Customer Reviews

Opteka Professional 1X-2.5X Right Angle Viewfinder for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, & Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If possible, I would RATE THIS ITEM 2.75 STARS

I have had the Opteka Professional 1X-2X Right Angle Viewfinder for several months and have used the device in a variety of situations and lenses, mounted to a Pentax K-20D camera.

For starters, to classify this product as having been designed and built to a professional standard and grade is a true stretch of the imagination. In terms of optical quality, I have seen better optics in a $20 pair of binoculars.

First, the coupling optics in the Opteka finder are not large enough to see the entire K-20D viewfinder frame (see photo), a very typical DSLR. Because of this, there is a lot of edge clipping of the camera's viewfinder field of view. This makes the corners of the frame dark from vignetting and hard to see objects in those areas of the frame during low lighting conditions to get proper subject composition.

Second, the quality of the Opteka view finder optical design and the lenses used could be described as sub marginal at best. Only the central area or about 12-15 percent of the K-20D viewfinder frame (see photo) is suitable for obtaining critical focus when the Opteka right angle viewfinder is mounted to the camera. Spherical aberration, coma, field distortion and off axis chromatic aberration are very bad. With the Opteka finder integrated, it is hard to read the digital displays in the camera's viewfinder.

Because the aberrations in the right angle finder's optical system are too uncontrolled, the finder becomes less functional as lighting conditions drop. The high level of optical aberrations also has a negative impact on image contrast in the finder. Since contrast in the finder is low, it is difficult for a typical person in their 40's and older to judge best focus at dusk as not enough focused light and contrast is visable to the older person. A side effect of maximum pupil size as a function of a person's increasing age.

Third, the molded plastic Pentax adapter piece (see photo) for the Opteka right angle finder slips off much too easily from the view finder, leaving the adapter on the camera. Too little manufacturing tolerance control is built into the part, for that reason, the finder does not stay in place when pointed downwards or mounted upside down such as when the camera is piggybacked on to a telescope mount, or rotated about the optical axis.

Forth, the surface finish on the Opteka finder exterior is not very good. Note the excess paint build up (see photo) and blistering on the diagonal housing. This, although minor, is a reflection of the generally low standards at Opteka.

Last, the bottom half of the Velcro base pad for the finder's case lid was not sewn on to the case properly (see photo). The stitching misses the lower part of the Velcro pad. Hence, the case cover could rip the Velcro base pad off, if not careful when opening the case. Note in the photo how the case lid tries to pull off the Velcro base pad.

In conclusion, Opteka seams to exhibit little quality control in their manufacturing process for this many issues to surface in a single product. The low quality of optics in this Opteka finder is easily superseded in quality by a pair of $20 dollar binoculars. The case and related camera adapter in their current form are essential add on items that offer very little value to the overall purchase. All things considered, with a purchase price of 49.95, the Opteka right angle finder, in my opinion, is overpriced.

Minus 1.00 for all of the optical aberrations.
Minus 0.50 for the clipping of the field edges.
Minus 0.25 for sloppy finder to camera adapter fitting.
Minus 0.25 for low quality finish.
Minus 0.25 for low quality construction of the finder case.

Additional note: The large recent (Winter 2009-10) increase in the list price of this item to the ridiculous and stratospheric price of 199.00, for the purpose of projecting to an unknowing customer the erroneous perception of receiving a "good deal" is unethical. Regardless of the motivation, raising an arbitrary value such as the list price for a marginal item that is all ready over valued does not make a purchase any more agreeable but simply laden's the sale with more deceit.

This was the most reasonably-priced angle viewfinder on the market. After reading the reviews of it on Amazon I decided to buy it since I made a new year's resolution to do more with macro photograhy this year. The viewfinder arrived quickly and was packaged in a nice leather (or pseudo-leather pouch). Because the viewfinder is "universal" it comes with several different adaptors for different makes and models of DSLRs. I have a Canon 50D, so I immediately selected that adapter and tried to attach the viewfinder to the camera. Unfortunately the adapter is a shade larger than the viewfinder on the camera that it attaches to. The end result is that the viewfinder is loose on the camera--to the point that it might even fall off if you don't hold it firmly against the camera with your finger. I don't know if this was an error in packaging of the adapter or not. I did not read anything about this in any of the other reviews, I can certainly still use the viewfinder, and it appears to function adequately, but it is going to be kind of a pain to have to hold it tight with my finger.

I bought this for my Nikon D60. It is not the kind of thing I use a great deal, but it is very helpful for low angles. I bought it primarily for macro photography, although the 2X magnification is very nice when the camera is on a tripod. The finder is well made and it fits perfectly. I noticed comments on loose fitting with Canon cameras, but this is not the case with Nikon. It produces a clear image with good contrast. Its only problem is a narrow angle of view, i.e., you have to look straight into the eyepiece. This is a minor issue. At roughly 1/4th the cost of the Nikon right angle finder, this is a real bargain.

All though my tripod goes down to 4 inches above the ground, I was finding it impossible to see through my viewfinder at very low levels. After reviewing several right angle viewers, I selected the Opteka mainly based on cost. The others viewers were more than three times more expensive than this model. So far I am very pleased with my purchase. The build quality seems to be fine. It is easy to attach/detach and on my Nikon D300 it is very stable. I can see my subject and my camera settings clearly through the viewfinder. The angle of view is a right angle however. No fudging, you must look directly down into the viewer. Some of the photographs I have taken so far have been small flowers, moving water and walking feet, all of these at ground level but not extreme macro work. I'm enjoying this little tool and would recommend it.Opteka Professional 1X-2X Right Angle Viewfinder for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, & Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

I purchased this device for occasional, light duty and it fills that requirement very well. The fit on my Nikon D80 and D90 is slightly lose but not so lose as to cause problems given my limited usage. It certainly makes ground level flower photography much easier and is very handy when I attach my camera to my astronomical telescope. If I were a professional photographer or used a right angle viewfinder for a majority of my work, the $230 Nikon viewfinder would make sense but for the more limited work I do with it, this $60 device fills the need and performs very well.

Bought a similar one on eBay, the newer kind 1.2x-2.5x, for $45+ free shipping from Shanghai, China. Very solid build with quality glass and plastic construction. The finder clips off the corners of the camera view finder and presents a rounded rectangle of the original view to the shooter. The view is very clear. The connection piece is made of medal on my version of the product. Three adapters come with the package: two for Canon and one for Nikon (all other major brands are also listed on the three adapters and supposed to be compatible). I use this on my Canon 40D. The connection is perfect, feels the same firmness as the original eye piece.

One negative about this view finder is that you have to have your eye on the rubber piece at the correct angle to actually see the view. In words, the viewing angle is very narrow. So when I flip the finder down and raise the camera up in the air for overhead shots, the angle finder is of no help because I can't possibly put my eye to the finder in that position.

For me, this is the tool for slow, stationary and meticulous low angle shooting and manual focus on macro works for me. A high definition flip screen like those found on fancy video cameras would be far more useful for over head (or any other awkard position) shooting. Live-view in the more recent cameras is a good step in the right direction to render this finder useless.

All in all, this is a wonderful tool if you find the right version. Do check out on eBay before buying here. I think there're maybe 3-4 vendors selling almost identical product with vast different prices. BTW, I am not a seller or in anyway related to any of the sellers of this device. Then again, if you have Live-view on your camera, use it instead - Live view on 40D, for example, can zoom to 10x and pan. This finder has no way to compete with that! But my 5D and 350D don't have live-view...

I bought this to attach to my Pentax DSLR but it will attach to Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Fuji and other eye-pieces using supplied adapters. Whilst these cameras may have Live View from the LCD on the back of the camera, composing pictures using these can be less than ideal. Lighting conditions can make it difficult to see; hand-holding the camera away from the face can induce camera shake; and framing a shot can become far less intuitive. I for one prefer to use the eye-piece to look through the viewfinder.

I have found this right angle viewfinder add-on to be invaluable on those occasions when it is difficult or just uncomfortable to position oneself optimally, usually when hand-holding but also on occasion when using a tripod at particularly high or low levels. The optics are fine and the device can be rotated upwards, downwards and sideways, making it a very versatile piece of apparatus, and has earned a permanent place in my camera bag or pocket in its pouch. I personally mostly use it at 1x magnification but had no problems when testing the diopter at its alternative 2.5x setting purely to aid focus. There is some barrel distortion at 2.5 magnification (this of course will not affect the camera image) so I would not normally use it for framing. It may be insufficiently sturdy for tough, professional use but should easily withstand normal domestic use if treated with a modicum of care.

I compared prices of the Nikon and the Opteka and then decided to go for the Opteka. I don't use it that much, but boy is it handy for low angles and macro photography. I'm sorry to say that the Nikon product is totally overpriced for the amount of times I'm going to use it. Delivery was fast, it was like 5 days and I had it. I live and work in Pretoria, South Africa. The only drawback is the postage, more than double the price of the product but hey still a lot cheaper than the Nikon product. I just want to say thankyou for a great product.

Who would have thought that an accessory like this could be so much fun. I bought this item for the purpose of getting into closeup photography at different angles.
I must have used this in the regular position, looking down like an old box camera, for who knows how many shoots.
I experimented with turning the viewer to be able to look around corners. Actually, the viewfinder can be turned to 4 different positions. A whole new world can be seen from almost all of these options.

Opteka Professional 1X-2X Right Angle Viewfinder for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, & Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

Good product at a fair price. It works as it should. I use it on my Nikon D200.