BabyNurse Loc: North Carolina

Am I correct in assuming that it is important to have it set just so-so when you are doing manual focusing and not for auto focus?

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

No - you want it set correctly so when you focus, it is nice and sharp in the viewfinder.

What I did was put my camera on a tripod, used live view, focused by zooming in on the subject and manual adjust, then got out of live view and looking through the viewfinder, adjusted the diopter so the scene was in focus for my eyes.

amehta Loc: Boston

While it does not affect the camera when using autofocus, I would still want it set correctly, so I can see that the scene is sharp when the camera focuses.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

It helps with your focusing ability to have it sharp. Especially if you are wearing glasses while shooting.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Regardless of 'shooting mode' your camera diopter must be made to fit your eye vision.

No idea who told you so-so settings was ok but that information was wrong. No if, but or and.

Leitz Loc: Solms

"Diopter Adjustment Question" (There, now isn't that better? :) )
You are correct, you do want your diopter adjusted just so.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

It helps, but not with focusing the lens on a subject!

Put a lens cap on the lens, or if you want to be really perverse just take the lens off the camera and put body cap on instead.

Use the diopter adjustment to focus the information display in the viewfinder. That is what it's for!

Leitz Loc: Solms

You're right. My camera manual recommends focusing on the focus screen markings, but I prefer to focus on the viewfinder readouts, they're on the same plane and are more visible. I have done this with each of the 4 adjustable diopter bodies I own before first attaching a lens. Not much point in looking through a lens when your eyepiece is blurry!

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

BabyNurse,

You will find your photography much more enjoyable, and pleasing results if your focusing with diopter is pin sharp. When you use Auto Focus you will be able to see if the camera focused on the intended target. In Manual Focus you will be able to seer if your focusing adjustments are spot on.

There is a real easy and simple way to set your diopter for the viewfinder. For the viewfinder to perform its job it requires a ground glass focusing screen, from that point the pentaprism diffracts and inverts the image into the viewfinder.

The focusing screen on most modern DSLR cameras have markers imbedded into the ground surface to mark focusing points for the camera. These markers are usually tiny squares indicating the various points in the scene where the camera can perform focus adjustment in auto mode.

How to set the dipterous:
Use the shortest focal length lens you have (35mm).
On a day with a clear sky, or totally overcast, go outside and aim the camera at the sky. Set the focus ring to de-focus all elements in the scene.
With your finger (thumb) on the diopter knob, rotate the adjustment until the focusing squares become pin sharp.
You may need to rock the adjustment back and forth to obtain the sharpest focus for your eyes.

Once set you will not have to re-set the diopter unless your eyes change over time.

Michael G

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You will want maximum sharpness ( properly adjusted diopter) in your VF always - especially if you are manually focusing - but ALSO for AF - so you can see EXACTLY where your AF is focusing on !

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Unless, you ACCIDENTLY change it and do not realize it ! !

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I wear glasses, though not usually when I'm at home (I'm nearsighted and don't wear them to read, eat, etc). As a result, I end up shooting about half the time with them on and half without them. I'm constantly having to adjust my diopter to correct.

BabyNurse Loc: North Carolina

Well, yes that does sound better. What is in my head doesn't always come out my fingers to the keyboard.

BabyNurse Loc: North Carolina

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I have that pesky little thing set now.