Can viewfinder READOUT be made brighter?

wildbill001

New member
Am shopping for a DSLR. After a few months of research I have pretty much decided on a 5200. (This will be for personal and business use, mainly product photos and family portraits, family videos). I was lucky enough to find a "real" photography store near me and stopped in this past weekend.

I got to hold and checkout the 5200 and it was everything I was hoping for, until I looked into the viewfinder. The control readout was so dim as to be just about invisible. I asked if there was anyway to increase the brightness but the salesman did not know. In searching the web, I found ya'll and searched here but did not find anything. SO, is it possible to increase the brightness of readout in the viewfinder?

If not, it is looking like I may have to, dare I say it?, switch to the "C" cameras which I don't want to if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance
​Bill W
 

FastGlass

Senior Member
Are you sure there wasn't something wrong with the camera you were looking at. I'm looking through both of mine and can't seem to understand not being able to see it. Did you try other Nikon cameras?
 

nickt

Senior Member
I would try another sample. I don't have a d5200, but I never heard anyone complain about the brightness.

I'm not sure if the d5200 does it, but my d3100 and d7000 both adjust the display brightness depending on the scene. So if the lens cap was on or you pointed at a dark scene the display would be dimmed down. It should still not be so dim that you have to struggle to see it though.

Also make sure the diopter is adjusted for your eye, it won't make it brighter, but it might make the difference of whether or not you can read it.
 

Mfrankfort

Senior Member
They make them bright enough for the average person... you'd have to have some serious bad eyes or a defective camera not to see it. So unless your eyes are really bad, I'd go to the store, and look at another one.
 

Bill16

Senior Member
If I were you, I would check other models to see if your going to have an this issue with other models. Like it's already been said, it could be just that particular camera, and a different d5200 might be fine. But if you have trouble with several models, then it might be an issue you have with Nikon in general.
But I sure wouldn't change brands if it were me, without doing a lot more research and testing, and maybe even considering a different models if the d5200 doesn't workout for you.
 

wildbill001

New member
Thanks. I'm definitely going to be doing some more checking. My old, tired eyes do seem to need more light these days so I may just be me. I forgot to mention that I can't use the LED/LCD screen very easily with my current glasses (focusing issue) but that may get fixed after Thanksgiving when I pick up new glasses.

Time will tell.

I'm just seem to be drawn to the Nikons. Both brands are good, both brands have their bad apples. But it is just something about the Nikon that I really like. Keeping my fingers crossed that it was just a bad example.

​Bill W
 

Bill16

Senior Member
I've been a fan of Nikon before I had any real reason to be! Lol So I wish you all the luck in finding the Nikon that works for you! I have glasses too with the same issue of needing new ones, so I totally understand what you mean. I would recommend getting the new glasses before you give up on Nikon, because I love mine and I'm pretty sure you will love your Nikon too once you have your new glasses. :)

But no matter what brand of DSLR you end up getting, I hope you'll love it and have a blast taking great shots! :D
Thanks. I'm definitely going to be doing some more checking. My old, tired eyes do seem to need more light these days so I may just be me. I forgot to mention that I can't use the LED/LCD screen very easily with my current glasses (focusing issue) but that may get fixed after Thanksgiving when I pick up new glasses.

Time will tell.

I'm just seem to be drawn to the Nikons. Both brands are good, both brands have their bad apples. But it is just something about the Nikon that I really like. Keeping my fingers crossed that it was just a bad example.

​Bill W
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
i have problems with viewing the data in the view finder on both my d5100 and d600. Adding a hoodman eyepiece solved 90% of my problem viewing the data. If your "real" camera shop has the hoodman eyepiece in stock give that a try. Also the hoodman loupe for viewing the lcd in sunlight works well also. Make sure you adjust the diopter when viewing data thru the view finder.
 

sophi

New member
Am shopping for a DSLR. After a few months of research I have pretty much decided on a 5200. (This will be for personal and business use, mainly product photos and family portraits, family videos). I was lucky enough to find a "real" photography store near me and stopped in this past weekend.

I got to hold and checkout the 5200 and it was everything I was hoping for, until I looked into the viewfinder. The control readout was so dim as to be just about invisible. I asked if there was anyway to increase the brightness but the salesman did not know. In searching the web, I found ya'll and searched here but did not find anything. SO, is it possible to increase the brightness of readout in the viewfinder?

If not, it is looking like I may have to, dare I say it?, switch to the "C" cameras which I don't want to if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance
​Bill W

Hello bill,

I read out your query actually I didnot find this kind of problem in my unit. I think the unit which you were looked may be that was bad unit.... Here is a review of my husband marvin's he wrote lots of insight about nikon D5200 and give a Nikon D5200 best buy price option.
 

rtchapman

New member
In have a D500 and it has the same dim info display issue. In fact the info display in the viewfinder is absolute crap. I can’t believe that a flagship camera would have such an obvious defect. If I ever get another Nikon it will be mirrorless.
 
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