Diopter adjustment: I recently bought a Pentax K-50 and found I could not get the viewfinder in focus. Never even thought about it when I bought it (sight unseen). Research says the...

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I recently bought a Pentax K-50 and found I could not get the viewfinder in focus. Never even thought about it when I bought it (sight unseen). Research says the adj. range is -2.5 to +1.5. I need something more than +1.5 to get it in focus. Does anyone know if extenders (?) are available or what they are called so I can google them? I do use the viewfinder constantly so cannot ignore this.

Jim Bob

NMGal wrote:

I recently bought a Pentax K-50 and found I could not get the viewfinder in focus. Never even thought about it when I bought it (sight unseen). Research says the adj. range is -2.5 to +1.5. I need something more than +1.5 to get it in focus. Does anyone know if extenders (?) are available or what they are called so I can google them? I do use the viewfinder constantly so cannot ignore this.

Why not Google diopter lenses for your camera? Check the manual for accessories.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

NMGal wrote:

I recently bought a Pentax K-50 and found I could not get the viewfinder in focus. Never even thought about it when I bought it (sight unseen). Research says the adj. range is -2.5 to +1.5. I need something more than +1.5 to get it in focus. Does anyone know if extenders (?) are available or what they are called so I can google them? I do use the viewfinder constantly so cannot ignore this.

You're not the only one.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&ei=mtEmWu7AK-OiggeP6L2wAg&q=diopter+adjustment+not+enough+on+camera&oq=diopter+adjustment+not+enough+on+camera&gs_l=psy-ab.3..33i160k1.13469.16631.0.18115.10.10.0.0.0.0.220.1217.3j6j1.10.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.10.1211...0i22i30k1j33i21k1.0.KZhnPGCmIao

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

NMGal wrote:

I recently bought a Pentax K-50 and found I could not get the viewfinder in focus. Never even thought about it when I bought it (sight unseen). Research says the adj. range is -2.5 to +1.5. I need something more than +1.5 to get it in focus. Does anyone know if extenders (?) are available or what they are called so I can google them? I do use the viewfinder constantly so cannot ignore this.

I don't know about Pentax, but back in the Nikon F days, Nikon made diopter lenses mounted in a plastic frame that slid over the viewfinder. Maybe if you find one of those you could adapt it to your Pentax.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Or just get a pair of inexpensive, travel-size reading glasses of proper strength, to use for the close-up shots with your camera.

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

NMGal wrote:

I recently bought a Pentax K-50 and found I could not get the viewfinder in focus. Never even thought about it when I bought it (sight unseen). Research says the adj. range is -2.5 to +1.5. I need something more than +1.5 to get it in focus. Does anyone know if extenders (?) are available or what they are called so I can google them? I do use the viewfinder constantly so cannot ignore this.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/pentax-diopter-correction-lens-adapter-m.html

Here's a link to what you'll need.

Leitz Loc: Solms

bpulv wrote:

I don't know about Pentax, but back in the Nikon F days, Nikon made diopter lenses mounted in a plastic frame that slid over the viewfinder. Maybe if you find one of those you could adapt it to your Pentax.

If you ever saw a Nikon F diopter you would know that it was mounted in a brass ring that screwed into the viewfinder. They're still made today. Lower end cameras with rectangular viewfinders require a plastic slip-on adapter for them to screw into.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Leitz wrote:

If you ever saw a Nikon F diopter you would know that it was mounted in a brass ring that screwed into the viewfinder. They're still made today. Lower end cameras with rectangular viewfinders require a plastic slip-on adapter for them to screw into.

Not on the original Nikon F and F Photonics. I had several in the 60's. I never had one on later models.

Leitz Loc: Solms

bpulv wrote:

Not on the original Nikon F and F Photonics. I had several in the 60's. I never had one on later models.

You're going back really early, and one of those would be very hard to find today. From the Photomic T (1965), the first with TTL metering, the round eyepiece accepted threaded diopters.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

NMGal wrote:

I recently bought a Pentax K-50 and found I could not get the viewfinder in focus. Never even thought about it when I bought it (sight unseen). Research says the adj. range is -2.5 to +1.5. I need something more than +1.5 to get it in focus. Does anyone know if extenders (?) are available or what they are called so I can google them? I do use the viewfinder constantly so cannot ignore this.

Yes, there should be additional diopter lenses available!

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

Check with B&H or Adorama in NY. I'm sure their staff can fix you up.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I am so far sighted that the moon is out of focus... mars too small... I recall taking an old eyeglass lens and cutting it to fit on the rubber of the eye view. Take off glasses and see OK eventho beyond the adjustment of the camera diopter setting.

[B&H or Adorama]" I'm sure their staff can fix you up" humm, the villages is noted for being an old-folks home! they can not think of an at home solution??? Could be something in their water? Is it true voting in that district only has Republicans on the ticket with Xs printed in proper boxes?

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

dpullum wrote:

I am so far sighted that the moon is out of focus.... (show quote)

And I thought this was a photographic site.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I remember getting a viewfinder cup that accepted diopter correction lenses for my 35mm back in the '70s

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Many thanks to all who replied to help me. Am having a problem finding a +2 in the US. Will have to order from Japan. Believe me, I will pay more attention in future instead of assuming.