Olympus VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras
The VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras from Olympus is for use with Olympus PEN digital cameras that have an accessory port. It is powered via the camera's accessory port and attaches to its hot shoe. The VF-3 can be used indoors or outdoors and is particularly beneficial when capturing images in direct sunlight which could make viewing the camera's LCD display very difficult. It has a quick refresh rate to minimize ghosting on fast-moving subjects.
The viewfinder has a 1.00x magnification factor and has built-in diopter adjustment for easy viewing without or with eyeglasses. This viewfinder's Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) technology enables high-speed transfer of high-resolution images and aspherical lenses ensure high resolution from center to edge.
Plus, the VF-3 can be positioned up to 90 degrees for composing shots at low or unusual angles. The brightness and contrast of the display can be adjusted up or down in seven increments via the VF-3's EVF ADJUST menu function.
Note: The PEN E-P2, E-PL1, E-PL2 and XZ-1 cameras will require a firmware update to properly operate the VF-3. This will be available soon.
- Great for shooting in direct sunlight
- 1.00x magnification
- 100% field of view
- Built-in diopter adjustment
- You can adjust the brightness and color temperature of the viewfinder
- Tilts up to 90 degrees
| Resolution | Approx. 920,000 dots |
| Field of View | 100% |
| Magnification | 1.00x (-1m¹, 50mm Macro, at infinity) |
| Diopter Correction | -3.0 to +1.0m¹ |
| Eye-Point Length | Approx. 17.4 mm (-1m¹) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 1.00 x 1.7 x 1.75" (2.54 x 4.35 x 4.47 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 1.0 oz (28 g) without cover |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 7 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
83%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (5)
Cons
- Poor image quality (3)
Best Uses
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)
Reviewed by 7 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-7
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Poor Image Quality
Best Uses
Comments about VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras:
Ok, not bad, and meh are the only phrases I can come up with. I bought this to go with my E-PL1 because I never really enjoyed using the LCD screen, I'm old school and prefer a viewfinder. I chose the VF-3 over the VF-2 because it was a few dollars less, slightly smaller, and has 1.0 magnification instead of 1.5, which I prefer.
After the firmware update I tried it out. The view just doesn't look good. Colors are a bit washed out, and if your eye is not dead-center while looking into the viewfinder the colors take on a pinkish tone. However, outside in the sun the viewfinder is a lot easier to see than the LCD.
Luckily the E-PL1 built in flash can still be used, but for bounce flashing the viewfinder does block a little bit and so pictures tend to be a little dark on the right side, but just a little.
Overall I am not impressed, but I still prefer using a viewfinder, and I'm hoping over time it will grow on me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras:
A great addition to my Pen 3. Seems to be made well and I like how this newer one has a locking option.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Small / Compact
Cons
- Poor Image Quality
Best Uses
Comments about VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras:
What is more important to you, size or resolution? If you have the ep2 or 3 probably resolution, if the pen lite (though not the epl1 as that apparently is too long in the tooth to work with the vf3) then the smaller size of the vf3 will be for you.
Fits ergonomically with the smaller pens and very workable still in terms of resolution and brightness. I am a fan.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras:
Great in bright sunlight or if you would rather look through a viewfinder to compose rather than holding out the camera at arms length.
4 stars as i am having some issues with changing fstop ,ex adjustment and asa when using the viewfinder sometimes have to switch back to the screen .
inconsistant problem, so maybe it is the operator.
Would not be without it!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Resolution
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras:
Very good accessory to my olympus E-PL2, can't shoot without a viewfinder.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Cute design
Cons
- Coarse
- Grainy
- Not bright enough
- Poor color rendition
- Poor Image Quality
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Return it
Comments about VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras:
This was a big disappointment. After updating the firmware on my PL1, I looked through the viewfinder to discover my hot pink office walls looked gray. I thought maybe it was a mistake, and I adjusted the settings for the finder, bumping them up by 3 notches. I then took it out for a test drive. I bumped the settings up to the top. Colors still looks grey and the screen was so coarse and grainy, I could not tell whether or not I was in focus. Was the unit defective? I have heard from others that they had the same problem. Does it not work properly with the PL1? There's a rumor to that effect going around. One way or the other, it didn't work. I tried it with flash, in bright light, in moderate light, it shade. I tried automatic and manual modes, scene modes, automatic, program. I so badly needed to have a viewfinder that I kept thinking I'd find some trick and suddenly, it would be a proper viewfinder. In the end, I was defeated and returned it. A sad day for me and a bad day for Olympus.
- Ease of Operation:
- 7
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in bright light
- Small / Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Wildlife photos
Comments about VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (Silver) for Olympus PEN Cameras:
put this on my EP3 when i got it and have not taken it off, having DSLRs it feels more natural to shoot with the viewfinder. you can easily switch to rear display for more detailed display.
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-7
Care & Cleaning
-
- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
What's in the Box
- Cover
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
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