Question on focusing... Canon EOS 300 Film Slr

[Ryan.Abrahams]

Ok,

Last night, despite not being able to get film in time, I decided to get out my Canon EOS 300 (film SLR, not the digital), but as it doesn't have a LCD view finder, I found it was near impossible to focus on anything... I tried jupiter due to it being fairly easy to find, but still, focusing was impossible.

Has anyone else had experience with older cameras. Has anyone found a solution to this? Are there viewfinder extenders or anything?


Cheers
Ryan Abrahams

[mill]

There are knife edge focussers for film camera's.
Also on ebay you can buy viewfinder attachments to enlarge the picture.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TENPA-1-36x-Viewfinder-eyecup-magnifier-Canon-Nikon-/160473216539?pt=AU_Cameras_Photogra phic_Accessories&hash=item255cf2f61b

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2-3x-Angle-View-finder-Viewfinder-Magnifier-CANON-NIKON-/220448765615?pt=AU_Cameras_Photogra phic_Accessories&hash=item3353c536af

The second one looks like what you need.

[Dennis]

Hi Ryan

There are a couple of issues here – accessing the viewfinder comfortably and then focusing.

A right angle finder would help you look through the viewfinder without uncomfortable, physical contortions.

In terms of focusing, I have used a Stellar Technologies (http://www.stellar-international.com/index1.html)system previously, with some success although I am left wondering how well a Bahtinov Mask might be for focusing?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=38247

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=35676

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=47090

Cheers

Dennis

EDIT:
I would also suggest that you seriously consider whether you should make any further investments with 35mm film astrophotography – it might be a dead end?

I’d look for a 2nd hand DSLR, preferably with Live View, as the feedback/improvement cycle is immediate, as opposed to waiting to develop and print film negatives.

Cheers

Dennis

[bojan]

This may be for you.. and it is applicable for both digital or film SLR's:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=23756&highlight=angle+finder

[Ryan.Abrahams]

Yeah, seconds after I posted that, I found some on eBay. I am wanting to work both digital and film, mostly because ky work has an ultra high dpi negative and plate scanner. It won't be my every day camera, not THAT rich. Thanks guys.

Ryan