OVF or EVF?

[Range Loser]

How much does the kind of viewfinder influence your camera choice?

I have read a lot of opinion of how the new EVF's are very good, and preferable to some users. I have looked at several, including the NEX 7, Fuji XE1 and still wouldn't buy one.

Which do you prefer and why?

 

[zvos1]

I have nex 5n with evf and leica m8 and still prefer OVF on my M8.

 

[craygc]

OVFs may still be better as an absolute statement in isolation from all other aspects. However, for example, I often find the ability to articulate the EVF on the Nex 5n through 90 degrees to often be invaluable to getting a shot that otherwise wouldn't have happened - and as an EVF the Nex is more than workable. Arguably not all EVF articulate but its certainly never an option with OVFs.

 

[thegman]

Prefer OVF, but EVFs are getting very good now, and certainly have their advantages like focus peaking or being able to brighten the view electronically. I'll stick with OVF though.

 

[peter_n]

I also like an OVF better, but find the EVF on the NEX-7 very easy to use. Next time you try a NEX switch the EVF to monochrome and modulate the focus peaking intensity to your own preference (there are 3 settings).

 

[willie_901]

I prefer both, so I own cameras that let me use the type of finder best suited for the circumstance at hand.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

EVF doesn't work for me with manual focus, since the focus is not clear enough for me in an EVF

 

[Roger Hicks]

O. E has a LONG way to go yet.

Cheers,

R.

 

[kbg32]

I have no problems with either. EVFs do not bother me at all.

 

[JoeV]

In-camera composition is very important to me, so framing must be exact. For this reason alone, I prefer an EVF, the Lumix G5's being very good. Although an external hotshot-mounted OVF is an option if I so desired an OVF, I find myself not missing one.

~Joe

 

[Range Loser]

O. E has a LONG way to go yet.

Cheers,

R.

I have to agree with Roger here, IMO the joy of photography is largely about looking, and this experience is greatly diminished by an EVF.

 

[Pablito]

How much does the kind of viewfinder influence your camera choice?

It's more like, what sort of compromise are you willing to put up with in a VF to get a camera with the best combination of features that best fit your needs ?

For instance, both EVF and some D/SLR's give you full frame coverage but a RF may give you features that trump that.

Fortunately, it's not either/or if you can afford more than one system.

I'm not thrilled with the EVF on the Nex7 & Nex5n but overall I am pleased with the cameras. I don't use them much in high contrast outdoors situations though.

 

[Godfrey]

To me, the two types of finders simply present different ways of viewing, each with its strengths and weaknesses. The optical is non intrusive, as fast as a viewfinder can be, and can be (reflex) utterly true to life in light quality and focus or (tunnel) bright, quick to frame approximately, easy to use in dark circumstances. On the other hand, nothing is better than the EVF on framing and focusing accuracy, has multiple different kinds of focusing assistance available, and the most complete set of informational capabilities.

Both my GXR and my X2 allow use of either. So would a new Leica M. Choice is good. 🙂

G

 

[bwcolor]

Last two purchases were EVF. I prefer OVF. In five years I suspect that. most cameras will be fully electronic.. including global shutters.

 

[hepcat]

Ahhh... a topic near and dear to me. I have a DSLR with an optical viewfinder, and I've used brightline rangefinders for years. I find that I have real problems with EVFs.

EVFs problems, for me at least, are legion. In low light they're far too bright which disturbs my low-light vision. In bright light, they're not bright enough. They have lag and artifacts with movement. The worst issue they have for me, though, is that they have no depth at all which makes focus difficult to obtain through conventional means. It's difficult for me to relate an isolated video image to real-world events around me. It's like trying to walk around using only a video monitor rather than a real-world view.

The manufacturer of my DSLR sounds like they're going to get out of the DSLR business altogether and go completely mirrorless for their entire line. I'll be sticking with my equipment because they have a single lens that (for my purposes) is better than any other glass I've ever used, but I'm not too excited about them dropping their "pro" line cameras an if that's the case, I'll not buy another new body in the line.

I've used bright-line rangefinder cameras since 1974 and find them to be intuitive, accurate enough to get the job done in most circumstances and have as many positive qualities as EVFs have negatives for me.

 

[Mystyler]

Nothing beats my OM-1 OVF.
That said, I enjoy my E-5 OVF but as long as I can have a camera that I don't have to hold at arm's length I'll take an EVF. They're probably all going to go that way anyway and they're much better than they used to be.

 

[Ronald M]

EVIL are junk. No way period.

 

[Addy101]

A few remarks:
I love the big and bright OVF's in my A900 and 1Ds SLR's.
Only tried EVF's in shops, I didn't like the previous generation (Sony A55/A35), but with my limited experience, it seems the latest versions are better (Sony A65).
I don't miss an EVF on my Nex 5, there might be situations were the screen isn't good enough viewable, but in most other situations, the screen is all I need.

So, to answer your question: no, it has no influence on buying a camera. A wouldn't mind using even the previous generation EVF's. The Sony A55 is on my wish list 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

I prefer an EVF these days.

 

[Spanik]

I'll put an optical viewfinder in the flashshoe before I even try an EVF.