Olympus VF-1 Viewfinder ???

[DeanD]

Hello All -

At times I've been frustrated framing using the LCD -- perhaps because of aging eyes, or old habits, or plain old impatience. I frequently have the 17mm on my EP-1 and was wondering about the matched VF-1 viewfinder. Is anybody using this? What are your impressions?

Thanks in advance.

- DeanD

 

[Streetshooter]

Dean,
I like the viewfinder. On the street it's a very fast way to work.
What I also do is and it takes some practice.....I use the AF with the finder.
I have not missed a single frame doing this.
So, with or without glasses on, you get a nice bright clean view.

You need to set the camera up for the best use of the finder but it's easy to do
Shooter

 

[DeanD]

Good to know. Thanks for the reply. What settings do you use with the VF?

Generally I set the camera to Aperture priority, focus to the AEL/AFL button and exposure compensation to the dial. I frequently "pre-focus" to about 10 feet when on the street.

- Dean

 

[hohoho]

Have you thought of using a finder designed for a 35mm lens on a "35mm" (36x24mm) rangefinder camera? There are one or two Soviet models that are rather inelegant but good.

 

[DeanD]

I would certainly consider it -- can you point me in their direction?

 

[Streetshooter]

Ho...the issue is the aspect ratio is off. Those finders are 3/2 and these cameras are 4/3.
Maybe it's ok but it would drive me crazy.....

Dean,
I set the camera to AF button for AF...
FN button for LCD screen on/off
Lens reset to ..no
works good...the camera can go to sleep or off and then it's where ya left it focused at last use.
The finder sees about 92%, it sees slightly more on the bottom than the top or sides, but is very easy to learn the finders vision..

shooter

 

[DeanD]

Thanks, you just saved me a couple of bucks. :smile:

 

[Streetshooter]

The 17 finder is actually very good.
It's as accurate as any if the Leuca finders I have.
And it bounces without breaking....

 

[Armanius]

My apologies for what may sound like a dumb question. But ...

How does an add-on OVF like the VF1 work? Is it pretty much the same thing as looking through the OVF of a SLR camera? In other words, if the image is out of focus, the image will then be blurry, as seen through the add-on OVF? And as soon as you auto-focus or manually focus the lens, then the image will look clear through the add-on OVF? Or maybe the OVF is only used for framing purposes, and has no utility as far as focusing is concerned?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Streetshooter]

With the finder all you see is focused image.
There is no info or dof issues.
It does nothing but give you a clear frame reference.
Wonderful...

 

[Armanius]

With the finder all you see is focused image.
There is no info or dof issues.
It does nothing but give you a clear frame reference.
Wonderful...

So what you are saying is that if the image is out of focus, I will not be able to determine that from the OVF? If that's the case, and the sole use of the add-on OVF is for framing, is there any benefit to using an add-on OVF? Even if the most of the rear LCD is washed out by light, one can probably still use it for framing purposes.

The VF1 add-on OVF does look really cool though! Looks cooler than the EVF on my EP2.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Streetshooter]

There is no faster framing method than the finder.
Even in low light you have a good clear view.
With practice, you can use the AF with it.

I usually set the AF target down 1 click...
It hit almost always accurate....