Why does my Canon 450D viewfinder feel small, and can I improve it without replacing the camera?
Asked 1/6/2011
1 views
2 answers
0
I’m happy with my Canon 450D overall, but I struggle with the viewfinder. I can’t easily see the whole frame, the edges seem to darken unless my eye is positioned just right, and shooting from awkward angles makes framing difficult. Manual focus is also hard to judge, especially with the kit lens, though it’s a bit better with my 60mm macro.
Is this normal for the 450D, or am I doing something wrong? Can the viewfinder experience be improved without buying a new camera? Also, what makes some cameras have larger, brighter viewfinders — is it related to sensor size?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
13
There are a few things conspiring against you. First is the fact that your camera uses a pentamirror rather than a pentaprism to orient the viewfinder image so up is up and left is left. Mirrors are nowhere near as efficient as total internal reflection within a prism, but they are a whole lot cheaper. And unlike a prism, they get worse rather than better the further away from the normal angle you get. (The 60D, 7D, 5D, 1D and 1Ds all use a pentaprism.)
The focusing screen makes a difference as well. I don't know enough about the actual construction of the screens in the various Canon models to say for sure whether that's a contributing factor in your case, but I do know that back in the day the Minolta Acute Matte screen was brighter than other designs by a significant enough margin (nearly a full stop of apparent brightness compared to the screens Nikon and Canon were using) that Hasselblad licensed the technology for their medium format cameras.
The reflex mirror is only partially silvered these days as well (it used to be just an ordinary front-silvered mirror in the Dark Ages). Again, I don't know if there is a significant difference in transmissivity between the various models of camera, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were.
The image erector, the screen and the reflex mirror (not to mention the optics used at the eyepiece) are all places where a camera maker can save a buck or two when making an entry-level camera.
Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2719
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
What you’re noticing is mostly normal for an entry-level DSLR like the 450D. Its viewfinder is relatively small, and cameras in this class often use a pentamirror rather than a brighter pentaprism. That can make the finder dimmer and less forgiving when your eye isn’t centered.
First, make sure your eye is close enough to the eyepiece. You should be able to see the entire frame and the display information at once; if not, eye position may be part of the problem.
Beyond that, there’s only limited improvement without changing cameras. The focusing screen design can affect brightness and focusing feel, but the biggest differences usually come from the camera’s viewfinder design itself.
Yes, sensor size is related: larger sensors generally make it easier to build larger, brighter viewfinders. That’s why full-frame DSLRs tend to have the best optical viewfinders. Among crop-sensor DSLRs, higher-end models also tend to have larger finders, especially those with pentaprisms.
If a bigger optical viewfinder matters to you, look at higher-end APS-C bodies or full-frame cameras.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I get accurate focus for night long exposures when autofocus won’t lock?
How can I block stray sunlight from a DSLR optical viewfinder?
Are optical viewfinders on compact point-and-shoot cameras effectively gone?
Will a larger DSLR viewfinder help with manual focus on vintage lenses?
Why does my Canon 100-400mm look tilted when mounted by the tripod collar?