Hmmm, starting to wonder if it's us glasses wearers that experience this since our eye has to be further away from the VF.
goamules
Well-known
I wear glasses, no problem. Is a Canon P or Leica M3 finder better? Probably. But I can live with the EVF with all the advantages of price, sensor, controls, and more.
Out to Lunch
Ventor
Whenever I take pictures in Vietnam, including on the beach, with intense sunlight and high UV, the X100 and X-pro1 EVFs handle it well. I am using UV filters and hoods on the lenses.
GaryLH
Veteran
Just to make sure.. Polarized sun glasses and evf are a no-no.
I rarely go past f11 legacy or native lens. The times I have, I cannot remember having this problem so long as the sensor is not being wiped out because the ISO is too high. (Fixed iso like 3200).
Anyway these days I am mainly using auto iso, so I cannot remember seeing this problem at all lately, unless I forget to takeoff my polarized sunglasses before I take a picture on a bright sunny day.
Gary
Correction... Now that I think back. It was really a situation where the f stop was at f2 or so and the iso was high. The sensor got wiped out temporarily before I had a chance to change the f stop.
I rarely go past f11 legacy or native lens. The times I have, I cannot remember having this problem so long as the sensor is not being wiped out because the ISO is too high. (Fixed iso like 3200).
Anyway these days I am mainly using auto iso, so I cannot remember seeing this problem at all lately, unless I forget to takeoff my polarized sunglasses before I take a picture on a bright sunny day.
Gary
Correction... Now that I think back. It was really a situation where the f stop was at f2 or so and the iso was high. The sensor got wiped out temporarily before I had a chance to change the f stop.
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Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Akiva,
Something sounds not right here. I have an X-Pro1 and it doesn't behave this way at all. I have no problems in bright sunlight, using legacy or Fuji lenses. And I wear glasses.
By chance, are you wearing polarized lenses? That will cause this problem with any modern EVF. I had to have my prescription sunglasses changed to non-polarized.
Otherwise, I suspect some setting is not yet dialed in correctly. Of course, it could also be a defective EVF?
Something sounds not right here. I have an X-Pro1 and it doesn't behave this way at all. I have no problems in bright sunlight, using legacy or Fuji lenses. And I wear glasses.
By chance, are you wearing polarized lenses? That will cause this problem with any modern EVF. I had to have my prescription sunglasses changed to non-polarized.
Otherwise, I suspect some setting is not yet dialed in correctly. Of course, it could also be a defective EVF?
nongfuspring
Well-known
Seems an easy trouble shoot: try it without glasses, and with metadata shown in EVF. Even if the image in the EVF is dark the histogram, shutter speed, meter etc should still be fully visible.
If you still can't see much, then you have a defective unit and should send it back ASAP. My guess is that if it really is as you describe it then that is most likely the case.
If you still can't see much, then you have a defective unit and should send it back ASAP. My guess is that if it really is as you describe it then that is most likely the case.
Bille
Well-known
The finder should not "black out" at a higher aperture. Or do you find the EVF to be too dark generally? Acessory eyecup available?
willie_901
Veteran
I think Jamie is on to something.
kbg32
neo-romanticist
I can understand the legacy lens causing the EVF to be dark. It would be the same on an old SLR using stop down metering, such as an older Pentax. The 18-55, I don't understand why this would cause your finder to be dark as well. As someone, mentioned before, it could be how you are setting your camera to be used. Could be a problem with your lens or camera. I have no issues such as this with my XE-1. And yes, using polarized sunglasses and an EVF just doesn't mix well!
judsonzhao
Well-known
You could just frame focus at widest aperture and then go f16, snap
umcelinho
Marcelo
i've had a bad experience also shooting the X-E1 in very bright light, the EVF wasnt very useful. I wear glasses and the distance from the vf made sun glare hit my eye, and the image wasnt that clear to see. it made me crave an ovf... thought of selling the x-e1 and getting an xpro1 but since it's a big bigger im not sure if i'd enjoy it.
i've had an x100 and loved the viewfinder. i'd use ovf on daytime and then the evf when i wanted more precise focusing (smaller AF rectangle) or a preview of the dof, mostly at dark situations. i am missing the silent shutter and the ovf and the more compact profile... i'm more prone to getting an x100s now than a 23/1.4, the extra stop wont make a huge difference in dof and the price is somewhat similar (900new vs 1300new/1000used)... 35mm is my fav focal length and i am missing it too.
i've had an x100 and loved the viewfinder. i'd use ovf on daytime and then the evf when i wanted more precise focusing (smaller AF rectangle) or a preview of the dof, mostly at dark situations. i am missing the silent shutter and the ovf and the more compact profile... i'm more prone to getting an x100s now than a 23/1.4, the extra stop wont make a huge difference in dof and the price is somewhat similar (900new vs 1300new/1000used)... 35mm is my fav focal length and i am missing it too.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Wow, that may be the problem, I do wear polarized lenses. I will check into this.
2WK
Rangefinder User
I had trouble with the XE1 in bright sunlight. I had to shield my face with one hand or wear a hat. I actually called the camera shop during a shoot and asked if I could switch to the xpro because of this.
goamules
Well-known
Huh....I guess you guys with the "can't see the viewfinder" problems never shot an SLR stopped down, for the, well, 50 years they were popular?
I notice the only threads that get a lot of replies are the ones that start out controversial or negative, or are turned that way by the first few comments. If someone starts a thread, "I love my new XYZ!" it will get 3-6 replies saying "great, enjoy" or such. If someone starts a thread with, "I'm giving up film....I'm curious, why would anyone like Tri-X?.....I sold my Leica M9...." it will get pages and pages and pages of replies and commentary. Interesting forum/human dynamic.
I notice the only threads that get a lot of replies are the ones that start out controversial or negative, or are turned that way by the first few comments. If someone starts a thread, "I love my new XYZ!" it will get 3-6 replies saying "great, enjoy" or such. If someone starts a thread with, "I'm giving up film....I'm curious, why would anyone like Tri-X?.....I sold my Leica M9...." it will get pages and pages and pages of replies and commentary. Interesting forum/human dynamic.
nongfuspring
Well-known
Of course. There has to be change, difficulty, or conflict otherwise there's nothing to talk about.
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
I love my Lumix G1 and G5. I'm an eyeglass wearer, live in bright, sunny New Mexico and have little problem with EVFs.
And yes, I've shot with film SLRs and used depth of field preview. But that's not how EVFs work. They "gain up" to keep the scene relatively constant in brightness regardless of the actual scene illumination. Back in 2008 when I bought the G1 (yes, I was an early adapter to mirrorless) people were complaining that the EVF kept a constant brightness. They wanted it to look like an optical SLR viewfinder.
Back to the OP's problem with the Fuji, it sounds to me like the design of the eyecup causes too much stray light to enter. On the few occasions when that's a problem with the Lumix G cameras, I hold the camera with thumb under the bottom right corner, my fingers shielding the eyecup, and use my ring finger or pinkie to press the shutter. A bit unconventional, but it works.
BTW, most of my compact film cameras with "bright" optical viewfinders also have this problem, and it varies from model to model by the design of the rubber eyecup and how wide the OVF image appears.
~Joe
And the Fujis have added complexity in the form of an eye sensor as well.
goamules
Well-known
Which you can simply turn off. Haven't you used this camera?
