OVF or EVF?

As most of people of my age I always used OVF in my cameras. But times changes with some benefits and some problems. The clear point for me is that I need a VF, not able to take photo at arm's length. I decided that my next camera will have an EVF: I really want to try intensively it and find out which advantage it takes to my way of photographing. Not yet decided which one (OM-D or EX-1 this is the problem!) but I shot video a few years ago and the EVF were much worse than the ones in actual photo ocameras. Next year (in a few days?) I'll give a try!
robert
 
Funny using the screen on the back of a compact digital camera is no problem for me but I had a look through one of the new Sony DSLRs with the EVF and it made me feel slightly queezy. Must be the effect of the slight delay in movement.

So OVF far superior for me and I would not buy one of Sony's SLRs now.

Ronnie
 
I chose the X100 for the OVF but am suprised how often I use the EVF. So over the past 18 months the default state has shifted to EVF with the OVF being used on occasions when I need to keep up with the action. Also it reminds me to take the lens cap off.
 
Nothing beats a good OVF. However EVFs have developed to the point that I prefer them over tiny tunnel OVFs P&S cameras (used to ) have. And definitely prefer an EVF over just an LCD screen.

EVFs still have something of the feel of looking into an arcade game. I'm am sure with time their resolution and brightness regulation will increase to the point where that is no longer so much the case.
 
Haven't found an EVF that I find acceptable yet (if I pick it up and don't like it immediately its a fail)
I'm sure they will evolve and sort out the issues and be a useful option in the future.
For the moment though, optical is the way to go (for me personally).
 
Think of it like this....when you have a view camera....actually you have always, "sort" of had both concepts at the same time. Think how many view cameras had a "hood" shield, your focusing on a viewing screen. but manual focus....sooner or later it all gets lost in translation. Dont forget that a polaroid back was the stone age version of having paper print or peak file on your medium or large format cameras...back in the day. Art directors just use to love having a polaroid sample to carry around. Gee just think if you could have sent them a photo via a land line to a rotary dial phone....

I have never had a problem with any type of viewer so for me it never been an issue.
 
I've tried both. Naturally, using manual lens for me the EVF is the perfect choice, and seeing exactly what you will get in the frame helps you not to be distracted by something else while you are composing.
BTW, it's fun that many that said preferring OVF start saying "never used an EVF and never will"... so I wonder how they made up their opinion... A suggestion: try the last generation ones, you'll be pleasantly surprised...
 
Blaufeld said:
I've tried both. Naturally, using manual lens for me the EVF is the perfect choice, and seeing exactly what you will get in the frame helps you not to be distracted by something else while you are composing.
BTW, it's fun that many that said preferring OVF start saying "never used an EVF and never will"... so I wonder how they made up their opinion... A suggestion: try the last generation ones, you'll be pleasantly surprised...
Click to expand...
Not on this thread. I have yet to be pleasantly surprised by an EVF -- and I've tried the latest at photokina (bear in mind what I do for a living). They're nothing like as bad as they used to be but they're still pretty unpleasant.

Cheers,

R.
 
I've used four generations of electronic finders and they've come a long way. The first one I tried was in Panasonic's FZ-20. It was truly ghastly.

Then I moved to Sony's R1. The eye level finder in that is usable for composition but every exposure is a surprise, when you look at it on a big screen. Mind you, it's still my fallback camera for candids, because of the top mounted screen.

I bought an Olympus 570, a few years ago, and the eye level finder on that is at the same level as the big Sony. You can certainly see what you're getting but there's no subtlety.

Then I bought a Panasonic G2 and it was a revelation! The eye level finder on that gives a very clear statement of what you're getting. The degree of subtlety is, in my opinion, better than any of my optical finders, except for the M3, which I believe still sets the standard.

So a definite thumbs up for the recent generation of electronic eye level finders. 😀
 
I have been pleasantly surprised by some EVFs, and if I shot digital, I'd consider cameras with them, but much more intrigued by Fujifilm's optical efforts.
 
last generation EVF's are not bad, call me old-fashioned, but I will be OVF forever, just need that 'direct' interaction with the subject, I don't really care about those latest nintendo-finders...
 
I like OVF's, but EVF's are starting to become very useful, especially being able to see in black & white (or with differeing color modes) before you take the shot. Focus peaking is the best thing to come along in a long time too.

I use a NEX-7 and it's a blast. The 2 million dot EVF less than an inch from your eye has plenty resolution for fine detail, and it only tends to lag in very dark areas where it would be hard to get a handheld shot anyway - even with fast glass.
 
I've had the Leica X2 for a little over half a year now, and I have both EVF and OVF finders for it.

When I'm using it as I would a Rollei 35S, I fit the OVF, stop down to f/5.6-f/8, and work deep depth of field. When I want to take advantage of the low light capabilities (the sensor produces clean raw files at up to ISO 6400, and acceptable at 128000), I want to open up the lens all the way most of the time so then I fit the EVF and turn on AF. The results from this camera are strikingly good, and having either OVF or EVF at my disposal makes the camera so much more versatile than just one or the other.

And there are those times when I leave both accessory finders off and shoot from the hip using the LCD...


Leica X2 - no viewfinder, just LCD​

Amazing the number of options we have available to use these days, eh?

G
 
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