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Why I love external EVF of M


jmahto

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I use the SL App on my iPhone. Set up the camera on the tripod, establish the connection to the camera, and I can set, control and review everything then fire the shutter and review the shot. Better than bending over an EVF or the complexity and fragility of a one dimension tilt.

 

I rather hope every new Leica camera has this feature

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I use the SL App on my iPhone. Set up the camera on the tripod, establish the connection to the camera, and I can set, control and review everything then fire the shutter and review the shot. Better than bending over an EVF or the complexity and fragility of a one dimension tilt.

 

I rather hope every new Leica camera has this feature

Can you do manual focus using iPhone? How smooth is the entire interface? I don't have SL that's why I am asking. My experience with Sony's Playmobile app is not good for manual focus (works well for composition and firing shutter).

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Can you do manual focus using iPhone? How smooth is the entire interface? I don't have SL that's why I am asking. My experience with Sony's Playmobile app is not good for manual focus (works well for composition and firing shutter).

 

You can't manually focus M lenses, obviously.  I haven't tried manually focusing the SL lenses from the App - I suspect not, even though it's fly-by-wire.  You can select the autofocus point, though.

 

Some people have had difficulty getting their iPhone/iPad to connect (once you get the hang of it, it's fine).  I expect this is something which Leica will get right with time.  I have had no trouble with it, and to be honest, setting up the camera and controlling it by remote is way better than bending over a tripod.

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You can't manually focus M lenses, obviously.  I haven't tried manually focusing the SL lenses from the App - I suspect not, even though it's fly-by-wire.  You can select the autofocus point, though.

 

Some people have had difficulty getting their iPhone/iPad to connect (once you get the hang of it, it's fine).  I expect this is something which Leica will get right with time.  I have had no trouble with it, and to be honest, setting up the camera and controlling it by remote is way better than bending over a tripod.

I was not clear. For manual focusing, you need to zoom in the live view. If the zoomed view is shown on iPhone without any lag then you can simply focus by turning focusing ring and looking at iPhone. My Sony app didn't allow me to see zoomed view that's why I asked whether Leica's app is any different.

 

I do agree that looking at iPhone is way better for back than looking down over a tripod but it should work smoothly.

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You can't manually focus M lenses, obviously.  I haven't tried manually focusing the SL lenses from the App - I suspect not, even though it's fly-by-wire.  You can select the autofocus point, though.

 

Some people have had difficulty getting their iPhone/iPad to connect (once you get the hang of it, it's fine).  I expect this is something which Leica will get right with time.  I have had no trouble with it, and to be honest, setting up the camera and controlling it by remote is way better than bending over a tripod.

 

 

The app works beautifully on my Fuji too,and I like using it.  But it's essentially a tripod-based feature and one of the benefits of a tiltable viewfinder, especially the multi-directional type,  is the extra flexibility it gives you when hand-holding the camera.

 

It does of course all depend on the flexibility of your imagination as well as your spine.

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I was not clear. For manual focusing, you need to zoom in the live view. If the zoomed view is shown on iPhone without any lag then you can simply focus by turning focusing ring and looking at iPhone. My Sony app didn't allow me to see zoomed view that's why I asked whether Leica's app is any different.

 

I do agree that looking at iPhone is way better for back than looking down over a tripod but it should work smoothly.

 

I'll check.

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The app works beautifully on my Fuji too,and I like using it.  But it's essentially a tripod-based feature and one of the benefits of a tiltable viewfinder, especially the multi-directional type,  is the extra flexibility it gives you when hand-holding the camera.

 

It does of course all depend on the flexibility of your imagination as well as your spine.

Mmm, spine, flexibility, not so sure ...

 

I agree it is useful for that (my imagination is pretty good).  One thing that's quite fun is to set the camera up on a small tripod, and fire the shutter at random.  It works rather well for group selfies, provided you're confident no one is going to run off with your camera!

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Mmm, spine, flexibility, not so sure ...

 

I agree it is useful for that (my imagination is pretty good).  One thing that's quite fun is to set the camera up on a small tripod, and fire the shutter at random.  It works rather well for group selfies, provided you're confident no one is going to run off with your camera!

Highlight mine.

 

Now I will be tempted to ask for programming interface so that I can fire shutter based on image processing result. My camera will take pictures while I relax and sip single malts. :)

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Most traveler type tripods are short and you can't raise it to eye level without using center column. I am in the market for a tripod and realized that a traveler sized tripod works wonderfully without center column due to tiltable EVF.

 

(Edit: Agree about the ground level macro)

I've got a Gitzo 1542, 4-section CF which goes to just under 5 ft with the center column extended, about 4 ft with it collapsed.  Plus I use a medium or tall Leica ballhead which adds several inches.  I find even with the column extended it's very steady with an M camera even with my 90 Summicron.  I have a bad back and find that squatting at the knees to look through the OVF is less of a strain than bending over to look through a chimney finder such as the EVF when tilted. 

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Highlight mine.

 

Now I will be tempted to ask for programming interface so that I can fire shutter based on image processing result. My camera will take pictures while I relax and sip single malts. :)

 

 

Yep, the more malt I drink, the more random the shots become!

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A good dram of malt whisky is a delight. Not essential but very enjoyable.

 

Using the M240 without any aid is a delight. Not essential but takes great photos.

 

When needs must, the EVF is a great tool to have in the bag. It is not exactly essential but very handy.

 

In summary a very handy tool and I like it.

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i like the EVF - finally.

i struggled with it for a week or so and now enjoy using it for a few reasons not mentioned.  it helps my focus hit ratio on the longer lenses , it allows for spot metering, i wish it was "industrial strength built" i feel if i bump it it will just break.

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I am happy with EVF,and will welcome LCD flexibility of tilt.

What I would have liked is a flash sync socket. I,sometimes want to use flash as well as EVF.Sadly it is not possible. A dual flash adapter for EVF and flash should be made. Its a thought for anyone who can design and make it.

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After using the EVF on the SL, the VF-2 on the M240 seems dingy, small, smeary and low rez. What a pity Leica did not opt for the VF-4 viewfinder, which was released about the same time as the M240 or at least incorporate a firmware driven upgrade path to it. It is a substantial improvement on the VF-2, about halfway between the VF-2 and the so far unsurpassed "retina resolution" EVF on the SL. 

 

Wilson

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Yes but we knew this when we bought the M240 didn't we. Did you try the T's EVF? Just curious.

 

I think a lot of us hoped that since the video image generation chip, LCD screen and EVF screen were all Epson components, as also used by Olympus, there would be a firmware upgrade path to the VF-4 system made by Epson. This system was announced by Epson, 12 months before the M240 was released. It would seem that the 240 CPU is not powerful enough to support the dot count and refresh frame rate required by the VF-4 screen (2.36 M-dot/240Hz). 

 

Wilson

 

PS Did not try the T VF as it does not fit on the M240 and so little point in seeing how good or not it might be. I do have an Olympus VF-4. 

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