Question for anyone who knows the Nikon D40

[KrysLove]

Ok forgive me if I have the wrong name for it but I think I know the name of it. The built-in diopter adjustment? The slider right next to the view finder. What is the best to adjust this to where I get the best photos without a blur? I do wear glasses/contacts most of the time and sometimes what I see in the view finder does not look right when I upload it. Last night when I was practicing with the camera without my contacts or glasses and I had it set all the way at the bottom it they turned out good but today with my contacts in I am not sure where to have it and my photos are coming out blurry.

I hope I am explaining this well enough! Thank you in advance.

[Chippee]

Originally Posted by KrysLove

Ok forgive me if I have the wrong name for it but I think I know the name of it. The built-in diopter adjustment? The slider right next to the view finder. What is the best to adjust this to where I get the best photos without a blur? I do wear glasses/contacts most of the time and sometimes what I see in the view finder does not look right when I upload it. Last night when I was practicing with the camera without my contacts or glasses and I had it set all the way at the bottom it they turned out good but today with my contacts in I am not sure where to have it and my photos are coming out blurry.

I hope I am explaining this well enough! Thank you in advance.

Hi Krys... are you using manual focus? I had this problem with my D40 as well, which is why I use autofocus most of the time. I did adjust the diopter but I can't remember how I did it. I have the instructions at home. Sorry, I know that doesn't help you now. Hopefully someone will be able to help you.

[kencaleno]

- detach lens,(so you are adjusting focus on focus point,not image) - adjust dioptre (next to viewfinder) so focus points are sharply in focus.(easier against a white,or light background) Re-attach lens.

What you see through the lens by way of focus on your subject,will not be true, because until you actually make the shot,your lens will be wide open. Regards, ken

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

- detach lens,(so you are adjusting focus on focus point,not image) - adjust dioptre (next to viewfinder) so focus points are sharply in focus.(easier against a white,or light background) Re-attach lens.

What you see through the lens by way of focus on your subject,will not be true, because until you actually make the shot,your lens will be wide open. Regards, ken

What? o_O

If theres no lens you wont actually SEE anything. It'll just be one big blur.

Ive never had an issue with adjusting the diopter with a lens attached. The trick is to have the autofocus focus on something in the frame, then adjust the diopter until it looks right to your eyes.

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

What? o_O

If theres no lens you wont actually SEE anything. It'll just be one big blur.

Ive never had an issue with adjusting the diopter with a lens attached. The trick is to have the autofocus focus on something in the frame, then adjust the diopter until it looks right to your eyes.

Without the lens you are able to concentrate on getting the focus points in sharp focus (as suggested in manual) without peripheral surroundings interfering with your view. Didn't you know this? The dioptre must adjust the focus points, not the subject; if you want exact focus to occur. Ask other pros, if you don't believe me,regards, ken

[fletch]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

What? o_O

If theres no lens you wont actually SEE anything. It'll just be one big blur.

He's not wrong on this one.

The thing you are trying to get in clear focus are the markings in the view finder such as the focus point markings etc. By taking the lens of you can see these markings more clearly and judge when they are in focus.

If you sometimes where contacts and sometimes don't you will need to adjust every time you change from one to the other. I would sugest always shooting in glasses or always shooting with contacts as the diopters are not designed for constant changing.

[KrysLove]

Thank you all. The reason I dont always wear my contacts is because sometimes they are the reason I have blurry photos. My glasses I have a hard time actually seeing into the view finder to get a good view. I am trying to use manual focus as much as possible for different effects.

[DannyF1966]

Wow, you learn something new every day. What I've just learned is that my eyes are so bad that without my glasses the focus points are blurred no matter what I set the dioptre adjustment to!

[candleman]

Originally Posted by fletch

He's not wrong on this one.

The thing you are trying to get in clear focus are the markings in the view finder such as the focus point markings etc. By taking the lens of you can see these markings more clearly and judge when they are in focus.
.

exactly..
i did it with lens on tho' ..you dont have to focus on anything as focal distance is irrelevant, so i dont see why it cant be done without a lens

(only reason i do it WITH lens) is to stop dust getting in there.

look up at a white cloud, look at the black focus point and adjust the diopter until it is in focus. (until its clear and edges are well defined)

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by fletch

He's not wrong on this one.

The thing you are trying to get in clear focus are the markings in the view finder such as the focus point markings etc. By taking the lens of you can see these markings more clearly and judge when they are in focus.

If you sometimes where contacts and sometimes don't you will need to adjust every time you change from one to the other. I would sugest always shooting in glasses or always shooting with contacts as the diopters are not designed for constant changing.

Tried it with my D80. Just made things worse.

Sorry, Ive always done it by simply focusing on an object in the scene then adjusting the diopter until the object was clear.