level photographs" made with your right angle viewfinder.......I have a wheeled dolly for one of my tripods that has a screw in its center so I can do the same thing...........Regards!

Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Make something like what is known in cinematography as a high hat.

Poisson Du Jour · Mar 24, 2019

DF said:
Lastly, if this were possible, what would be the best for a Minolta X-700? There's this off brand on E-Bay called "Seagull" -
any good?

I would avoid that stuff, one one important count being that it is not built to last.
Cheap, optically uncorrected accessories like this can not only impede the quality of the image you are viewing, but potentially damage your eyes through the need to constantly adjust your own eyes to the lack of optical precision. A few of these Chinese-made finders, among other touted 'must haves' are like looking through a thick glass bottle end. Surely Minolta has, at some time, made a right-angle finder suitable for their cameras? It is always best to get the manufacturer's own matched accessory even if the cost seems prohibitive.

Your anticipated set up is not uncommon (and might even be frowned upon in-shop), but with the camera upside down and the finder angled upward, you will face the dual challenges of adjusting the camera while assuming an awkward, unfamiliar (and very often, testing) viewing position; I did this many years ago and absolutely have avoided that ever since! Right-angle finders are commonly used for situations where the tripod is splayed out, but not right down to ground level; I use my own very often (Pentax 67 [pic] and Canon EOS) so I don't have to crouch down because it is a pain in the back (really!). The lowest I want is near waist level. Putting the camera on a stable resting object at ground level is much simpler an arrangement than using an inverted tripod centre-column.

Right-Angle Finder - Will It Enable Me To....

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Deleted member 88956

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