Focusing/composing and being farsighted

[jonbrisbincreative]

Now that I'm getting into using the Sinar F (with a roll film back currently, just because I'm moving up from MF) to learn how movements work and which knobs on the camera do what, I'm starting to notice that I have trouble composing and focusing on the GG because I'm farsighted. Even with my bifocals on (I'm only 42 for crying out loud! I can't really get too close to the GG. This means I have to use the big and heavy dark cloth rather than the t-shirt since I need about that much space for my eyes to focus on the GG.

I have a loupe around here somewhere that seems to have scurried off into a corner. I'll definitely be picking one up if I can't find it. But I was wondering if there's anything to do about this other than suck it up that I'm getting older and admit my eyes are rebelling against me? I have the same problem with digital, of course, in that I have to hold the camera away from my face to see the screen. I can't use a neck strap for that reason (the neck strap holds the camera too close...I need it farther away than that).

Will a fresnel help me here?

[BrianShaw]

I can commiserate. The GG falls completely outside of either prescription of my bifocals.

I can't imagine how a Fresnel would help other than getting you a brighter, but still OOF, image on the GG. I manage to get by with a magnifier loupe and wearing my glasses on the top of my nose so I can look over them. But I think the real answer is to get a prescription for the distance between the eye and the GG (or LCD on your digital camera).

[jonbrisbincreative]

I can commiserate. The GG falls completely outside of either prescription of my bifocals.

I can't imagine how a Fresnel would help other than getting you a brighter, but still OOF, image on the GG. I manage to get by with a magnifier loupe and wearing my glasses on the top of my nose so I can look over them. But I think the real answer is to get a prescription for the distance between the eye and the GG (or LCD on your digital camera).

Are there over-the-counter solutions? Like magnifying reading glasses or something? I can't imagine buying a special pair of glasses just for this is cost-effective. Especially given the fact I already had to buy new computer glasses this year (ouch!).

[Old-N-Feeble]

I ordered a pair of inexpensive generic +6 reading glasses online. I don't think I'll ever need a loop with these glasses. I saw some +7 recently but I don't remember where. Reading glasses are available at Walmart, Walgreens, etc. for just few dollars in powers up to +4.

[Jac@stafford.net]

My vision cannot be corrected to 20/20 and I get along well enough. I found that my bifocals were not optimized for close work. Trifocals helped a lot to see the whole 8x10 ground glass. A 4X loupe for focusing and it's all good. (I do not know why, but a higher magnification loupe hurts more than it helps.)

Best of luck to you,

[BrianShaw]

Are there over-the-counter solutions? Like magnifying reading glasses or something? I can't imagine buying a special pair of glasses just for this is cost-effective. Especially given the fact I already had to buy new computer glasses this year (ouch!).

I'm about to buy a pair of glasses dedicated to computer reading. Same problem as with GG for me... and I make my living at a computer so not being able to see well is becoming an impediment. I'm thinking that the spectacles for computer (viewing distance - 24 inches) should be close enough for seeing LF GG. I might be wrong, however, since that is speculation. Ha ha... get it?

But now that I fiddle with my spectacles at the computer... the viewing distance seems to be about 24 inches but the reason I don't use them for either computer or GG is that I need to raise my nick to a very uncomfortable position. Maybe what I'm experiencing is an ergonomic maladjustment more than a vision correction issue.

[jnantz]

i use a monocular viewer purchased for a toyo view camera
( it kind of looks like that weird thing mark tucker used to make photographs with).
while my vision isn't perfect, it helps ...

[Tracy Storer]

I've been using +3 over the counter reading glasses for 8x10 for several years, but may want something a bit stronger for my 3x4 Graflex SLR........

[Jac@stafford.net]

the reason I don't use them for either computer or GG is that I need to raise my nick to a very uncomfortable position. Maybe what I'm experiencing is an ergonomic maladjustment more than a vision correction issue

Brian, when my eyes changed I had also just installed twin 30" monitors. It was necessary to modify the monitor stand down about 4" so I did not have to look up, tilt my neck so much. Perhaps that would help.

[cowanw]

You need cheap reading glasses. the power of which determines how far away your head will be from the GG. Try 3+ or 4+ to start.