jtzordon
clicking away
Anyone have one of these and use it? I was thinking about getting one, particularly for shooting legacy lenses in bright sun. I can see the lcd well enough to frame, but focusing is a pita.
Panasonic external VF
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emraphoto
Veteran
I used one for a bit. Totally dissapointing set up in my opinion.
dogberryjr
[Pithy phrase]
I like mine. I don't like screen focussing and I really like that it angles to make for some cool perspective shots.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
I compared Panasonic's with Olympus' and liked the Olympus' EVF so much more that I bought the E-P2 instead of the Panasonic that I went in to buy.
ReeRay
Well-known
Mine never leaves the camera - coupled with spot metering and histogram view to establish clipping makes it a perfect tool
Worth every penny.
Worth every penny.
jtzordon
clicking away
How so? I've heard that it was grainy. I could live with that if I could focus accurately with it. Was there noticeable lag with it?
emraphoto
Veteran
i found it way too small, choppy and difficult to see. the world becomes small and 1 dimensional and that makes the sort of stuff i do very difficult.
i also tried the VC finder on it but in the end the rear dial thing killed it for me.
i am now mucking with an EP-1 and overall i am pleased. the interface and menus are definately geared for the masses. for once i have to echo old Ken R... the menus and interface of the EP-1 are nothing short of a rubiks cube.
i also tried the VC finder on it but in the end the rear dial thing killed it for me.
i am now mucking with an EP-1 and overall i am pleased. the interface and menus are definately geared for the masses. for once i have to echo old Ken R... the menus and interface of the EP-1 are nothing short of a rubiks cube.
Paul T.
Veteran
I had a look thru the Pana VF and decided to use a Helios finder I had knocking around.
But I'm hoping that by the time I buy a adapter for my Nikon S 50/1.4, there'll be a better EVF, because as you say, manual focusing with the screen is a PITA, and also camera shake is far worse when you hold the camera at arm's length .
But I'm hoping that by the time I buy a adapter for my Nikon S 50/1.4, there'll be a better EVF, because as you say, manual focusing with the screen is a PITA, and also camera shake is far worse when you hold the camera at arm's length .
biomed
Veteran
The Panasonic EVF is totally usable, but not the greatest in terms of image. It is a much beter VF than the one on my ancient first generation Minolta Dimage 7. I often use an optical finder when shooting with the 20/1.7.
kshapero
South Florida Man
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
The menus are confusing, but if it works like an E-P2, try using the Super Control pad. I think you press "info" and "OK" - Still trying to memorize the button press sequences - you can access almost anything.
I also reset the dials so that when I have a legacy lens mounted (and manually set the aperture on the lens), the SUB dial now controls the shutter speed. Allows me to play with it without taking my eye away from the EVF.
I had to read the manually a couple of times, but found there are ways to set/reset the camera to make it usable and lots easier. But if one just sets the thing on Auto, using the kit lens, I guess you don't have to read the manual or even change the menu much.
Johann Espiritu
Lawyer / Ninja
I actually have no big objections to the LVF. Sure, teh one on the EP2 is better, but the one for the GF1 is still quite useable.
As a background, I use an M7, and R2A, and an EOS-3 - all of which have superb viewfinders. The GF1 LVF is smaller and not as clear (so is one of a Leica IIIf, incidentally), of course, but it sure beats using the LCD for composition, IMHO. It also displays useful info.
In short - it has its limitations, but I am willing to look past them.
As a background, I use an M7, and R2A, and an EOS-3 - all of which have superb viewfinders. The GF1 LVF is smaller and not as clear (so is one of a Leica IIIf, incidentally), of course, but it sure beats using the LCD for composition, IMHO. It also displays useful info.
In short - it has its limitations, but I am willing to look past them.
Pablito
coco frío
Also compared them, also found the Olympus one FAR superior. But did not buy either camera for other reasons...
KEH
Well-known
Image quality not great, but for critical focus (including with MF lenses) it gets the job done. I don't turn it on all the time, but when you need it you need it. Small and unobtrusive, so you can use it part-time without too much pain.
Kirk
Kirk
ZeissFan
Veteran
A guy at work uses this camera with the accessory viewfinder. He always uses it. He doesn't like holding the camera at arm's length to take a photo because it's difficult to frame his shot precisely and difficult to hold the camera steady.
He says the viewfinder is very good for manually focusing a lens.
He says the viewfinder is very good for manually focusing a lens.
Traut
Well-known
The best thing about the finder to me is that I can set it at about 45 degrees. It works similar to a prism finder on the Hasselblad. The benefit is you don't look into the sun. This seems to improve the effective image as it eliminates the glare one gets looking into the bright light. Hard to explain but works extremely well.
The Oly finder is much larger form factor. It looks ungainly. The Pany is very compact. I give it an 8.
The Oly finder is much larger form factor. It looks ungainly. The Pany is very compact. I give it an 8.
biomed
Veteran
biomed, you are one cool looking dude.
Thank you, bearded brother. Maybe we should form a ZZ Top tribute band. Hmmm....I would have to learn to sing and play the guitar....and do both at the same time.
jtzordon
clicking away
Thanks for the comments. I just placed an order for one, so we'll see how it goes.
justins7
Well-known
For me the Panasonic EVF is a flawed, but essential tool. The resolution is lousy and I HATE that you cannot make the information disappear, and also that it seems like such an afterthought (sticking out really intrusively). However, in some situations there simply is no other way. For example, shooting in a live, performance setting where the LCD screen would be annoying to people.
Frankie
Speaking Frankly
From my previous post elsewhere:
"I had the opportunity of playing, freely, with the GH1, GF1/EVF and EP1/optical, side by side and one after another in a Tokyo camera super-mart last fall [2009].
The EP1/optical is still best, albeit no manual focusing possible [rejected].
The GF1/EVF is not good enough [resolution too low, as if I am seeing a coarse ground glass].
The GH1 [G1] I would totally accept...us aging yuppies with maturing eye sights [but have money to buy toys]."
At that time, the Olympus EP-2 EVF was not yet available.
Knowing that it was based on an Epson 12u 800 x 600 x RGB chip [identical in specifications to the G1] and now with Brain's [Sweeney] comment, I would say that EVF is fast coming of age.
The next generation EVF will no doubt have smaller pixel, higher pixel count and available by the next PMA if not Photokina, what is to stop an EVF to become the next standard?
And, might a better EVF from Panasonic be already in the works?
"I had the opportunity of playing, freely, with the GH1, GF1/EVF and EP1/optical, side by side and one after another in a Tokyo camera super-mart last fall [2009].
The EP1/optical is still best, albeit no manual focusing possible [rejected].
The GF1/EVF is not good enough [resolution too low, as if I am seeing a coarse ground glass].
The GH1 [G1] I would totally accept...us aging yuppies with maturing eye sights [but have money to buy toys]."
At that time, the Olympus EP-2 EVF was not yet available.
Knowing that it was based on an Epson 12u 800 x 600 x RGB chip [identical in specifications to the G1] and now with Brain's [Sweeney] comment, I would say that EVF is fast coming of age.
The next generation EVF will no doubt have smaller pixel, higher pixel count and available by the next PMA if not Photokina, what is to stop an EVF to become the next standard?
And, might a better EVF from Panasonic be already in the works?
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