Viewfinder usability is a major problem. It is very small, has a narrow viewing angle, and blacks out in bright light. Outside I have to shoot blind much of the time. A couple of solutions come to mind:

1. A larger, higher quality screen. This would change the basic design. 

2. A pivoting viewfinder. This would help in many situations although it would be prone to damage. 

Easy solution to this problem:  A single-mirror angle finder that magnetically attaches to the screen.  Would provide shade and an enhanced 45-degree angle viewing range.  Pity the screen doesn't have magnets under it...

Unfortunately I found this to be true of all LCD screens on cameras. Someday there will be a breakthrough in technology that would make these screens viewable in sunlight.

But until then I guess we just have to shade the screen from the sun or hide in the shade somewhere to see it.

Just FYI, I was able to create a very decent prism-based angle finder just by cannibalizing a Celestron 90-Degree diagonal.  All I had to do was remove one of the tubes and use a dremel to carve out a space for the camera to fit snugly into the assembly.  Sure, you can't interact with the screen while it's attached, and the image in the viewfinder is upside down, but so far it's great for a first try!  If anyone is interested, I'd be glad to post photos of the finished product.  It took about four hours to make.  It's pretty good if I may say so myself!  

Update:  This is the kind of part I'm talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/Orion-1-25-Correct-Image-Telescope-Diagonal/d...

It's a very easy mod.

Christian, I'd like to see a shot of your custom attachment.

Sure thing, John!  Check out the links below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cskorik/6824824358/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cskorik/6970950379/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cskorik/6824829230/in/photostream/

Slick. Thanks.

That's pretty cool!

I was thinking that a simple rubber eye-piece sleeve could be an inexpensive accessory. Just slip it around the LCD side of the camera. They could make it out of the same textured rubber as the camera and lens-cap.

There is a simple, cheap and easy do it yourself solution:

Take black cardboard, form a rectangular tube around the camera and use glue or scotch tape to permanently fix the shape. Then stick this tube on the view-finder end, it will provide sufficient shade for looking at the view finder

As with everyone remarking on the viewfinder topic, I also find it very difficult to compose a picture.  Just can't see an image outside.  I was thinking it would be wonderful to design a eyepiece with diopter adjustment.  With this design,  you would just place the camera up to your eye to compose your photo.  This is found on many cameras today.  I don't think this added design feature would be that difficult to add or cost that much more and it would be well worth it.

Lost my lens cover :-( why not have a string attached to the cover that is is also attached to the wrist strap?

i have a $400 camera without a cover.  Nice camera but eng should build great products that includes protection for lens that will not get lost easy. I have 3 kids. I will be going thru lens covers like popcorn. Nice idea with magnet but bad design ( cover only).

I need reading glasses to see the screen so I need to hold the screen at least 6 inchs away so I think an eyepiece with a diopter adjustment would be ideal.  Until something becomes available I'll try the cardboard/duct tape suggestion.  Not pretty but the price is right.   

I am praying for a new LCD screen on Lytro second generation - maybe a Retina display. The reality for me is outdoor shooting is a crap shoot. I can't see the screen - need to make some sort of hood. It can't be just because I am in Hawaii - today was cloudy and it was still a crap shoot. I have 20/15 vision - the screen is just lousy. Today I took 122 shots of which I cloud post about a dozen because I could not see if the ocean was level, if the depth of field was really set up properly - until I got the pix on to my mac book pro. I'm one of your biggest fans but it is time for a slightly bigger camera, with a bitchin' bright screen. I know that these shots on your website of the screen have to be photoshopped in. I have never seen anything as bright on my Lytro...

Nice job Christian - let me know when you ramp up production - i'll buy one from you!  - Facebook.com/darabbett

I have made an eye piece using a 5x loupe (2inch focal length) and by cutting down a measuring cup from a Persil bottle to connect the eyepiece to the Lytro. I'm also experimenting with a 0.6 wide angle converter lens, which allows focus from the lens to infinity. I'm just importing some shots with the converter lens. See my pictures to see some shots with a Vivitar Wide-Angle / Telephoto 0.6x / 1.5x (46mm fitting). This lens is a bit small, and I get some vignetting if I don't hold it exactly right. I am going to make a holder for it. Better would be a bigger fitting lens, about 56mm would do, and should prevent vignetting and edge artefacts.

I picked up a little lens cap keeper from photo store, works to keep cap from getting lost. Magnet could be stronger.