Canon hybrid viewfinder

How cool would it be for canon to have a hybrid viewfinder like the Fuji x100 series. They already have an overlay why not a color setup that can take over completely.

Because I want an OVF, not an EVF! In a compact camera the optical part of the hybrid VF doesn't really increase the size of the camera, and the hybrid functionality allows you to overlay shooting data, etc on the OVF, that you wouldn't normally see in a compact cameras OVF. Also it is not in the sensor's optical path, so you have LV data available while also using the OVF. At least that is how I remember it from looking at a camera when this was first released.

When it comes to a DSLR, it is the OVF that is adding the bulk to the camera, because of the fact that you need to have the mirror in the light path from lens to sensor. So no LV data to send to the OVF. Adding a second LV display that can be switched to in the OVF when engaging that mode will add significant bulk to the already bulky pentaprism housing, which is where most mirrorless seem to install the EVF components now.

So if you want optical reflex viewing via the taking lens then you can not simultaneously view the image from the sensor too.

Alan

But, Alan, consider a design like the Sony A99RII or even the Canon EOS RT...

1. part the light goes thru the reflex mirror to the sensor, allowing a sensor live view to be presented (albeit very slightly delayed by the electronics JPG processing and presentation to an LCD)
   
2. part of the light is reflected up to the viewfinder, allowing a purely optical view of what is seen by the lens
   

No what I’m talking about is having pure ovf and where the current black lcd overlay is that fits over the focus screen instead have a lcd panel that goes pure translucent or can switch to color lcd when live view is activated.

Think of live view but through the viewfinder. Then think when live view is off the lcd is purely translucent so it’s normal.

Talley wrote in post #18469268
No what I’m talking about is having pure ovf and where the current black lcd overlay is that fits over the focus screen instead have a lcd panel that goes pure translucent or can switch to color lcd when live view is activated.

Think of live view but through the viewfinder. Then think when live view is off the lcd is purely translucent so it’s normal.

Hurry and apply for the patent before someone else does! It might be worth something
And I really think it would be a great funktion to have. My problem with live view is the strange ergonomics of holding a DSLR half a meter in front of me.

Is this not an oxymoron?: ergonomics vs. holding a DSLR half a meter in front of me.

Wilt wrote in post #18469314
Is this not an oxymoron?: ergonomics vs. holding a DSLR half a meter in front of me.

No but jumbo shrimp is one lol

KlausM wrote in post #18469296
Hurry and apply for the patent before someone else does! It might be worth something
And I really think it would be a great funktion to have. My problem with live view is the strange ergonomics of holding a DSLR half a meter in front of me.

Fuji x100does this

I use SLR 'cuz I like an optical viewfinder. If I wanted a digital VF, I'd go back to my Panasonic DMC-FZ8.

I don't think I'd use it as much, because I like the longer battery life of an OVF. Though having the option might be nice: EVF is nice if you're in a dim environment or want to preview your exposure.

Places that don’t allow video but photo is ok is where the evf shines

KlausM wrote in post #18469296
Hurry and apply for the patent before someone else does! It might be worth something
And I really think it would be a great funktion to have. My problem with live view is the strange ergonomics of holding a DSLR half a meter in front of me.

It’s quite an old idea Instantly switch between OVF and EVF without moving the camera away from the eye - focus assist/zoom, focus peaking see in the dark, live histogram etc etc

davesrose wrote in post #18469371
I don't think I'd use it as much, because I like the longer battery life of an OVF. Though having the option might be nice: EVF is nice if you're in a dim environment or want to preview your exposure.

About the EVF in a dim environment...has any camera resolved the issue of ruining the photographer's night adapted vision with ah electronic viewfinder's LED showing too brightly?!

Talley wrote in post #18469268
No what I’m talking about is having pure ovf and where the current black lcd overlay is that fits over the focus screen instead have a lcd panel that goes pure translucent or can switch to color lcd when live view is activated.

Think of live view but through the viewfinder. Then think when live view is off the lcd is purely translucent so it’s normal.

But then you would need to use a pellicle reflex mirror so that you had something to back illuminate the LCD panel, and like Wilt said, nothing with a pellicle mirror has ever done well in the marketplace, the reduced VF brightness, coupled with the exposure hit has usually been too much of a hit over "traditional" designs.

Front illuminating the thing when the mirror is raised is also going to be really difficult, since you will still need the same design of pentaprism, limiting the lightpath available for mounting the illumination. That illumination will need to be pretty even across the whole screen too. I know reflective LCD's have been used for screens on cameras in the past, I recently saw a modern review of the Sony Ruvi "tapeless" camcorder, with the non removeable tape system inside, which also used a reflective LCD screen on the outside, just to make it suck even more.

It's a nice idea, but I really cannot see how you might incorporate one in a DSLR without negatively affecting the use of the straight OVF. I do, unfortunately, see a day when the DSLR is going to be a specialist, and therefore high end only, tool for those who simply cannot afford to introduce any time delay between the subject and the photographers eye. Everyone else will have to have an EVF, and I'm sure that the majority will be fine with that, although Canon seem to be right at the back of that curve.

Alan

Wilt wrote in post #18470186
About the EVF in a dim environment...has any camera resolved the issue of ruining the photographer's night adapted vision with ah electronic viewfinder's LED showing too brightly?!

My first digital camera had a night vision mode: it was the green infrared that we think about for night vision goggles. So it still made your eyes accommodate for a brighter display, but it wasn’t as bright as normal mode EVFs.