Right angle viewer... how & why? I have just learned that there is a right angle viewer, part DR-6, for my Nikon. The write-up says that it provides a 90 degree view for framing &...

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

I have just learned that there is a right angle viewer, part DR-6, for my Nikon. The write-up says that it provides a 90 degree view for framing & composing your image at right angles to the original viewfinder. I love gadgets but I cannot fathom how a rt. angle viewer would work, or why it would be at all useful.

Please help me understand the how & why of this strange gadget.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I use one doing macros mostly but it comes in handy for many stationary shots.. It makes it easier to view from the top if the camera is below eye level and you don't have an adjustable LCD as in my case.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have one for my Canon and love it!
I use it when the camera is on a tripod, looking down instead of arching my back.
I can kneel with the camera low.
I can put the camera at ground level and look into the viewfinder MUCH easier.
Mine rotates 90° for portrait shooting.
It's really handy!

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

WayneT wrote:

I use one doing macros mostly but it comes in handy for many stationary shots.. It makes it easier to view from the top if the camera is below eye level and you don't have a adjustable LCD as in my case.

I understand. Thanks.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I used one when the camera was used on a copy stand. It was very handy for that and when setting up a shot using a low tripod height.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I have one that was made to look like you were shooting something in front of the camera but the lens is shooting at a right angle. Got it with a box of other camera stuff. Never used it other than to play with it a few times when I got it. Tried it as suggested in some of the posts and will use it. Thanks to all. - Dave

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

wilsondl2 wrote:

I have one that was made to look like you were shooting something in front of the camera but the lens is shooting at a right angle. Got it with a box of other camera stuff. Never used it other than to play with it a few times when I got it. Tried it as suggested in some of the posts and will use it. Thanks to all. - Dave

That's not a right angle finder, it's a right angle lens.

This is an angle finder-

PeterBergh

Longshadow wrote:

I have one for my Canon and love it!
I use it when the camera is on a tripod, looking down instead of arching my back.
I can kneel with the camera low.
I can put the camera at ground level and look into the viewfinder MUCH easier.
Mine rotates 90° for portrait shooting.
It's really handy!

I also have the Canon one and like it. The only downside is that it does not show all of the image from the viewfinder.

OviedoPhotos

I have it and use it occasionally when I put the camera on a short tripod.

Georgews Loc: Wellington, New Zealand

I have a Pentax one which I have had for about 15 years. Is very handy when shooting low or when shot in the Mon or sky. Mine can turn to use either landscape or portrait mode and has a built in magnifier for critical focussing. Son' use it a great deal but is a lifesaver sometimes. Lives in ,my camera bag. Forts my canons quite well.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

bellgamin wrote:

I have just learned that there is a right angle viewer, part DR-6, for my Nikon. The write-up says that it provides a 90 degree view for framing & composing your image at right angles to the original viewfinder. I love gadgets but I cannot fathom how a rt. angle viewer would work, or why it would be at all useful.

Please help me understand the how & why of this strange gadget.

I love low angle shooting, putting my camera on the ground and shooting. That said, my tilt screen on my D500 allows me to do that. But, if your camera does not have a tilt screen, then this right angle viewer allows you to do just that.

Georgews Loc: Wellington, New Zealand

Fits not forts. Grrrrrr auto correct

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

PeterBergh wrote:

I also have the Canon one and like it. The only downside is that it does not show all of the image from the viewfinder.

Agreed. I have to move my eye around to see the four corners, but still much more convenient.

DaveC Loc: Illinois

I’ve used a right angle finder on my Nikons for years. I do a lot of plant and insect photography where the subject is close to the ground, and, without a tilt screen, there is no other way to view and focus. Also, the DR6 has a neat function, on the top there is a little lever which magnified the image two times. I could not do much of my photography without it.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

bellgamin wrote:

I understand. Thanks.

The view is right side up, right way round, and covers the entire viewfinder with no distortion. At 2X only the center portion is covered. If you think there is any chance you may get a better Nikon later (with a round eyepiece), I recommend a DR-5 and use a DK-22 adapter on your rectangular eyepiece.