EVF's for under 150??????????????
- Thread starter STYLZ
- Start date
bitcrusher
Well-known member
Is there such a thing? Budget EVF's are a bit rough right now. If you are looking for a good deal see if you can snag a used small HD DP4 or a zacuto EVF. I had DP4 and I think its way too big for a EVF especially on a GH2. I did see some cheap no nome thing on ebay but I would rather use the built in view finder.
You are not going to find anything for under $150-
Almost $200, but looks promising.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...PEXSGH2_Loupe_EX_Supporter_for_Panasonic.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...PEXSGH2_Loupe_EX_Supporter_for_Panasonic.html
capt chuck
Well-known member
This may be what you're looking for: http://www.carryspeed.com/collections/viewfinders I saw these at NAB and they looked pretty good. I might have bought one on the spot had they not sold out.
Bruce Foreman
Veteran
Give the built-in with the magnified ASSIST enabled. It may take a little effort in practice to get really used to it but I find that a combination that is highly effective in "nailing focus". I use it with the GH2, GH3, and the GX1 I just got in a few days ago.
STYLZ
Well-known member
I'm not understanding your post. What did you get in a few days ago? And are you saying to use in the built in assist (the magnify feature)? If so..that doesn't work for run and gun. (while rolling).
Thomas Smet
Veteran
I bought a cheap one off of Amazon a year ago for about $50.00. Doesn't fit the GH2 but I made it fit. I came up with my own attachment system with strips of Velcro. Looks rigged but does the job for much cheaper than usual.
It does help with the GH2 even though the LCD is low resolution. Of course it is far from perfect but having those few pixels blown up helps see the contrast between each pixel better to pull focus. Two pixels side by side look different depending on if the shot is in focus or not. It is hard to see the subtle contrast difference but by using a 3x magnifier it makes it easier to see it.
You should really consider even a cheap LCD monitor. There is a cheap one on Amazon for $150.00. Yeah it is only 800x480 but that is already higher resolution than the LCD on the GH2 and it is a huge screen size which makes it that much easier to see the contrast between the pixels. If you can dish out an extra $50.00 you can get a monitor with 1024x600 which makes focusing that much easier to see.
It does help with the GH2 even though the LCD is low resolution. Of course it is far from perfect but having those few pixels blown up helps see the contrast between each pixel better to pull focus. Two pixels side by side look different depending on if the shot is in focus or not. It is hard to see the subtle contrast difference but by using a 3x magnifier it makes it easier to see it.
You should really consider even a cheap LCD monitor. There is a cheap one on Amazon for $150.00. Yeah it is only 800x480 but that is already higher resolution than the LCD on the GH2 and it is a huge screen size which makes it that much easier to see the contrast between the pixels. If you can dish out an extra $50.00 you can get a monitor with 1024x600 which makes focusing that much easier to see.
STYLZ
Well-known member
Awesome...I will consider it. Thanks for the good info. I'm actually finding some monitors that are 1920x1080 for 155 ect..
capt chuck
Well-known member
No, as I wasn't in the market for such an item, but just quickly looking at it unattached to any camera it looked like a decent product for the price.
Thomas Smet
Veteran
Be careful. A lot of them list that as the supported resolution but that means the signal supported that it will take in. Most of them less than $200.00 are actually 800x480 pixel displays. Less than $300.00 you are still looking at a 1024x600 pixel display. The next step up has 1280x800 pixel display which seems to be the max right now outside of super expensive big name displays. Not that these are bad, just that they are not really a 1920x1080 display. I know a few people on these forums have some of the Lilliput 1024x600 monitors and say they work well. I actually just ordered one myself today. Couldn't justify the extra cost for the 1280x800 version so I went with a 1024x600 version. The way I look at it that is still massively larger and higher res than the LCD on the GH cameras so it should make life much easier for me.
STYLZ
Well-known member
Can you link me to the model you purchased? Thanks.
Bruce Foreman
Veteran
Panasonic Lumix GX1, an extremely compact m4/3 body incorporating some GH2 technology. It was an "open box" special priced at $230 (the external EVF I felt I had to have for it was $161). Takes all of my lenses and fills a need for a compact enough still camera to be able to "hide" easily in a vehicle so I always have something with me but leaves no bag or anything visible that says "camera" and invites "smash 'n grab". Video is full auto only but in a "pinch" could be used if that's all I have with me.
Yes, that is what I was suggesting. But it sounds like one of the LCD magnifying "loupe", or external monitor suggestions you're getting will be your best bet. You might keep in mind that one of the GH2 advantages is it's incredibly compact size and weight. In some "run 'n gun" situations it might be to your advantage to not be singled out because of a "rig" saying "pro" shooter.
Sky News got a reporter into a Tibetan city the Chinese had "locked down" because she carried a GH2 instead of a news rig. She got interviews and got them back out by being inconspicuous and appearing at most as a tourist.
There are two things the GH2 will do that you might do some serious testing to see if they will work for you. One is that some lenses will work with Continuous Autofocus (one that will not is the Lumix 20mm f1.7). If there is significant contrast in the background you can see a "pumping" action as the lens focus jumps from subject to background and back again. You just have to try it with a friend being your "subject" and see if it works in your situation. Wide apertures might work better with this.
Second is Face Detect (selected autofocus mode), auto focus on the subject's face as you start "rolling" and as long as the camera thinks it's looking at a face it will try to maintain focus. I use this if I have to step out in front of the camera and have no camera operator.
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Looks like there is a new Varavon Screen Loupe for GH3:
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/...-deals-varavon-day-including-gh3-loupe#Item_1
I bought this 1280x800 7" Field monitor (http://www.personal-view.com/talks/...-deals-lighting-fresnels-evfs-monitors#Item_1) and I'm very happy with the clarity and sharpness of the screen. Paid through Paypal and got confirmation emails and items arrived in the UK +- 6 days after payment with new additional charges...
I may well go for the Varavon Screen Loupe for GH3 as well.
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/...-deals-varavon-day-including-gh3-loupe#Item_1
I bought this 1280x800 7" Field monitor (http://www.personal-view.com/talks/...-deals-lighting-fresnels-evfs-monitors#Item_1) and I'm very happy with the clarity and sharpness of the screen. Paid through Paypal and got confirmation emails and items arrived in the UK +- 6 days after payment with new additional charges...
I may well go for the Varavon Screen Loupe for GH3 as well.
scorsesefan
Veteran
I have the Varavon loupe for the GH2 and I love it. It basically doesn't come off my cam because you can flip up the eye piece and use it as a shade for low angle shots. It also acts as a great contact point.
Bern Caughey
Veteran
The cheapest i could find is this: http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wh...eographic_-_For_DSLR_HDV_Camera_HDMI_800x480/
but there are no reviews of it on-line. Maybe i'll buy it later this summer. Don't have money on something like SmallHD which costs roughly the have of my gh3
but there are no reviews of it on-line. Maybe i'll buy it later this summer. Don't have money on something like SmallHD which costs roughly the have of my gh3