F55: Sony DVF-EL100 OLED EVF

N

ng smith

Member
I know a lot of people on here have purchased the OLED EVF - I am still not decided on it and would like some user opinions.

I have the intention of purchasing it and looked at it couple of times at the dealers under both tungsten and daylight, I find the image on it clear and sharp and easy to focus with but my issue with it is that for me it flickers which I would presume is to do with its refresh rate. I have used the Alexa evf a lot and I don't have a flicker issue.
On my F55 I am using an Alphatron - it is not as sharp, it is bulky and needs 2 cables - on + side it has a WFM and does not flicker but I do want the OLED EVF but without flicker!!!

Does anyone else have this issue?

Nick

www.nickgordonsmith.com
 
Hello,
I have the OLED EVF and have not noticed any flicker. Have you experienced the issue with static shots or with rapid panning? Some users have mentioned a refresh delay with whip pans and such, but since I have never been called upon to perform such I have not noticed that either. On the other hand, there are those who are sensitive to the refresh rates of various televisions and notice occasional flickering. It is possible that you fall into that category.
 
I notice the flicker on it when the camera is static, I also noticed flicker on the early Red evf and crt monitors. I think when I first used the Alexa I found the EVF flickered a little but I now don't notice it. It may just be me. I like everything else about the OLED EVF and it may be a matter of getting used to it.
 
If you haven't done so already, I suggest that you also take a look at Sony's LCD viewfinder option before you make your decision. A lot of people who have worked with them both, myself included, prefer the LCD over the OLED.
 
I have looked at the Sony LCD EVF and I thought it looked very good. I have an Alphatron which I think is comparable - what I like about the OLED is the sharpness of the image and the small size. Maybe something else appears at IBC?
 
If you have had the same flicker experience with CRT's, I suspect that the refresh rate is the culprit. I've heard of people having the same experience with LCD TV's as well.
I too tried the Sony LCD EVF, and although it was good—better than the one on my prior PMW-350—I felt that it was too big and bulky. And since one of the major advantages of the F5/55 for myself was that it was mostly self contained, without the need for an EVF that required separate power and multiple cables, or an external recording device that also required batteries and cabling, I wanted the smallest and lightest overall package possible, hense, the OLED. Furthermore, I felt that the OLED was sharper with truer color rendition. But I can understand why some might prefer the LCD, with its flip-up loupe. Just doesn't work for me.
 
I haven't notice flicker in either of the viewfinders. I guess it's one of those things were some people are more susceptible than others.
For me the OLED only wins in size and compactness. For everything else I find the LCD much more versatile and easy to use, but I do wish Sony had not included the option to flip it up from the side - it would have reduced its size a little bit.
 
There are some here who really don't like the OLED, but I'm very happy to have purchased the OLED over the LCD. It's compact and sits very nicely into the eye in a handheld situation. I have the Vocas F-series baseplate and the more compact size and the weight of the OLED makes for a more comfortable experience (IMO) when the camera is on the shoulder. When on the tripod, I sometimes use a lightweight TVLogic 056 LCD which is also useful when doing low angle or floaty handheld where you can't get your eye into the VF.

I haven't notice any flicker at all and the image quality (though smaller in size) than the LCD is outstanding and very sharp. Colour is accurate and matches our FSI 21" BM210 field monitor. With the OLED I don't get the lag or mosquito-net effect that I have on my Cineroid EVF. One negative is that your eye has to be right in the eye-cup to see the full FOV, but it is similar to a film-camera style of shooting and for me it's the smaller size, ergonomics and image quality. I don't have directors beside me looking at a flip-out LCD so the non-flip design of the OLED isn't an issue. Here are some pics of my OLED with the large oval Blue Star.

OLED01.jpgOLED1.jpgOLED2.jpg
 
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Very nice setup, Peter! And good points, too. I think both viewfinders are great (best colour viewfinders Sony has ever made and possibly the best in the market).

I was originally going to buy the OLED, but after testing both I realised for my taste and needs the LCD was a better choice. 85% of the time I have my eye stuck on the eye-cup (as one should really operate), but there are occasions in some jobs where I have to do quick low/high angle shots and so the flip up option of the LCD VF comes in very handy (I try to avoid onboard monitors when working on docos - I let the director carry it instead). Equally, when shooting interviews I don't want to be stuck to the viewfinder for 20-30 minutes in the same position, so again the flip up allows me to have a bit of a breather when I need it.

Having said all that, every time I see pics of of the F5/F55 with the OLED I do marvel at how small and neat it is and I do wish the LCD was less bulkier.
 
Are there any other high quality LCD options, that won't break the bank?
I have Sony's Oled...but there times when I'm run'n gun and I can't have my eye stuck to the viewfinder, and I need expandable focus, etc...but still small and ultra portable.

 
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