Eyepiece Plastic Cover.....

On my Pentax dSLR when using the selftimer the little plastic viewfinder cover won't fit over the eyepiece unless I take the rubber surround off first. I suspect this is a common problem with most other makes as well.
I was just wondering what DIY covers anyone out there has made up. Or do you just drape something over the viewfinder when taking selftimer exposures?

It's only really going to be a problem if there's direct light going into the VF. I'd just drape something over it if you're worried rather than fiddling with the eyecup and potentially breaking it, which wouldn't be hard to do as it's a little flimsy.

Thanks Chirpy
I don't take the rubber surround off as I find it's a bu**er to get back on again. It looks like a bit of black cloth is as good as anything.

I just tend to put my finger over the eyepiece.

I find I always have one to hand, haven't forgotten to have one with me yet.

Dan

Second question then.
As a finger or thumb are so readily available, or getting more technical, a piece of dark cloth, does anyone actually go to the trouble of removing the rubber viewfinder surround, attaching the plastic cover, taking the picture, removing the cover, then refitting the rubber surround.
Probably not...
So is it one of those useless bits of kit that the manufacturers see fit to give us to overcome a potential design flaw in exposure systems, that is so awkward to use, no one actually bothers...?

There might one day be some special case where the cover would be really useful for me, but so far I've managed fine without by taking a test shot and adding some exposure compensation when required.

Not quite the same thing, but question to Daniel about the eyecap extension I saw on your K10 at Watford. Basically what is it, and where did you get it from?

Just realised that I can see a hell of a lot more in my viewfinder using my left eye and I guess that the eye cap thingy you use basically helps get your right eye up to the viewfinder better? If so if you could let me know the model and where to get it from, would be greatly appreciated (a pic would be great too!!)

Not only that, going back to the OP, this might be easier to cover up?

Hi

Your answer had me puzzled for a while till I realized you must be using an arm extension or a detachable finger as I would find both of these items very useful. I was wondering if you would tell me where you purchased yours

Many thanks

Jasonmadman

As a landscape snapper I sometimes use the cover if doing a time exposure with the sun or bright light (street light) behind me. you can use your hand but I often fire the CR with one hand and hold a ND grad with the other, that's when the cover comes in.

Meter looking through the viewfinder, then set it to manual with the same exposure for when you move away.

Sorry Danny, didn't see this message for some reason.

It's just a rubber eyecup, like this one. Think it probably was a Jessops one too.

I use it as it blocks out any light coming from around your eye, so (a bit like using a lens hood) you get less flare, therefore more contrast, in the viewfinder, seems brighter too. I use my left eye, so can't comment on the right eye thing.

Hope that helps,
Dan

Cheers Dan, would have searched myself, but just didn't know what it would be called! Does the one you link to (Pentax M Series) fit the K10 ok?

How about this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EYECUP-EYE-CUP-for-Pentax-K10D-K100D-K110D-IST-istd_W0QQit...

The dimensions for Pentax viewfinder accessories haven't changed since the M-series so anything made since around 1976 should fit on your K10D. Just be careful with things like right-angle finders 'cos there are a lot on eBay designed for Spotmatics and earlier that have rather vague (and often misleading!) descriptions. You'll find that accessories for the Olympus OM system will fit your viewfinder too (not sure about current Oly Four Thirds stuff though - anybody tried?).

Yes, it's what I use on mine.

The one jasonmadman linked to should as well I suppose, but I have no experience of that one.

Dan