Eyepiece blinds

[whizkid]

EOS users. The rubber eyepiece blind that Canon furnishes on their neck straps are clearly a PITA to apply.  Additionally, the eyepiece frame that needs removal first can easilly break a retaining clip if care is not used.

So far the best a solution I have has been to use a rear lens cap off an old FD lens.  They fit easily  with just the right amount of snugness. I corded it so it could to be tethered to a tripod or to the camera. That only required a cord and drilling a small hole in the cap for the cord to attach. Then I added a spring fastening clip to the other end. That clip allows quicking attachng to a neck strap or a tripod. It can also be clipped to the cord to form a noose for slipping around and snugged up on a tripod.

I would be interested  to learn what others have done.  Shame Canon doesn't include a built- in blind as they do on the ID series.  Seems reasonable for any camera that runs nearly a grand or more.  I see Nikon includes a built-in blind with their D700 but no such luck with the 5D2.   

[Bob Atkins]

A built in blind would be a good idea, but it's something not everyone needs. They can be useful for preventing light leaks during long exposure in the daytime of course.

I have seen something that slips into the hotshoe of a camera and then flips down to cover the eyepiece, but I don't know the brand or where yoiu can find one.

[whizkid]

Bob, thanks for the tip on an aftermarket blind . I did some searching and think I found the one you described. It was made by Hama. I say "was" because sources like B&H ,Amazon or Adorama no longer carry them. I did see one that was shown on eBay being shipped out of Singapore. I am considering it but would prefer something stateside.

[dentheman]

Us old-timers just carry around a piece of electrician's tape to use as a blind; it also works well to cover the self-timer light when taking macro shots of creatures. If I get around to it I may cut out some black plastic to fit in the rubber around the eyepiece. But I will agree, it would be nice if camera makers included a lever operated built in eyepiece blind in all of their SLR's.