Flagship line of Fujifilm X cameras have one huge advantage over more compact models - very large and well detailed Electronic ViewFinder with 0.8x magnification. If you ever shoot with e.g. Fujifilm X-T5 or X-H2 - that large view is very comfortable and making manual focusing much easier.
Fuji X line is including much smaller and lighter camera models like the latest X-T30II / X-T50. They are easier to carry daily and often more fun to shoot with, though the EVF in that cameras is providing significantly smaller view of 0.62x magnification.
It would be great if Fuji ever release another compact model with much larger EVF. Well in fact they did but only with X-Pro3 and X100V/X100IV, though EVF magnification there is only about 5-10% larger comparing to X-T30II.
This article is showing how I finally solved this question, and now able to shoot with large and bright X-T5-like EVF on my Fujifilm X-T30II camera, with even slightly larger 0.84x magnification.
The key to this useful mod is to aquire one of well made OVF magnifying eyepiece designed for older DSLR cameras. It's not an easy task, because availability of these magnifying eyepiece is significantly reduced these days. Second part of the problem is the cost - one of the most recommended option for e.g. Nikon DSLRs - is the Nikon DK-17M (with 1.2x zoom). The average cost of DK-17M is about $130-$150 from eBay.
I've spent some time exploring the market and ordering few options to try them on X-T30II camera.
Light Lens Lab 1.4x
The first one I tried was Light Lens Lab 1.4x magnifying eyepiece made for Leica M10. It's is a great magnifier for Leica, though does not work well for X-T30II, the view corners can be only visible by side view and eye relief distance is almost zero.
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Even though LLL 1.4x has no practical use on Fuji X-T30II, it's still an excellent magnifier for Leica M10 camera when paired with 75mm/90mm lenses.
While prototyping first 3D printable magnifier mounts LLL 1.4x geometry helped to realize that EVF eye sensor is blocked and hinged flip-up design is must have. My first prototype had hotshoe connection which is quite secure but is blocking hotshoe port which many people are using by some other accessories. So my further exploration went to the route of attaching magnifier mount directly to Fuji camera finder frame and keep hotshoe port free.
KPS UMC 1.35x
The next magnifier I tried is made by South Korean brand KPS and it has 1.35x zoom rate. It means that stock X-T30II 0.62x view multiplied by 1.35x is making it almost 0.84x EVF magnification, which is even slightly larger than Fuji X-T5 0.8x ! Picture below is showing view size comparison with Nikon ZF camera that also has 0.8x EVF.
Sure thing extra EVF magnification comes at a cost of notably cut off eye relief and less relaxed view of corner areas, but with 0.84x magnification Fuji X-T30II is becoming much comfortable tool for manual focusing, or inspecting autofocused area thanks to much larger level of details of bigger view.
Another tradeoff is - slightly increased external size of EVF, it's extending by about 5-6mm.
Wider frame of magnifying eyepiece is also covering the eye sensor, which is now forcing to either use only EVF or press the "View Mode" button numerous times when LCD use is required. It's quite inconvenient, so I decided that mounting magnifier should support flip-up option.
Tenpa 1.22x / Nikon DK-17M
Lastly I spotted another discontinued option on eBay (and looks like it's a quite rare beast) Tenpa 1.22x magnifying eyepiece with very fancy made package and set of adapters for various DSLR cameras. Surprisingly (or not) the frame design of Tenpa 1.22x is almost exactly same as Nikon DK-17M, and it has exactly same mount screw thread as KPS 1.35x. So checked the view on Fuji X-T30II and on Leica M10P. The 1.22x magnification is allowing to see the 35mm bright lines on Leica, which is much better than LLL 1.4x magnifier (with it framelines are out of view).
On Fuji X-T30II the 1.22x magnification is resulting in about 0.76x EVF magnification, with is similar to Fuji X-T3 EVF size, and is only a bit smaller than X-T5 0.8x. The view is more relaxed with a bit longer eye relief comparing to KPS. Regarding the light transmission I personally feel that it's a bit darker comparing to KPS despite the lower magnification rate, perhaps due to a different optical formula and light directions.
UPDATE: Spotted few Tenpa 1.22x options on Aliexpress, these days price range is around $75-$90 which is much lower than DK-17M cost.
Designing the Magnifying Eyepiece mount frame.
Special thanks are going to Fred Miranda for tireless support with great questions, feedback and ideas refinements, which helped me greatly.
It took quite a number of days for me to experiment with 3D printing and refining to properly design mount thread and minimalist hinge geometry.
The final version has durable construction and is easily 3D printable. Hinge is connecting two rings - one with screw thread for eyepiece, and second is for friction snap-on the camera viewfinder frame (made of rubber, so it stays firm). I'm using metal wire rod made from a steel paperclip for elevated hinge durability. Currently I'm printing from the PLA PRO material which works best for prototyping but also lasts long enough to work as functional model.
Image below is showing KPS 1.35x magnifying eyepiece screwed into a 3D printed mount and then attached to Fuji X-T30II. I decided to cover eyepiece eyecup thread with metal ring extracted from large stock KPS eyecup (which is too big for my taste). In future I plan to design printable custom minimalist threaded eyecup.
Here is the side view of attached KPS 1.35x magnifier.
When LDC use is required, magnifier can be easily flipped up to enable finder eye sensor and swap from EVF to LCD, which X-T30II is performing very quick.
The finder eye sensor of Fuji X-T30II is located below the finder view, so when you flip up magnifier, LCD is switching on before you even finish flipping magnifier up.
Thankfully to the same mount thread and compatible geometry of protruding glass element, designed 3D printable mount is also supporting Tenpa 1.22x or Nikon DK-17M magnifier.
I'm wrapping the article at this unfinished point to continue my research and practical shooting with magnifier. At the moment the 3D model prototype is still going through testing phase, but once I feel it's complete, the model will be published on Printables and Thingiverse.
Good news about market of 1.35x eyepiece magnifier
Even though the KPS 1.35x is a rare beast too and you may find it for much higher price than DK-17M on eBay, but I have a good news for you. Looks like there is another (also discontinued though) but still more affordable option - SMDV 1.35x also produced by South Korean brand and available on eBay for about $45-$50. I didn't try it yet, but pictures look exactly like older KPS model, so I plan to order one and write here later if it's good with Fuji X-T30II.
3D printable models of Magnifier Eyepiece mount adapter
The models are available for free download and non-commercial personal use:
There are two versions - solid and hinged (this one is under development, so keep eye on updates).
Locking hinged mount in place
After few days of use I realized that for some situations when tilting camera up the hinged mount is letting Magnifier to tilt back, which is inconvenient. So currently I'm enhancing the mount with lock petals. It is holding the Magnifier frame firm by friction force though allowing easy flip up when needed.
Magnifying Fujifilm X-E series EVF and X100 series OVF/EVF
