hi everyone,
I have never used my finder's cap (to cover the viewfinder) when using the self-timer on my camera and my photos have turned out good. Do you guys use it often? how necessary is it to use when using a tripod and/or self-timer? thanks. :)

I think you will find using that is more beneficial when doing time lapse images in dark places, like of the moon etc. It is also a good thing to use if you are wanting to check out your digital camera and see if there are any dead pixels in the camera as well, using appropriate software.

For the longest time I always thought that little rupper piece was to tuck the end of my camera strap under so it wouldn't get in my way!!! Then I read my camera's manual. :) I have never used it (other than to hold the extra bit of camera strap), but I don't use the self timer much, or real long exposures, but is sounds like a good idea for those situations.

If you're using any auto exposure mode (program, shutter priority, aperture priority, etc) then as soon as you pull your eye away from the camera light comes into the back of the camera thru the now non-obstructed viewfinder and can give you an inaccurate reading. In most "normal" situations you probably won't need it.

For the longest time I always thought that little rupper piece was to tuck the end of my camera strap under so it wouldn't get in my way!!! Then I read my camera's manual.

LOL :D

Thanks everyone for your replies. :)