The EVF answer? TVLogic EVF035W-3G

[MPB]

As for the above statement in re a "proper EVF," I think one would have to be more specific. Alister Chapman compared the Alphatron to a "proper" Sony EVF and seemed to feel that they were compatible. I personally have found the Alphatron's resolution to be every bit as good as , if not better than that of my old PMW-350. However, the ultimate answer lies in the eyes of the observer.

i don't want to make an issue out of this, but i think i've been fairly conservative as far as couching my statements in circumspect and transparently subjective terms. i don't have any resolution numbers to compare, and frankly i don't care about them anyway. my intention in pointing out the limits of the alphatron's resolution is merely to make it clear that there are discernable limits, that the pixel pattern is discernable and i have used stock viewfinders on cameras where this was not the case. this is not an attempt to dissuade potential purchasers, i still consider this to be the best bang for the buck and i do not regret my purchase. i'd also like to give people a report that supports reasonable expectations.

[Ron777]

As I suggested, to some extent, and as implied by the word apparent, apparent resolution is in the eyes of the beholder. But I am curious, under what circumstances can you discern the pixel pattern , i.e. 1x1 pixel aspect, or under normal viewing conditions? Try as I may, I cannot see pixels through the loupe without further enhancement ... but that may be a function of my aging eyes.

[Tata Steva]

FINE PRINT DISCLAMER: this is just a personal experience, and it might differ from any other...

OK... I will be the first to publicly admit (on this board): for me, Alpahatron is not worth $1500 upgrade over the one I have at the moment ( DP4). I was today at the Cinequip White here it Toronto, to try it out on my F3. Main issue: screen is not worth the hype! For me , of course. The image is still lower quality than camera's LCD. By looking thru loupe I can still see the screen's "DNA"... Image is not that sharper than my dp4. Focusing is almost the same as with dp4. Again, for me not worth the upgrade... I don't have issues focusing with current evf, so with Alphatron I was expecting some sort of "miracle" (at least for the price it is selling...). There is none!
Second issue is function buttons: if you assign them, every button is just a short cut to a sub menu, not a single function. For example, if you assign one button to be 1:1 pixel, by pressing that button it will take you to "scan" submenu that contains 1:1 and 3 other options as well. So, you need to press that function button like 4 times to get to what you want or get out of it... Strange... With my DP4, 1:1 pixel is accessed just by pressing dedicated button once, and to get out of it, pressing just once again... Simple. I am sure this could be achieved in future firmware upgrades...
Third issue: build quality! Who said this is a great build quality piece??? The most it is average. That battery cover door is a joke! Even Lilliput could design it better... For $1500 should be much, much, much better. Loupe swing part is cheap plastic, less quality than SmallHD's loupe on DP4. Variable diopter is average good as well. Little trap door on eye piece is sticky on this piece that was brand new ( I was the first user)...
At the end, I am sure a lot of shooters will find this evf great and usable. My personal opinion is that is not 3 times worth the price of DP4 or Zacuto, for that matter... It has a few unforgivable shortcomings ( for the price), major being that retina display is not a "miracle"(!!!). Piece of advice: don't order it before you have a chance to try it first for your self. Maybe you won't be impressed to shell out the asking price... I will keep my "imperfect" DP4 for now and wait for something better...

[mcgeedigital]

I mounted it on my AF-100 and love it.

Here is my buddy Matt Nagy checking it out:

IMAG0213.jpg

[MPB]

As I suggested, to some extent, and as implied by the word apparent, apparent resolution is in the eyes of the beholder. But I am curious, under what circumstances can you discern the pixel pattern , i.e. 1x1 pixel aspect, or under normal viewing conditions? Try as I may, I cannot see pixels through the loupe without further enhancement ... but that may be a function of my aging eyes.

I'm referring to normal viewing, through the loupe. Mind you, of you were to use a loupe on the on-board LCD, you'd see a similar result. But that doesn't really matter to me since the effective rez of the alphatron has to be considered under the conditions in which it is used, with the loupe.

I have to agree as well with the additional points raised by Tata; if you already have a working solution the additional expense may or may not be worthwhile, but that isn't an assessment I can make for anyone but myself. I don't regret my purchase, the alphatron is better, in my view, than other similar solutions, but I think people would do well to look at it themselves first.

[Ron777]

Hi MPB, I agree with your assessment in re individual needs and personal value. For me, the SDI availability, the resolution, working diopter adjustment and the ease of applying external power were all helpful in making my decision. As an aside, and in an attempt to prove or disprove the marketing comment made in regards to its alleged retina display, I placed my IPhone screen behind the EVF's magnifier and saw the same slight reticulation—an almost fresnel-like appearance—that I suspect you are describing as pixelation on the Alphatron. Perhaps they are pixels, but if so, they are hardly noticeable and only become apparent if one makes an effort to concentrate on their presence. One other interesting finding relates to a notation made by others and observed by myself in regards to the unit heating up some while on battery power. The EVF appears to run cool when powered from an external source. I therefore suspect that the heat is originating from the lithium battery rather than the EVF itself ... however, that is an assessment made over a short period of use and longer intervals may alter my assessment.

[powervideo]

I'm looking at getting the P+S Technik loupe for my TV Logic 056. I tested the image quality with the Sony tube and a Hoodman loupe to see what the magnification would roughly be like, and the image was excellent, much better than the Zacuto. I haven't seen an Alphaptrom yet. The TV Logic is big and the dedicated P+S loupe is expensive, but damn that 1280x720 EVF rez makes a difference. It also has red peaking and histogram which may be usefull in the VF.

[Ron777]

Has anyone else noticed that the Alphatron's FOCUS ASSIST has to be turned to max in order for it work? And as someone noted elsewhere, it does interfere with zebras. Fortunately, IMO, FA is rarely need to pull focus.
Hopefully a future software update will deal with those issues ... but glitches and oversights are not unusual for a new product's these days.

[LeavingTheCandy]

I noticed that the peaking is a little funky as well. I also can't seem to figure-out how to use the exposure tools accurately. They do not match my other monitors.

[Backfocus92]

Has anyone else noticed that the Alphatron's FOCUS ASSIST has to be turned to max in order for it work? And as someone noted elsewhere, it does interfere with zebras. Fortunately, IMO, FA is rarely need to pull focus.
Hopefully a future software update will deal with those issues ... but glitches and oversights are not unusual for a new product's these days.

I have the Focus Assist on mine turned all the way up and it is still not working the way I think should be. The only thing I can get to turn red on focus assist is the display info.

Also does anyone else notice places on the edges of the shutter the light can get through? I just got mine last week and have been using it outside and making sure to close the shutter every time I step away, but already have a couple of small sun spots on the LCD. I noticed that in the corners of the shutter, when closed, I can see through, so I think sun it getting through there. I am having to use a arm for now until the solid camera adapter comes in.

Also, I can note that one needs to change the power mini xlr to a right angle. Having it come down straight gets in the way. Plus I am surprise at how hot this unit gets. But power consumption is low.