EVF with Leica M lenses

[Dogman]

When I bought my E-P1, I also bought a Voigtlander M adapter so I could use my Leica M-mount lenses, especially the 35mm and 50mm Summicrons. Well, trying to use them and manually focus them with the LCD on the E-P1 was totally frustrating. I cannot determine sharp focus on the unmagnified image and I'm not able to hold the camera steady enough at arm's length to determine focus on the magnified LCD image.

I've been considering an EVF camera as an addition to the E-P1 which I really love using except for the manual focus issue. But I only would consider buying if the EVF is good enough to allow precise manual focus.

What I've found thus far is that with the Lumix GF-1, there were complaints that the accessory EVF has low resolution and this deters easy manual focus. The Panasonic Lumix G-1 with its built-in EVF is reported to be much better and the Olympus E-P2 accessory EVF is also said to have higher resolution than the GF-1's EVF.

So, micro 4/3 users who are using EVFs with their cameras, does the current Olympus accessory EVF and/or the Panasonic G-1 EVF have resolution adequate for precise manual focus?

 

[back alley]

i have been using the cv 50/1.1 on my g1 with great results.
focus is dead easy, even w/o the magnified view. i don't normally use the lcd but prefer the eye level finder.

 

[back alley]

focused on her eyes

 

[M4streetshooter]

It's not just the resolution of the finder, it's also the way you slip into MF.
The G2 & GF1 are very easy and intuitive.
The Pen2 has a great finder but it's not intuitive to get to MF.
I adore my EP2 but am falling for the Pannys quickly.

 

[Dogman]

M4streetshooter, is the E-P2 that much different from the E-P1 in manual focusing procedure? Other than the EVF, I mean?

 

[chrisso]

I'm having no problems with the Pan GH-1.
Not only am I using M lenses, but a couple of other old manual lenses.
I actually enjoy the MF more than AF as the constant refocussing in AF can be annoying.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

And I'm thinking to sell my GF-1 with kit zoom, EVF and M-mount adaptor and just get an LX5 for when I want the convenience of digital. But as I mainly shoot B&W film I guess it'll just stay in the cupboard and get a battery charge if I want to use it.

 

[sfaust]

The Olympus EVF makes a huge difference on the E-P2. I am with you on the focusing issue using the LCD on the E-P1 with legacy lenses. I decided to go with the E-P2 since I really liked the E-P1 over the GF-1, but it lacked the EVF. I tried the GF-1 and E-P2 with EVFs in the store, and the E-P2/EVF was far superior.

After using the E-P2 now for a few months, I can say that the EVF helps tremendously with focusing any of the lenses, and I never use the magnified focusing feature anymore. The image pops into focus with the EVF, even with my aging eyes ;-) Upgrading the E-P1 to the E-P2 since you already like the E-P1 might be a more suitable option than having a second camera to go along side the E-P1.

A definite thumbs up for the Olympus EVF for manual focusing ease on any lens IMO.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The EVF on the E-P2 makes a big difference in focusing manual lenses. In the magnified view, though, the images will seem to "swim" about in the finder somewhat. Still can focus fine, though. Mostly don't need the magnified view, however, with the EVF.

 

[Dogman]

Okay, I did it. Ordered a Panasonic Lumix G-1, that is. It came in yesterday and I've been playing with it today. The EVF is...different. It ain't like a Leica viewfinder. Not bad but it will take some getting used to. MF lenses with the EVF is a breeze. No problem focusing without magnifying the image. I've played with my favorite E. Leitz lenses--35 and 50 Summicrons--and the images are pleasing. Other MF M-mount or M-mount adapted lenses also focus easily with the EVF.

I went with the G-1 solely on price--$499 from Amazon. I think it's a fair price to be able to easily use my old lenses on a digital.

 

[RayPA]

I went with the G-1 solely on price--$499 from Amazon. I think it's a fair price to be able to easily use my old lenses on a digital.

An excellent choice. The G1 is the m4/3 deal. It's a low frills camera with a great EVF and LCD.


/

 

[ampguy]

Hi Ray

Hi Ray

You have Nikon stuff too right? If you get a chance, compare some images from any nikon dslr with your 4/3 images in print.

You'll likely see a lot more noise on the 4/3 than the much larger 1.6 APS-C sensor in the Nikons. Also, for D40/60/3000, they're effectively the same size as the G1 with the hump.

An excellent choice. The G1 is the m4/3 deal. It's a low frills camera with a great EVF and LCD.


/

 

[JoeV]

Yes but...

1) He wants to use manual focus Leica M lenses, with real focus scales and manual apertures. The lens flange-to-film plane distance of the D40/60/3000 preclude that.

2) How big are the D40/60/3000 compared to the G1/GH1/G2 once you mount Nikon lenses on them?

 

[RayPA]

You have Nikon stuff too right? If you get a chance, compare some images from any nikon dslr with your 4/3 images in print.

You'll likely see a lot more noise on the 4/3 than the much larger 1.6 APS-C sensor in the Nikons. Also, for D40/60/3000, they're effectively the same size as the G1 with the hump.

😕 What the heck does the Nikon APS-C sensor have to do with my comment that the G1 is the best m4/3 deal??? I stand pat on that. If someone is thinking about getting into m4/3, IMO, the G1 is the model to get.



/

 

[Dogman]

Yes but...

1) He wants to use manual focus Leica M lenses, with real focus scales and manual apertures. The lens flange-to-film plane distance of the D40/60/3000 preclude that.

2) How big are the D40/60/3000 compared to the G1/GH1/G2 once you mount Nikon lenses on them?

That's really the case.

I don't have any Nikon digitals to compare--I only have a couple of F2 35mm Nikons. I have a Canon APS-sensor DSLR--a 30D. No doubt the micro 4/3 has more noise than the APS at high ISO. So what. I can live with it without regrets.

I compared the size of the G1 and the 30D. The G1 is tiny. Add an EF 50/1.4 to the Canon and the 50 Summicron to the G1...the G1 is still tiny in comparison. If I have a complaint at all, it's that the controls of the G1 are so tiny they're sorta hard to manipulate with my large hands. Again, I can live with it.

 

[seakayaker1]

I have a GF1 with an EVF. I find that you can focus and can capture sharp pictures.


Cosmos

GF1 with Kinoptik Paris Apochromat 25mm f2 -- ISO 100 -- f2 -- 1/2500


Life is Grand!

Dan
~ 😉

 

[ampguy]

Hi

Hi

I agree that the G1 is tiny compared to the 30D, in fact it is over a cm shorter in depth and height, and over 2cm shorter in length.

However,the G1 is about the same size as a Nikon D40 body. The Canon 30D is huge compared to the Nikon D40.

In volume, the D40 is 50% smaller than a 30D.

I agree that a u4/3 or NEX is a better solution for using M lenses than current DLSRs, but I don't find the G1 to be significantly smaller than the D40x body. It's not like one could use a smaller bag or anything.

Now combined with M lenses vs Nikon F lenses, well which size and model of each? I can measure D40's with a Nikon 28/2.8, 43-86 zoom, 80-200/4.5 zoom, or 35/1.8 AFS, or 105/2.5 primes. Which one would you like me to measure with if someone is looking for D40x dimensions?

That's really the case.

I don't have any Nikon digitals to compare--I only have a couple of F2 35mm Nikons. I have a Canon APS-sensor DSLR--a 30D. No doubt the micro 4/3 has more noise than the APS at high ISO. So what. I can live with it without regrets.

I compared the size of the G1 and the 30D. The G1 is tiny. Add an EF 50/1.4 to the Canon and the 50 Summicron to the G1...the G1 is still tiny in comparison. If I have a complaint at all, it's that the controls of the G1 are so tiny they're sorta hard to manipulate with my large hands. Again, I can live with it.

 

[ampguy]

something is creepy

something is creepy

with the outline of the buildings, is that the u4/3 sensor crapping out, or a lens or PP thing?

I have a GF1 with an EVF. I find that you can focus and can capture sharp pictures.


Cosmos

GF1 with Kinoptik Paris Apochromat 25mm f2 -- ISO 100 -- f2 -- 1/2500


Life is Grand!

Dan
~ 😉

 

[rxmd]

with the outline of the buildings, is that the u4/3 sensor crapping out, or a lens or PP thing?

It's the lens. Many small cine lenses look a bit like that.

Cine lenses were made before the bokeh craze. They are fast because people wanted high speeds, not because they wanted creamy out-of-focus areas.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The E-P2 with EVF is the way to go with M adapted lenses. I've had no problem focusing even the 50 1.2 with it. That being said, the Panasonic 20 1.7 is such a good lens, I've pretty much stopped using the M lenses and just shoot the 20mm.