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Ever find it hard to get your SLR in just the right angle to take that perfect shot you've always wanted. Optekas Professional Right Angle Viewfinder let's you line up an off the deck shot without needing to crawl on your belly. The Opteka finder features include a built in diopter with 1X and 2.5X capability, full 360 degree rotation, and universal mounting attachments for most Digital SLR cameras including Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus EVOLT, Pentax, Sony Alpha, & many more. Padded leather-like pouch for easy handling included.
Many Optical Aberrations - Low Quality - Overpriced
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.
Ill-fitting adapter
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.
Good quality and good price
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.
