Sun Light Entering Viewfinder

Hello All,

How was that for a whacky title?

Well, it probably goes with a whacky question - my first for 2008.

With all my film SLRs, I have to be very careful that old Sol doesn't creep over my shoulder, past my fat head and into the viewfinder. If he does, either my Spotmatic readings are too high or my auto cameras (Program A, P30 and SFX) may react by under exposing what they feel are very bright subjects.

Is this still a problem with DSLR cameras? Especially on self timer while tripod mounted?

Thanks for your patience!

yep

The first clue is that the Viewfinder cap M is supplied with the K10D.

The second clue is the memo on page 83 of the manual.

The short answer is yes.

Hi Mac,
I guess it is the same with Dslr's. The pro camera's still have these nice lever's to close the viewfinder. And i think the lightmeters are basicly the same as in the pre Digital years. The only real difference is the light beeing captured on sensor instead of film. Or i am completly blinded by the light now?

Martin.

Thanks for the quick replies!

Well, I guess my fat head will still be useful after all.

A great day to all!

A simple and inexpensive eyecup, which clips onto the viewfinder, helped me in the same situation with my Super-A.

Can someone please provide further explanation to this? i thought that blocking the light through the viewfinder was for composing only, so as not to confuse the lightmeter.

How can light from the viewfinder affect the image once the shutter has been pressed, the mirror comes up and blocks any light from the viewfinder.... doesn't it?

Firstly, it may not be a perfect seal against very bright light.

Secondly, the meter cells were traditionally placed either side of the eyepiece and hence relied on the face of the user shielding them.

I'm not sure where the meter cell(s) are in the DSLRs currently, but it's clear from the instruction manual that the metering is potentially vulnerable to stray light.

Peter,

That's wonderful! I'll go lookin' in the e bay and see what I can find.

I guess cameras came with these gizmos originally, but they're probably the first things lost - right before the little flash sync covers.

Thanks again

Or, meter in manual mode (with the green button is easiest with the K10D since it also sets the exposure and you can change it from there if you want) looking through the finder, and then it won't change when you move away.