23 replies to this topic

[craigbuckley]

I have the gh2 and I film outside a lot but the sun gets in my eyes so I can't use the built in viewfinder... what is my best option? an external viewfinder? Can someone recommend one under $50 or if its even necessary? I really can't see what I am shooting with the sun outside...

[Zach]

A hat might help  

[/p/]

Shoot at night time instead.

[craigbuckley]

still no help. I think a viewfinder would be useful like this one,

http://www.amazon.co...g=5336062087-20

 

but not sure if that fits and if it will help.

[Zach]

still no help. I think a viewfinder would be useful like this one,

http://www.amazon.co...g=5336062087-20

 

but not sure if that fits and if it will help.

Lol yes, that is what you would need. You'll need one that fits the GH2 of course. 

[powderbanks]

i take one of those keffiyeh scarves with me if it's really sunny. i drape it over my head/camera, and i got myself a nice little 'hood' so i can see the lcd screen. i might look like a total goober, but whatever, it works. if you go that route, i'd suggest getting one of the green/black ones; the white/black ones might keep you a bit cooler in warmer weather, but doesn't help much in blocking light. any big-ish, dark cloth would work

[craigbuckley]

thanks powder banks! I will try that..

 

Can anyone recommend a good viewfinder for the gh2? I can't find one that people agree that it ACTUALLY fits for the gh2 (so many people argue saying some fit and some don't), and is good about blocking out the sun. Thanks!

[Mondo]

The built in EVF doesn't work for you? I shoot outside all the time and it helps me quite a lot.

[haarec]

Can anyone recommend a good viewfinder for the gh2?

 

The built-in EVF.

[andy lee]

The built in EVF doesn't work for you? I shoot outside all the time and it helps me quite a lot.

 

I agree ......use the built in EVF .......I shoot with this out side in bright day light all the time it works great........

[powderbanks]

I should have mentioned that i try to use the evf when i can, but there are occasions where i either don't want to for whatever reason or the camera position just makes it impractical.

[Axel]

The built-in EVF is the best. It is even better than the Zacuto EVF, and way better than the EVF of the GH3. But: 

 

> the eyepiece doesn't cover the eye.

> you can't press the camera close enough to the face to get extra stabilization during shooting video.

 

My self-built solutions were:

 

This is a rubber piece you put beneath your bathroom sink and the tube (I didn't know the correct german name, let alone the english name). It costs cents and needs to be cut at the backside to fit over the GH2s eyepiece. However, the rubber is not very soft, so it doesn't feel comfortable. Later I did this:

 

 

This is the eyepiece of an ancient Super 8 camera that was sold on ebay as defect. The camera was 1€, the shipping 3€.

[Matt]

Merry Christmas!

 

Last time I filmed in a hot sunny country I also found the sunlight distracting when trying to use the evf.

It's basically due to lack of proper eyepiece as mentioned above and positioning on camera.

 

Next time I travel I'm going to try a magnifying eyepiece on the led screen as you have mentioned above.

I bought two from ebay.

They are pretty much identical apart from how they attach to the camera.

They both have a metal frame.

One frame is permanently glued around the led screen.

The other attaches via the 1/4" thread on the bottom of the camera.

 

There are two problems with the glued on version.

1) People have said in hot weather the glue stops working. It gets to soft and frame falls off the camera.

2) Once attached you cannot fold the led screen back to face the camera. It won't close. I didn't like this idea as you could damage the screen when traveling.

 

I could find a glue on version made for the GH2

Ebay Item 270838451545

 

But not the screw mounted type so had to modify one for use with the GH2.

Ebay Item 160702665861

 

I opted to use the second choice

 

Here are the results below.

 

 

[Mondo]

The LCD on the GH2 doesn't give you an accurate representation of what you'll be getting out of the camera. The gamma shift is an issue. The EVF doesn't have gamma issues, at least from what I've noticed, so it's more accurate for white balancing etc. I use my LCD, but mainly to focus after I adjust everything with the EVF.

[craigbuckley]

thanks guys for all the support .I do use the evf but in the Sun it is hard to see what I am shooting .. I think a viewfinder like 1 of these is the answer

[craigbuckley]

so what's a good view finder for the gh2 that blocks out the Sun ( not the EVF)?

[Matt]

Craig, I wrote down the eBay item numbers for 2 of them. Just copy and paste the number into the eBay 'search' and you should find them.

[craigbuckley]

Well I am thinking that it would be better to get something to cover the EVF instead. As said above, the LCD isn't great for representation.

 

I need exactly what Axel has. You should sell those Axel. Any idea where to get something like that (blocks the sun so you can use your EVF) online ?

[MOONGOAT]

My big problem with using a viewfinder on the GH2 is having to use the LCD. I guess it's okay for focusing, but I really want something to judge exposure. I need an olld eyepiece like Axel.

[Axel]

My big problem with using a viewfinder on the GH2 is having to use the LCD. I guess it's okay for focusing, but I really want something to judge exposure. I need an olld eyepiece like Axel.

 

Although I have the GH3 now, I keep the GH2, mainly for the reason that it has this better viewfinder. Right now I plan to make a new eyepiece. I bought a hotshoe-adapter, and my idea is to shove an eyepiece on the hotshoe with 1 cm distance to the EVF, covering it perfectly, and really soft. 

 

Imho, the GH2s display is not sufficient for focussing, and the magnifiers shown above don't look ergonomic. But to 'judge exposure' there is great tool that never fails: The histogram.