jsrockit Posted February 8, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 8, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you are using the X1 currently, or have one on order, do you plan to use an external VF with the camera eventually or just stick with the LCD. I'm in the minority in that I actually like composing with an LCD, especially a very accurate one (frameline wise). However, as a few here have pointed out, the X1's LCD is just not going to cut it in certain situations. I know this isn't just people being down on the X1 and it is the truth... since I use the Olympus E-P1 with a similar screen. That leads me to believe that for the X1 to truly be my "take anywhere" camera, I would need to have an external VF for those times when a LCD just won't work... i.e. bright sunlight or dark places where the LCD looks silly, etc. I'll admit it, it annoys me to have to buy this extra (regardless of the brand of VF I choose to buy) after spending so much on an X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Hi jsrockit, Take a look here X1 - External VF or no Ext VF?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted February 8, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 8, 2010 There are times when the LCD is easier to use, eg in awkward situations such as at low level. But for general work I see huge advantages with the optical viewfinder, not the least a much steadier shooting position (braced against the head). I have one on order and eagerly await its arrival. It seems that in the UK accessories are lagging behind delivery of the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted February 8, 2010 Share #3 Posted February 8, 2010 If you are using the X1 currently, or have one on order, do you plan to use an external VF with the camera eventually or just stick with the LCD. I'm in the minority in that I actually like composing with an LCD, especially a very accurate one (frameline wise). However, as a few here have pointed out, the X1's LCD is just not going to cut it in certain situations. I know this isn't just people being down on the X1 and it is the truth... since I use the Olympus E-P1 with a similar screen. That leads me to believe that for the X1 to truly be my "take anywhere" camera, I would need to have an external VF for those times when a LCD just won't work... i.e. bright sunlight or dark places where the LCD looks silly, etc. I'll admit it, it annoys me to have to buy this extra (regardless of the brand of VF I choose to buy) after spending so much on an X1. Well, you have been prepared to buy in to all of the other problems of the X1, so why balk at this one. I have a spare 35mm VF with paralax compensation for sale if it interests you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craftsman Posted February 8, 2010 Share #4 Posted February 8, 2010 In for a penny, in for a pound:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted February 8, 2010 Well, you have been prepared to buy in to all of the other problems of the X1, so why balk at this one. To be honest, it's because I really don't like Ext VFs in general. The other X1 "problems" are not really problems to me... only to others. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglasco Posted February 8, 2010 Share #6 Posted February 8, 2010 I have found it better with an ext vf on the x1 I got mine from ebay its just a cheap helos one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaay Posted February 8, 2010 Share #7 Posted February 8, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm using the X1 with a beautiful metal voigtlander 35 VF - the build quality is top notch and distortion very low. I shoot with the LCD off and even when leaving the focusing to AF at 2.8 in low light the pictures are sharp. I can easily see the AF confimation light in my perhiperal vision too. One thing that surprised me was that because the X1 is so light I can hold it out in front of me with ease if I wish to use the LCD rather than the ext VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted February 8, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 8, 2010 jaay, what type of focussing do you use? e.g. spot, 11 point, etc. where do you aim through the viewfinder to focus? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
damnsharp Posted February 9, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 9, 2010 Can someone tell me what kind of viewfinder will fit on the X1? Can I buy "anything" I want or what restrictions are there? I assume I need a vf for 35 mm like this one: Amazon.com: Voigtlander Metal Brightline Viewfinder for the 35mm Lens, Silver: Camera & Photo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted February 9, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 9, 2010 Also using an external finder.....old SBLOO from my IIIf. I ise single point middle AF and works fine.Easy to see the illuminated green dot for focus confirmation. Never have really liked using the screen for composing. andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Box Brownie Posted February 9, 2010 Share #11 Posted February 9, 2010 I recommend that people look at the review on Steve Huff photo website. There is a real-life video posted on the site , demonstrating focus speed. It is very revealing. I will be buying X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaay Posted February 9, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 9, 2010 I like Andy am using 1 point focus. I haven't had problems with macro either or off centre composition. Despite speed complaints from others I find the AF fine for my uses which is mainly as a lightweight walkaround landscape/ architecture camera. I don't do street photography so can't comment on that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted February 9, 2010 I recommend that people look at the review on Steve Huff photo website. There is a real-life video posted on the site , demonstrating focus speed. It is very revealing. I will be buying X1. We've been aware of this for weeks. Check out our thread on his review. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bernd Banken Posted February 9, 2010 Share #14 Posted February 9, 2010 We've been aware of this for weeks. Check out our thread on his review. Just grab your Oly and test. Minimum 1 week. If ok, fine, if not buy a camera with a better screen resolution.....there are plenty on the market..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted February 9, 2010 Share #15 Posted February 9, 2010 With a simple glance using the M camera, its simple and elegant VF immediately tells you what's in the picture, what you're focusing on and whether it's in focus. And you can use it in all kinds of light. With the X1 using either Leitz' rather pricey VF or anyone else's lesser expensive one you'll know what's in the picture and sorta know what's in focus (I guess you'll assume whatever is in the center of the frame or double check with the LCD) and when (by the peripheral green light I've been hearing about). WIth the X1 and NO VF and just using the LCD you'll know what's in the picture, what you're focusing on and whether it's in focus. But it'll be tough in bright light from what I can tell. And you may or may not make that funny grimace that I see nearly everyone else who uses a VF-less digital camera do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share #16 Posted February 9, 2010 Just grab your Oly and test. Minimum 1 week. If ok, fine, if not buy a camera with a better screen resolution.....there are plenty on the market..... Huh>? I've already been using it, that is why I know that I'll need an Ext VF in certain rare situations. As far as cameras on the market... there are plently of them, but only a small handful I'd actually want to use in the digital world i.e. M8, M9, X1, GF1, and E-P1/P2 ... that's it really. Well, maybe the Epson rangefinder as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted February 10, 2010 Share #17 Posted February 10, 2010 Didn't think about it much before instantly pre-ordering the recommended Leica 36mm v/f with my X1 order. I can see some times when I will be forced to use the camera w/o the v/f -- such as when any external flash is used -- but an optical viewfinder, to me, has so many advantages. It's part of the Leica M-way for one thing. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted February 10, 2010 Share #18 Posted February 10, 2010 If you are using the X1 currently, or have one on order, do you plan to use an external VF with the camera eventually or just stick with the LCD. I'm in the minority in that I actually like composing with an LCD, especially a very accurate one (frameline wise). However, as a few here have pointed out, the X1's LCD is just not going to cut it in certain situations. I know this isn't just people being down on the X1 and it is the truth... since I use the Olympus E-P1 with a similar screen. That leads me to believe that for the X1 to truly be my "take anywhere" camera, I would need to have an external VF for those times when a LCD just won't work... i.e. bright sunlight or dark places where the LCD looks silly, etc. I'll admit it, it annoys me to have to buy this extra (regardless of the brand of VF I choose to buy) after spending so much on an X1. I might be wrong, but I 've used it and to me, it seemed it had too small of eye relief build onto it. I had to really stick my eye to see the whole frame. Other than that, it's bright and a real joy to use instead of an lcd screen. However on the LCD you can also see live histogram. I would vote against it at first: keep costs down, and if you later need it get it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bad robot Posted February 10, 2010 Share #19 Posted February 10, 2010 Although I'm still waiting for my preordered X1, following the Sean Reid review I bought a Voigtlander 35mm VF in silver. Apart from being considerable cheaper then the Leica VF, It feels of very high quality and I think it looks much nicer. Also I wear "varifocals" spectacles; looking through the VF it still looks clear and bright. Incidentally I live in the very west of England, but Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest, managed to post it to me in 4 days; from the USA to England, amazingly fast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted February 10, 2010 Author Share #20 Posted February 10, 2010 I might be wrong, but I 've used it and to me, it seemed it had too small of eye relief build onto it. I had to really stick my eye to see the whole frame. I prefer to use the LCD and this scares me now about the VF, since I use glasses. I may just stick to the LCD. I was out this weekend with the E-P1 in crazy bright sun and even though at times I couldn't see the screen perfectly, I was able to get my photo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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