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GF1's electronic viewfinder + manual lenses

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lamego

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Hi!

I've been using my manual lenses more and more and sometimes focusing is a real nightmare.

I was wondering if anyone here can tell me if adding the electronic viewfinder can make focusing easier.

Thanks!
Ricardo
 
lamego said:
Hi!

I've been using my manual lenses more and more and sometimes focusing is a real nightmare.

I was wondering if anyone here can tell me if adding the electronic viewfinder can make focusing easier.

Thanks!
Ricardo
Click to expand...
What lenses and why is manually focusing difficult? I've found it to be amazingly easy on my GF1 when it comes to wide angle and moderate telephoto lenses. The Zoom-to-Focus really helps, and I've gotten quite fast at manually focusing my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and my Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro. Wide angles like my Nikon 10.5mm fisheye are easy too, because the depth of field is so great that it isn't necessary to perfectly nail the focus.

Longer telephotos are a challenge for me because when you zoom to focus it can be difficult to hold the camera steady enough to judge focus. I would think the EVF would help that. A tripod helps too. Fortunately I don't use long tele manual focus lenses too often with my GF1. If I'm going to haul around my Nikon 300mm f/4 I might as well bring along my Nikon D200 with it.

Sean
 
I own the GF1 and the EV1. I moderately bright outdoor conditions, the EV1 helped considerably with focusing. It isn't great, but it was far better than using the LCD.

--
-- Ben
 
I agree. I can't see focusing manually without the viewfinder (even with the little extra magnification).

--
'Nice pen, bet you write good stories with it.'
 
If you're talking about having difficulty during the day because it is too bright to see the LCD screen, then yes the EVF can help. Otherwise, the resolution is lower than the screen on the back so if you can use that to focus you may have better results. You know that you can press the wheel in to focus when you're using manual lenses, right?

--
--------------------------------------------
Panasonic GF1
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grahamgibson/
 
Hi everyone!
Thanks for the input!

I'm actually talking about the opposite, I have a 40mm 1.8 and a 50mm 1.4 Konica Hexanon lenses and I use them 95% of the time to take indoors/low light pictures of people.

In these conditions, I'm only sure the subject is focused when I'm using the scroll wheel's "magnification mode". But having to look in one direction trying to focus an eyebrow while the camera points to another and the subject is moving, is not easy.

I'm sure that holding the camera against my face will make tracking the subject and operating the lens easier but I'm afraid the lower screen resolution might just ruin it, hence my post.

Ricardo
 
If your subject is moving, then it will be a trick to use the manual focusing I think, at least the way mine is setup with auto-magnification on manual focus. When I was using my 50mm f1.4 MD lens at the SD Wild Animal Park, I had a few out of focus shots because of moving targets and the difficulty of the zoomed in manual focus not making it clear what I was focusing on.

In those situations, it was less useful, but still worked for most of my shots. I think the auto-zoom on manual focus is an option, but don't have my camera at hand to check. Turning that OFF when using a 100mm (effective) lens I think would have helped my focusing efforts.

A better LV would clearly help.

Yeah, I meant to say it that way!

--
-- Ben
 
I just purchased a GF1 and at the same time got the Hoodman loupe, It fully covers the Lcd . It has 3x maginifaction and diopter adjustment. I also bought the rubber accesory that holds the loupe to the camera. It make look funny but it't great for viedos and macro. You check out the Hoodman website.
 
Is it possible to manual focus without any auto-magnification?
--
Lumix GF1
Lumix G 20mm / F1.7 ASPH
Leica DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH
 
This took me a while to find again (without the manual):

Custom Menu --> MF Assist ON (zooms when you MF) OFF (does not zoom when MF).

--
-- Ben
 
Thanks Ben!
--
Lumix GF1
Lumix G 20mm / F1.7 ASPH
Leica DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH
 
I was an early adopter of the EVF and was greatly dissapointed in the resolution. I would have paid more for a higher quality EVF. I seldom use mine for manual focusing and use it for extended shooting in bright sunlight. Maybe only use about 10% of the time.

I would not purchase it again.
--
Greg Gebhardt in
Jacksonville, Florida
 
very interesting
thanks for taking the time

i must say that the GF1 is excellent except for the dynamic range, which is good, but not DSLR level

So now I don't know whether to sell my 550D ... ho hum
Aurance said:
I have the Panasonic EVF permanently fitted to the GF1.

I use it most of the time and especially with my Nikon manual focus lens.

See my diary for a more in-depth overview -

http://www.lawrencephotographic.com/Articles/Downsizing/downsizing.htm

Regards

Richard
--
Richard Lawrence
Website: http://www.lawrencephotographic.com
Articles: http://www.lawrencephotographic.com/articles.htm
Click to expand...
 
I have the Canon 450D and I will not be selling that in a million years. Coupled with my 24L and my favourite the 100mm f2 Lens the 450D delivers great images and is a 'blast' to use.

I may have replaced it for 'everyday' use with the GF1, the 20mm and the 14-45mm zoom lenses but when I want a change or for a specific project that fits - I roll out the 450D kit.

The Canon 550D DSLR is even better than the 450D!

Regards

Richard
--
Richard Lawrence
Website: http://www.lawrencephotographic.com
Articles: http://www.lawrencephotographic.com/articles.htm
 
I had "heard" that they were coming out with a new and improved viewfinder.
Has anymore heard this rumor?
 
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