slabwax Posted March 6, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 6, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) So a question to those who own the Panasonic DMW-VF1 viewfinder. Do you get in your minds eye what the various field of view looks like? I'd like the Leica copy but $300.00 is a fair amount of cash. You can pick up a Panasonic copy for around 1/2 that price. Even the Leica doesn't have the 60mm frame lines. So is it worth the extra money just for the 35mm frame lines and red dot? Why can't life be easy? Dean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 6, 2010 Posted March 6, 2010 Hi slabwax, Take a look here D-lux-4 viewfinder . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ed_K Posted March 6, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 6, 2010 Yes Dean, i tried to visualize the 24mm frame inside Panasonic's viewfinder, that gives me a rough idea which comes in handy when the sunlight practically blinds the lcd screen. I also try to visualize the telephoto end but it's more difficult to judge by comparison, i believe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slabwax Posted March 6, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted March 6, 2010 Well, I hope the Panasonic works out well for me. I just pulled the trigger. Dean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted March 6, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 6, 2010 better and brighter and a lot cheaper than the leica version Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slabwax Posted March 6, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted March 6, 2010 I could not see paying twice the money for the same thing. I know the Leica copy has 35mm frame lines but you can't see where the zoom is anyways. So other then the red dot I could find no reason to spend double the money. Also I've read here that not all of the Leica finders fit snug. I've not heard anything like that with the Panasonic. Dean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted March 7, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 7, 2010 If you had bought the Leica for the red dot, you would have been bitterly disappointed. Viewfinders don't have red dots (unless you're seeing spots....). Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF Posted March 7, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 7, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) So a question to those who own the Panasonic DMW-VF1 viewfinder. Do you get in your minds eye what the various field of view looks like? I'd like the Leica copy but $300.00 is a fair amount of cash. You can pick up a Panasonic copy for around 1/2 that price. Even the Leica doesn't have the 60mm frame lines. So is it worth the extra money just for the 35mm frame lines and red dot? Why can't life be easy? Dean I did a side-by-side comparison of both Leica Brilliant Viewfinder and Panasonic DMW VF1 Viewfinder at 17th Street Photo in New York, (17th Street Photo :: Accessories :: Miscellaneous :: DMW-VF1 External Optical Viewfinder for LX3 (Attaches to Hot-Shoe) decided that the Panasonic was better. Brighter and it slid into the hot shoe smoother. I also preferred the circular appearance, that seemed to suit the camera design. It's not an accessory that I'll use all the time and the extra money was impossible to justify. I have used it quite a bit, and to be honest, the outer edges of the frame involve a bit of guesswork unless you are composing a still life on tripod. Its great for street photography and nice to have if the battery is low so you can turn off the lcd and conserve power. This is my experience, but others may have differing opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_K Posted March 7, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 7, 2010 I had heard some commented that the leica's made from plastic, is it true? 'cause with that price tag i would think at least it has a metal casing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted March 9, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2010 I had heard some commented that the leica's made from plastic, is it true? 'cause with that price tag i would think at least it has a metal casing. There's a couple of current versions of the 24mm viewfinder. The more expensive one is definitely made of metal -- I own it and it's mounted on my D-Lux 4. This is the one I have (24mm version, of course): Leica Camera AG - Photography - NEW: LEICA VIEWFINDER M for 18, 21 & 24 mm lenses Not sure about the cheaper version; it may be made of plastic. Best, Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 9, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 9, 2010 Yes, it is made of plastic, but it is quite well-made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slabwax Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted March 10, 2010 Well, the Panasonic copy came today. It seems well built. It will take some getting time to get on with it. But ultimately its better then the lcd. Dean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted March 10, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 10, 2010 There's a couple of current versions of the 24mm viewfinder. The more expensive one is definitely made of metal -- I own it and it's mounted on my D-Lux 4. This is the one I have (24mm version, of course): Leica Camera AG - Photography - NEW: LEICA VIEWFINDER M for 18, 21 & 24 mm lenses Thats the one I use, bought it with my Summilux 24mm Lens. Have you found any issues with the D-Lux 4? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.