EVF - how do you like it?

[jdlaing]

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On 5/20/2020 at 7:43 AM, jaapv said:

To continue - there seems to be some misunderstanding about the function of a viewfinder. It is not a device to make pretty pictures - it is a device to frame, and monitor the functions of the camera. In this respect an EVF is clearly the superior technology.
However, there is the question of user experience. An OVF will, in decent light, give a smoother image (although modern EVFs come increasingly close), despite imprecise framelines and minimal camera information. Clearly this can be a superior way of photographing in many situations.
Then we have the EVF It can keep the image clear and detailed in low light (albeit at the expense of smooth panning), it frames precisely, can deploy various focus aids and give extensive information on the camera and shooting parameters. That makes it the viewfinder of choice for many situations and photographer's shooting styles.

There is no reason to declare the one superior over the other at present, and, I fear that as technology progresses, the EVF will eat away the last advantages of the OVF, ie. image viewing aesthetics and smooth panning.

 

Blasphemy 

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[Dennis]

Hahaha, love to read your different opinions, here my two cents contribution.
The essence of Leica M is the fact that it is a RF camera. To look trough, the OVF is a pleasure, a lifestyle, a statement. I can correctly understand than an EVF can help to pre-visualize the exact composition, a BW image, assisting in focus with a longer FL, macro, ultra-wide lenses, etc. But once you put an EVF, IMHO, it loses the charm and the essence.
I would instead prefer to shoot with a Leica Q2, or with the LV of the M10 before to use an EVF. But I repeat, I understand the use you give to the EVF, and it makes total sense use it when you really need it ... "De Gustibus non est disputandum" ...

 

[Good To Be Retired]

I am, reluctantly, going to have to revisit my earlier negative response on the Leica EVF.  Not that it's any better than I had decided previously, just that I had underrated it's usefulness.

I recently acquired a 135mm and found the increase in focusing precision highly useful.  Tripod tests were rewarding, and I believe that the EVF also has utility in adjusting the rangefinder to match Live View.

This is with a mint specimen for the Olympus incarnation of the EVF, which was only $100, so what the hell

[Jeff S]

17 minutes ago, Good To Be Retired said:

This is with a mint specimen for the Olympus incarnation of the EVF, which was only $100, so what the hell

With the M240? There is no Olympus, or other third party, EVF for the M10 (this forum section) AFAIK.

Jeff

[Printmaker]

I disliked the 020 EVF so much I just acquired a nice used SL 601. My main complaints against the 020 is the poor contact it makes with the M10 shoe and increased battery drain. Also the M10 does not balance well with long and heavy R lenses. This is not really a 020 issue but more of an acceptance of the limitations of using a rangefinder camera for every photographic need. The M10 is best suited for 35 and 50 mm lenses. Sure, 28, 75 and 90 mm lenses work just fine. Even the 135 is useable stopped down.  But the sweet spot for the M optical viewfinder is 35 and 50. In fact, using a M10 with a 35 mm (Summicron) lens is ergonomic perfection. I wouldn't want to photograph the world without my M10/35. But the SL sure makes shooting portraits and still lives with a 75 mm (Summicron) so much easier. Another plus is the SL has a wonderful horizon line in its viewfinder that makes using the 21 SEM a real pleasure.

I retained my 020 EVF for times when the kit must be kept small and light. But I doubt I would buy an EVF were I starting over.

[250swb]

If there weren't so many rigid rules about what a Leica M is good for, or if life wasn't all about being seen with a sleek sexy looking camera, I suppose an EVF could be quite useful to somebody who calls themselves a photographer.

 

 

[rramesh]

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Every device has a purpose.

The Leica M is a superb 'best in class' rangefinder. It can be used to take most pictures in most circumstances. Using the rangefinder you are seeing the scene as it is.

However, there are times when you need a more accurate composition and see what the sensor is seeing. Here an EVF would be a handy aid. I kind of see it's purpose like a flash. You don't always need it with fast lenses, but then you do, occasionally.

[M9reno]

40 minutes ago, rramesh said:

Every device has a purpose.

The Leica M is a superb 'best in class' rangefinder. It can be used to take most pictures in most circumstances. Using the rangefinder you are seeing the scene as it is.

However, there are times when you need a more accurate composition and see what the sensor is seeing. Here an EVF would be a handy aid. I kind of see it's purpose like a flash. You don't always need it with fast lenses, but then you do, occasionally.

Thank you.  It’s exactly the reason why I don’t mind obsolete / “bad” EVF´s (like the M 240´s), or old flash units (SF 20/24d, hell... even a CEYOO). All are equally suitable for the respective, limited tasks.  
 

For me, “chasing” EVF´s, like chasing new flash guns, is like chasing megapixels... the law of diminishing returns kicks in pretty quickly.

[sblutter]

When I need macro, I pull out the Canon 5DM3 and mount the terrific f:2.5 compact

M's were never designed for that sort of work in the field.  The old cumbersome Viso's are great in the studio, and for many, also in the garden

[Hanno]

Hi everyone

Having purchased a Visoflex 2.0 recently, I admit it is better than I thought and is useful. Though if I were to use it all the time, I would question my need of sticking to the M-series and would consider better EVF alternatives out there. It is probably fair to say that a vast majority of photographers doing commercial work are not using RF cameras, and would keep it for more personal work. 

What the M-series has taught me over the years, starting with the M-6, is to think and compose the picture in my head outside the camera. On that basis, the EVF vs OVF becomes more a simple matter of execution. When speed and timing/anticipation are key to the execution, the OVF is the obvious choice for me. If speed is not such an issue to allow timing/anticipation, or if precision/outmost perfection is critical, then the EVF is useful (in addition to low light situations or when using long focal lenses). On the Noctilux 75mm, I would not rule out the OVF. It is really a decision based on the picture I have in mind and how best to execute it.

Edited July 8, 2020 by Hanno

[luigi bertolotti]

On 6/25/2020 at 9:12 AM, 250swb said:

If there weren't so many rigid rules about what a Leica M is good for, or if life wasn't all about being seen with a sleek sexy looking camera, I suppose an EVF could be quite useful to somebody who calls themselves a photographer.

 

 

+ 1 : is an ACCESSORY for a rangefinder camera : useful and many times necessary on a M ; personally, as a rather frequent user of long focals, I'd probably appreciate M10 more than my current M240 mostly for its superior accessory EVF (but anyway an accessory... the reason for I haven't switched is the existence of CL... 😉... a real temptation for long focals...)

 

[humerc]

I just use it sometimes with my 75/1.25. For all other lenses (alle below 75) I don't need it. It also just doesn't feel right on the M. I wouldn't go as far as calling it crap, but it is definitely not high end (in terms of picture quality and also the fitting on the M).

Don't like it, but need it sometimes...

[Steve Ash]

Gerade eben schrieb humerc:

I just use it sometimes with my 75/1.25. For all other lenses (alle below 75) I don't need it. It also just doesn't feel right on the M. I wouldn't go as far as calling it crap, but it is definitely not high end (in terms of picture quality and also the fitting on the M).

Don't like it, but need it sometimes...

Well, nothing to argue about. You are even in line with the owner of Leica, Dr. Kaufmann, according his latest talk. You can listen to it on YouTube. 

[scott kirkpatrick]

On this thread, EVFs (if not being dissed) are in use for accurate focusing of long lenses  I use the VF020 for framing with wide angle lenses, especially 24 and 21 mm on an M10-D.  Focusing those with the RF is easier to control than AF with the SL or SL2, which is where my long lenses live.

[setuporg]

8 hours ago, scott kirkpatrick said:

On this thread, EVFs (if not being dissed) are in use for accurate focusing of long lenses  I use the VF020 for framing with wide angle lenses, especially 24 and 21 mm on an M10-D.  Focusing those with the RF is easier to control than AF with the SL or SL2, which is where my long lenses live.

This is the only justifiable EVF use on the M I'd second, as M10-D has no LCD for LV.  On a regular M10 one can use the LCD to frame for wide angle and tele lenses.  I much prefer the Edition 60 with the Frankenfinder though, so skipped the M10-D.

[Mikep996]

I bought the 020 when I purchased my M10 several months ago, thinking I'd use it for my 21mm lens. But it turned out that the best use I made of the 020 was to adjust the out-of-calibration rangefinder on my Ebay-purchased M10.  Worked great for that purpose!  I used the 020 a couple of times out shooting with the 21 but then realized that most of the time I could just estimate the framing satisfactorily.  If I need precise framing, I use the LCD.

 OTOH,  if I shot anything longer than 90mm, I would definitely use the 020 for focusing/shooting rather than the LCD for camera steadiness purposes when taking the pic.  

[Guest]

I bought the Visoflex 020 with my purchase of my first M10 just after the camera was available, ( 3-4 years ago now? ), since then I kept it for use on the M10-P, the M10-D and the M10-M......BUT I've yet to use it for "real". It goes out on a gig in the bag sometimes, but invariably it stays in the bag. I don't want or need it's battery sucking GPS function and I guess I just don't like EVF's in general. I use Leica's 21/24/28 OVF for focal lengths wider than the M finder allows and I never use a lens longer than 75mm on a M either. So really, I should sell it!

 

 

[Fontan]

After reading this thread I just ordered one. 

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Hallo,

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[stephan54]

Edit: misunderstood

Edited July 12, 2020 by stephan54

[setuporg]

27 minutes ago, Fontan said:

After reading this thread I just ordered one. 

Darn we all failed.:)