JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

I needed a new pair of glasses and opted for a set of transition lenses... those that auto adjust to sunlight.
I am now beginning to regret my decision as I no longer can gauge my camera settings for what I am seeing and seem to be screwing up pictures
These new lenses make all things darker in rapid order when going outside
Aside from taking them on/off all the time how do you guys do it ? Looking for some advice or I may just revert to my old set of clear out of focus eyes
Help?

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I purchased two sets of glasses. One is Transitions and the other is non-transition. I also generally do not shoot with glasses on. I adjust the diopter setting on my camera to my eye without glasses.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Yup, that is a hindrance to obtaining a good view of what one wishes to photograph. I gave up on those many years ago for the same reason you just pointed out.

I have some clip-on sunglasses. I remove them for any photographic work.
--Bob

Unclehoss

I have had glasses for 40 years now. Early on I tried the then version of Transitions and once they went dark, then never went completely clear again for me. My next alternative was using the clip on shaded lenses and they were easier all the way around. Put them on outside, take them off inside and easier to lose. When manufacturers started actually matching the frames they were making the clips looked better also. Most recently, I wait until the optician has a sale for 'buy one, get one cheaper' type thing and buy matching frames in both tinted and non-tinted lenses. Adds one more thing in the camera bag but I have my sunglasses when I am not shooting and have my clear lenses when I am.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

A problem I personally experienced after trying Transitions lenses is that they are not made for driving, esp. driving towards the sun. Blinding light was what I got. You folks think LCD screens are terrible in bright sunlight, I promise you don’t want to drive a motor vehicle with Transitions on. Had to take my new glasses off and sort of grope my way toward my destination without colliding with another driver.

JimBart - Take the new glasses back to your optometrist and try to get a refund. If they refuse, just suck it up and buy another pair of glasses (but perhaps from a different vendor).

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I have prescription sunglasses and regular glasses. I use the regular glasses for photography.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Two related topics posted recently:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-588639-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-589140-1.html

I regret having purchased my first-ever transition glasses two years ago, and will go back to clear next time. I now have the big sunglasses designed to fit over prescription glasses, but they are polarized and can't be used when viewing LCD screens sideways

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I had cataract surgery in 2008. My vision is fixed focus, 20/25 in both eyes, from six feet to infinity. So I need readers up close. But because of some residual astigmatism, I also need a prescription to read on my iPhone. My glasses have progressive lenses — corrected to 8" (with 2.25 diopters) at the bottom of the lenses, quickly shifting over the next half inch to no correction, as I look higher through the middle and top of the lenses. They are also coated with Crizal, to eliminate glare, and they are Transitions lenses (in the lighter strength) for use as sunglasses.

So, I use these special glasses outdoors as sunglasses, and indoors for reading and other close work. I use a cheap pair of 1.5 diopter drugstore readers for the computer. I use a cheap pair of 2 diopter readers for working overhead, since my special glasses are only corrected for close work when looking through the very bottoms of the frames. I drive without glasses, because I can read the dashboards of our Priuses just fine, and my distance vision always passes the test at the DMV.

The only thing I need readers for — *during photography* — is to see the menus on the back of the camera. So I do all my image review in bright sunlight with the bright, clear *electronic viewfinder* of my mirrorless camera. The tilt, swivel, OLED touchscreen display on the back of the camera is great, but not quite bright enough in sun. So the EVF is the solution!

This is one of the many reasons I quit using dSLRs and now use a mirrorless. When I used Canons and Nikons after my surgery, I was constantly putting on glasses to adjust the camera, and taking them off to work through the optical viewfinders. That sucked!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Vision is a highly personal thing... What works for one person may not work for another. You never know how well a vision correction strategy will work for you until you try it.

I've had Transitions or Photo Gray lenses (same idea) off and on since the early 1970s. Never have I had a problem with glare, flare, or blinding light due to Transitions lenses, either before or after cataract surgery. However, I do have a bit of flare/glare from all bright light sources now that I have artificial lens implants, regardless of whether I'm wearing glasses or not, and regardless of the lenses. I've learned to look at the edge of the road near the shoulder when an oncoming driver won't dim his high beams!

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I have been wearing Transitionals since they were invented - back when it took 4-5 minutes to darken or clear vs the current 20-30 seconds however have never heard or experienced your comment. However all should be aware most Transitionals do not darken in the car because they need UV light to do so which anti-glare windshields mostly block.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I too carry a clear pair in my bag for those sunny outdoor shoots (vs my Transitionals for indoor, cloudy, night, etc. photography plus rest of the day). If my regular glasses change, I get a copy of the settings from my eye doc then order clear pair on-line for about $30-35. There are many places but here is last I used.
https://www.zennioptical.com/

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Thanks, I should have mentioned that the problem occurred after I got lens implants in conjunction with cataract surgery. Your experience with “all bright light sources” sounds much the same as mine. Other folks mileage may vary.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I never had any issues with these, I've been using them since I was a little kid and never used anything else, they do not in any way interfere with my camera/photography!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

The biggest change is with temperature, when its cold outside, they get much darker than from UV light. It can be an overcast, dark day, but cold and they turn almost pitch black

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

I have progressive lenses with transition. My only issue is when going out on cloudy days they turn dark. They turn due to the UV light. Otherwise I have no problems with my camera or driving.