Covering the viewfinder on a DSLR?

[smr]

Hi all,

Just something I've only just thought about but I haven't seen it mentioned or talked about - for astrophotography should one cover the viewfinder similar to if you were doing long exposures in the daytime? The idea with daytime, say landscape photography and using a 10 stop neutral density filter is that by covering the viewfinder you aren't allowing any stray light through to the lens. I wonder if this also applies to astro, or is it that it's dark enough that it isn't a problem?

[skybadger]

I do this with the part provided by Nikon when I bought the camera. I'm sure there is one for yours.

Have I noticed a difference ? Er, no. But I'd be surprised if I couldn't find one after looking.

 

[wxsatuser]

Sure does.

[smr]

Probably explains why some of my subs have been less than brilliant at times with strange banding etc. can't believe I haven't thought of it until now.

[kippford]

Mine came with covers.

[fozzybear]

even my canon 450d comes with one so maybe does the job cutting out the stray light?

[smr]

Mine comes with a viewfinder cover on the strap, I just never thought about it for astrophotography.

[StuartJPP]

It definitely does make a difference if there is light hitting the viewfinder, say from a street light as I have experienced it myself. As a consequence I always cover the optical viewfinder to eliminate this.