I just bought my first DSLR for school. My other camera is a 35mm Minolta. I have adjusted to everything with my T3i, except for the view-finder. I cannot get it to focus properly when in manual mode. I don't know if I have something in the menu set incorrectly, or what. I hate that for some shots I have to use the LCD screen. Does anyone have any info on this?
There's a little knobby guy right next to the viewfinder that allows you to focus. It has a symbol that looks like |--+ next to it, or something like that.
It's called dioptric adjustment knob (just read it on my t3i manual :-)). I have a video that gave me a tip on adjusting it. Takeout the lense and look through your viewfinder towards light, out the window perhaps. Move the knob until you see all the focus points sharply through the viewfinder. For me, I have to have the knob moved all the way to the left.
@jreyna At first, I was incredulous when Obi Wan asked me to put the blast shield down and compose a shot with a level horizon. I couldn't even see! But once I mastered the Force, I spray painted my viewfinder black.
Thanks guys! That helps a lot! One question though: What do the symbols (-) (+) mean? Like, if the dial adjusts to your specific needs, is one side for near-sighted or something?
i have the same camera :) just getting started with it also. i switched view finder off and still have my settings to automatic at the moment, i find that better for focusing so far :)
Thank you for posting this! I have been getting soooo frustrated wondering my pictures were not clear like they should be and I think the little knob has been my whole problem! LOVE this forum!!!
@rosemariekeeten Yes it is my first SLR, I have the T2i and I still find that some of my pictures are not as sharp as they should be. I have gone over the manual again and again. I have tried turning off autofocus and setting the one point focus. Its happening in auto mode also so I know its not my "settings" lol. ..I am going to be taking a few classes in May and maybe the instructor can help me figure it out. It makes me want to use my point and shoot more but I am not learning anything by dong that so I will keep trying....
Please let me know if you find anything out. I am starting to feel a bit dumb being a professional photographer and I can't even use the viewfinder on my camera!!! So far, landscapes are the only thing I can get in focus using the manual focus and the viewfinder. Thanks!
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