Canon hybrid VF patent

[Tristin]

http://m.dpreview.com/news/1155069571/canon-files-patent-for-design-of-hybrid-viewfinder-aimed-at-dslr-cameras

I knew it was inrvitable for someone to do it.  I just hope Nikon is one of them.

[Matthew Currie]

A selectable viewfinder live view, which allows for digital zoom, would certainly change the functionality of DX cameras for use with manual focus and macro lenses.  How I would love to have a little button that toggles between a normal viewfinder view and a momentary magnified live view!

 

[Tristin]

Yeah, the ways a HVF would be really useful are plentiful.  Not that I do much video, but it would make video bearable with a DSLR.  Holding my chunk DSLR out in front of me like a PS is not fun at all.

[pluton]

I'd like something along these lines, but, yes....in a Nikon, please!
The system described would seem to cut the brightness of both the OVF and the EVF by one stop...they use the term "half mirror".
It does eliminate the need for a high-precision but high-cost mechanical/optical solution such as a flip-in/rotating mirror or prism.

[richardHaw]

i have mixed feelings about this. i like my VF to be as uncluttered as possible

when i had the X100s and almost jumped to the mirrorless hype bandwagon, i always had it on OVF since i hate the lag and the cluttered display of an EVF.
if i were given a choice, maybe focus peaking on the OVF overlay should be nice for what i do because i focus manually everyday except for important or paid jobs

[Tristin]

Pluton, it looks like only the EVF projection is passed through a half mirror.

Richard, I would hope that a Nikon HVF would have all possible overlays as options.  I too would prefer to have my completely uncluttered OVF.  I often wish I could turn off the AF bracket.  A friend of mine has an OM5, I was blow away by how cluttered the EVF was.  What an eyesore.

[richardHaw]

Pluton, it looks like only the EVF projection is passed through a half mirror.

Richard, I would hope that a Nikon HVF would have all possible overlays as options.  I too would prefer to have my completely uncluttered OVF.  I often wish I could turn off the AF bracket.  A friend of mine has an OM5, I was blow away by how cluttered the EVF was.  What an eyesore.

yeah,man. you should see the sony one

[tommiejeep]

I would have to go back and do some digging but Nikon filed a Patent for a Hybrid VF quite some time back.

There are many things I like about the EVFs for some types of shooting but for shooting fast action I have to have an OVF.  I just cannot pick up a target, and track, instantly with the Olympus or Sony.  With the Olympus EM1 I can easily 'de-clutter' the EVF.  Sony is pretty much the same but still learning.  Shooting more than one system works for me.  At some point I would like to try a Fuji but it seems Fuji has dropped the Hybrid in the XT-1 and the X100T is still pretty expensive just to try it.

On my recent trip, with hours in an SUV travelling in the desert, my keeper rate from the Df, at 60+ kph was pretty good and that was with the 105 f2D, I missed having the 70-200 2.8vrII.  Not even close with the Sony a7II and my wife only had a few with the EM1 and those where when we had to slow right down passing trough villages (or very bad roads). 
As far as a Hybrid, just have to wait and see how it would function 

[Akira]

The idea is interesting.  But the entire optical system of the ocular is so long that it wouldn't fit the conventional DSLR style design.  The form factor like Pentax 645Z or Canon C series would be more appropriate.

Egami, the author of the original website, wonders how to keep the large magnification factor of the viewfinder image with this design.

http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2016-03-23

[bjornthun]

Pluton, it looks like only the EVF projection is passed through a half mirror.

Richard, I would hope that a Nikon HVF would have all possible overlays as options.  I too would prefer to have my completely uncluttered OVF.  I often wish I could turn off the AF bracket.  A friend of mine has an OM5, I was blow away by how cluttered the EVF was.  What an eyesore.

When I had an Olympus OM-D, I had no problems with cluttering of the viewfinder. Presently I use Sony A7/A7II and have no problems. EVFs are of course customizable wrt. what information they show.

The biggest eyesore for me has been DSLR OVFs that are really poor for any manual focusing. They are however fine as a compositional aid only, in good light, like a look-through-finder.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Funny as I am pretty taken back by the EVF of my Sony A7.  Cannot even see the entire frame. Very hard to nail focus with most lenses as well. Overall a really big disappointment.

[bjornthun]

I'd like something along these lines, but, yes....in a Nikon, please!
The system described would seem to cut the brightness of both the OVF and the EVF by one stop...they use the term "half mirror".
It does eliminate the need for a high-precision but high-cost mechanical/optical solution such as a flip-in/rotating mirror or prism.

Canon states 60/40 division of the light in their current DSLRs, that work the traditional way with returning mirrors. So 40% of the light goes to the AF and light meter systems in the bottom of the mirror box. I suppose the figures are in the same alley for Nikon as well.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

That would only be about 1 stop difference. The eye adapts readily to such small changes in intensity.

[bjornthun]

Funny as I am pretty taken back by the EVF of my Sony A7.  Cannot even see the entire frame. Very hard to nail focus with most lenses as well. Overall a really big disappointment.

I can not reliably nail focus with a DSLR OVF, and there's no way the DSLR OVF can beat focus peaking and the 10x magnifier for precise focusing, for me. For MF I find the Sony A7 vastly superior to a DSLR and the D800 was the biggest disappointment so far, where even the liveview was poor. Actually, for me, this was no "funny" experience at all, quite the opposite.

We shall obviously never agree on the viewfinders, but maybe we can enjoy the fact that there are more choices now? More people can find a camera with a viewfinder suitable to them than before.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Never said there should be unison agreement on these matters. Just venting my disappointment of a highly touted EVF system, that's all. The EVF has a long way to go, for sure.