X100(s) OVF - I wonder if....

[jky]

...it'll be possible one day to have visual focus confirmation (a la RF) when using the OVF in this body? Basically the hybrid of all hybrids - not just EVF/OVF, but EVF/RF. Could this be done? Perhaps coupling the focus by wire to a RF mechanism...

I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Sure, but it would involve all of the complexities of a rangefinder mechanism with the current electronics packed in there as well. I believe Fuji's current system for projecting the EVF into the viewfinder is in the way of where a traditional rangefinder mechanism would lie. The autofocusing lens would have to be hooked up to the rangefinder somehow, too.

At the point of all this, it would be easier to trash the EVF altogether and just have the LCD screen for viewing through the lens, and a real RF/VF with no projected stuff. Or, Have a second tiny sensor offset in the traditional rangefinder window, and project that into the OVF.

 

[whtchocla7e]

It would probably be simpler to just project an electronic center patch onto the OVF.

 

[GaryLH]

To the op,

why, do u not like split image?

U already have split image manual focusing capability on the x100s. Fuji designed this camera as af.. W/ mf secondary.

Split image and peaking via the evf will work whether low light or normal. An rf patch style is not something that would be easy to do as well..

Gary

 

[DougFord]

It would probably be simpler to just project an electronic center patch onto the OVF.

Perhaps the OVF is too bright to project a clear electronic image onto or over.
Projecting the existing electronic manual focusing screen onto a darkened center patch in the OVF might be possible with the use of some sort of 'smart glass' though. When the electronic manual focusing feature is selected the smart glass would darken a center portion of the OVF so the projected focusing image could be seen.

 

[willie_901]

...it'll be possible one day to have visual focus confirmation (a la RF) when using the OVF in this body? Basically the hybrid of all hybrids - not just EVF/OVF, but EVF/RF. Could this be done? Perhaps coupling the focus by wire to a RF mechanism...

I'm just thinking out loud.

Well there is audio confirmation for the OVF when using AF in AFS or M mode. Of course M mode is just a simplified form of AFS mode when you press the AF button. So there could be be a visual indication as well. I suspect some people would complain this just clutters the display more. Fuji can't win.

If you mean focusing with the lens barrel, Nikon DSLR bodies (and probably many other brands) do didplay focus indicator light when using purely anlog lenses. When I used to read Nikon user forums there was always spirited disagreement as to the utility of this feature. I happened to find it useful once I experimented with my technique. I found the reliabiliy was highly dependent on how I brought the image and out of focus.

 

[jky]

To the op,

why, do u not like split image?

U already have split image manual focusing capability on the x100s. Fuji designed this camera as af.. W/ mf secondary.

Split image and peaking via the evf will work whether low light or normal. An rf patch style is not something that would be easy to do as well..

Gary

Gary - the EVF is fine. I especially like the focus peaking feature. I find the split image low in contrast and difficult to use if there are no verticals to focus by... time will tell what I really think - I've only had the camera for a couple of weeks.

Re: OVF
Having been more accustomed to looking through EVFs & rear LCDs, it was a breath of fresh air to again look through an OVF. I'm finding that in my brief ownership, 70% of the time I'm using the OVF... Perhaps I'm still adapting to the camera and the idea of trusting it to achieve focus... having the distance scale helps in this regard however.

The reason for the op is that, never in my admittedly limited technical mind would I have thought that a hybrid EVF/OVF would be produced. Now in the X100s, there is a split image (& focus peaking) feature that was added when using the EVF.... thinking out loud I was just wondering if one day, we'll see a RF-type split image when using the OVF. There still seems to be plenty of people who use (and perhaps prefer) OVFs... perhaps a digital superimposed split image on the optical finder for instance?

I'm sure the Jetsons had one 😉

jc

 

[GaryLH]

There still seems to be plenty of people who use (and perhaps prefer) OVFs... perhaps a digital superimposed split image on the optical finder for instance?

I'm sure the Jetsons had one 😉

jc

I c..

I split image maybe easier to do then anything resembling a true rf patch, btw.

Have fun w/ your x100s

Gary

 

[Ken Ford]

I just wish that, while in OVF mode, they would display the selected focusing box in green when you use the back button for spot AF while in MF mode. Several people have told me it doesn't do this, so how the heck do you know it has successfully focused?

My rental X100S is due this coming Friday, let's see how it works. I'm not willing to buy one without a trial, and the rental fee is less than I would lose if I bought one and then sold it because I couldn't live with it. I very, very much want this camera to work for me.

IMO the major strength of the X100S is the OVF - they should be playing to it as much as possible.

 

[jky]

I just wish that, while in OVF mode, they would display the selected focusing box in green when you use the back button for spot AF while in MF mode. Several people have told me it doesn't do this, so how the heck do you know it has successfully focused?

You can customize the finder to display a distance scale, which helps immensely. However, I wish that the displayed focus area in the OVF (while in MF mode) is smaller so you know exactly what you're focusing on while using the back button to AF.

Not a deal breaker for me, but I do agree with your following statement:

the major strength of the X100S is the OVF - they should be playing to it as much as possible.

j

 

[Ken Ford]

You can customize the finder to display a distance scale, which helps immensely. However, I wish that the displayed focus area in the OVF (while in MF mode) is smaller so you know exactly what you're focusing on while using the back button to AF.
j

My understanding is that when you use the back button in MF mode the displayed focus area in the OVF doesn't turn green or do anything else to signify focus was acheived. Correct?

 

[jky]

My understanding is that when you use the back button in MF mode the displayed focus area in the OVF doesn't turn green or do anything else to signify focus was acheived. Correct?

Correct. The only way to have an idea what it's focusing on is to glance at the distance scale.

 

[Ken Ford]

That's really an odd way for Fuji to implement it. When you're in OVF mode and AF-S or AF-C, you get some kind of visual confirmation, right?

 

[jky]

When in OVF & using AFC or AFS, you get green crosshairs and a AF area box respectively.

I've pretty much reserved OVF (while in MF) for f5.6 or smaller and zone focus to ensure sharpness.

 

[Ken Ford]

Thank you! I'll need to play and see how it works for me.

 

[Mcary]

My understanding is that when you use the back button in MF mode the displayed focus area in the OVF doesn't turn green or do anything else to signify focus was acheived. Correct?

Realize that its not always practical. but while shooting in OVF+MF pressing the Command Control dial brings up a 10X EVF view of the focus box area.
Press AFL button to focus * while in OVF*
Press CC dial confirm focus
Press AFL again if necessary
Half press shutter release to return to OVF

 

[Exdsc]

...it'll be possible one day to have visual focus confirmation (a la RF) when using the OVF in this body? Basically the hybrid of all hybrids - not just EVF/OVF, but EVF/RF. Could this be done? Perhaps coupling the focus by wire to a RF mechanism...

I'm just thinking out loud.

How about instant phase detect AF in all light conditions, combined with variable focus information, which means not only AF will be instant but later on you could adjust the dof in post processing.

Technology moves forward.

 

[Ken Ford]

Realize that its not always practical. but while shooting in OVF+MF pressing the Command Control dial brings up a 10X EVF view of the focus box area.
Press AFL button to focus * while in OVF*
Press CC dial confirm focus
Press AFL again if necessary
Half press shutter release to return to OVF

That's actually pretty close to how I use my NEX-7 right now; I'll keep an open mind until I can try it for myself. Thank you for the explanation!