Why I love external EVF of M

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The time-lag between taking the shot and when LV comes back on line precludes (for me at least) using the EVF for rapid-action shooting of the sort where panning and lightning-quick focusing come in to play.  So the refresh rate and resolution of the EVF has never hindered me to any extent when using a non-RF lens.  And most of the time I treat the EVF as a substitute for carrying and switching individual finders when I'm using some combination of 12, 15 and 21mm lenses, and I basically use the EVF as I would a BL finder, for composition after focusing with the rangefinder. 

 

I would almost assume that if Leica chooses to equip a new M with the provision for an accessory EVF, they will up it to current standard.  However unless they completely re-engineer LV for more instantaneous post-shot recovery, it will still have that limitation. 

[EoinC]

A detachable wireless EVF would be the bees knees especially if it had a Fire! Button too.

Which is what using an iPad for remoting an A7 with Sony's App is, or using a CamRanger with Nikon / Canon etc. I use both of the above, particularly for Macro and T/S photography - Excellent for failing eyesight. I'd like to do the same with my 246 (particularly for using T/S), but either can't, or haven't looked hard enough at options.

[EoinC]

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 use the Sony App on my A7R. Using the focus magnification on the camera shows on the iPad / iPhone, such that when digitising film using an EF 65, I can see the the film grain (Tri-X looks like something growing in a petri dish). The moveable focus point is particularly useful. Response time is fine for tripod work.

[EoinC]

The time-lag between taking the shot and when LV comes back on line precludes (for me at least) using the EVF for rapid-action shooting of the sort where panning and lightning-quick focusing come in to play.  So the refresh rate and resolution of the EVF has never hindered me to any extent when using a non-RF lens.  And most of the time I treat the EVF as a substitute for carrying and switching individual finders when I'm using some combination of 12, 15 and 21mm lenses, and I basically use the EVF as I would a BL finder, for composition after focusing with the rangefinder. 

 

I would almost assume that if Leica chooses to equip a new M with the provision for an accessory EVF, they will up it to current standard.  However unless they completely re-engineer LV for more instantaneous post-shot recovery, it will still have that limitation. 

I agree that the existing EVF is not great for anything moving, but it is usable (particularly in low light, where my eyes struggle with the rangefinder). M246...

e003 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

 

a003 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

[IkarusJohn]

Okay, so I said somewhere above I would look at what you can do with the SL App. Here's a screenshot. As you can see, you can set the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus point, exposure preview (bottom right) and mode - A-T-P-M. No zoom control and no manual focus control, but touching the screen on your iPhone or iPad sets the focus point pretty accurately.

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[jaapv]

The time-lag between taking the shot and when LV comes back on line precludes (for me at least) using the EVF for rapid-action shooting of the sort where panning and lightning-quick focusing come in to play.  So the refresh rate and resolution of the EVF has never hindered me to any extent when using a non-RF lens.  And most of the time I treat the EVF as a substitute for carrying and switching individual finders when I'm using some combination of 12, 15 and 21mm lenses, and I basically use the EVF as I would a BL finder, for composition after focusing with the rangefinder. 

 

I would almost assume that if Leica chooses to equip a new M with the provision for an accessory EVF, they will up it to current standard.  However unless they completely re-engineer LV for more instantaneous post-shot recovery, it will still have that limitation. 

I found it a vast improvement over the various optomechanical Visoflexes. At least the blackout comes after you have the shot instead of before... And you can replace the black by a freeze, which is easier on the eye.

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I found it a vast improvement over the various optomechanical Visoflexes. At least the blackout comes after you have the shot instead of before... And you can replace the black by a freeze, which is easier on the eye.

True about the Visoflexes, not to mention the weight involved and time to attach and detach it, plus the fact that the extension makes direct attachment of M lenses much more limited in macro use than the EVF and OUFRO's.  

 

True, the blackout comes after each shot, but therefore in a sequence of say 5 shots, it comes before the second, third and fourth.  

 

True, the freeze is easier on the eye, but just as hard on the photography. 

 

Basically, what my point has always been that it seems like even with better resolution and quicker refresh-rate, the EVF would still be of somewhat limited use unless the lag time was also dealt away. 

[IkarusJohn]

The blackout was the killer for me with the T, even though the EVF was otherwise pretty good.

[jmahto]

Since Leica has the technology for excellent EVF, it doesn't make sense to release future M with substandard EVF. Am I being unreasonable?

[IkarusJohn]

Since Leica has the technology for excellent EVF, it doesn't make sense to release future M with substandard EVF. Am I being unreasonable?

Not at all. But, the lingering question was why Leica released the M(240) with the obsolete EVF? Because its maestro processor couldn't handle the upgraded EVF.

 

Can the processor, sensor and other electronics needed to run the SL EVF be crammed into the M camera? And can the EVF fit into a robust clip-on Visoflex to go onto the M camera?

 

No idea, but if the new Visoflex isn't as good as the SL EVF, then these are the sorts of excuses we can expect; and no doubt our two hyper-active Moderators will find other inventive reasons, fact notwithstanding ...

[jmahto]

This is why I would like new M to be done right. Sensor and EVF both should improve substantially. I am ok with delay. Not in a hurry.

[jmahto]

Btw, there is always a reason for design/technology choices. I don't see anything wrong in explaining the reasoning.

[lct]

The M's EVF will be the T's i suspect.

[IkarusJohn]

Btw, there is always a reason for design/technology choices. I don't see anything wrong in explaining the reasoning.

 

 

Quite; nor with speculating over what might be possible, and what the powers that be at Wetzlar might decide.

[wlaidlaw]

I am surprised Leica sticks with the elderly Fuji designed Maestro processor, albeit upgraded a bit. Since this came out over 10 years ago, there has been a huge leap forward with super small ultra powerful processors, driven by the smart phone industry. I think the Maestro uses 60 μM or larger fab process whereas the latest processors are using 10 μM, which means massively powerful processors in tiny sizes are now available. What do the likes of Sony, Canon and Nikon use? 

 

Wilson