Getting Better Glasses

If you are a photographer, you probably have already discovered that wearing glasses can sometimes cause a problem. This may be especially true of those who wear bifocal or trifocal corrective lenses, but there are ways to work around the inconvenience of wearing eyeglasses while you work. Check out these tips for photographers who wear eyeglasses.

Avoid Transition Lenses

These lenses adjust to the light and are great for everyday wear, but when it comes to photography, many report the lenses remain dark when you are using the viewfinder and make it impossible to read the meter. If you intend to wear your glasses when you use your camera, transition lenses are not a good idea.

Get Flip-Up Lenses

These nifty photographer's glasses feature a hinged lens that can be lifted to allow you to move the corrective lens out of the way to use the viewfinder while your other eye still tracks movement with the help of your corrective lens. If you can use the viewfinder successfully without a corrective lens but need glasses to see the scene at a distance, this may be a good option for you. The glasses can be worn with both eyepieces in the traditional position when you are not using your camera.

Adjust Your Diopter

Modern DSLR cameras typically have an adjustable diopter. This allows you to adjust the viewfinder to suit your vision. To adjust the diopter, turn your camera off, remove the lens from the camera and point the viewfinder toward a light. Turn the dial, typically located to the right of the viewfinder, until the focus points are sharp. This adjusts the viewfinder to your vision. If you intend to wear glasses when shooting, do this with your glasses on. If you intend to remove your glasses when you shoot, adjust the diopter without your glasses on. 

Adjust Your Glasses

Sometimes glasses that slip or slide on the nose make it difficult to shoot photos with your glasses on. Visit your optometrist and get your glasses adjusted so they fit properly on your nose. Glasses should fit snugly and stay in place, but should not be so tight that they leave marks on your face.

Get Contacts

Some photographers prefer to wear contacts when they are working to eliminate issues with glasses. If this is an option for you, consider getting contacts for photography and switching to your regular glasses at other times. You can also make the switch permanently, if wearing contacts is more comfortable for you.

Take Your Camera to the Eye Doctor

Your optometrist can help you choose the right corrective lenses for using with your camera, but you need to let him know about your concerns. Take your camera along and demonstrate any issues you are having using the camera with your glasses. He or she can make adjustments to your prescription or the fit of the glasses or even recommend different frames.

Get a Prescription Viewfinder

If you are a serious photographer and make your living from getting the perfect shot, you can also have a prescription diopter made for your camera. While this will not correct for astigmatism, it go beyond the manual adjustments on your camera's diopter. You can purchase custom ground lenses or choose one of the standard options available from the manufacturer of your camera. You will need to visit your eye doctor to insure you are ordering the correct lens.

Get Used to It

Many photographers shoot successfully wearing traditional eyeglasses. The most common complaints are greasy nose smudges on the LCD screen and minor scratches on the eyeglass lens. There isn't much you can do about nose smudges, other than carry a microfiber lens cloth to clean it off frequently. You can reduce the risk of scratches to your eyeglass lenses by getting a protective, scratch-resistant coating on your lenses.

While wearing glasses may cause you some inconvenience as a photographer, they don't need to interfere with your ability to capture that amazing shot. If you experience eyestrain or other eye issues when you use your camera, talk to your eye doctor or find one through a company like Envision Eyecare. An eye doctor can make recommendations or adapt your prescription to alleviate the problem.