Newbie type question about viewfinders

[FunkyDiver]

Having used a film SLR for quite some time, I know you have to have your eye right up in the viewfinder (or fairly close ) to be able to see the detail of the whole image and the camera settings and whatnot. I have yet to take any pictures underwater. But I've been seeing posts that say most people seem to prefer the viewfinder on their cameras as opposed to the screen on the back of a camera because the viewfinder shows picture focus better. My question is, with a camera in the housing and me in my mask, how can I be able to see the viewfinder well enough to compose, focus and see what the camera settings are doing? It seems like my eyes would be too far away to get a good view of the viewfinder.

 

[KrisB]

Most people here dive with Point & Shoot cameras in underwater housings... which means you won't see focus issues *at all* in the viewfinder, only the screen.

If you're looking at high-end dSLR, then you *have* to use the viewfinder, and I believe most housings come with some sort of magnifier or something so you can see with your mask on.

 

[FunkyDiver]

Thanks fot the info. I just couldn't figure out how you could get any info fro mthe viewfinder being so far away with mask on and such.