Tips for old eyes/I need my glasses but it's hard to get the shot?

[STB]

New photographer here (just for my own pleasure and backyard birding.)

I dearly wish I had gotten into photography when my eyes were younger and better so that many things would be more of a habit. But alas, that's not the case. So here I am in mid-50s with eyes that need glasses for distant but not up close (haven't gone to bifocals yet but it's getting close.)

Here's my routine. Camera (Nikon P500 superzoom) waits on the table. I hear birds outside. Slide glasses off the top of my head to spot the birds as I grab the camera. Zoom out to get the shot. Slide glasses back to the top of my head because I can't see the birds on the screen with my glasses on. Take a few shots. Birds moving all around. Glasses going back and forth. I feel very dis-coordinated.

I know some of this will get easier as I gain experience but I wonder if anyone else with older/poorer eyesight has any tips for me to consider?

Thanks.

[inkista]

I'm 45, and I'm getting to the point in my presbyopia where the first pair of bifocals will be coming any day now. I feel your pain.

The P5100 has an optical viewfinder. Hopefully, it will have a diopter adjustment, so that even with your glasses on, you will be able to see clearly through it.

My recommendation would be to keep your glasses on, use the optical viewfinder, and keep both eyes open. The one in the viewfinder is used for the zooming in/framing and capture, the one that's not at the viewfinder is how you scan for where they moved to. Ditch the LCD, and learn how the viewfinder tells you if you've nailed focus. Be aware, however, that what you see through the OVF won't be exactly accurate for framing: it's usually uncorrected for parallax (being placed not where the taking lens is), and only does partial coverage (i.e., shows you less of the frame than you're actually taking).

Birds are tough, and particularly tough with a P&S camera that still exhibits noticeable shutter delay. I have a hard enough time with them with my SLRs!

Don't worry that it's frustrating you: it is hard. Good luck!

[RichardTaylor]

I'm 67 and wear glasses for driving (So I can read distant road signs) and another pair for reading/computer work. I don't need glasses for walking around, yet.

With my P&S camera (and I don;t shoot birds with it) I use the screen and have my reading glasses on.

With my DSLR the dioptre adjustment meets my needs when shooting (including birds) however I cannot see the display or see detail on the outside of my camera without my reading glasses. So it's glasses on to initially set up the camera and then I'm fine as I can make adjustments through the viewfinder. I do very little chimping except to check the histogram in difficult lighting.
My glasses normally hang round my neck.

[STB]

Thank you both for the tips. I don't know what's more tough, dealing with the eyesight or the bum shoulder that makes handholding hard. But I'm stubborn.

I really appreciate the supportive group on these forums. I'm learning so much from everyone.