Jump to content

Olympus VF3 EVF or Olympus VF4 EVF on the M240


Recommended Posts

  • 2 weeks later...

I have recently bought a pristine 240mp, and immediately bought an Olympus VF2 to assist with my much loved leica 21SEM and some longer lenses. However, using the EVF is really slow and clunky and involves live view, when all I really need is an aid to framing, so I'm going to switch off live view and use my leica 21mm mountable viewfinder. I suggest you test a similar mountable viewfinder before splashing out on what has been an unpopular EVF.

Edited by lucerne
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

and wide angle lenses have everything in focus anyway. If i am at F11 shooting a landscape, ill be at infinity. so, i might just get non evf version. Thanks for your inputs i totally forgot about lag. 

 

I have recently bought a pristine 240mp, and immediately bought an Olympus VF2 to assist with my much loved leica 21SEM and some longer lenses. However, using the EVF is really slow and clunky and involves live view, when all I really need is an aid to framing, so I'm going to switch off live view and use my leica 21mm mountable viewfinder. I suggest you test a similar mountable viewfinder before splashing out on what has been an unpopular EVF.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Isn't EVF still a better way (over additional finder) for ensuring proper alignment? In EVF2, you also have tools such as level and crop masks for different aspect ratios.

 

I do have optical finder for 15mm CV lens but I prefer EVF. In fact M240's implementation of EVF interface is really nice. Even if LV is turned off (I do that so that accidentally I don't turn it on), a click of button on EVF with thumb, switches on/off the EVF. This way it is only available when you need it and doesn't drain battery.

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

and wide angle lenses have everything in focus anyway. If i am at F11 shooting a landscape, ill be at infinity. so, i might just get non evf version. Thanks for your inputs i totally forgot about lag. 

The lag is not too bad, really. It comes after the shot (as opposed to the old Visoflex) and can be mitigated by setting auto-review to "shutter button pressed", and keeping the shutter down. That  way the image will freeze until the EVF activates again. Annoying, but usable and better than a blackout.

Don't forget an optical viewfinder frames imprecisely, an EVF exactly. Important for landscapes.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

The lag is not too bad, really. It comes after the shot (as opposed to the old Visoflex) and can be mitigated by setting auto-review to "shutter button pressed", and keeping the shutter down. That way the image will freeze until the EVF activates again. Annoying, but usable and better than a blackout.

Don't forget an optical viewfinder frames imprecisely, an EVF exactly. Important for landscapes.

I accept everyone's point of view. I was a bit shocked when I first realised how many operations were required to use live view and the external EVF. It is noisy and don't forget the additional load on the battery. I do own both viewfinder systems but I'm more comfortable with simple systems. It's the "kiss" principle! for those that are familiar with such things.

 

On reflection, I'm regretting not buying the 240m-d or M262 I could still use my wide lens and viewfinder.

Edited by lucerne
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I have both an OVF and EVF, but I've settled on the EVF for using with the SEM 21mm. Framing on M cameras is already a compromise, so if I have to add a clunky add-on, I might as well have one that gives exact framing, and that I can use to provide other data, such as focus and exposure. Yes, there is lag and blackout, but I don't usually want the 21 for fast-response shooting - it's usually for buildings inside and out, and urban streetscapes, which mean I have to take a lot of time anyway sorting out horizontals and verticals.

Edited by LocalHero1953
  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Preferences vary... I'll normally take the EVF over an OVF for precision and convenience -there is no choice for long lenses anyway- but I do appreciate the better experience with the optical ones.

I am puzzled at the "many operations" remark. When I switch the camera on, on comes the EVF, and it can be switched on or off by a single button; just like live view. How much more KISS can you get?

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

As some of you know, I come from the world of DSLRS and the new Sony breed of cameras. I love Leica because of these things. It's like buying a pristine fast old but new sports car where you can feel the road smell and hear the exhaust ... may be like a 911 ... I heard about the blackout from Thorsten, he suggested that we keep the 1 sec auto review on. This allows to avoid the black out completely. I think Jaap is suggesting the same .. I am returning this plastic piece of finder and getting the real deal.. hopefully that's end of gas

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to post
Share on other sites

I use my EVF a lot on my M240 especially the flip up for low angle shots. It's invaluable for my 24mm and an absolute necessity using the 90mm. No complaints here.

I totally agree about the usefulnesss of EVF for low angle shots. The camera was almost to the ground in this 15mm shot. It would have been a blind shot without tiltable EVF.

https://flic.kr/p/Tg75T9

 

It is also a must for tele adapted lenses (R or other brands). Although outside core M usage, it helps getting these shots without carrying another camera. Weighs nothing and takes no space. I will suggest give it a try before rejecting it.

Edited by jmahto
Link to post
Share on other sites

As some of you know, I come from the world of DSLRS and the new Sony breed of cameras. I love Leica because of these things. It's like buying a pristine fast old but new sports car where you can feel the road smell and hear the exhaust ... may be like a 911 ... I heard about the blackout from Thorsten, he suggested that we keep the 1 sec auto review on. This allows to avoid the black out completely. I think Jaap is suggesting the same .. I am returning this plastic piece of finder and getting the real deal.. hopefully that's end of gas

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, Leica M is like 911. However with EVF and few adapted lenses it acts like F-150 as well if needed (which 911 can never do). :) Best of both worlds.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

My experience with 21 and EVF match other commentators but I'll record them anyway. Before I got 21 I used the EVF only to focus 90mm in low light and found it very annoying. After I bought a 21 SEM I started to love the EVF:

Framing - I couldn't learn how much more is in 21 than the OVF.

Parallax.

Artificial horizon.

 

In addition, as live view is already on, I use spot metering which gives more useful values with wide lenses.

I focus with OVF then frame with EVF; if you are in a hurry, then skip the framing part.

I use a "user profile" to switch between OVF and EVF shooting. OVF has preview switched off, EVF has 1 second preview, red frame lines and spot metering.

Carry a spare battery. Live view is hungry.

 

"Perspective is a disease of the eyes"

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

My experience with 21 and EVF match other commentators but I'll record them anyway. Before I got 21 I used the EVF only to focus 90mm in low light and found it very annoying. After I bought a 21 SEM I started to love the EVF:

Framing - I couldn't learn how much more is in 21 than the OVF.

Parallax.

Artificial horizon.

 

In addition, as live view is already on, I use spot metering which gives more useful values with wide lenses.

I focus with OVF then frame with EVF; if you are in a hurry, then skip the framing part.

I use a "user profile" to switch between OVF and EVF shooting. OVF has preview switched off, EVF has 1 second preview, red frame lines and spot metering.

Carry a spare battery. Live view is hungry.

 

"Perspective is a disease of the eyes"

so I assume one can never turn off the main monitor off and just keep the evf on while the evf is on shoe. A setting where main monitor / LCD be used for previews and settings and evf for photos. Or main monitor is completely off ? Hope I am making sense

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to post
Share on other sites

Live view and preview can be shown through either the LCD or the EVF. The button on the EVF toggles between them (this may be a three position toggle including live view off). Menus are always on the LCD.

Even with liveview on, the camera will sleep.

Edited by Exodies
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...