SixTimesEight

Nikon DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder

August 8, 2006 – 6:39 pm

Since I got my new Nikon 60mm f/2.8D I’ve frequently found myself hunched over on my knees and twisted to the side, or laying down with my face in the dirt, trying to get a good angle on my subjects - mostly tiny insects. Ten, or even five years ago I wouldn’t have been all that bothered. But as much as I hate to admit it, I’m getting older and I’m not in quite the shape I was when I rode a bicycle everywhere. Repeatedly getting into positions like that tends to give me acid reflux and that is not pleasant.

When I had the Canon Powershot G5 it wasn’t an issue thanks to the nifty swiveling LCD.

With an SLR though, even the digital kind, you have to actually use the viewfinder to preview your shot. I know, I know… old school. In fact, when I first got my Nikon D200, I thought it was broken because there was no “image preview” before taking a picture. Before I even took the first shot with it I read all through the manual and ended up searching around online for anyone else that might be having this same “problem” with their brand new D200. Trust me though, even the most seasoned point-and-shoot digital user will adapt to using a viewfinder rather than their LCD almost immediately. I think that most of them will even prefer it. I know I do. Besides, given the amount of processing power that goes into taking each photograph with a digital SLR, not to mention the fairly large LCD, using it to frame each shot would eat your battery after about 30 or 40 pictures. The camera manufacturers, noting this, haven’t even left you with the option of doing it that way. At least none of the DSLR’s that I’ve read about have the option available.

Anyway, I had remembered seeing some look-down style view finders listed amongst the available accessories for my camera while I was shopping for it earlier this year. So, a few days ago I set about looking them up. What I found was the Nikon DR-6 Rectangular Slip-on Viewfinder.

This neat little gadget clips into place over the viewfinder on your camera and allows you to take those pictures where your camera is on or very near to the ground, without you being on the ground. It also sports 2x magnification, although most people that reviewed it say that the vignetting at 2x on the D200 makes it nearly impossible to use. No worries for me though. I don’t need it to magnify anything. I just hope it helps save my neck and lets me get those low to the ground shots that I’ve been missing out on.

If it helps me get the shots I’m looking for, it will be well worth the $185(US) retail price. I look forward to UPS having it here by Thursday.

Here’s to hoping that the state of affairs at UPS are not as bad as this guy makes it out to be at FedEx.