gyoung143 wrote:
Only with evf is there a design choice. Is it coincidence that the best evf viewfinder are central, like an slr? Cameras with offset viewfinder apeing rangefinder cameras all have inferior finders, is that lack of space? If so there's not much logical reason behind the Xe styling if it dictates an inferior EVF.
I think that the centered viewfinder position can be attributed to several things. One is just tradition, coming from SLR/DSLR cameras where the pentaprism pretty much had to be vertically aligned with the mirror/shutter/lens. One suggested advantage of this over-the-lens position was that the photographer’s view is not offset from the lens/film/sensor position.
I always figured that the retention of the center hump in digital cameras that don’t have a pentaprism was in part a sort of marketing decision — there’s an association between the notion of “good camera” and that large central hump. You make a good point though, that by retaining that hump it is possible to have more room for the EVF system, which could give us a better viewfinder quality.
Another argument for the center position is that it is neutral as to right- or left-eye-dominant photographers. (Not that the rest of the camera design does not typically favor right-hand-dominance.)
gdanmitchell wrote:
I think that the centered viewfinder position can be attributed to several things. One is just tradition, coming from SLR/DSLR cameras where the pentaprism pretty much had to be vertically aligned with the mirror/shutter/lens. One suggested advantage of this over-the-lens position was that the photographer’s view is not offset from the lens/film/sensor position.
I always figured that the retention of the center hump in digital cameras that don’t have a pentaprism was in part a sort of marketing decision — there’s an association between the notion of “good camera” and that large central hump. You make a good point though, that by retaining that hump it is possible to have more room for the EVF system, which could give us a better viewfinder quality.
Another argument for the center position is that it is neutral as to right- or left-eye-dominant photographers. (Not that the rest of the camera design does not typically favor right-hand-dominance.)...Show more →
One camera had left hand dominance, Exakta Varex had a left hand film wind lever. Unfortunately the rest of it is an ergonomic disaster!
gyoung143 wrote:
One camera had left hand dominance, Exakta Varex had a left hand film wind lever. Unfortunately the rest of it is an ergonomic disaster!
Gerry
Boy, that would sure have messed me up! Even though it is a bit more than two decades since I shot a 35mm film camera, I’m 100% sure that I’d still instinctively reach for the winder on the right… unless I was using my old Rollei 35. :-)
gdanmitchell wrote:
Boy, that would sure have messed me up! Even though it is a bit more than two decades since I shot a 35mm film camera, I’m 100% sure that I’d still instinctively reach for the winder on the right… unless I was using my old Rollei 35. :-)
Mainly intended for scientific and medical use I think, on top of a microscope it worked ok. Seen off by Nikon F really, with its accessories a better designed camera all round.
