Help Seeing with your DSLR

These two accessories look simple because, well, they are simple. They’re also those types of accessories you might not think about using until you do and then you wonder why you went so long without them.

The first is the HoodEYE eyepiece from Hoodman. The HoodEYE, which replaces the normal eyepiece of your Nikon or Canon DSLR camera, helps block out light from the side that might reduce your ability to see correctly in the viewfinder. All you need to do is gently slide off the normal eyepiece and slide the HoodEYE on the mounting rails. It takes only a few seconds. You can rotate the HoodEYE eyecup left or right to accommodate both “right-eyed” photographers and “left-eyed” photographers. It won’t cover or interfere with the LCD screen.

Click the following to view a video of the HoodEYE.

 
I used it with my Canon XTi and it worked as I hoped. I was outdoors on a bright sunny day with the added problem of sunlight reflecting off the snow but everything in the viewfinder was bright and clear. Best of all, I didn’t have to hold my left hand around my eye to frame the picture and read the display in the viewfinder while trying to hold the camera steady with the my right hand.

The HoodEYE replaces the normal eyepiece in your camera.

The HoodEye is available for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. It includes instructions plus the Hoodman USA website has several helpful “how to” videos on most of their other products as well. Price is about $19.99

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The second item is the HoodLoupe.

We’ve all struggled at times to read the LCD screen in bright light or sunlight. You’ve probably seen people literally twist or turn their cameras in every which direction to see the LCD screen. This is where the HoodLoupe comes in handy. It lets you clearly view the LCD screen by blocking or shielding the reflections caused by a strong light source.

The HoodEYE replaces the normal eyepiece in your camera.

You wear the HoodLoupe around your neck (it includes a detachable lanyard and carring case). All you need to do when it’s time to review your shot or data is to bring the Hoodloupe up to your image and place your eye up to the eye cup for complete glare free viewing.

There are times, too, when you not only want to look at the photo you just snapped but also at information about the photo, such as the histogram. It’s virtually impossible to read the histogram or other data on the LCD screens in bright light. The HoodLoupe is ideal in these situations.

Click the following to view a video of the Hood Loupe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4kUDOLIsds&feature=player_embedded

I can see why landscape or outdoor photographers will like this accessory for. It comes with handy and protective pouch. You can clip the pouch to your belt.
Although the outer part of the hood is rubber (to prevent scratching the LCD glass), the inner part of the hood is strong and firm. It also has textured grip on the top and bottom to help you hold it in place against the camera. It’s durable enough to withstand outdoor photography.
The HoodLoupe is more than just an accessory to block sunlight. It features a big lens that helps magnify the LCD screen. You adjust the focus by turning the eye piece in or out to set for your vision. HoodLoupe’s precise German glass optics give you a 1 to 1 ratio for true LCD screen viewing. The one source of concern for many users has been that the loupe tends to pixelate the LCD image. I agree but would say it’s only a slight problem; I’ve both the image and text are clear and bright although you might see a bit of distortion around the edges.

One note is to make certain not to accidentally hit a button along the edge of the LCD while reviewing the image although this is really isn’t a concern with larger LCD monitors. The HoodLoupe works with LCD screens up to 3.0 inches.

You should consider adding it as an accessory it if you do a lot of photography in bright light or bright sunlight conditions. The HoodLoupe is available for all LCD screens for about $80.

Both accessories are available from:

Hoodman Corporation
20445 Gramercy Place Ste. #201
Torrance, CA 90501 (800) 818-3946 or (310) 222-8608
www.hoodmanusa.com

 

Written by Scott Slaughter

 

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