Panasonic LVF1 viewfinder replacement

tv-tirl · #1 May 4th, 2010, 04:17 PM

There was a rumour originating in mid March that we may have a Panasonic LVF1 viewfinder replacement soon. Since then it's all gone silent. I've been holding my breath in anticipation [very difficult for a month and a half]. Has anyone heard an update? I'm not sure whether to keep the GF1 or bin it - or possibly get laser eye surgery so that I don't have to keep taking the reading specs off and on to see the screen!

cstevens · #2 May 4th, 2010, 05:31 PM

I believe it was just that - a rumour

Its unlikely they will update an accessory, they will just bring out a GF2 with a better or built in one

Boyzo · #3 May 4th, 2010, 09:48 PM

Doubtful....
The GF1 body accessory port may not have the data path or the body electronics may not have the computing power to handle HI-RES

Streetshooter · #4 May 4th, 2010, 10:26 PM

I'm not one to gossip and you didn't get this from me....
but the Oly VF2 is out of this world....
Well...that's what the rumor is.....

cstevens · #5 May 5th, 2010, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetshooter

I'm not one to gossip and you didn't get this from me....
but the Oly VF2 is out of this world....
Well...that's what the rumor is.....

Yeah, and they had to bring out a new camera for that, thats one expensive VF if you need a new camera for it lol.

The LVF2 is not going to be released by Panno, why would they? It would damage any future sales of a possible GF2 next year.

tv-tirl · #6 May 5th, 2010, 04:09 AM

Thanks very much for all your thoughts - very instructive. Looks like we're stuck with the grainy viewfinder, then!

cstevens · #7 May 5th, 2010, 04:10 AM

I wouldnt say stuck with - you dont have to buy it.

I would rather have what I feel is a more serious tool in the GF1 than an Oly equivalent....better EVF or not.

Iconindustries · #8 May 5th, 2010, 06:07 AM

For about the last 3 months i've been reading reviews and seeing what opinions from users on this forum have experienced regarding the DMW-LVF1 viewfinder. I own the worlds best camera (the GF1

) and if there is an accessory out there for it i need it. I think it's a bad case of what some term 'gear acquisition syndrome'. I don't have a problem without the viewfinder at all as i've previously only owned point and shoot apparatuses and not in the habit of bringing the camera up to my eye. But i thought one day it might arise that it is really sunny and i might have to use it. I can see my screen good in bright australian sun anyway but this thought was just to satisfy myself that i needed one.

So i scanned ebay for quite awhile and was really put off by the high price but just about 2 weeks ago i came across one selling from France for 170 AU (about 155US) so i bought it straight away. It arrived in perfect condition and i had a few apprehensions concerning the quality, but alas it was all for nothing! The build is high quality and represents the build of the GF1 well, trying out the resolution wasn't a bad experience at all. I can see exactly what i want to and it moves in relation to the zoom on the lens. Not bad at all. The resolution is good enough to work with and i even can use it for manual focussing. (maybe young eyes help).
My last camera had a 64k res viewfinder so this is a big step up.

But you know what! I've only used the thing 4 times! I really don't need it as the screen is perfect for me and coming from a point and shoot background i don't think of using it. I take the picture and then realise I didn't use the viewfinder again. So i'm just trying to say that if you really, really ,really need the viewfinder- get it. Or if you just like me and want one because of gear acquisition problem you'll probably not end up using it- just like me.

Maybe when i get in the habit of bringing it up to my eye i'll use it more often. But hey, i get stimulation from seeing the beautiful vibrant 460k screen and that's the fun part about taking pictures.

You're view of how good the the viewfinder is determined on how much you pay for it. Anything is like that.

icon

Iansky · #9 May 5th, 2010, 08:47 AM

I have the Pany GF1 and use the EVF with the 45-200 lens, it is more than suitable for every day use and it allows me to hold the camera steady rather than try and compose at the 400mm setting on an LCD.

The EVF is good value for money and yes, we all want something better but it does what it says on the box and in bright light is a Godsend.

cstevens · #10 May 5th, 2010, 09:31 AM

You know what - I also hold my hand up and admit the same. In my professional photography life I dont gear up any more, but I bought everything for the GF1, and then sold most of it, including the LVF1. I agree with you, the quality is fine, I just realised I didnt use it.

It was a the same time I realised my GF1 would be a prime kinda camera, and sold my 14-45 also. I dont need a view finder to compose an image using a prime lens, I know my settings and I can always see the screen, so I know pretty much how the images will turn out when I get home even if I cant see the screen perfectly.

Just get out there and enjoy your cameras, not worry about having all the add ons (unless you need them), now where did I leave that Profoto Ringflash brouchure lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iconindustries

For about the last 3 months i've been reading reviews and seeing what opinions from users on this forum have experienced regarding the DMW-LVF1 viewfinder. I own the worlds best camera (the GF1

) and if there is an accessory out there for it i need it. I think it's a bad case of what some term 'gear acquisition syndrome'. I don't have a problem without the viewfinder at all as i've previously only owned point and shoot apparatuses and not in the habit of bringing the camera up to my eye. But i thought one day it might arise that it is really sunny and i might have to use it. I can see my screen good in bright australian sun anyway but this thought was just to satisfy myself that i needed one.

So i scanned ebay for quite awhile and was really put off by the high price but just about 2 weeks ago i came across one selling from France for 170 AU (about 155US) so i bought it straight away. It arrived in perfect condition and i had a few apprehensions concerning the quality, but alas it was all for nothing! The build is high quality and represents the build of the GF1 well, trying out the resolution wasn't a bad experience at all. I can see exactly what i want to and it moves in relation to the zoom on the lens. Not bad at all. The resolution is good enough to work with and i even can use it for manual focussing. (maybe young eyes help).
My last camera had a 64k res viewfinder so this is a big step up.

But you know what! I've only used the thing 4 times! I really don't need it as the screen is perfect for me and coming from a point and shoot background i don't think of using it. I take the picture and then realise I didn't use the viewfinder again. So i'm just trying to say that if you really, really ,really need the viewfinder- get it. Or if you just like me and want one because of gear acquisition problem you'll probably not end up using it- just like me.

Maybe when i get in the habit of bringing it up to my eye i'll use it more often. But hey, i get stimulation from seeing the beautiful vibrant 460k screen and that's the fun part about taking pictures.

You're view of how good the the viewfinder is determined on how much you pay for it. Anything is like that.

icon