Lately, I've felt using the built-in viewfinder of the G3 more and more, and felt in a way that GX1 needs one.

I'm planning to get the LVF2 viewfinder, are there any other worthy alternatives?

What are your experiences with the LVF2?

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Kindest,
Dave
www.xdayv.com

GH3 | G3 | GX1 | 7-14 | 12-35 | 35-100 | 20 | 45
Nikon FX | Leica MM

I like the LVF2 viewfinder on the GX1 a lot. Nice clear image. Lately I just leave it on the camera, unless I need it to be super portable.

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GX-1
20mm/1.7, 14mm/2.5, 14-42mm X, 45-175mm X, Rokinon 7.5mm

My Zenfolio

Same here. The LVF2 is very nice to use, better than just about any other that I've tried (including LVF1, G3, GH2, G5, E-M5, NEX-6.)

The last part of your post has led me to consider whether I need "super portability" often enough. I like the idea of an extremely compact setup (with a 14mm, 20mm, 14-42x) more than my actually usage would suggest. When I don't have the LVF2, I miss it ... a lot. As such, I am now testing a G5 and an E-M5 against my GX1/LVF2. Two will go.

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Olympus E-M5, 45/1.8
Lumix 14/2.5, 20/1.7, 25/1.4, 45/2.8, 14-42mm X, 14-45mm, 45-175mm X
Minolta MD 50/1.4, 85/2, 135/2.8

Wow, you like it more than the EM5? I've only tried the EM5 in a store a few times, but I was very impressed. Very life-like. Must be a faster refresh rate or something. The only thing that disappointed me was - it seemed a bit smaller than the Panasonic finders.

I will take the LVF2 off in a situation where I am afraid it might get knocked around and knocked off or damaged. If I am putting the camera in a jacket pocket for example. Or if I am going to be using the LCD anyway and want to be less visible.

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GX-1
20mm/1.7, 14mm/2.5, 14-42mm X, 45-175mm X, Rokinon 7.5mm

My Zenfolio

One thing I do not like about the GX-1 and it's viewfinder, the LVF2, is that it is model specific! At least Olympus has made their viewfinders common to ALL models. I was thinking about getting the GX1 but after seeing that it used a specific viewfinder I was turned off. With my Olympus gear when I move to a newer body I can still use my VF-2. When the GX-2 comes out it will use the new LVF-3???

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Olympus E-PL1, E-PL2
VF2 two of them!
Oly 14-42mm, Oly 40-150mm, Oly 14-150mm, Pan 14mm, Pan 20mm, Oly 45mm, Sigma 30mm - more coming soon!
Many legacy lenses, mostly Nikkor.

I use the LV2 on my GX1 and find it very useful including the ability to tilt it upward at various angles. The image quality is very nice.

Highly recommended!

Dan

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Just a man hoping to find a little light falling on something interesting...
Dan
Portland, Oregon USA

I think you misunderstood. It is the new standard Panasonic viewfinder. I am sure it will work on all future Panasonic models that don't have a built-in VF except the smaller GF ones. It will also work on the LX-series compacts. The previous finder worked on the previous GF models, GF-1 and GF-2. Unfortunately, Panasonic made a decision to make that viewfinder pretty poor and small compared to Olympus, so they had to upgrade it now because it was getting ridiculous.

I know some people think GX-2 will have a built-in viewfinder. That would kind of leave all the LVF2 owners out in the cold. I doubt it will happen though. Even if Panasonic releases a rangefinder style model with built-in VF
, they will continue making models without it that also will still accept the LVF2. That's what Sony is doing now.

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GX-1
20mm/1.7, 14mm/2.5, 14-42mm X, 45-175mm X, Rokinon 7.5mm

My Zenfolio

The size difference is a big part of it for me. I feel a little more like I have to get my eye in close to see the small screen inside a box with the E-M5. That said, I just started playing with the E-M5 and just turned on the faster refresh rate (found it in the menus), so that may be a big selling point.

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Olympus E-M5, 45/1.8
Lumix 14/2.5, 20/1.7, 25/1.4, 45/2.8, 14-42mm X, 14-45mm, 45-175mm X
Minolta MD 50/1.4, 85/2, 135/2.8

I looked at it but can't justify it's expense. I tend to use the touch to focus feature for most shots now.. I can only see it being useful for manual focus and used my G3 for that purpose before selling my legacy glass. G3 is being sold too now..

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GX1 & prime addict > S7.5 | P14 | P20 | Σ30 | O45
www.thewanderlust.net/blog/photography

My viewfinder is never off my GX1, nothing worse then trying to see a rear lcd screen in bright sun, plus with the dioptre adjustment no need to put a pair of specs on just to see the screen

Also have the option to take it off when I wast to put it in my pocket

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GX1, G3, p14-45 , p14, sigma 19, p20, oly 45, p45-200