G1X OVF is crappy - or not?

mcslsk said:

Many reviewers think that the OVF on the G1X is useless and should have been removed altogether to save cost and size. I respectfully disagree. The OVF on the G1X does just what a view finder is supposed to do: It allows you follow and frame the image. Whenever I want to shoot fast, I turn the LCD off and just let the camera do the work while I concentrate on following the subject. It's click, click, click and 90% hits in terms of exposure and focus. Could the OVF be better or replaced by a EVF? Maybe, but the price (and size) of the G1X would increase.

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mcslsk said:

Many reviewers think that the OVF on the G1X is useless and should have been removed altogether to save cost and size. I respectfully disagree. The OVF on the G1X does just what a view finder is supposed to do: It allows you follow and frame the image. Whenever I want to shoot fast, I turn the LCD off and just let the camera do the work while I concentrate on following the subject. It's click, click, click and 90% hits in terms of exposure and focus. Could the OVF be better or replaced by a EVF? Maybe, but the price (and size) of the G1X would increase.

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Tech Talk Tony said:

The ovf is sh*t, plain and simple. Far, far less than 100% of scene, tunnel-like, and useless except when looking through it is the only chance to get the shot.

mcslsk said:

Many reviewers think that the OVF on the G1X is useless and should have been removed altogether to save cost and size. I respectfully disagree. The OVF on the G1X does just what a view finder is supposed to do: It allows you follow and frame the image. Whenever I want to shoot fast, I turn the LCD off and just let the camera do the work while I concentrate on following the subject. It's click, click, click and 90% hits in terms of exposure and focus. Could the OVF be better or replaced by a EVF? Maybe, but the price (and size) of the G1X would increase.

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--
Tony

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Danel said:

but where I disagree is that I don't think it's useless. I will take a crappy OVF over no eye level view finder any time. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is the fact that you can hold the camera still much easier when you have it pressed to your face. In very bright light, or when you are using a longer exposure and need to hold the camera still, that little glass tunnel view finder can be very useful indeed.

Tech Talk Tony said:

The ovf is sh*t, plain and simple. Far, far less than 100% of scene, tunnel-like, and useless except when looking through it is the only chance to get the shot.

mcslsk said:

Many reviewers think that the OVF on the G1X is useless and should have been removed altogether to save cost and size. I respectfully disagree. The OVF on the G1X does just what a view finder is supposed to do: It allows you follow and frame the image. Whenever I want to shoot fast, I turn the LCD off and just let the camera do the work while I concentrate on following the subject. It's click, click, click and 90% hits in terms of exposure and focus. Could the OVF be better or replaced by a EVF? Maybe, but the price (and size) of the G1X would increase.

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--
Tony

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c.hammett said:

Daniel - I mentioned adding stability to the camera against the forehead while looking through the VF, in my message just above. That is the main reason I use it.

carolyn

Danel said:

but where I disagree is that I don't think it's useless. I will take a crappy OVF over no eye level view finder any time. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is the fact that you can hold the camera still much easier when you have it pressed to your face. In very bright light, or when you are using a longer exposure and need to hold the camera still, that little glass tunnel view finder can be very useful indeed.

Tech Talk Tony said:

The ovf is sh*t, plain and simple. Far, far less than 100% of scene, tunnel-like, and useless except when looking through it is the only chance to get the shot.

mcslsk said:

Many reviewers think that the OVF on the G1X is useless and should have been removed altogether to save cost and size. I respectfully disagree. The OVF on the G1X does just what a view finder is supposed to do: It allows you follow and frame the image. Whenever I want to shoot fast, I turn the LCD off and just let the camera do the work while I concentrate on following the subject. It's click, click, click and 90% hits in terms of exposure and focus. Could the OVF be better or replaced by a EVF? Maybe, but the price (and size) of the G1X would increase.

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--
Tony

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--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

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c.hammett said:

I won't buy a camera without a VF, even if it is less-than-wonderful. I find that shooting with the camera pressed against my forehead while looking through the VF, adds a measure of stability vs. holding the camera out in front of me to compose. Since we only see 75-78% of the image to be captured, there is enough room to crop the image, compensating for errors or inaccuracy in composition.

Basically, I'm sure the VF controversy is very much a personal preference, perhaps biased toward those of us who are used to shooting with dSLR's..... or if we are old enough, years of shooting with SLR's in addition !

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Danel said:

c.hammett said:

Daniel - I mentioned adding stability to the camera against the forehead while looking through the VF, in my message just above. That is the main reason I use it.

carolyn

Danel said:

but where I disagree is that I don't think it's useless. I will take a crappy OVF over no eye level view finder any time. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is the fact that you can hold the camera still much easier when you have it pressed to your face. In very bright light, or when you are using a longer exposure and need to hold the camera still, that little glass tunnel view finder can be very useful indeed.

Tech Talk Tony said:

The ovf is sh*t, plain and simple. Far, far less than 100% of scene, tunnel-like, and useless except when looking through it is the only chance to get the shot.

mcslsk said:

Many reviewers think that the OVF on the G1X is useless and should have been removed altogether to save cost and size. I respectfully disagree. The OVF on the G1X does just what a view finder is supposed to do: It allows you follow and frame the image. Whenever I want to shoot fast, I turn the LCD off and just let the camera do the work while I concentrate on following the subject. It's click, click, click and 90% hits in terms of exposure and focus. Could the OVF be better or replaced by a EVF? Maybe, but the price (and size) of the G1X would increase.

Click to expand...

--
Tony

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

Click to expand...

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plantdoc said:

The main reason I wasn't interested in the G1X is the lack of a good viewfinder. My G11 viewfinder is worse than some inexpensive 35mm P&S cameras. It's basically an LCD based camera...OK for many, but not suitable for me. I don't buy the argument that a good EVF (not necessarily state of the art) would raise the price. You can buy 2- superzoom cameras for one G1X or look at the Panasonic G3 (micro 4/3), which had sold for as low as $549 with kit lens and good EVF.

Greg

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ernieF said:

Many Oly and Pana m43 don't have any eye level VF

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phototeacher said:

Have to agree with Ernie. There are always some compromises to be made, but I would opt for the G1X' imperfect viewfinder over none at all.

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mcslsk said:

If you do the right settings, the camera focuses on whatever is in the middle of the image that you see through the OVF. And it beeps when AF is ready. You can put focus at an object off center, keep the shutter release button half pressed and recompose.

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