This $20 Camera Upgrade Will Change How You See Your Photography

The best camera upgrade you make this year isn't a new lens, side grip, or lens filter. This camera upgrade makes you a better photographer because it gives you more control over how you see.

When I started using the glare of the sun in my viewfinder as a sign that things were going completely wrong, I thought there's no way I'm going to keep operating like this. Why would a perfectly good day to take photographs feel so difficult on my eyes? It wasn't raining or storming or anything that would traditionally cause me to pause during a shoot. I remember trying to show an image to a model, and it was hard for them to see it.

Eye cups are the little rubber features you didn't realize were severely limiting your camera out of the box.

When you have an eye cup over your viewfinder, you can see the color and composition of the environment without the glare of the sun. This gives you much more confidence in your shooting and image review while you're working in the field, and it helps prevent mistakes in camera or catching the ones you've already made.

Of course, any creator wants to view their images tethered or on a remote monitor, but when you're out in the elements, this isn't always available.

"The Odyssey" is releasing in theaters on July 17, 2026. The director, Christopher Nolan, is famously meticulous. He has created the first feature-length film shot entirely with IMAX 15/70mm film cameras. Even though he has access to a director's tent and on-set monitors, he frequently chooses to work alongside the camera operator, looking directly into the camera. You'll see him using eye cups on his IMAX camera that cover his entire eye. They fit snugly against his face so he can effectively view the scene and understand exposure, focus, and composition. He works off instinct and moves fast on set.

I'm not planning on using a heavy IMAX camera anytime soon, but the feature translates to almost any camera with a viewfinder.

Once you try this, it'll be hard to go back — and it costs $20.

Some Tips When Making This Purchase

1. The eye cups will make your camera thicker overall. I had to make some adjustments to my Pelican case to allow the cameras to fit without popping the eye cups off.
2. Eye cups may trigger your face sensor, causing your camera to think your face is pressed against it when you're trying to view the LCD screen.
3. Swapping the eye cups takes less than a minute.
4. I've noticed my eye cups will collect oils from my face more easily than the stock one.

I use the Hoodman eye cup for Sony cameras, but to be fair, I haven't tested many others. This is an upgrade that may not require a lot of consideration.

You can find a wider range of eye cups on B&H.

Enjoy, and let me know how this makes your life easier!