Glasses with transition lenses.

I normally wear spectacles with transition lenses.
When photographing in sunlight, specially in bright sunlight, I noticed when looking through the viewfinder of the K5, it always looked more contrasting and the colours, especially the greens looked more saturated then later when I downloaded the pictures to the computer.
However when taking pictures late afternoon and evening, the problem disappeared.
It took me a while to figure out, the reason for this was not the camera or the lens, but my specs which turned very dark when a lot of UV existed.

This is a problem, because I only have glasses with transition lenses.
It looks like I need a pair of glasses with just normal lenses to see it like the lens sees it. I am sure, I wouldn't have taken some pictures, if I’ve seen how they really looked. Often to bright and washed out.

I thought I mention this, in case someone else has the same problem

Regards, Horst

I also wear glasses with transition lenses but I take them off when I'm photographing and let the autofocus do the work.

For this sort of reason I use two pairs of glasses - one for distance, one for computer/reading. Either pair can be used for photography by adjusting the dioptre correction of the viewfinder.

Pentax do a replacement dioptre with a larger adjustment range ,twice that of the standard one, but being Pentax it is probably very expensive but would sort out the problem

Hi John,
this does not solve the problem with the transition glasses.
Also my glasses are Bi-Focal. So I don’t have to have 2 sets of glasses.
Also the same problem arises when near focussing.

I just wonder if a filter is on the marked which changes , when subjected to UV light. I would say this may solve the problem.
At least the lens would see the same as I see in the viewfinder,

Regards, Horst

I don't really understand this. It is obvious that if our specs turn darker, what we see through the viewfinder will be darker. But, if using the camera's meter for the exposure (adjusting if necessary, e.g. for a backlit subject), I would have thought that the image should turn out OK?

Philip

You are of course correct Philip.
However my problem is, that what I see in the viewfinder is slightly different to how the picture turns out.
However now that I figured out, what the problem is, I can take this in to account.

What I really had in mind was to make others aware of this.

Regards, Horst

Hi all,

Blind as a bat without my specs!

I wear transition lenses and the trade off from having less watery eyes more than makes up for a slightly darker view finder.I went for the more neutral grey tint than the green or brown ones.

Mind you I am red green colour blind like many males

Having just read this thread (I'm having a rather rare lull here at work), I was wondering if the answer perhaps lies in having a local optician making a transition lens filter, either by coating a pre-existing filter, or more likely, shaping and mounting an actual transitions optical lens into the ring of an old (scratched/broken) filter ring? Although this might be prohibitively expensive, it surely cannot cost that much more than having a pair of prescription specs made with the same lenses. I'm thinking along the lines of say, £90 for a pair of specs, and a similar price for the optician to make and mount a single transitions lens into an old filter ring.

SHOULD HAVE GONE TO SPECSAVERS!. Buy one pair second pair same prescription free or at least cheaper. Both pairs Varilux for distance and reading. One pair clear for use in winter and indoors. One pair Reactolight (transition) for use in summer or winter sunshine. All Pentax lenses. I have the light gray colour and prefer it to the brown ones which I have had in the pAST. PROBLEM SOLVED.
CHEERS Vic.

I think I've misunderstood the original question and had the wrong idea as to what "transition" lenses are. I poresume these are reactolite, not varifocals with no clear transition point bewteen near and far prescriptions?

Assuming that's the case, I have been using Carl Zeiss Umbramatic lenses for many years. Two element, so no darkening towards the edges, grey so as not to disturb colour perception, multi-coated. These don't seem to be a problem in any light. Perhaps they adjust very quickly.

Hi, 'Transitions' are a trade name like 'Reactolite'. Mine are a coating added to the outer surface of my Essilor (Varilux) varifocals. There is no variation across the lens but they are quicker to react than the old days. I think the use of grey tint is a big factor in avoiding the posters issue.

You're right John. My reactolite specs are perfect and work for all light. It's just that I like to have a spare pair so I have them clear.
Both are of course Varilux (varifocals).
CHEERS Vic.

I also have transitions lenses in my glasses for short sight.

To view colours, screens etc. 'undarkened' I simply take my glasses off ( up onto head etc.) and hold said item close to my eyes where I can see them fine & naturally.

Am I missing some reason Horst you can't do this rather than have to phaff about with second pairs of glasses etc.?

If you were long sighted etc. it wouldn't work clearly.