Also known as the High Eye Point Finder, this viewfinder was designed for situations where the photographer could not keep their eye pressed against the viewfinder of the camera. This included photography while wearing eye protection (including motorsports helmets with visors), or where awareness of the scene around the composition was important—fast moving sports or other action photography.
The viewfinder provided a laterally-correct, upright image which was able to be focussed on at a point about 12cm from the viewfinder eyepiece.
The product was launched in 1986 with the ETRS Mk-II generation of camera bodies. An adapter was also available that allowed the viewfinder to be used on SQ series cameras.
It was not a very popular accessory, probably due to its size (about the same as the camera body with the film back attached) and weight (690 grams)—it is now quite rare to find, and still very expensive when you can.
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