This question haunts me every time I use my camera, “Did I achieve focus?” It’s not as simple as zooming in on the LCD panel. For the past four years, my eye prescription changed dramatically causing cataract surgery in both eyes and as a result, I wasn’t always sure my images were in focus. My eyes see distance fairly well, but not close up (because my new lenses are for distance only). My doctor and I thought this was the best solution for the sharpest images. The only problem is that the surgery only corrected the astigmatism in one eye. As a result, I still need prescriptive adjustment to see far sharply. The downside to my new lenses is that I can’t see near.
So, for the past year, I’ve used progressive glasses to accommodate both the astigmatism and seeing near. I don’t like progressive glasses. Hiking over rocks at Watson Lake was miserable, not to mention I constantly moved my head around to find the sweet spot of focus. So, for the past two months, I returned to contacts to correct my astigmatism and readers for close-up/computer work. I’m finally back to really enjoying photography and don’t find myself saying, “Is it in focus?” after every image. Do you have a better solution to finding focus with vision problems?
Hi Amy,
I went through the same thing after cataract surgery. With eyes corrected to 20/20 I could see distance clearly without glasses for the first time that I could remember. Looking through the camera viewfinder wasn’t a problem either because its set for infinity. But using the screen for live view was a real problem. I couldn’t see the screen clearly when tilting out to take low shots, etc. I started using high powered readers kept on a leash around my neck to see the screen, but sometimes the readers, camera strap, and mask straps get all tangled up – frustrating – but I think the corrected to distance plus readers for close is the best available option.
Glad you’ve been able to make it work too. I understand all those tangled straps.
I am right there with you Amy. I might try your trick with the readers. I absolutely hate my progressives!
Yes, those progressives killed me!