Chuck, you're not alone on this.
I'm nearsighted. I recently got new glasses and had the prescription
optimized for distance viewing because I noticed that with the old
pair I couldn't see trees and small signs clearly.
With the new pair, trees, signs, everything at a distance is
wonderfully clear. Close vision is another, disturbing story. I used
to be able to read my computer screen and most printed material. No
more. When trying to focus my OM4 and other cameras the diopter
setting has to be changed and in the case of the OM4, it's at the
extreme end of adjustment. Even then, I feel like I'm straining. I'm
about to sell my RF cams because I can't clearly see the boxes come
together.
Optician has offered to remake the glasses with high-tech progressive
lenses and I'm seriously considering it. Had bifocals 30 years ago
when I was doing radio news broadcasts and had to look down and copy
and up for cues but doubt my neck would appreciate being constantly
tilted back every time I look through a viewfinder.
So, now you know why I suggested you check your diopter settings when
you first noted the issues with manually focused lenses -- personal,
bothersome experience.
You may want to visit your optician with your 5D and an OM in hand.
They can pop lenses between your existing glasses and the VF and you
can try to focus and then check the results. That's my plan anyway.
May even bring a tripod. And resign myself to being considered
"eccentric".
The aging process is interesting. Hope I can learn to relax and enjoy the ride.
Good luck!
ScottGee1
On 6/17/06, Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Y'all may remember a couple weeks ago I was testing my newly aquired 5D
> and Tokina 28-80/2.8 and comparing the Tokina with some manual focus
> Zuiko and non-Zuiko OM mount lenses. I reported that my Zuiko 28/2.8
> appeared to have terrible optical performance which no one (including
> me) could understand.
>
> There followed lots of speculation centered on the camera's focusing
> screen being slightly mispositioned such that it would cause front
> focusing and I thought that's what was wrong.
>
> Before futzing around with focusing screen shims to reposition the
> screen I decided that I should be able to accomplish the same thing
> (perhaps) by deliberately misadjusting the diopter control. I had
> previously had it set at +2 clicks from its neutral position. The first
> thing I noticed was that in resetting it I couldn't quite decide if +2
> clicks or +3 clicks was the best setting. Anyhow I took one exposure
> each at 0, +1, +2, +3, +4 and +5. Well, the +2 and +3 were a close-run
> thing but I finally decided that my original choice of +2 was the better
> one. And the +2 setting handily beat the others until... uh, oh! The
> +5 setting was almost but not quite as good as the +2.
>
> Suddenly, I had met the enemy and he was me!!! Back to the tripod and
> take 3 more shots each at +2 and +3. Between each shot spin the
> focusing ring and look away from the camera to force a completely fresh
> refocus each time. I'm embarrassed at the results. Combining the first
> set of test results with the second gave me four shots at each of the +2
> and +3 settings. 2 out of 4 of both sets are terrible. Horribly soft
> because horribly out of focus. 2 out of 4 of both sets are also
> reasonably sharp. It's still a close run thing between +2 and +3 but
> I've decided +2 is still the winner... so far.
>
> Obviously the problem is that my old eyes can't do a decent manual
> focusing job; at least on this target with this camera and screen. My
> repeatability score is miserable.
>
> I was going to do a little more testing but I've been chased away by
> what may be a gathering thunder shower. Well, anyhow, I'm glad to have
> the autofocus Tokina on the 5D. The two of them focus way more better
> than Chuck.
>
> ps: While testing I looked at the clear blue sky and see that the
> finder is gathering dust already. Common 5D complaint. Don't know
> about the sensor. Haven't checked that yet.
>
> Chuck Norcutt
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