Type 246 and EVF/LV

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For the sake of balance I'd add that for anyone who is accustomed to the higher resolution screens found in cameras like the Sony a7x series, you will be very underwhelmed with the Leica EVF2 experience. It is not too great for critical focus imo and obviously the LV on rear of camera comes with the zoom only into the middle restriction.

 

Having said that, it is the only game in town if you want these features on a Leica M body - useful for checking composition, for awkward access to the standard viewfinder scenarios, for adapted lenses, for 'macro in the middle' and so on as discussed above.

 

I don't know about the needing LV for 'a longer, considered approach'. Once you have your frame, you have of course already visualised your final image, I don't see what also watching it on a lo-resolution TV screen adds to that equation. I also like the 'stupid viewfinders' personally!

 

I agree with the sentiment that EVF/LV brings many benefits and for some users they are real big benefits, no argument there. It exists, it is available, it can be used if you so desire.

 

For the OP's question, I'd definitely say difficult light and also where there is awkward access to (or through) the viewfinder, such as using rectangular filters that might block it. It also allows you to see flare and any other unpredictable optical issues 'live' and adjust as necessary, rather than discover them after the fact.

 

The EVF is very basic and far more likely imho to be 'fogged up' than your traditional viewfinder. I would try using LV next time you are using a tripod and see if it brings anything to your party.

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[brill64]

the evf s very useful when the camera is at waist-level, or at least below eye-level, because it folds upwards.

[stump4545]

I am new to the 246 and its modern features.

 

for low light portrait shots shot wide open with little DOF. which way will prove the easiest to achieve sharp focus:  using the EVF, LV off of the LCD Screen, or using the Optical Viewfinder?

 

 

Does it make sense to use the EVF w/ focus peaking to achieve sharp focus and then switch to the optical viewfinder to frame?

[Joshua Lowe]

if it's a posed portrait -

 

EVF/LV would be what I would use since it's through the lens.  You see DOF and in terms of perspective what you see is what you get.

[250swb]

. Once you have your frame, you have of course already visualised your final image, I don't see what also watching it on a lo-resolution TV screen adds to that equation. I also like the 'stupid viewfinders' personally!

 

 

The optical viewfinder is perfectly adequate if you don't mind the inherent inaccuracy of the framing. For a lot of photographers that plonk the interesting subject matter in the centre of the frame there is no problem. But if the photographer wants to see the exact picture they will get, and use the edge of the frame as an active and important element in the photograph, LV is according to market research 99.9% better than any alternative in a rangefinder camera.

 

 

Steve

[Soden]

It's really useful for spotting dust on the sensor... I frame/focus before bringing the camera to my eye... so LV has little use for me...

[EoinC]

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The EVF is not great, but it is useful (particularly for non-coded lenses). I sometimes use the EVF to set a focus point, then use the optical viewfinder for taking the shot...

a010 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

[Philinflash]

I bought the 246 without much consideration of LV or Focus Aid, let alone EVF, the camera seemed potentially great without that stuff.  But having those capabilities has changed somewhat the way I use the camera and for the "better" I think.

 

As has been pointed out above, Live View helps a lot when shooting from a tripod.  And add on to that Focus Aid to let you know where you are in the focus department.  I find that I still tend to "shoot first and ask questions later" as I have always done.  But the questions I can ask myself now include "how was the focus?" and check out the LV with Focus Aid to see if the focus was as I thought it was when framing through the range finder.  I like the EVF when fine-tuning focus although it is not really comparable to a conventional SLR. Nonetheless, I still prefer to shoot whilst viewing through the optical RF without the distracting artificiality of LiveView.  

 

But when it comes to bulkier lenses that tend to obscure the RF view, LV/EVF really come into their own.  I sometimes use a Hasselblad FC 110 mm lens on this camera which almost completely blocks the optical RF.  The LV/EVF makes this sort of camera/lens pairing possible.  

 

Note that, cheapskate as I am, I opted for the Olympus VF-2 rather than the Leica-logoed EVF but all the above applies equally well.

[MT0227]

I will use the EVF/LV when I need or strive for critical focus, or simply when my eyes are tired and not seeing too well.  If I'm being lazy and don't want to pull out the EVF, I will focus with the OVF and quickly verify focus in LV.  When I'm shooting at a narrow DOF and or trying to play and create lighting effects, I will look for a little help at times.  I prefer the EVF over LV on the LCD for this most of the time.  If I'm using a tripod and the LCD is visible in the lighting, I will use LV over the EVF to compose/focus. 

 

As most have said, I'm happy these options exist, especially for those who don't have the greatest eyesight.  I see these options as aids to the RF experience; If you need them, you are not any worse of a photographer for using them.   The end result is what counts, not necessarily how you achieved them.