Live view vs EVF

[Hoya]

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Just purchased a Visioflex 2 for my M10R and after mounting it and using it I find it…does exactly the same thing as Live View. 

Other than the ergonomics of raising the camera to the eye/ability to angle the view upwards from the camera, is there anything to recommend it? Seems like live view is essentially a built-in EVF. Am I missing something? 

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[TomB_tx]

You are correct.

[hepcat]

41 minutes ago, Hoya said:

Other than the ergonomics of raising the camera to the eye/ability to angle the view upwards from the camera, is there anything to recommend it? Seems like live view is essentially a built-in EVF. Am I missing something? 

Live view is fine when the screen is bright and contrasty enough to make use of it, or when having a live view screen light up the back of your camera and face isn't in the best interest of the image or the crowd (stage performance, for instance.)   The Visoflex 2 offers a better option for bright-light live viewing, and for more discreet use in circumstances where a glowing LCD screen may not be desireable, as well as the ergonomics of using eye level viewing for live view.

[dpitt]

In addition to the advantages mentioned above using the EVF also has these advantages:

1. It is easier to judge colors and and exposure because the light outside does not influence the EVF as much as with LV
2. It saves battery when using EVF or RF most of the time
3. It helps keeping the camera steady when using longer exposures (same as using the RF). With the camera to raised to the eye, your body forms a natural 3 point support.
4. You can set eye correction on the EVF.
   Using LV to shoot is very hard for me because of need for reading glasses to see the back screen sharply and with reading glasses on I can not see beyond 2 m. To look at  the subject I have to glance over my glasses. Using EVF with eye correction allows me to shoot without glasses on.
    

[overexposed]

8 hours ago, Hoya said:

Just purchased a Visioflex 2 for my M10R and after mounting it and using it I find it…does exactly the same thing as Live View. 

Other than the ergonomics of raising the camera to the eye/ability to angle the view upwards from the camera, is there anything to recommend it? Seems like live view is essentially a built-in EVF. Am I missing something? 

what else did you expect?

 

the advantages are obvious though, diopter settings, i increasingly need to pull my head away from the rear screen to see things clear(getting old), with the EVF i see everything big and clear and can judge the scenery better.

waist level viewing is also an advantage when wanted and needed.

[Luke_Miller]

I would add that using the EVF (like when using the optical rangefinder) adds a third point of contact, the face, which provides more stability and the use of slower shutter speeds.

[Hoya]

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Thanks all - the diopter point is compelling - I'm getting older as well and typically hike up my glasses to see the LV screen, which is a pain. I'm going to take it out for a spin with my 75 Summilux, see how it impacts speed and flow of framing/fine focus.

[nameBrandon]

I've found it far more useful on the M11 than on the prior M10 bodies I owned. I can't remember if you can assign a function to the rear wheel "push" button on the M10(x) but FWIW, i turned off auto-magnification and assigned focus assistance to that push button on the M11. Works much better that way IMO, only comes on when I need it, and seems to have the image appear sooner in the EVF as well.

I was never happy with it on the M10, ultimately it was a distraction, and I stopped using it.

Edited November 9, 2023 by nameBrandon

[Pixeleater]

20 hours ago, hepcat said:

Live view is fine when the screen is bright and contrasty enough to make use of it, or when having a live view screen light up the back of your camera and face isn't in the best interest of the image or the crowd (stage performance, for instance.)   The Visoflex 2 offers a better option for bright-light live viewing, and for more discreet use in circumstances where a glowing LCD screen may not be desireable, as well as the ergonomics of using eye level viewing for live view.

Agreed. I've started to use my Visoflex 2 owing to aging eyesight. When I do, I use these EVF/Display Control settings to maintain discreetness, unfortunately at the expense of reduced battery life. Have to carry more batteries, etc.

Play Screen Target - Auto

LV Screen Target - EVF

Auto Review Screen Target - EVF

 

[Jeff S]

Neither.  The RF/VF works perfectly for me, with diopter and glasses to optimize focusing with aging eyes.  I leave glasses on (corrects for distance and astigmatism… and sun glare in daylight) so that I can still see the world when my camera isn’t raised to my eye. This provides long battery life, discreet and compact design, clear view and stable handholding.  Live View comes in handy only for checking lens or camera calibration. An SL2 serves complementary needs when a superb EVF is warranted. 

Jeff

Edited November 10, 2023 by Jeff S

[Mikep996]

I use the visoflex (1) if I need the features; I never use the screen on the camera to take pics.

[IkarusJohn]

It’s an excellent option for my M10-D. 

[mujk]

Several years ago I purchased the Visoflex (020) specifically for use with the 21 SEM on the M10. To my surprise I realised that I actually don't use it very much, particularly in situations where I change lenses more frequently and/or in more rapid shooting situations. Instead I seem to have have adopted the method of focusing and checking exposure using the RF and framing using the LCD, in the same way as when using an external brightline finder with a film M. I think the reason is that, for me, determining the exact plane of focus is so much slower using the EVF or LCD than with the RF.