Parallax problem with EOS Rebel T3

[Bunkie]

I have a CanonDS126291 (I hope this describes what it is, since there's nothing on the camera that indicates its model and I've lost the instruction book)..I use mainly the 18-55 mm lens. My problem is I'm not getting as a photographed image what I see through the lens. I have this problem with another Canon that I have ---I either get too much sky or too much side space or it's just off. I fortunately do not have this problem with my third camera. a RebelT5i.

My question is: is correcting this problem only something that should be done by the most skilled technicians specializing in such things, or it is something tech oriented people with a knowledge of cameras could handle?

Thank you,

Bunkie

[deebatman316]

The camera should have a label identifying the model on the front right of it. When looking at it from the front. You cannot have parallax on a SLR/ DSLR camera because you are looking through the lens. A range finder can have parallax because the viewfinder is above the lens. It’s not in the optical path of the lens like an SLR/ DSLR camera. Which has a mirror to bounce the light up to the viewfinder. With an SLR/ DSLR camera what you see in the viewfinder is what you get. You cannot get a different picture from what you see in the viewfinder. Now SLR/ DSLR cameras have different viewfinder coverage. So the entire image won’t be in the viewfinder it’s cropped. Some higher end SLR/ DSLR cameras offer 100% viewfinder coverage. But a lot of Rebel series cameras usually have 90-95% viewfinder coverage. But this depends on the exact camera model. The midrange cameras usually offer at least 95-100% viewfinder coverage. Depending on the camera model.

[AtticusLake]

It would really be helpful to know what your camera is, and it really should say on it somewhere. If it's not written on the front, then there should at least be a sticker on the bottom with details like the model number and so on. If you can't find anything, you could post pictures of your camera and maybe folks can identify it for you.

It might be an EOS Rebel T3 or EOS 1100D (I think they're the same thing). But it would be useful to know.

As for parallax, that's impossible. Unless your camera is some ancient contraption, it has one lens and one sensor. The image you see through the viewfinder or on the LCD screen is exactly the same image that the camera records. So parallax is completely impossible, unless you move the camera before pressing the shutter. So I'm guessing your problem is something else.

If your camera is mirrorless, or if you're using a live view to compose, then it *is* possible that the image you're seeing is magnified, and only a small part of the image that the camera records. A lot of Canon cameras have a "magnify" feature, and a lot of people misunderstand what it does. "Magnify" magnifies the image FOR THE PREVIEW ONLY. The image recorded by the camera will be the full, un-magnified image; i.e. it will have more sky, more sides, and so on. The magnify feature is only intended to be used as a focussing aid; it blows up the centre of the picture IN THE VIEWFINDER so you can see if it's in focus. It is NOT the same as zooming in, whether by using a zoom lens or a digital zoom.

You should find this explained in your camera's instruction manual.  Figure out what model it is, and you should be able to download the manual from Canon's support website.  For example, if your camera is a Rebel T3 or EOS 1100D, you would look on page 135 of the manual, which you can download here: https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/eos-rebel-t3

So it may be that you have accidentally activated magnify mode. You should always turn magnify off to compose your picture, so that you can see what the camera is actually going to record.

Hope this helps.

[Waddizzle]

Parallax has nothing to do with the camera.  It is an issue caused by your shooting location and angle of view from said location.

[rs-eos]

Yes, it does sound like you're experiencing the viewfinder not showing 100% coverage.  If you put the camera in live view, you'd then be able to see the exact frame of what you'd be capturing.  Over time with practice, you can compensate for the view finder's limitation.

Parallax would only be an issue if you're taking panoromas of multiple images where you do not have the proper nodal point set up.

[AtticusLake]

Parallax is an issue if the camera has a separate viewfinder and picture-taking lens, as Demetrius described.  But for a DSLR or mirrorless, no, you're quite right.

[Bunkie]

I'm overwhelmed by the kind help of this list. Upon rechecking it looks like I don't have a problem with what you see/what you get. I am however, getting more of the screen picture than what I see through the lens.

Thank you all

Bunkie

[kvbarkley]

If you are talking about 20% more or so, that is normal, the viewfinder does not show the whole sensor image.

If it is more that that, do you have focusing zoom turned on?