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NEX and an EVF

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jrg

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I'm curious. I'm an m43 user and an EVF is always a major issue with any new products released. Yet Sony continues to not offer one for the NEX series and it seems that none of you folks seem to mind this, either. I did a search and couldn't find anything on the matter.

I played with the NEX-5 and was very impressed by its handling. Save, of course, for its lack of an EVF. What's the future hold?
 
Search for Magic Lantern on youtube.

e.g.
Who needs an EVF ?
jrg said:
I'm curious. I'm an m43 user and an EVF is always a major issue with any new products released. Yet Sony continues to not offer one for the NEX series and it seems that none of you folks seem to mind this, either. I did a search and couldn't find anything on the matter.

I played with the NEX-5 and was very impressed by its handling. Save, of course, for its lack of an EVF. What's the future hold?
Click to expand...
 
jrg said:
blue_skies said:
Who needs an EVF ?
Click to expand...
I need an EVF since I like shooting the old fashioned way. I guess that's my point, too---are Sony users the haven for people who prefer to use a big screen to compose things.
Click to expand...
Understood - this has come up here many times. The NEX, especially with a small lens, is wonderfull at its size. With an EVF the camera changes its appeal, unless it is detachable.

If the EVF is a big deal, there are many alternatives - MFT, X100, SLT - all great and small cameras.

The NEX-7 may be larger and have an EVF, we don't know, but the small little NEX today has no space for an EVF.

Search the forum, there have been many discussions on this topic.

One solution:

 
Reason I asked is that I played with a NEX with the optical VF and the 16mm and it handled quite nicely.
 
jrg said:
I need an EVF since I like shooting the old fashioned way.
Click to expand...
I too prefer the old fashioned way - waist (or chest) level, looking down at the screen with magnification available when I need it. Just like the TLRs I used for decades, only better :-)

Don't forget the NEX LCD is streets ahead of its competitors... and it tilts . It's the only LCD-only camera I've ever been comfortable with, to the point I use it in preference to the Panasonic G1 I used to use.

--
John Bean [GMT+1 aka BST]
 
I would love EVF some times....or may be not...

I did not like the Olympus E-P2 one and am a bit skeptical on EVFs in general.

May be newer EVFs are nicer...Panasonic and the Sony A55 tout it as the big thing.

I still keep my DSLR - A700 which features very nice OVF. So anytime I feel OVF is important I grab it.

The only issue with NEX comes up in direct sunlight ....I find it manageable. Some people are upset by it...

If you contemplate getting NEX to complement your m43 is some way give Sony a month or so to show some of their 2011 stuff. May be EVF is there.

Technically it should be possible as the connector on top seems to feature HDMI output. Even if not there is HDMI connector on the side that can be used.
 
jrg said:
Reason I asked is that I played with a NEX with the optical VF and the 16mm and it handled quite nicely.
Click to expand...
The 16mm is so wide (12mm on MFT) that almost everything will be in the frame and in focus - the optical VF is almost redundant (and pricey).

You would need an OVF for every focal length, or have frame lines or something build into one (like rangefinder cameras did).

Eventually, an EVF is simpler and easier. Replace the OVF with an EVF and a lot of people will spring for it.

Not sure whether the current flash 'socket' can hold such an EVF, nor whether it has the display signals in the socket or not. A future NEX may have support for this (C3?).

Even if so, the tilt up LCD screen allows hip (Hasselblad) style shooting, and with focus peaking for manual lenses, it should be an easy camera to work with (both AF and MF) without an EVF.

. . . I know, bright sunlight is no fun sometimes . . .
 
No dSLR has even come close to the size and brightness of the viewfinder in my old SLR with a f1.4 lens attached.

And the focusing screen - so easy.

I don't think that/dSLR/ are any easier to use in MF mode than the NEX. It is in AF mode that they shine - better than NEX. Focus Peaking should allow all of us (MF or AF mode) to validate that we have the correct subject in focus and get the best pictures.

I like the NEX because it is so small. I agree- a detachable EVF would be the best compromise.
Kiril Karaatanasov said:
I would love EVF some times....or may be not...

I did not like the Olympus E-P2 one and am a bit skeptical on EVFs in general.

May be newer EVFs are nicer...Panasonic and the Sony A55 tout it as the big thing.

I still keep my DSLR - A700 which features very nice OVF. So anytime I feel OVF is important I grab it.

The only issue with NEX comes up in direct sunlight ....I find it manageable. Some people are upset by it...

If you contemplate getting NEX to complement your m43 is some way give Sony a month or so to show some of their 2011 stuff. May be EVF is there.

Technically it should be possible as the connector on top seems to feature HDMI output. Even if not there is HDMI connector on the side that can be used.
Click to expand...
 
Having been using the Nex extensively while travelling, I am not too fussed about an evf. The LCD on the Nex is much better than those on the Pan/olys. If I had one of those, I'd certainly want an evf. As others have said, it depends a bit on your shooting style and as I mainly shoot looking down at the tilt up screen (a habit from years ago with TLR's) I am quite comfortable with the Nex. I have come across a few times when I would have welcomed an evf, but not enough to make up for the extra bulk. And should I really want an evf, the Head of Destiny combined pop up sunscreen and viewer seems to be better, more compact solution than an evf anyway.

I'm quite happy to have one available for those that want them, and obviously many do, however I'd like it to be an option and not built into the camera.
--
Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia
 
here you go.

This works perfectly in any light. It's a 1:1 (no magnification) hoodman loupe glued onto the SONY plastic clip on LCD cover, so it can go on and come off in seconds.

In this pic, I have the NIKKOR 55 1.2 onto the Kipon Tilt adapter in front.





--
george

'...those who say you can't do something should not get in the way of those of us actually getting it done!...'
 
Some people like to shoot with the NEX held down at their waist and the LCD tilted up. If you like all of your photos to be from such a low angle and and you only take horizontal photos (LCD can't tilt for vertical photos) then that is okay. It still doesn't make up for not having an EVF though since it doesn't address any of the problems with an LCD-only design.

--
Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com
 
Henry Richardson said:
Some people like to shoot with the NEX held down at their waist and the LCD tilted up. If you like all of your photos to be from such a low angle and and you only take horizontal photos (LCD can't tilt for vertical photos) then that is okay. It still doesn't make up for not having an EVF though since it doesn't address any of the problems with an LCD-only design.

--
Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com
Click to expand...
Nearly all digital P&S lack an OVF/EVF. Most of these used to have them in the past. I don't think that the lack of EVF is really such a big deal as everyone thinks.

Add-on EVF, like Olympus does, is nice to have, not must have, imho.

Besides, if an OVF/EVF is really so important, look at an alternative. No point in purchasing a NEX and than harping that it has no OVF/EVF.

The NEX doesn't make coffee either :)
 
jrg said:
What's the future hold?
Click to expand...
Button-less design I would say, a design where EVF is gone together with confusing buttons... Like in Nex cameras, where the LCD display provides excellent control over DoF, works OK in direct light but drains the battery.

The portability idea of NEX would be gone if it was a tad bigger. Try it if you can and make the decision. I do not miss EVF anyway.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nex-5_m42/
 
blue_skies said:
Nearly all digital P&S lack an OVF/EVF....
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Yes, if you use your NEX as a Point and Shoot, there is no need for a view finder.

Many people whose eyes cannot focus on an LCD because they are farsighted still use a P&S. Also, when taking verticle shots with a P&S it doesn't really matter that the LCD doesn't tilt that way.
 
Not completely so Henry. the HOD solution works just fine and can be used at eyelevel or vertically.

I find the extra size of the Nex e lenses (due to the bigger sensor and need to incorporate IBIS into the lens) is pushing friendship for what I want this camera for. On the Nex, I don't want an evf to add to the bundle. Although of course happy fpr one to be available.
Henry Richardson said:
Some people like to shoot with the NEX held down at their waist and the LCD tilted up. If you like all of your photos to be from such a low angle and and you only take horizontal photos (LCD can't tilt for vertical photos) then that is okay. It still doesn't make up for not having an EVF though since it doesn't address any of the problems with an LCD-only design.

--
Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com
Click to expand...
--
Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia
 
Where did you get that 1:1 hood? I don't think it's a Hoodman is it? Does it focus? Cost? Very nice idea.
 
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