Nikon DR-6 Right Angle Viewing Attachment Full Review

The Nikon DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder is just the ticket for getting shots where you need to get on an ‘eye level' with your subject or you need to get the camera a few inches off the floor. As my body is not as flexible as it once was and I was never one to want to kiss the floor while shooting from a low angle, the DR-6 really helps. It comes with a carrying case that I can attach to a belt or camera strap so I can keep it handy in the field. Because the viewfinder rotates, it can be used landscape, portrait, or even overhead. It can be a little touchy to focus because you need to set the camera lens focus and the viewfinder focus.

If you don't check the viewfinder focus first, you may find yourself fiddling with the lens focus then realizing that it was the viewfinder focus that wasn't set and consequently loose the shot while you get both set properly. The 2X magnification can help in setting the focus but may leave you with a shot that isn't cropped correctly so I'd set the crop view at 1X then set the focus at 2X. Not the kind of device to be used for action shots and because it clips on in place of the rubber eyecup, it can be easily knocked off the camera.

I tried two of the cheap right angle viewfinders available in local market and they were terrible. They were so dark I could hardly see my subject. Then I found Nikon's. I was stunned by the price. But I bought it anyway figuring that if i didn't like it I could return it like I did the others. It is terrific…clear…sharp…comfortable to use. If you need a right angle viewfinder, take a deep breath and buy this one.

The fit itself to the camera is strong, and the manual even warns you that you should work slowly and take care to remove it so that it doesn't fly off and fall on the floor. This nearly happened to me, so consider yourself doubly warned!  The arm of this right angle viewer can be positioned to any angle, although it locks at all four right angles. The locking action has a nice feel. The diopter adjust thread is very smooth and won't slip when your eye is against the cup, and the eyecup itself is large to get a good seal against glasses or around the eye. In operation, there's a 2x magnification setting that gives a 2:1 reproduction ratio. Again, the build and action on that lever is super smooth. For low down work on the ground, this cannot be beaten.

Now lets talk about some cons –  Almost every time I put my eye to the finder the diopter moves and I'm viewing an out of focus image. Has the diopter moved or is the lens out of focus? Whatever it is it distracts my concentration on picture taking. Just as a pro golfer is concentrating on where he's going to put the ball – not on his swing, I don't want to be thinking about camera equipment – that's done in a different part of my brain. And the diopter move way too easily. It should have click stops or a lock.

The focus from 1x to 2x magnification is different – huh! The image view is smaller than through the camera viewfinder – huh! Makes no sense and causes composition to be harder. In bright light it is harder to see the camera exposure information, which is hard to see in the first place without looking backward slightly into the rightangle finder – maybe its my eye.

You adjust the focusing to your eyesight and leave it. You adjust it by rotating the upper half of the barrel, by rotation the rubber grid. The problem is that the resistance (at least on my copy) is too light. And so I have to re-adjust it to my eyesight each time I shoot with it. I have wrapped a piece of tape around the seam that is between the upper and lower barrel. But it eventually does not hold. Nikon should have adjusted greater resistance into the upper half of the barrel, so that when you set it for your eyesight….it stays put. Somehow Nikon service center fixed this problem.

 

 

In the end, this Nikon DR 6 RAF is a very fine piece of equipment that is ultra sharp. I love it. It is my favorite accessory….BY FAR!!!