X-Pro1 Viewfinder - Fujifilm X-Pro1 Discussions on Fuji X Series Camera Forum - Fujifilm X-Pro1 X-E1 X100S X100 X20 X10 XF1 X-S1

Sagitar

It is disappointing that there is no dioptre correction built in to the camera, but apart from that, on the one that I have, I get a slightly different image focus depending on whether I am using the optical or the electronic viewfinder. I normally wear spectacles for distance viewing and find that I need them on to get a clear view with the optical finder, but have to take them off to get a clear view with the electronic finder.

Is this difference common, or is it a fault in my sample?

GSandiford

Hmm, I suspect that when you are looking through the OVF that you are focusing on something in the far distance while with the EVF you are focusing on something near. The VFs switch in and out (or just in for EVF I guess). You'll have to adjust your viewing distance to the EVF, without screwing the diopter too far out to drop off...

Arjay

The difference is normal.

The X-Pro1 optical viewfinder is a see-through system that does not present a projection of an image like a DSLR does. Consequently, the OVF image cannot be presented on a fixed image plane. Even when looking through the OVF, the eye still needs to focus on varying distances.

On the other hand, the hybrid viewfinder's data overlay is being presented at a fixed distance because you are looking at an LCD display which does not move. Using specific viewing optics, this distance is set to some rather close virtual distance, say 1.5m or 5ft. This distance always is some kind of a compromise because it is technically impossible to present both the data overlay and the actual see-through VF image at exactly the same distance.

In suggest you take your camera to your optometrist and try out a number of diopter lenses. Do the tests while wearing your glasses and look for a lens strength that offers a compromise between focusing your eye onto the data overlay while still being able to focus it reasonably easily on the VF contents of the see-thru OVF. This is especially important if you are using progressive glasses because you will want to look through these glasses in a normal (center) position, and not along the upper or lower rim.

Sagitar

GSandiford said:
Hmm, I suspect that when you are looking through the OVF that you are focusing on something in the far distance while with the EVF you are focusing on something near. The VFs switch in and out (or just in for EVF I guess). You'll have to adjust your viewing distance to the EVF, without screwing the diopter too far out to drop off...

Thanks, but no, I am focusing on exactly the same object. A sheet of text set up vertically in front of the camera, with the camera on a tripod. I find that black and white text offers a very good target for focusing tests.
I don't understand the reference to the dioptre, there isn't one on the X-Pro1.

GSandiford

Sorry poorly chosen words, Arjay puts a lot more clearly. When are looking at the sheet in the OVF it's the literal distance between your eye and the object, whereas the sheet you see in the EVF is at the distance from you eye to the EVF.

Sagitar

Arjay said:
The difference is normal.

The X-Pro1 optical viewfinder is a see-through system that does not present a projection of an image like a DSLR does. Consequently, the OVF image cannot be presented on a fixed image plane. Even when looking through the OVF, the eye still needs to focus on varying distances.

On the other hand, the hybrid viewfinder's data overlay is being presented at a fixed distance because you are looking at an LCD display which does not move. Using specific viewing optics, this distance is set to some rather close virtual distance, say 1.5m or 5ft. This distance always is some kind of a compromise because it is technically impossible to present both the data overlay and the actual see-through VF image at exactly the same distance.

In suggest you take your camera to your optometrist and try out a number of diopter lenses. Do the tests while wearing your glasses and look for a lens strength that offers a compromise between focusing your eye onto the data overlay while still being able to focus it reasonably easily on the VF contents of the see-thru OVF. This is especially important if you are using progressive glasses because you will want to look through these glasses in a normal (center) position, and not along the upper or lower rim.

Thanks for that, you really made me think about it and improved my understanding a great deal.
My physical situation is actually somewhat worse than normal in that I had cataract operations some years ago and have plastics lens implants in both eyes, so I have no accommodation at all and can focus only at one distance. I chose to have the implants set to reading distance and I use varifocal lenses for all other distances. This works very well for the projected image in an SLR with a variable dioptre facility since all I have to do is adjust the magnification until the focusing screen itself is in focus.

I take your point about finding an appropriate compromise, but I want to think a bit more about the options before I take any action. It is not a major problem while I am using auto-focus but I want to use some Canon FD lenses with an adapter and I am finding hand-held manual focusing a bit difficult.

Can I ask whether you have any reference to the specification of the internal screw thread on the X-Pro1 viewfinder?

Thanks again for your very clear and helpful post.

Sagitar

GSandiford said:
Sorry poorly chosen words, Arjay puts a lot more clearly. When are looking at the sheet in the OVF it's the literal distance between your eye and the object, whereas the sheet you see in the EVF is at the distance from you eye to the EVF.

Thanks again and sorry, I misunderstood totally.

Arjay

Sagitar said:
Can I ask whether you have any reference to the specification of the internal screw thread on the X-Pro1 viewfinder?

Matching diopter lenses for the X-Pro 1 are available from Cosina, Voigtlander and Zeiss - and now also from Fuji. The diopter lenses have a 19mm thread.

Please note that these diopters need to be chosen and fixed on the camera. They will adjust the camera to a fixed combined diopter value, and thus aren't suitable to flexibly adjust the viewfinder's virtual focusing distance.

BTW, if you intend to use any non-Fuji lens via adapter, you will most likely focus that lens using the EVF. Thus, it would make sense to optimize your viewfinder's optical strength for EVF viewing - which is identical to the virtual focusing distance of the OVF data overlay.

Sagitar

That's very helpful - thanks

ironcloudz

Getting a diopter has become a priority for me especially since obtaining an F adapter for use of DX lenses due to the need for accurate manual focus.

How can I tell which strength to get? Is a trip to an optometrist really necessary? Can I use the adjustable diopter on my Nikon SLR to se what works and extrapolate from there?

Thanks,

-stu

Your title here...

Arjay said:

Sagitar said:
Can I ask whether you have any reference to the specification of the internal screw thread on the X-Pro1 viewfinder?

Matching diopter lenses for the X-Pro 1 are available from Cosina, Voigtlander and Zeiss - and now also from Fuji. The diopter lenses have a 19mm thread.

BTW, if you intend to use any non-Fuji lens via adapter, you will most likely focus that lens using the EVF. Thus, it would make sense to optimize your viewfinder's optical strength for EVF viewing - which is identical to the virtual focusing distance of the OVF data overlay.

Your title here...

Hello Photographer!

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