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Any EVF users for GF1? Your experience? Is it too bad?

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nandadevieast

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I have a GF1 and also have a 100-300.

I am looking for a EVF solution...are there any available apart from panasonic's.
And how's panasonic's evf?

I don't have high expectations, if it gets the job done and i can focus with its help, i will be more than happy.
Anyone?
nandadevieast
 
I have the GF-1 + Panny's EVF as well as a GH-1. I'll say this, there is no comparison between the two. The GH-1 wipes the floor with the attachment for the GF-1. However, it is very functional, handy and does work quite well. If you don't compare them side by side, it's not that bad and people make it sounds worse than it is. If all you are going to use it for is in bright light (washed LCD on back of camera), composition and using AF, then it's just fine I do recommend it. If you want to do fine manual focus, look at a GH series or the Oly's with their EVF attached.

No, no one else makes an EVF for any camera that accepts them at this time. You must use OEM. You can find optical finders for specific FOV (ex. 40mm) but they will be pure glass, no display of info and no way to check focus...composition aid only.

For the GF-1, if you can afford it and you think you can use it, then go for it IMO. I'm glad I did.
--
-Ken
http://www.kwaphoto.com
 
You can get a G3 body, which not only has the best m4/3 sensor for stills to date, but also a great built in EVF and also the LCD screen is articulated.

Its roughly the size of the GF1 as well, and given the cost of the add on EVF vs the body only price of the G3, it just makes a lot more sense to go with the G3 IMHO if you want to have an EVF on your camera

If you really don't think you'll use it much at all, then the Panny one is better than nothing, but its not a very pleasant experience, its quite low rez. Nothing like the other G series, or the Olympus VF2, all of which come close, but not quite, to shooting with an optical finder
--
http://www.millsartphotography.com
 
I bought my GF1 in January of 2010 and have used it almost every day since. I also shoot with a Nikon D200, so I've been used to using optical viewfinders for years. Most of the time I do just fine using the GF1's LCD display because it is bright enough and high-res enough for indoors and overcast days (which we have plenty of here in the Pacific NW). I decided to buy the LVF1 for a couple of reasons though:
  • The Summer months here are really bright. We go from overcast most of the time to being bright and sunny every day for two or three months. Last Summer I struggled a bit to compose with the GF1 in broad daylight, but I managed. I could see the display well enough to get the basic composition and to read the numbers, but I wanted the LVF1 for this Summer so I could see things better.
  • I photograph our baby girl a lot, and having a tilt-up viewfinder or LCD makes it easier to get certain perspectives.
nandadevieast said:
I have a GF1 and also have a 100-300.

I am looking for a EVF solution...are there any available apart from panasonic's.
Click to expand...
Yes... there is the ClearViewer, which attaches to the camera and flips out to magnify the view of the LCD. People who have tried it seem to like it a lot, but it sounds like in some bright conditions you still need to shade it with your hand. I'm not sure if you can rest it against your eye to steady your shot though... if that is what you are thinking with the 100-300. There are also optical viewfinders, but they only match the angle of view of specific focal lengths like the 20mm.
nandadevieast said:
And how's panasonic's evf?

I don't have high expectations, if it gets the job done and i can focus with its help, i will be more than happy.
Click to expand...
Good... you don't want high expectations with the LVF1 :D

I read a lot of reviews both positive and negative before I bought it. My expectations were not high either, and so far I am glad I have it. I wish I had gotten it earlier.

First, the bad:
  • Low resolution so the image is kind of small and cheesy.
  • Image is a bit washed out compared to what you see on the LCD.
  • It doesn't make as big of a difference in bright sunlight as I had hoped, but it does help. Not as much as the optical viewfinder on my Nikon D200 though. It is better in bright light if I take off my glasses and adjust the diopter, but even with the glasses it helps.
  • No sensor to automatically switch between the viewfinder and LCD. You have to press the button on the side of the viewfinder to toggle between them.
  • Takes up the hotshoe, but only an issue if you want to use an external flash at the same time.
  • One more accessory to have to carry and when mounted it makes the GF1 less compact (but so does the 100-300 ;-))
Now the good:
  • Provides 100% coverage of the frame.
  • As I mentioned above, it does help me compose and manually focus in bright conditions. Not as dramatic of a difference as I had hoped, but enough to make it worth using.
  • Diopter has generous room for adjustments. I am very near-sighted and I can see a clear and sharp image with or without my glasses.
  • Seems well-made and interfaces well with the camera. Viewing settings and even making changes in a menu is easy to do in-viewfinder.
  • Resolution is just enough to aid manual focusing... especially if you magnify to focus. Just make sure you fine-tune the diopter. I've used it with my Nikon 50mm prime quite a bit.
  • It protrudes enough from the back of the camera so you can press it against your eye-socket to steady the shot without crushing your nose into the LCD too much (I have an average size nose).
So yes...I'm glad I bought it, but now I'm wondering: Should I buy an EP3 and the higher resolution Olympus VF-2? Should I go for the slight size increase and get the G3 with it's built-in high resolution EVF and articulating LCD? I will probably stick with the GF1 and LVF1 for now. The GF1 is excellent for most of the photos I take with it. The LVF1 may not be as nice as a higher resolution EVF or optical viewfinder, but it is much better than the tiny little optical viewfinders that used to come on compact cameras that didn't cover more than about 75% of the frame.
 
The GF1's LVF1 is mediocre. I'm glad I have it for framing in bright-sunlight conditions, but I wouldn't try to use it for manual focusing. Worse, it seriously hurts the GF1's pocketability with a pancake lens. The G3 looks like it's arguably no bulkier than a GF1+LVF1 combo, and the Gx/GHx viewfinder is in a whole different league.
 
millsart said:
You can get a G3 body, which not only has the best m4/3 sensor for stills to date, but also a great built in EVF and also the LCD screen is articulated.
Click to expand...
This is definitely worth considering, and I would also consider the EP3 with the VF-2. I'm considering selling my GF1+LVF1 for one of those options, but I'll probably keep the GF1. It offers excellent IQ for most of the photos I take with it. It's just tempting because it wouldn't cost that much to upgrade after selling the GF1+LVF1 (at least not to the G3. The cost of the VF-2 would make an EP3 upgrade more expensive).
 
Hans Andersen said:
The GF1's LVF1 is mediocre. I'm glad I have it for framing in bright-sunlight conditions, but I wouldn't try to use it for manual focusing. Worse, it seriously hurts the GF1's pocketability with a pancake lens. The G3 looks like it's arguably no bulkier than a GF1+LVF1 combo, and the Gx/GHx viewfinder is in a whole different league.
Click to expand...
I agree that the LVF1 is mediocre, but disagree on the manual focus utility. I use it to manually focus a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 quite often and it works just fine for me as long as the diopter is at the right setting. It would be much nicer for manual focus if the resolution was higher, but it's high enough for me to tell when I've reached optimal focus.
 
I agree Ken. I had the G1 but added the GF1 when it came out but only did so knowing it would have the aux. EVF which I got as soon as it was available. I do use it and actually leave it on the GF1 all the time but, as said, it can't compare to the G1s and now my G3. Still I was able to use magnified MF assist with it--though its easier with the better EVFs. It def. helps attain focus where you want it with AF lenses in bright light where the LCD is very difficult to use.

Diane
kwa_photo said:
I have the GF-1 + Panny's EVF as well as a GH-1. I'll say this, there is no comparison between the two. The GH-1 wipes the floor with the attachment for the GF-1. However, it is very functional, handy and does work quite well. If you don't compare them side by side, it's not that bad and people make it sounds worse than it is. If all you are going to use it for is in bright light (washed LCD on back of camera), composition and using AF, then it's just fine I do recommend it. If you want to do fine manual focus, look at a GH series or the Oly's with their EVF attached.

No, no one else makes an EVF for any camera that accepts them at this time. You must use OEM. You can find optical finders for specific FOV (ex. 40mm) but they will be pure glass, no display of info and no way to check focus...composition aid only.

For the GF-1, if you can afford it and you think you can use it, then go for it IMO. I'm glad I did.
--
-Ken
http://www.kwaphoto.com
Click to expand...
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1
 
I am really enjoying my G3 and it does feel like a better GF1 or maybe a terrific blend of my G1 and GF1. Can't wait for RAW support in LR and PS.

Diane
Hans Andersen said:
The GF1's LVF1 is mediocre. I'm glad I have it for framing in bright-sunlight conditions, but I wouldn't try to use it for manual focusing. Worse, it seriously hurts the GF1's pocketability with a pancake lens. The G3 looks like it's arguably no bulkier than a GF1+LVF1 combo, and the Gx/GHx viewfinder is in a whole different league.
Click to expand...
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1
 
nandadevieast said:
I have a GF1 and also have a 100-300.

I am looking for a EVF solution...are there any available apart from panasonic's.
And how's panasonic's evf?

I don't have high expectations, if it gets the job done and i can focus with its help, i will be more than happy.
Anyone?
nandadevieast
Click to expand...
The EVF for the GF1 is good and useful, it is not so good like the built in EVF but it is a decent one, I use it often

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

God is the tangential point between zero and infinity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

God always take the simplest way.
 
Hi,

Sorry for being this late in following up your replies. Thanks a lot. I do get a sense of it.

I need the EVF for steadying the 100-300. I don't need it for bright sunlights when the LCD gets washed out, or manual focussing either. I will autofocus on this lens and find it difficult to hold the camera steady with this particular lens.
Going by what you say, should be fine. What say?
nandadevieast
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agnihot
 
A lot of the EVF's good and bad points have been covered here. As others have pointed out, don't have high expectations.

That being said, I have it on my camera almost 100% of the time outdoors and maybe 50% of the time indoors. I use it for the following reasons:
  • Invaluable in bright outdoors. Framing would otherwise be impossible on the LCD;
  • To my mind, provides at least a stop of additional body stability compared to looking at the LCD a foot or so away from you.
I've used the EVF on the GF1 as well for manual focusing a Canon nFD 50/f1.4 lens. With the manual focus assist, I was able to nail 90-95% of my candid shots in my last outing using the EVF on the GF1

When I first purchased my GF1 I thought the EVF would be redundant and unnecessary. Considering above, I'm almost certain my next body purchase would either be the G3 or the GF-Pro (assuming it comes with a viewfinder).

Regards,
AJW
nandadevieast said:
Hi,

Sorry for being this late in following up your replies. Thanks a lot. I do get a sense of it.

I need the EVF for steadying the 100-300. I don't need it for bright sunlights when the LCD gets washed out, or manual focussing either. I will autofocus on this lens and find it difficult to hold the camera steady with this particular lens.
Going by what you say, should be fine. What say?
nandadevieast
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agnihot
Click to expand...
--
Panasonic GF1;
Panasonic 20mm, 45mm, 7-14mm, 14-45mm, and 45-200mm;
Canon FD 50mm f1.4 nFD.
 
I decided to get a Clearviewer, because the price ($40) was more palatable than for the EVF. It works quite well for what it is. I use it mainly with a manual focus lens (50 mm f2), but sometimes also for video (which I do with manual focus even with the Pana 20 mm). Sometimes i am not 100% sure the i have the focus right, but i've been able to get some great shots with this device. I chose the one that mounts on the hotshoe, so i can take it on an off quickly.

Drusus
 
If using long lenses is typical for you, then I would buy a GH-1 body and a supplement for your GF-1. You can get them for around $400. I have both the GF-1 and the GH-1. When I know I'll be using bigger lenses, I take the GH-1. Not only do you have a superior EVF, but the grip and overall balance is better, not to mention a great video camera.

GF-1 is great paired with the 20 or 14-45, but if telephoto zooms are your thing, then I'd get something different.

SF Photo Gal
Canon 1DsIII & 5DII/Panasonic GH1-GF1-LX3
 
It will work fine with the GF-1 and the 100-300.

Plus one fact that hasn't been mentioned is that it also works on the Panasonic LX-5.

I agree with other comments. If you are going to use telephoto, heavier lenses often, I'd consider a body with a better grip rather than investing in a usable (read mediocre) solution.

--
Dave
 
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