BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Thanks, I am told they are a learning curve. The gal worked with me and was patient, but I couldn't get one out for the life of me. She had to leave for a second, and I tried again. Got it and then went for the other, which easily came out. She couldn't believe it when she came back. Think I have performance anxiety! Time will tell when I try tonight.
Apparently, I have weird eyes, according to the doc. So not sure if this will work.

Thanks for the input!

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I was going to say that years ago I had an eye cup on my film camera that had a space for a fixed diopter lens. If used today in conjunction with the adjustable one on the camera would extend its range. But then I learned to work with my glasses on so there was no longer any issue.

As for glasses, I've been old enough to need reading glasses in addition to a regular pair and bifocals drove me crazy, so I use progressive lenses, also known as no line lenses.

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The viewfinder diopter wheel on a digital camera usually adjusts between -2 and +2 or more diopters. If your vision is outside whatever its range is, you will need additional correction from contacts or glasses. Also, if your vision is afflicted with much astigmatism, the diopter control cannot correct for that.

I had cataract replacement lenses implanted in both eyes, in late 2007. They correct for most of my astigmatism and gave me 20/25 vision in good light, from around six feet to infinity. I need readers up close, and have "reverse progressive" glasses that gradually vary the diopter change from the bottom of the lenses to no correction in the top third, other than residual overall correction of astigmatism. They are also photo gray "transitions" lenses, so they function as sunglasses and driving glasses and computer glasses and reading glasses. Expensive, yes, but worth it. I can tweak the diopter control on my camera and see the data and the OLED display clearly, with or without glasses.

I believe, as Larry basically said, that an ophthalmologist is best equipped to diagnose vision issues in those of us over 50. They understand the full range of options for vision correction and can offer alternatives that optometrists can't.

You may want to explain your full medical history to your doctor, along with family history of vision issues on both sides. They usually gather that data before hand, anyway, and it can be helpful in steering diagnosis. Vision is a very personal thing, and it takes a decent doctor and a careful patient to arrive at the right corrective formulae. Your time behind those instruments where they ask you which letters are sharper is critical. Sometimes it seems like splitting hairs, but that's where the tweaking happens. Be very alert and take care while doing that. And blink often enough to spread your tears around. Dry eye can really screw up a prescription.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I have worn glasses every since I was a teenager. I went to bifocals I believe in my late 30es and I have yet to have any problems shooting with my glasses on. I am not sure why you are taking your glasses off to shoot. I have had my viewfinder set to "0" ever since the film days. My problem is when someone borrows my camera and sets the diopter to something other than "0". Middle age is when the eyes seem to change the least. Every year since about 10 years ago my eyes have change slightly from the year before. And I will get new lenses for my eyes if for no other reason than my photography (same frames for the last 5 or 6 years). And every year I inquire with my eye doctor if they have made any progress with "floaters" (remnant small blood clots) and the variable density (vitreous gel shrinks with age causing the bleeding and the variable density). Most people just let their brains "accommodate" the eyes' changes, but I still see them. And they are very small nuisances to my photography.

Again, I do not understand why you are taking off your glasses to shoot. My wife has had the surgeries three times and can have no more surgeries - and still needs glasses again. Surgery may work for you for a while, but that is not where I would put my betting money.

My suggestion is to try and learn to use your glasses all the time including with your photography. Also, I do not know if you are left or right eye dominant, but shooting left eyed has certain advantages over right eye shooting. I am left eyed and hear some of the complaints that right eyed people talk about and they don't apply to left eyed shooting. Hopefully some of the UHHers suggestions will work for you.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

i have no line bi-focals and only use auto focus (it's either that or shoot at f/22 all the time).

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Please don't give up on the contacts. They may be hard to get used to for a short while but it gets really simple. I used them for years and then had cataract surgery. The surgery was totally painless, didn't feel a thing...walk in-walk out, easy, probably 30? years ago. No glasses or contacts since then.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Interesting points, thanks.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Yes, and I have had it up to the maximum. Today, I had contacts in for the first time, so I played with it and lowered it with the lens in as it didn't seem right. When I go back for my check-in with the contacts, I will have to ask what level I need for that to be correct. I don't think it's strong enough for my vision needs.

This will be an experiment to see if I can actually handle them. Could see better, but it is an adjustment.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

I am getting a lot from the members about using the Autofocus so it is something I need to understand better with this camera.

Today I was working with my one squirrel, and he decided it was time for me to practice shooting his somersault routine. He did his best routine complete with flips and rolls! I however again missed most of it with him being in blurs! It is so frustrating as he is a real showman who deserves to be featured properly. More to learn and understand.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

OK, so what does that do?

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Thanks. Surgery is not an option, trust me! I also wear my glasses all the time. According to the doctor, I may have to retrain my eyes and brain as I may have formed some habits. She stated my eyes were "weird," as her results weren't what they should have been according to the responses I gave in my test. Story of my life, never have fit the mold!

I agree. Practice appears to be the key. Since I have been working with the squirrels for several months, I can see improvement, just not to the level I want. One day, without my glasses, I saw a rock that looked like a duck. Evidently, my brain processes in the form of animals!

I'm not embarrassed as much as frustrated. It's the perfectionist in me that battles, plus I have little patience with myself. These are all things I am now working hard to correct! A work in progress! The battle withmy eyes are just a new bump in the road that needs to be repaired!

Thanks for your response!

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Thanks for the information! I am hearing that a lot. I had to take them out by myself tonight and was terrified that I would struggle as I did in the doctor's office. Took me a few times, but it was better. I hear it's a learning curve. According to the doctor and staff I did well, just need some confidence.

Time will tell whether I want to go this route. Not sure the strength is quite there so may need to adjust.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Thanks much for this. Will check this out as my doctor was so great she had me bring in my camera, and she actually did a search online. So, will show her this and see what she thinks. She stated it will be some trialing with me to see what would work. It's frustrating to have to wear the glasses to find my squirrels and then take them off to use my camera. Too bad I couldn't live in an area with red squirrels! My little darlings blend in so well with their environment that I can often miss them!

Thanks again for this, it was very kind.

BAchme Loc: Middle Tennessee

Well, that's good information to have. This is my 2nd time with the contacts. Tried them Saturday at the exam, but my frustration was too high in not getting them out, decided to take a break. Went in today and was able to put them in myself and take them out. Have a week to try and see how I feel, and then next Monday will check in and go from there. So I guess I am early in the process!

Several members have given me different diopter things to explore, so will do that before the next visit.

As for the camera and lens stuff, I just did that, which may also be part of the issue. I went from a Canon T6 to a Canon 90 D and the lens I am working with now is a Sigma 100-400. I think I may be on overload at the moment

Thanks again for sharing, it helps!