An EVF for X1?

[atournas]

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I am reading that the new D-LUX 5 is coming with an EVF as an optional accessory, apparently aiming at the D-LUX 5 exclusively. It mounts on the accessory shoe and enables ‘Live-View’ (http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-blog/2010/09/new-leica-d-lux-5/).

 

I wonder if it would be able to use it with the X1; or better if an X1-dedicated EFV is to appear soon.

 

Paul

[andybarton]

No. It's not just a case of slotting it into the hot shoe. It has a plug that goes into a socket above the rear screen. A socket which the X1 doesn't have.

[atournas]

Andy, thanks for the clarification.

 

Paul

[nippa]

It looks like those of us with the EVF for the GF-1 will be able to use it with the LX5/Dlux5 ( same part no. ).

I've seen the Leica version priced at £270 whereas I paid about £100 less for the Panasonic LVF1.

[prk60091]

It looks like those of us with the EVF for the GF-1 will be able to use it with the LX5/Dlux5 ( same part no. ).

I've seen the Leica version priced at £270 whereas I paid about £100 less for the Panasonic LVF1.

 

Are we missing anything ? How do you like using it? I hated the EVF on the digilux2

[h00ligan]

I bought that evf for my gf1 and returned it a day later. It was like looking into a window 15 ft away with a fly screen in front of it. Simply put I thout it was absolutely terrible, and unusable...and I'm in az, where the light could benefit an evf.

[stunsworth]

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My feelings are different. I bought one and much prefer it to the rear screen. At least I can now see what I'm taking a photograph of. It's not been off the camera since I bought it.

 

I've only ever looked at the EVF on a Digilux 2 for a couple of minutes, but my feeling is that the Panasonic EVF is much improved over that particular EVF.

[nippa]

I agree with Edward that it could be better but it's perfectly usable.

For the most part I use it with my GF-1 and 45-200mm lens where keeping the camera close to my eye adds stability.

It would be a bonus to use it with a DLux5.

[NZDavid]

Why would anyone need an EVF for a fixed focal-length camera? OVF is bright and clear. Sean Reid's comments on the usability, or otherwise, of an EVF on the D-Lux 5 are worth reading.

[stunsworth]

Why would anyone need an EVF for a fixed focal-length camera?

 

There are many reasons. People may prefer a viewfinder to using the rear screen, they don't like the instability introduced by holding the camera away from their face, it's difficult to see the rear screen in bright sunlight - I should mention that I've never used an X1, but every camera I've used with a rear screen has been problematic under those conditions.

[phancj]

There are many reasons. People may prefer a viewfinder to using the rear screen, they don't like the instability introduced by holding the camera away from their face, it's difficult to see the rear screen in bright sunlight - I should mention that I've never used an X1, but every camera I've used with a rear screen has been problematic under those conditions.

 

In bright sunlight (here at equator sunlight brightest) the LCD is adequate, colors look washed out but framing is accurate and all objects visible on the X1 LCD screen. For me no need for VF, but if I feel I do need one I suppose the optional OVF for the X1 is better: big and clear.

 

From the EVFs I have tried so far, they were terrible. But must confess I havent tried them recently, technology there may have advanced.

[prk60091]

In bright sunlight (here at equator sunlight brightest) the LCD is adequate, colors look washed out but framing is accurate and all objects visible on the X1 LCD screen. For me no need for VF, but if I feel I do need one I suppose the optional OVF for the X1 is better: big and clear.

 

From the EVFs I have tried so far, they were terrible. But must confess I havent tried them recently, technology there may have advanced.

 

and i hated the OVF that i bought for my dlux4- i sold it w/i a month of buying it.....

 

i use the histogram and the info shown on the LCD way to much to lose it....

[davidhunternyc]

Why would anyone need an EVF for a fixed focal-length camera? OVF is bright and clear. Sean Reid's comments on the usability, or otherwise, of an EVF on the D-Lux 5 are worth reading.

 

I am using the Voigtlander optical viewfinder on my X1 and I have found that the framing is quite a bit off. This can be frustrating when I want to frame a subject exactly. I don't like to use the LCD screen.

[spylaw4]

I had a half-hour loan of a D-Lux 5 and the EVF from Leica at Photokina. I like the EVF, even though the view quality was not that stunning - around the same as the Digilux 2 at a guess and as far as I can remember.

But as I don't like holding the camera at arms length I enoyed using it. Photos may follow in the appropriate place later this week.

[JeTexas]

I could build one to fit the hot shoe using the EVF from a used superzoom, but it would require being plugged into the HDMI output and would need an external battery source. After evaluating the pros vs cons, I decided it wasn't worth the effort.

 

A better bet would be slapping a prism box over the LCD that refocuses the image up to an eye piece. However, this solution would make the camera significantly bulkier.

 

 

I don't think there's a viable way to make it happen.

[davidhunternyc]

Note to Leica,

Next update, whether it be an X1 or X2, please make an accurate EVF or OVF for this camera.

[NZDavid]

Hmm, I never rely on exact framing anyway, I almost always crop, if only a little. So 100% accuracy is not essential for me. I agree it is much more stable to brace the camera against your forehead than holding it out in front of you. LCD can be useful, but I find it is often impossible to use in bright light. I don't need superfluous finder info -- it's a distraction -- just a bright and clear image. As always, YMMV.

[phancj]

Hmm, I never rely on exact framing anyway, I almost always crop, if only a little. So 100% accuracy is not essential for me. I agree it is much more stable to brace the camera against your forehead than holding it out in front of you. LCD can be useful, but I find it is often impossible to use in bright light. I don't need superfluous finder info -- it's a distraction -- just a bright and clear image. As always, YMMV.

 

Hey David,

 

I hear this fro you and many others as well, so I suppose its something real to contend with.

 

But exactly how bad is LCD in the sunlight? Here at the equator the sun is blazing hot, in India two months ago sun was so bright temp was 43 degrees C the LCD was adequate. Colors look weird and washed out but otherwise no probs framing.

 

Of course the view thru the VF is much nicer then. But not critical.

 

CJ

[NZDavid]

Hi CJ,

 

Our light is amazingly clear and bright. No aerial pollution, latitude 43 S. Two examples: Port Hills with sea fog rolling in and hazy sun from my first "test roll". Second, strong backlighting and mega contrast in the forest. LCD not much good for framing on either occasion. But the LCD can certainly come in very useful at other times and indoors -- and the Voigtländer OVF is a beauty!

 

Best,

David

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[phancj]

hey David,

 

Hard to se the brightness from the photos, though they look nice:)

 

What I may try to do is to snap my LCD of the X1 in the brightest sunlight to give u idea how its still visible but that means having to lug my DSLR at the same time!

 

You mean the LCD is totally useless in the situations you described? Or is it like my case where colors are more bleached but everything is still visible? Could it be your expectations of quality of image in LCD is higher?