The EVF answer? TVLogic EVF035W-3G
- Thread starter truelife
- Start date
Alphatron arrived. Impossible to understand that it was shipped with all that basic issues. Fokus assistent in combination with zebra is nearly impossible to use. you cannot see (divide) the zebras and the FA properly. the only can be seen is a mixed picture. False colour and Fokus assistant ? i dont know how to use in the right way.
Fokus assistant only works beginning at 82 an is usable at 90. no slow and detaild adjustments are possible.
i too agree to all the negative issues discussed in this thred. i hope alphatron will fix this up very quickly.
klfi
Fokus assistant only works beginning at 82 an is usable at 90. no slow and detaild adjustments are possible.
i too agree to all the negative issues discussed in this thred. i hope alphatron will fix this up very quickly.
klfi
Mitch Gross
Veteran
There is now a free firmware update available on the Alphatron website. The EVF has a USB port under a flap on the bottom for maintenance and updates.
Bern Caughey
Veteran
Thanks Mitch!
All of the issues that have been noted above existed in the prototype units demonstrated at NAB in April. I wasn't impressed then, and your comments here have me sticking with my Zacuto for time being. The only other offering of promiss at NAB was a prototype from Astro, and I believe they will be asking for $10K ! Damn box cameras and their lack of a viewfinder.
editatjoes
Active member
When the delivery date for the Alphatron kept slipping later, I got a bad feeling about being on board for version 1 of this product. That often indicates issues a manufacturer is having problems resolving. I cancelled my order back in June. Maybe they'll sort things out by v2...
The Alphatron site indicates that this version of firmware contained a fix for the "...cross-collor problem in detail." Please note, the spelling error is theirs, not mine. Something must have been lost in translation, because if it was meant to address the Focus Assist color interference with Zebras it has failed miserably—it persists. Furthermore, for FA to be visible at all, peaking must be increased to the 90% range. In addition, assigning FA to a button and evoking it tends to turn off Zebras if they are already engaged. Fortunately, given the EVF's resolution, FA is less of a necessity than with other EVF's, but it would be nice to have it working as intended. Frankly, I am disappointed with the manufacturer's QC. Something as basic as FA and Zebras should have been working properly before the first unit ever left the factory. This lackadaisical approach to R&D and production has become all too common in current times and extends beyond the camera and accessory industry to all aspects of technology. Immediate profit is king—quality and function, not so much. This Fix It later attitude has become tiresome.
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Unfortunately, we are all partly to blame. I am not defending anyone or any company, just saying that we all have become finicky, demanding, and most of all CHEAP. Professional EVF's were once in the rarefied air of those spending north of $10k - but they worked. No one can predict the next trend but it is guaranteed to be right around the corner, pushing the current hot thing out of fashion long before it stops working. Manufactures are under extreme pressure to get the R&D back and pray for a bit of profit before the trend changes. I seriously doubt that the approach at Alphatron is lackadaisical - they have a boat load of money tied up in this they probably would like to earn back. The market for add-on EVF's is kind of tiny compared to most other electronics, making it even harder. I am speaking from actual experience on both sides of the discussion. I have been an owner and operator that was frustrated with current offerings so I started a manufacturing company. It is extremely difficult - so much so that I wish I could back to doing ultra-low budget indie movies again. The business realities are crushing, mainly because of customers like me.
Tata Steva
Well-known member
There is no excuse for putting the "unfinished" product on the market. That is happening all the time. Time and time again. Alphatron EVF is just another example. The thing is flawed as it is right now. It needs "fine tuning" in software as well as hardware... I am sure it will be fixed over time. Just like every other gadget that suffered problems "at birth". I just don't want to be a beta tester ( any more:dankk2
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...Well said Carlos. As an early adopter, I accept that I will be getting the beta version. As you say, if you pay $10k, you will get a problem free evf, but it will be out of date most likely. As someone who has written software for people who want it yesterday, I have no patience for whingers who expect bug free software without waiting for development to finish. TVlogic monitors like most current devices have their functionality in flash rom so upgradable. For the money, you are getting an evf that has twice the resolution of the top Sony evf.
MPB
Well-known member
i think, like a couple of others here, i've been quite frank in my assessment of the alphatron. i won't repeat myself, except to say that on the whole those points i found fault with i don't consider to be deal-killers. i would like them to be addressed, and i imagine they will be.
Um, don't you already have the Alphatron?
You got the job as a beta tester.
Maybe if you wait a while, a firmware update will satisfy your concerns.