| Everyone is shaped a little
bit differently than everyone else, as we all can see, every day. |
| Designing an eyecup to have
the desired firmness but, to also conform to everyone's facial size and
prominences is an impossible task. As a strategy to satisfy
all, as much as is possible, some makers use the thinnest and softest materials
that will crush to conform to the nose, brows and cheekbones of the user. |
| Soft and thin-walled, crushable
eyecups offer no protection from impact and are more prone to tearing from
wear. Shooting film while moving or panning can be a danger to the
user's eye if the camera impacts another object or person, as so many have
unfortunately discovered. It's also difficult to maintain that "sweet
spot" for viewing when the eyecup has no firmness to lean against.
A steady view of the subject is important for proper framing and composition. |
| Others avoid the problem
of proper design by making their eyecups with a simple symmetrical shape.
Though firm enough for "leaning" against, a simple cone fails to prevent
light leakage into the viewer, allowing potential fogging of the film via
the reflex prism and allowing distracting glare for the camera operator. |
| The large, anatomical design
of these urethane eyecups fits some very comfortably, but others can feel
the pressure of the eyecup rim against their brow, nose or cheekbone when
pressing in against the eyepiece. |
| It is a simple task to trim
and smooth the eyecup to a custom fit to your facial prominences with no
more than a ball point pen, sharp scissors and a piece of 300 grit sandpaper. |
|
#1 - Install the eyecup on the camera viewer's flange. |
|
#2 - Press against the eyecup until you find the best viewing position.
That's the "sweet spot" for best viewing. |
|
#3 - You will feel localized pressure of the cup against your nose,
brow or cheekbone if there is an imperfect fit. |
|
#4 - Mark the area or areas of pressure with a ball point pen or
a fine point marker. (click
to see examples) |
|
#5 - Using a sharp scissors, cut a thin slice off the edge that's
marked. Making thin even cuts is better than one big slice.
Don't try to take it all at once. By making several thin cuts
and repeating the test for fit as you go (see step #3), you can achieve
a perfect fit without ruining the piece by taking off too much. |
|
#6 - When you have achieved the most comfortable fit at the "sweet
spot" with the least light leakage, remove the eyecup from the viewer flange
and sandpaper the edge to a smooth and comfortable finish. Clean off any
rubber dust that may have accumulated before reinstalling the eyecup. |
|
#7 - Reinstall the eyecup on the viewer flange and recheck for viewing
comfort. There should be gentle and even pressure of the cup against
your brow, nose and cheekbone and the viewer should be in the perfect position
for focusing and filming action. |
