Need advice re: eyeglasses/contact lenses
May 10, 2014 11:02:04 #
steve_stoneblossom
Loc: Rhode Island, USA
Having lost my newest eyeglasses and broken one lens on my backups, I am now forced to stop procrastinating and get a new pair. And I am likely going to have to concede and get my first bifocals (sigh).
In the past, I have always removed my glasses when shooting, and adjusted my diopter accordingly.
Do most photographers who wear glasses keep them on while shooting or remove them? And does the bifocal issue have any bearing on this?
Additionally, I am also considering contact lenses, although I have never worn them. How does the bifocal issue factor in for contacts while shooting?
In the past, I have always removed my glasses when shooting, and adjusted my diopter accordingly.
Do most photographers who wear glasses keep them on while shooting or remove them? And does the bifocal issue have any bearing on this?
Additionally, I am also considering contact lenses, although I have never worn them. How does the bifocal issue factor in for contacts while shooting?
May 10, 2014 11:05:32 #
Michael66
Loc: Queens, New York
steve_stoneblossom wrote:
In the past, I have always removed my glasses when shooting, and adjusted my diopter accordingly.
Do most photographers who wear glasses keep them on while shooting or remove them? And does the bifocal issue have any bearing on this?
In the past, I have always removed my glasses when shooting, and adjusted my diopter accordingly.
Do most photographers who wear glasses keep them on while shooting or remove them? And does the bifocal issue have any bearing on this?
I tend to switch around depending on the lighting conditions; shades, glasses or bare eyes. Adjusting the diopter. How much twiddling can that knobbie take?
May 10, 2014 11:08:16 #
My first set of bifocals was a tough deal. I had to go to the bathroom and when I looked down I saw a big one and a little one. By the time I figured out which one was mine (not the big one), I had peed on the floor. Be careful!
May 10, 2014 11:13:59 #
I wear glasses and I usually take my pictures with them on. I tend to use my strong eye and since it is just a minor correction init I can adjust the diopter control and wear my glasses. I just have to remember that when I wear my sunglasses the picture looks dark.
May 10, 2014 11:18:04 #
DaveO wrote:
My first set of bifocals was a tough deal. I had to go to the bathroom and when I looked down I saw a big one and a little one. By the time I figured out which one was mine (not the big one), I had peed on the floor. Be careful!
Hilarious!! Thanks for your good humor. I cannot stop laughing!
May 10, 2014 11:30:19 #
steve_stoneblossom wrote:
Having lost my newest eyeglasses and broken one le... (show quote)
I take off my glasses and use the diopter when using the viewfinder (90% of the time), I use my glasses when using the screen.
Multifocal contacts are easier to adapt to than bifocal glasses. If you get glasses, until you are used to them, be careful with steps of any kind. Bill Cosby had an hilarious skit about trifocal glasses... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ6jZv4S4VQ
I used to wear multifocal contacts, it's the same as shooting with good vision. If you get the right ones, you don't even notice they are there. Unfortunately, my near vision has gotten so bad and my distance vision is still near perfect that they don't make a multifocal lenses that will work (at least for me).
May 10, 2014 12:33:26 #
I guess it depends how many pairs of glasses you want to have, and how much you shoot through the viewfinder versus the rear display screen.
I don't like bifocals personally so I use full frame corrective glasses as standard and another pair of full frame corrective reading glasses for computing work / reading etc.
For photography, that means the view finder is easy with the standard glasses on all the time, and since I'm short sighted I just take them off or look over the top of them to look at the rear screen, or say my iPhone, which works very well for me.
Also, I've never fallen down stairs as a result of wearing bifocals, especially while being distracted taking photographs!
My wife has contacts and reading glasses, which work for her for photography. She also has bifocals, although I've never seen her use them with a camera.
Good luck, every solution has its pros and cons, so it's a very personal decision in my opinion.
I don't like bifocals personally so I use full frame corrective glasses as standard and another pair of full frame corrective reading glasses for computing work / reading etc.
For photography, that means the view finder is easy with the standard glasses on all the time, and since I'm short sighted I just take them off or look over the top of them to look at the rear screen, or say my iPhone, which works very well for me.
Also, I've never fallen down stairs as a result of wearing bifocals, especially while being distracted taking photographs!
My wife has contacts and reading glasses, which work for her for photography. She also has bifocals, although I've never seen her use them with a camera.
Good luck, every solution has its pros and cons, so it's a very personal decision in my opinion.
May 10, 2014 12:47:59 #
I have progressive bifocals. Very poor close-up vision. I have no choice but to use them and I have no problems. However,this is a personal thing you can't really get advise except from your doctor. He know if you have an astigmatism or whatever. What I can tell is that multiple pairs of glasses are not good! Loss,breakage and carrying them. Talk to your doctor.
May 10, 2014 13:47:41 #
With respect we can all only opine for ourselves on some matters:
"What I can tell is that multiple pairs of glasses are not good! Loss,breakage and carrying them"
For you, that may be true, not necessarily for all others.
I find distinct advantages in having the full field of vision that variable focus glasses of any kind cannot deliver. The trade off is that I have to manage two pairs. I have done that successfully for many years while traveling extensively. I have never lost or damaged a single pair. Neither flying, hiking, sailing, spelunking or on any other activity. It's all in planning, being organized and paying attention.
For me, the small additional effort of being well organized is worth it.
It is, as I think we all agree, a personal decision. We can all offer our various experiences and opinions, but the OP is the only person that can make an appropriate decision for themselves.
"What I can tell is that multiple pairs of glasses are not good! Loss,breakage and carrying them"
For you, that may be true, not necessarily for all others.
I find distinct advantages in having the full field of vision that variable focus glasses of any kind cannot deliver. The trade off is that I have to manage two pairs. I have done that successfully for many years while traveling extensively. I have never lost or damaged a single pair. Neither flying, hiking, sailing, spelunking or on any other activity. It's all in planning, being organized and paying attention.
For me, the small additional effort of being well organized is worth it.
It is, as I think we all agree, a personal decision. We can all offer our various experiences and opinions, but the OP is the only person that can make an appropriate decision for themselves.
May 10, 2014 14:22:23 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
steve_stoneblossom wrote:
Having lost my newest eyeglasses and broken one le... (show quote)
First time I went out with bifocals, everyone thought I was stomping ant hills. I like progressives, nearly like no glasses once I got accustomed to them, which was quick. I generally leave them on when shooting, unless I'm in too much sunlight ... a rubber eyecup doesn't do much for me with any type of glasses. I would think contact lenses would be ideal, though I've never worn them.
May 10, 2014 14:23:03 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
[quote=steve_stoneblossom]Having lost my newest eyeglasses and broken one lens on my backups, I am now forced to stop procrastinating and get a new pair. And I am likely going to have to concede and get my first bifocals (sigh).
See above. I blew this.
See above. I blew this.
May 10, 2014 14:33:55 #
Peterff wrote:
With respect we can all only opine for ourselves o... (show quote)
I did not mean to imply that everyone would have these issues. I guess it's part of me being so unorganized. The man asked for opinions. The original post also stated: "Having lost my newest eyeglasses and broken one lens on my backups, I am now forced to stop procrastinating and get a new pair. And I am likely going to have to concede and get my first bifocals (sigh)."
Guess he's not as organized as you either!
May 10, 2014 20:35:54 #
RWR wrote:
First time I went out with bifocals, everyone thought I was stomping ant hills.
:lol: :lol: and tripping up the stairs!
RWR wrote:
I like progressives, nearly like no glasses once I got accustomed to them, which was quick. I generally leave them on when shooting, unless I'm in too much sunlight ... a rubber eyecup doesn't do much for me with any type of glasses. I would think contact lenses would be ideal, though I've never worn them.
Progressives are much nicer and easier to get used to. Unfortunately, mine are photo grey and get almost black, so I take them off when I'm shooting and only put them on if I'm trying to use the screen instead of the viewfinder (can be interesting if they are too dark and sun is hitting the screen. :wink: )
May 10, 2014 20:42:54 #
Agreed. It is such a personal thing, and one can only choose which of the many comprises work for oneself.
I only wished to point out that there are so many differing opinions and no absolute "works for everybody" approach. I am probably more organized (to a point of obsession possibly) about some things, but the effort works for me, for my specific preferences, and reduces other problems. It is a trade off.
It certainly wouldn't work for others which is why there are so many variants of multi-focal glasses etc. They are really convenient and suit the majority of people well.
And I also agree, that the OP indicated that he may be prone to losing or breaking things..., however it is still his decision on how to approach the issue, especially when entering into a new world when your eyes start aging and changing. It is not fun, and would be great if we knew how to avoid aging without giving up on life completely!
Best of luck and good wishes to all.
I only wished to point out that there are so many differing opinions and no absolute "works for everybody" approach. I am probably more organized (to a point of obsession possibly) about some things, but the effort works for me, for my specific preferences, and reduces other problems. It is a trade off.
It certainly wouldn't work for others which is why there are so many variants of multi-focal glasses etc. They are really convenient and suit the majority of people well.
And I also agree, that the OP indicated that he may be prone to losing or breaking things..., however it is still his decision on how to approach the issue, especially when entering into a new world when your eyes start aging and changing. It is not fun, and would be great if we knew how to avoid aging without giving up on life completely!
Best of luck and good wishes to all.
May 10, 2014 21:31:10 #
I wear no-line bifocals and have no problem taking pictures with them on. They are the kind that go dark in the sun, in which case I have to take them off to see the screen temporarily and the put them back on.
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