With a DSLR, is what you see in the viewfinder, what you get?

I'd say it was definitely the wheel next to the viewfinder that had it set to a view that did not match your eyesight. I wanted to tell you also that if you're shopping for a DSLR then you are going to have to look long and hard to find anyone that's more reputable and has prices as good as B&H photo. Be wary of these online stores that promise you crazy low prices. They are bait and switch scammers. I sell gear for a living and I've encountered these guys online. Places like www.bhphotovideo.com and www.adorama.com are two very reputable companies and they usually have some of the best prices. Get your local stores to match them if you can. Consider taxes you have to pay too. Check eBay and craigslist for used 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, etc. As in my previous answer on your other question ask about shutter count or the history of the camera. The shutters only last so long...but still a very long time in most of them. To replace one is "reasonable" I hear these days so don't let the shutter count be the catch all. Some last for 100K, some 200K, some 300 and 400K. One just never knows. Learn how to shoot 'em on manual and you'll begin to rarely use that "auto" setting.

Do you wear glasses? Even if you don't, what you have going on there is not a broken lens... the pictures would not be in focus if the lens focus gears were stripped.

Right next to the viewfinder is a small wheel. This is the diopter adjustment, to allow you to set the viewfinder for your vision. Anybody that picks up one of my cameras has the same problem you did... they can't see anything through the viewfinder, but the pictures come out clear. The viewfinder is adjusted for *me*, and my eyes are old and bad.

Go back and try again, and if you can't find the adjustment, ask somebody to help you. It will be right around the viewfinder.

There is something called a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder, which basically adjusts the focus of the viewfinder (i.e. if you wear glasses, your eye will be farther from the viewfinder than someone without glasses), and might have been the issue. Sometimes, the diopter adjustment knob or switch will be hidden under the rubber eye cup.

the 1st factor that got here to concepts replace into the diopter. i anticipate that's what you meant via the "viewfinder concentration." while you're speaking on the subject of the little clicky wheel close to the eyepiece, we are on an identical web site. while you're actually not... examine there first. If it is not that, sounds like your mirror have been given bumped or jarred. There could desire to be no harm or there's a lot. So the value to repair could desire to be extremely much not something or... extra beneficial than not something. the two way, it would not sound like an excellent significant situation to me. i think of you could desire to get it fastened devoid of breaking the financial business enterprise. Take it right into a digicam keep. in many situations, small issues may be pointed out and caught on the spot devoid of any situation via the staff there. in any different case, they are in a position to not less than advise you a community repairman to get in touch with. solid success!

There could have been a display camera problem. Youre not supposed to manually focus the lens if its set for auto focus. The lens may have been broken by people trying manual focus while it was set for auto focus.

Did you switch it to manual focus before you tinkered with it?