X-T1 eyecup

[MikeA]

When I first started using digital cameras, I was dismayed by the lack of a small but worthwhile accessory that I'd always used with film SLRs — a real eyecup. Quite a few manufacturers call their slip-on eyeguards "eyecups," but they aren't. They're don't keep (distracting and annoying) stray light out of the viewfinder. When I used Canon DSLRs, I went through the considerable pain of making my own eyecups — I'd found a small supply of ancient "A" series eyecups that fit nicely onto Canon's slip-on eyeguards. It was worth the trouble. (Later, the people at Hoodman finally got a clue and started making real eyecups for Canon cameras.) When I went to a Nikon system, I was grateful that Nikon continues to make real eyecups for its higher-end DSLRs. I was bummed to find that Fuji doesn't.

 

But never say die. Again I've made my own using the stock X-T1 eyepieces, Nikon rubber eyecups, and the great adhesive product called Sugru — and as with the Canon cameras I'm glad I went to the trouble. (I wish I could buy not just the extended eyecup for the X-T1, but also the smaller one that comes with the camera — it's easier to work with.)

 

But is this DIY business necessary? Does any third party make a real (round) rubber eyecup for the X-T1, attached to a proper-fitting slip-on eyepiece? I asked Hoodman about this, but they claimed in their reply that it costs about $100,000 to tool up for a new product — and they don't think the Fujifilm cameras are a big enough deal to make such a product worth their while. Maybe it isn't worth their while, but I would still think there's a market for a small but sometimes pretty important accessory like that.

 

[Antony]

I purchased the Fuji Long Eyecup for the X-T1 and have been very happy. I can't imagine having one of the old-fashioned round eyecups on my camera - personally I find them too aesthetically distracting to even consider using one for the marginal (if any) improvement in useability.

[fujixguy]

I've also purchased the long eye cup and I can say it works pretty well- even with glasses.

 

 

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[BarwickGreen]

I wear glasses and use the Fuji eyecup - excellent.

[Trenton Talbot]

But is this DIY business necessary? Does any third party make a real (round) rubber eyecup for the X-T1, attached to a proper-fitting slip-on eyepiece? I asked Hoodman about this, but they claimed in their reply that it costs about $100,000 to tool up for a new product — and they don't think the Fujifilm cameras are a big enough deal to make such a product worth their while. Maybe it isn't worth their while, but I would still think there's a market for a small but sometimes pretty important accessory like that.

 

I'll skip the hosannah to Fuji's own "extended" eyecup (yes, I use it, but only because there's no choice out there)… You are right, there's no "proper" eyecup for an X-T1. Maybe PRC will cough out one someday, but until then – DIY is a way to go. 

 

PS: Hoodman seems to be working with the government contracts a lot lately, I have no other explanation for a $100,000 eyecup R&D figure.

[MikeA]

I purchased the Fuji Long Eyecup for the X-T1 and have been very happy. I can't imagine having one of the old-fashioned round eyecups on my camera - personally I find them too aesthetically distracting to even consider using one for the marginal (if any) improvement in useability.

 

I hadn't thought about the CACA* problem or the marginal-if-any improvement in usability. Must re-think this, then.

 

Ok, I've re-thought it. The camera-mutilation aside, I do find it improves usability for me quite a bit. True enough, the aesthetics problem does trouble a person a bit, at least subconsciously, and one can only hope that the subtle damage does not leak into Photography itself.

 

* Crimes Against Camera Aesthetics [a.k.a. "What were those people thinking who design Nikons and cine cameras?"]

[MikeA]

I wear glasses and use the Fuji eyecup - excellent.

 

True enough, the camera-aesthetics-compromising round or sort-of-round eyecups don't work out well for wearers of eyeglasses.

[MikeA]

I'll skip the hosannah to Fuji's own "extended" eyecup (yes, I use it, but only because there's no choice out there)… You are right, there's no "proper" eyecup for an X-T1. Maybe PRC will cough out one someday, but until then – DIY is a way to go. 

 

PS: Hoodman seems to be working with the government contracts a lot lately, I have no other explanation for a $100,000 eyecup R&D figure.

 

The occasional hosannah is acceptable — but please, no hagiographies, hallelujah choruses, and so forth. For now, DIY is the "thing". A few hours of back-breaking toil, a number of carefully chosen four-letter Anglo-Saxon epithets, and the job is done.

 

Hoodman's assessment of the Fujifilm system might be a bit off-the-mark, and the $100K figure did seem a bit over the top. I suspect that someone with a 3D printer would be able to do this sort of thing for a good deal less. I once wrote to them about eyecups for the larger Canon DSLRs and they dismissed the idea out of hand. About a year later they began producing them. I sure hope they recouped the astronomical tool-up cost. (Perhaps they sold a bunch of them to some government.)