Diane Miller
02-12-2013, 02:22 PM
<p>
I’ve always had trouble finding a subject with a long lens, even if pre-focused close enough to see it. With a shorter lens such as my 300 I can use the two-eye method, but with my new 600 my eyes aren’t far enough apart. I’d wondered in an earlier post if there was something like a gun sight to mount in the hot shoe to give a wider view, but now I’ve solved the problem simply and inexpensively (in cost, size and weight).</p>
<p>
I already had a two-axis hot shoe bubble level (Lens Coat, $20)</p>
<p>
(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=684434&Q=&is=REG&A=details)</p>
<p>
and when I put it on with the long axis vertical I can sight along just below the top of it to the top center of the lens hood and I’m right on the subject, even with a 1.4X or 2X. If I’ve grabbed the camera and not taken time to put on the lens hood, putting the level on with the long axis horizontal is the perfect height. To good to be true! It’s just a little too tall, and I’m thinking of grinding it down, but I can come close enough by sighting along the top line of the bubble, as shown here.</p>
<p>
This isn’t ideal for birds in flight, because I need to move my eye to the viewfinder, but it gets me close, and it’s great for the ones in the bush.</p>
I’ve always had trouble finding a subject with a long lens, even if pre-focused close enough to see it. With a shorter lens such as my 300 I can use the two-eye method, but with my new 600 my eyes aren’t far enough apart. I’d wondered in an earlier post if there was something like a gun sight to mount in the hot shoe to give a wider view, but now I’ve solved the problem simply and inexpensively (in cost, size and weight).</p>
<p>
I already had a two-axis hot shoe bubble level (Lens Coat, $20)</p>
<p>
(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=684434&Q=&is=REG&A=details)</p>
<p>
and when I put it on with the long axis vertical I can sight along just below the top of it to the top center of the lens hood and I’m right on the subject, even with a 1.4X or 2X. If I’ve grabbed the camera and not taken time to put on the lens hood, putting the level on with the long axis horizontal is the perfect height. To good to be true! It’s just a little too tall, and I’m thinking of grinding it down, but I can come close enough by sighting along the top line of the bubble, as shown here.</p>
<p>
This isn’t ideal for birds in flight, because I need to move my eye to the viewfinder, but it gets me close, and it’s great for the ones in the bush.</p>