Micro 4/3 Olympus Viewfinders

Ok, had to check them out on my camera before biting the bullet. I was able to look through the VF-3 on the XZ a couple of weeks back. Its an understatement to say that I was less than impressed. A small, barely usable screen which to my mind was not going to do the job. This Saturday past, I was in a different camera store, and they had the VF-2 in stock, and the guy let me try it on the XZ... I was really blown away. Big, bright, and beautiful. So, I thought I should also check the VF on the OM-D. It seemed to me that it was somewhere between the two in terms of quality...

So.. end result... I'll be getting the VF-2, not the VF-3, and may well sell all my Pentax gear to fund a move to MFT. Damn but that VF-3 is gorgeous! Big, chunky, and gorgeous.
 
Sue, a good choice! I have the VF-2, as I purchased it before the VF-3 was issued. My only concern had been the reports of them becoming dislodged from the hot shoe because of the lack of a locking mechanism. I've used it now on four different Olys - including the XZ-1 - and have not even come close to losing it. No duct tape to keep it in place either.

Enjoy - it really does improve the picture-taking experience, particularly in harsh outdoor light.
 
Sue, a good choice! I have the VF-2, as I purchased it before the VF-3 was issued. My only concern had been the reports of them becoming dislodged from the hot shoe because of the lack of a locking mechanism. I've used it now on four different Olys - including the XZ-1 - and have not even come close to losing it. No duct tape to keep it in place either.

Enjoy - it really does improve the picture-taking experience, particularly in harsh outdoor light.

Thanks, Chuck. Its going to be a while, a number of large bills coming, and Christmas as well, I think its going to be next year before I get my new iPhone (whichever model) and new gear. Unless I can sell off Pentax before that. I'll advertise here and PF, when I sort out pricing etc and take some pix. I still need to cover Tom's medical expenses as well so its all going to be a bit tight for a while. But, I am patient, if nothing else :)
 
Sue, maybe you'll be lucky and someone will advertise a lightly used VF-2 at an attractive price - and just at the right time for you. Hoping for that!
 
I really like the VF-2. I find the E-M5's viewfinder to be equally good (no glasses here yet), but I do find myself missing the tilt feature occasionally.

Once I started using the VF2, I couldn't take it off my camera. Makes shooting a joy (and the pivoting motion is fun, too!)

View attachment 58723
self portrait in car mirror by Lukinosity, on Flickr

That's a nice looking VF-2 there, Luke! Any chance you would be willing to sell? There is a chance that the new Oly E-PL5 may sway me away from the E-M5 and I may need a viewfinder again. :D
 
Big, bright, and beautiful. So, I thought I should also check the VF on the OM-D. It seemed to me that it was somewhere between the two in terms of quality...

So.. end result... I'll be getting the VF-2, not the VF-3, and may well sell all my Pentax gear to fund a move to MFT. Damn but that VF-3 is gorgeous! Big, chunky, and gorgeous.

I thought that the E-M5 viewfinder and the VF-2 were basically the same thing. I don't use either very much but they seem similar to me.
 
it is a bit of a big clumsy lump on top of a small camera, but it is also remarkably good. I couldn't use manual lenses on the E-P2 without it.

The other thing I found was that flipping it up to 90° wasn't simply a novelty but something that I used almost all the time.

Don't leave home without it ,,,

oh just a thought. I suppose the E-M5 vf can be adjusted for brightness etc? Might be worth checking it wasn't simply not adjusted to suit your eye Sue.

But you still wouldnt be able to flip it up 90° ...
 
You can adjust the brightness and colour temperature of the E-M5's built-in viewfinder, as well as choose from different display modes. For a bit of entertainment you can still attach the VF-2 to it, but of course it does have the tilting OLED screen for that purpose.
 
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