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Dynax 5xi viewfinder display issue

Started Sep 16, 2018 | Questions
mar5hal New Member • Posts: 4
Dynax 5xi viewfinder display issue

Hi everyone, I've got a new old camera, a minolta dynax 5xi and started getting acquainted with it. I have an issue with the viewfinder display. I see it, but It's all blurry, like when you're near sighted (which I am) but you don't have your glasses or lenses on. On the other hand, when I put my glasses on, I can see the viewfinder perfectly. My girlfriend (who's not near sighted) can't see the viewfinder either way, with or without my glasses. I'm confused, has anyone had an issue like this? Is there a way to adjust the viewfinder display sharpness or something.

Thanks people.

ANSWER:
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sybersitizen Forum Pro • Posts: 24,268
Re: Dynax 5xi viewfinder display issue

mar5hal wrote:

Hi everyone, I've got a new old camera, a minolta dynax 5xi and started getting acquainted with it. I have an issue with the viewfinder display.

Is this your first experience with an optical viewfinder in a mid-low-end film camera? I'll assume it is.

Basically, those were designed to work well for people with normal vision. In addition, they were designed to make the projected image optically appear as if it is about one meter from your eye. Therefore, an issue can arise if the user's eye has trouble focusing on something that's one meter away because he or she is nearsighted or farsighted.

I see it, but It's all blurry, like when you're near sighted (which I am) but you don't have your glasses or lenses on. On the other hand, when I put my glasses on, I can see the viewfinder perfectly.

It's normal and expected that you have trouble seeing it without your glasses but can see it well with your glasses.

My girlfriend (who's not near sighted) can't see the viewfinder either way, with or without my glasses.

I'm not sure what to say about your girlfriend ... but it would be a good idea to confirm whether or not she can sharply focus when looking at an object one meter away.

I'm confused, has anyone had an issue like this?

I've been nearsighted for the majority of my life - so yes, I'm familiar with the issue.

Is there a way to adjust the viewfinder display sharpness or something.

Nope, there is not in that particular camera. However, it is possible to obtain an optional eyepiece corrector for your camera. It would basically serve the same function that your glasses serve. If you got one of those and put it in the eyepiece you could probably see the image sharply with your glasses off, but then you might have difficulty seeing it sharply with your glasses on.

Higher-end cameras had (and have) built in adjustments, so optional eyepiece correctors aren't necessary. However, changing that adjustment leads once again to the same new issue: Once you can see things sharply without your glasses, you might not be able to see them sharply with your glasses unless you change the adjustment again.

For the sake of simplicity I recommend that you do what I do when using a camera viewfinder: keep your glasses on.

OP mar5hal New Member • Posts: 4
Re: Dynax 5xi viewfinder display issue

Thank you very much for your answer. I've used SLR cameras some 25 years ago, at that time I was not near sighted, so I never realized it would make any trouble. I've thought about it since I made this post, and realized that it obviously must make things look like this. Also, I've realized that my gf must be a little near sighted too but she didn't know it. Sad to hear that this camera model can't adjust viewfinder diopter, but what the heck, I'll continue wearing my glasses when taking pictures. Glad that I have an explanation now.

Thanks again. Best regards.

neilt3
neilt3 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,008
Re: Dynax 5xi viewfinder display issue

If the view is out of focus when your both either wearing glasses for distance ( or not ) , it might be the diopter is wrong for you .

As already mentioned the basic cameras didn't have a diopter adjustment like the more advanced cameras , but both Minolta and Sony did/do a seperate clip on one .

I have  a few of these in a -3 diopter for when I'm using a camera but don't want to be wearing glasses .

See here on M.Hohners website ; https://mhohner.de/sony-minolta/camera_acc.php#viewf

They just slot into the recess of the viewfinder , to remove , you just use your finger nail to prise it out from the side .

Both the Sony and Minolta ones are the same fitting and fit on any of the digital or film SLR's /DSLR's .

I don't think they fit on Sony SLT's , but the diopter adjustment on these tend to cover the full range needed .

.

Unless you knew one had been fitted , it wouldn't be obvious that ones fitted .

If you want a couple of shots of a viewfinder withy one fitted and the same with it not fitted , let me know and I will post a couple of images .

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