Transition Eye Glasses: I wear glasses full time and have clip-on polarizers. When I'm taking photos, I do not use the clip-on's both because they can be knocked off and it is hard to...

Walt B

I wear glasses full time and have clip-on polarizers. When I'm taking photos, I do not use the clip-on's both because they can be knocked off and it is hard to see through the view finder on my DSLR with the polarizers.

Has anyone used the "Transition" glasses that go dark in bright light with a DSLR and while looking through the view finder they go back to normal?

I have an eye exam coming up in a couple of weeks and will probably need new glasses. If "transitions" will work in photography, I'll go for them.

Thanks,

Walt B

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

I have "Transition", seamless bifocals & have had no problems seeing through the viewfinder. However, I use a Sony A77 which has an EVF (I love it.) It might be different with Optical VF cameras.

Walt B

Thanks for the quick response. I don't think it should make a difference with the EVF or Optical. I also use seamless bifocals. Are your "transitions" polarized? They offer both.

Thanks again!

Walt B

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

Polarized? I don't think so, I don't remember them asking me if I wanted, or could get that. I don't remember paying for that either.

Haydon

I'm using transitions with seamless bifocal as well and the OVF works fine with them.

Walt B

Thanks again!

Walt B

teesquare Loc: USA

I have worn lineless bi-focal Transitions for years. They are not available as "polarized" lenses, nor do they get truly dark enough to be real sunglasses. They help - a little in bright sun, but - I also have regular prescription sunglasses to provide real glare and brightness reduction.

I would not buy the Transitions expecting any advantage when using you camera tho. They darken due to the light outside, and I don't think they will lighten when you are using the viewfinder. Mine have not. But - because they are not as dark as traditional sunglasses....It has not been a problem for me. I can't use the EVF on my camera in bright light, so - I still am a viewfinder guy.

Hope this helps.

spdmn54 Loc: Avon Lake, Ohio

I can honestly say, dont waste your money on transition lenses. They do not get as dark as regular sunglasses, they dont darken in a car due to the polarization in the glass in your car, hence you are still blinded by the sun. And I find they can take too long to lighten once you get inside. As far as photography goes, I havent noticed any problems.

ncshutterbug

I have been wearing the transitions for years and love them. Mine do darken but you don't notice it when they do but when you look into a mirror you will see that they are quite dark.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Walt B wrote:

I wear glasses full time and have clip-on polarize... (show quote)

I use transition bifocals and the view through the optical finder is darker than without. Not so much an issue with the view finder but judging the image on the display is misleading.

They do not change all that quickly. That's my gripe with transitions. Had a pair about 20 years ago and got another last year and there is very little difference in change speed.

However I must admit they are better than having to use clip on or carrying 2 pair.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

spdmn54 wrote:

I can honestly say, dont waste your money on transition lenses. They do not get as dark as regular sunglasses, they dont darken in a car due to the polarization in the glass in your car, hence you are still blinded by the sun. And I find they can take too long to lighten once you get inside. As far as photography goes, I havent noticed any problems.

There are transition glasses that do darken when sitting in a car or behind glass. You have to specify when ordering.

Mine work just as well in my car as they do outside.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I have has worn them for years. Darken very quickly but slowly return to clear when you enter a building. They do not darken if you wear them driving on a sunny day and do not come polarized.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Walt B wrote:

I wear glasses full time and have clip-on polarize... (show quote)

I have Transition glasses. They don't "transition" quickly, certainly not quickly enough to clear as you put the camera to your eye. To me, when using the Transition glasses to photograph, the view finder is darker. I can see the image well enough, but the information is difficult to read. I have been removing my glasses while photographing, but of course that presents another set of problems. I will be getting new glasses soon and I'm considering getting non-transition with clip on sunglasses that I can remove while Photographing.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I am near-sighted have worn "Transitions" for at least 25 years since the Eye Doc told me I needed bifocals; as much as anyone can 'love' glasses, I love these. Generally there are two tints available, grey and brown. When inside, one clears up more than the other, but neither one clears completely. My only complaint was that when inside in low light sometimes it is harder to see critically, but that problem may be unique to my past business in Closet Design and installation--in dark corners of the closet it was difficult to read a measuring tape, and 1/4's & 1/8's of an inch mattered.

Dave R. Loc: PNW

spdmn54 wrote:

I can honestly say, dont waste your money on transition lenses. They do not get as dark as regular sunglasses, they dont darken in a car due to the polarization in the glass in your car, hence you are still blinded by the sun. And I find they can take too long to lighten once you get inside. As far as photography goes, I havent noticed any problems.

I had the same problem years ago when I first tried the transition but my wife recently changed and the time to go from light to dark and dark to light is amazingly fast on hers. As far as how dark they get, they get plenty dark even in the harshest of lighting conditions. Perhaps the technology has gotten much better. I'll be getting new glasses before the end of September and plan on the transition. I think it all boils down to ones expectations. You want them to change in a nano second then you'll be disappointed. If a change in a few seconds is OK with you then no complaints should be voiced. UMMV