DIY DSLR Viewfinder for 2 bucks!

For a temporary DIY solution, just made a $2 DSLR Finder:

Using some DVD cases, $2 loupe magnifier from Daiso/Yokoyaya or any Dollar Store, some Black Cloth Tape.
A round magnifier can be used instead of square.

The finder focus isn't adjustable, so you'll have to test it by putting the DSLR on a table, and focus on an image.
Place the magnifier behind the viewfinder and looking into it, slide until in focus. Measure the distance. With this magnifier it was 95 mm.

Measure the edge dimensions (outside the LCD screen) of your viewfinder . For this camera it was 87mm x 47mm.
Cut 4 pieces of plastic from DVD case lid to match viewfinder dimensions. For this camera, 2 pieces 47mm x 95mm and 2 pieces 87mm x 95mm.
Again, dimensions for your viewfinder may differ.

Snap off the magnifier. Epoxy it to the plastic and tape the box together with tape on both sides.
I cut one angled side on the large pieces.

It can be attached to camera with tape, elastic cord or self-stick magnetic sheet.

Works fairly well for 2 bucks and some odd items. Just need to dig up a rubber eye shield.

Last edited by jleo on Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:25 am; edited 1 time in total

very cool! I'd be interested on how it works for you after a few days of using it.

very cool nice work!

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Thnx! It works fine, but with any DIY stuff, design evolves. Next, I would use a more powerful round magnifier, like those stamp loupes, so the box could be shorter in length. Instead of building a box, I'd use a square or rectangular tupperware container. It could be made adjustable, if the loupe slides up and down in a tube.

I desperately needed a DSLR Viewfinder, but the problem was that I don’t have that much budget to buy a new one. This thread has given me and my filming plans a new life. I am really surprised to hear DSLR Viewfinder for 2 bucks as I heard anything like that for the first time. That homemade DSLR Viewfinder, you mentioned in this post was really awesome. I am going to follow the steps as you told, to make a DSLR Viewfinder for my needs. Thank you so much for providing the procedures to make one , I use photo booth too . I will definitely share this great thread with mu friends.