Panasonic Electronic viewfinder for LX5

andrewh973

Regular
Location
NYC metro are
Hi all,

Does anyone have experience using the optional electronic viewfinder (DMW-LVF1) for the LX5? I've run across the "disappearing LCD in sunlight" problem... Is it worth the purchase, and what do you think of it? The optical VF won't do, as it's only configured for "24mm".

Thank much.
 
Hi Andrew, cameras without OVF or EVF withholds me from purchasing. I like to see what I'm taking pictures of.
Let's wait for other members to advice you.
 
Andrew, I tried the one that some use on the GF1 - it will work on the LX5 (don't you love all these numbers and letters?:rolleyes:) and, frankly, it did absolutely nothing for me. I used to own a couple of Olympus PEN cameras and Olympus's EVF is fabulous. There was no comparison between Panasonic's offering and what I was used to, thus I returned the Panasonic version. I can't speak to the optical view finder choices.

There might be some sort of sun shade available, I'm not sure. Wish I could be more helpful!
 
I am using a slip on optical finder on my GF1 made by Helios. These used to be marketed by TOE, the Russian camera equipment importer. They can sometimes be found on eBay for around £30 or so. It has bright line frames for 35mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses and the 35mm frame (or just outside it) is fine for my 20mm Lumix.

bubzz
 
Andrew,
To start... Don't compare anything against anything but itself.
That being understood, I used the EVF with the LX5 and had no issues.
It helps greatly in bright light and on the long end of the zoom.
You can find them for under $100 USD and sell it for that if you don't like it.
I'm really sure you will as I did and I hate EVF cameras.
 
Hi all,

Does anyone have experience using the optional electronic viewfinder (DMW-LVF1) for the LX5? I've run across the "disappearing LCD in sunlight" problem... Is it worth the purchase, and what do you think of it? The optical VF won't do, as it's only configured for "24mm".

Thank much.

It's good, not great, and if you take pics in very bright sunlight, like I've experienced at Death Valley, for example, you STILL have to cup your hand around your face to view the EVF image.

That said, it's very useful for taking images of things above your head at severe vertical angles, esp. when used w/a tripod.

This, for example was taken looking straight up, in Lower Antelope Canyon, with very little fuss involved, as I pointed the camera straight up 90 degrees and the EVF meant I didn't have to get on my knees, etc....

P1000667-1.jpg
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)


I learned to shoot on a FS7 P&S, w/no EVF, and learned to work around not being able to see the LCD, but after having looked through my g/f's 5D, which one can see anything through in the brightest of sunlight, there's just no comparison.

The Panasonic EVF is nice, but nice as in a nice afterthought. Useful at times, but it doesn't change the nature of the camera.
 
This may or may not be helpful but I just recently bought a Clearviewer for my LX3 (no VF option). It's actually pretty darned useful. It helps quite a lot for framing. I find it less useful for manual focusing but I rarely manual focus my LX3. Also, the guy that makes them is very VERY helpful with questions and very responsive. I plan to buy one for my ZS3 as well.
 
This may or may not be helpful but I just recently bought a Clearviewer for my LX3 (no VF option). It's actually pretty darned useful. It helps quite a lot for framing. I find it less useful for manual focusing but I rarely manual focus my LX3. Also, the guy that makes them is very VERY helpful with questions and very responsive. I plan to buy one for my ZS3 as well.

And how, pray tell, has it worked out for you in intense daylight?

I ask this because although I'm going to start using a Canon 7D shortly, I love my LX5 and still intend to use it frequently in places like Death Valley, where being able to see what one is shooting between the hours of, say, 1100 and 1700 can be extraordinarily frustrating.
 
And how, pray tell, has it worked out for you in intense daylight?

I ask this because although I'm going to start using a Canon 7D shortly, I love my LX5 and still intend to use it frequently in places like Death Valley, where being able to see what one is shooting between the hours of, say, 1100 and 1700 can be extraordinarily frustrating.

Living in the Northwest "intense daylight" like you would see in Death Valley isn't really ever an issue, but in mid-day sun here it does pretty well. It is not as good as an EVF in that sun can still wash out the screen but the image remains clearly visible (colors are washed out) for framing. Because of the way it's constructed you are holding the camera in front of you as your would hold any camera with a VF. You head provides some shade as would the brim of a hat if you are wearing one. If an EVF is available for your camera then that is a better option. Since the LX3 and ZS3 don't have that option then it's a pretty good solution. It does have one advantage over an EVF...it fold flat keeping the size of the camera small.

It has made my LX3 useable in daylight where it was not before.
 
Perfect option for handheld photography.

Since I have had the LEVF on my Lumix LX5, the camera has been a perfect tool for everyday photography with a better composition control compare to the use of the LCD display located on the back. The handling of the LVEF/LX5 combinaison is a lot more discrete and secure. It can be said that it is the modern equivalent of the compact 35mm rangefinder cameras with fixed lens of the Sixties. Sure it can be perfected (as for the Olympus equivalent products) but you can be reassured that it will improve your ability to produce pictures at a higher level.

Hope these few impressions will help you.
 
Back
Top