Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
 Very Underrated June 5, 2010
Peter Johngren (Hartwick, NY)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
The LVF-1 view finder for the Panasonic Lumix GF-1 is getting a bum rap, in my opinion. Rather than thinking of the smallest DSLR view finder and imagining one even smaller, think of the most exquisite rangefinder camera you have ever held or owned, and think of a view finder many times more useful and more ingenious. In my case, I owned a Hassleblad Xpan rangefinder panoramic camera, and the view finder on that was smaller than the LVF-1, rather inaccurate, and provided no useful information whatsoever, other than the image and with the usual parallax problems and focal length limitations..
The LVF-1, on the other hand, is absolutely accurate, gives you 100% of the image (even my Nikon D-80 doesn't do that), provides all the information found on the LCD screen including a live histogram, is bright and clear, has a diopter adjustment, and is larger than the viewfinder on most rangefinders. Sure it is a tad grainy, but this is a precision instrument, not a video game viewer.
Now, consider all this, in an absolutely classy little package proportioned to fit precisely the GF-1, and capable of pivoting 90 degrees so you can comfortably take shots with the camera on the ground, and you have one of the cutest little accessories any gadget freak would be proud to show off to bored friends and family alike. It even allows the onboard flash of the GF-1 to pop up and fire with no obstruction at all. And, it gives the Lumix GF-1 and even classier look, which I didn't think was possible.
Now that the price is below $150, you should take another look at the LVF-1. If they are in fact planning an "upgrade", then judging from all the whining, it will probably be as large as the camera itself and I wouldn't want it - another reason to get the LVF-1 while supplies last. I ordered mine from Amazon and it was here in two days.
Great for us viewfinder users February 24, 2010
Turner F. Morgan
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I really like the Lumix DMC-GF1 except for the lack of a viewfinder. The DMW-LVF1 fills this omission. The camera LCD can be difficult to see in bright sun making the DMW-LVF1 a great accessory.
The information displayed on the LCD is displayed in the DMW-LVF1. Also, if you have a compatible zoom lens attached to the camera, the lens zoom settings are tracked by the DMW-LVF1 (logical, since the image on the device comes from the imaging sensor in the camera). Switching between the camera LCD or the DMW-LVF1 is as simple as pressing the button on the external viewfinder. The diopter can be changed by rotating the wheel behind the LCD/LVF1 switch; this is handy for us eyeglass wearers who sometimes like to use a viewfinder without glasses.
The DMW-LVF1 can be tilted up but don't consider this a real "waist-level" viewfinder. You have to have your eye right at the viewfinder eyepiece to see anything. It does allow use of the camera below eye level, however.
The only real "con" for this device is it sits on top of the camera and therefore becomes prone to being hit and you cannot use this device at the same time as a hot-shoe flash. Not much of a problem for me because I rarely us a flash. It does not make the camera top heavy like an external flash because it is not that large.
EVF makes viewing easier in bright sun, etc. December 24, 2009
LMN (Kensington, CT USA)
12 out of 15 found this review helpful
The Panasonic GF1 is a great little camera, but when the sun shines, the LCD (like all LCDs) is difficult to see. The Electronic Viewfinder solves the problem. I read reports that it was not easy to see through, but I think it is just fine. I would suggest it as an accessory for anyone with a GF1.
I don't use this all the time, but when you need it you really need it. July 26, 2010
Charles E. Pike (Charlotte, NC)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is an item that might stay in your bag and not on the camera much of the time. That is, if your shooting where there is shade to shade the screen of your camera. But when you need this, you really need this. I bought my GF1 because I only shoot in RAW, and I don't worry about JPEG. I shoot in RAW, because I sell my work to magazines, and I need the best file out of the camera that I can get. Lots of the time, I am shooting where the sun isn't directly on the screen on the back of the camera, and so I don't need the LVF1, but when you move to direct sun light, then you really are going to need this. Works great, and you could keep it mounted on the camera if you wanted to. There is a button on the side of the viewfinder that when you push, it moves between the camera screen or the LVF1 being what you view with. What that means, if that you don't need to remove it to use the screen on the camera.
Works Well October 29, 2009
Richard M. Holoch (San Francisco)
16 out of 22 found this review helpful
A few back I had an EVF built into a digicam, and it was awful. This unit is a bit pricey, but works quite well - and I am one who shys away from EVF's (usually). Being able to view looking down is a great feature - I just wish it also swiveled side to side as well.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
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