Showing focal length on view finder

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mobi

Senior Member
May be I have just missed it but is there any way to see what focal length I am using by looking thru view finder?
 

Rexer John

Senior Member
Never looked for it but never needed it, if it's really important just look at the lens markings to see where it's at.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Why would you want to know this at the time of shooting. You know you can see that info when you review the shots on the camera's lcd screen after.
 

§am

Senior Member
I don't think there is, certainly not that I've ever seen on a D3000/3100/3200/5000/5100/5200 :(

You can use the focal length markings on your lens to get a fairly good estimate of where you're at, but I understand sometimes you want to know the exact value. For example, when I was debating between a 35mm & 50mm lens, I was guesstimating if my lens was at those lengths when using my 18-55mm - I wasn't far off usually, but there were a few 49mm and 51mm & 52mm shots.

The only way I have found so far though, is when I attach my SB-700 flash. Instantly on the flash's LCD I can see the focal length of my lens, and it changes in RT as I zoom in/out :)
 
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mobi

Senior Member
Yes I can always look at marking over lens but once looking thru view finder, I do turn the zoom ring a bit till I think I got the framing right. Not having to look at zoom ring position would have been nice.

However, I do wonder why this feature is not available as you can see all other parameters while shooting.
 

§am

Senior Member
I agree, I'm not 100% sure why I'd want to see that info all the time, but ever since I got my D5100 I've always wandered why the option wasn't available?
 

zoommarker

New member
sorry to bring back this zombie thread...

To the OP mobi, I happen to be in the early stages of developing a product that may help you. its meant to find a specific focal length without ever having to remove your eye from the viewfinder.
I'd be very interested in your input on this and would be willing to send you a prototype for you to provide feedback on.
please email me at
thank you -chris
 
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Samo

Senior Member
From an engineering standpoint it is probably to difficult to be cost effective. I can see it in the future maybe but the past no way. Take Nikon for instance. F mount. But then non ai ai ais afd afs g and now the new class. Push pull zooms, internal zoom, and probably one or two more I am not thinking of. Design and marketing probably want it. The engineers probably said here you build it then we are out.
 
sorry to bring back this zombie thread...

To the OP mobi, I happen to be in the early stages of developing a product that may help you. its meant to find a specific focal length without ever having to remove your eye from the viewfinder.
I'd be very interested in your input on this and would be willing to send you a prototype for you to provide feedback on.
please email me at
thank you -chris


The OP has not been on this forum since 08-11-2013 05:02 so I am closing out this thread. Also not a good idea to take a thread off the forum with an email address.
 
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