Personal View site logo
Make sure to join PV on Telegram or Facebook! Perfect to keep up with community on your smartphone.
Please, support PV!
It allows to keep PV going, with more focus towards AI, but keeping be one of the few truly independent places.
Varavon Loupe EX GH1/GH2 , reviews, impressons
  • 110 Replies sorted by
  • vicharrisvicharris

    Just got mine in the mail and all I can say is that it's an awesome little piece of equipment and makes the rig look and feel alot better. I have one question for everyone that has purchased one so far? Are you able to use a FF with it and not move the whole damn unit? As much as I tighten it down, I can see the whole camera moving on top of the supplied baseplate. Completely unusable with a FF unless I'm missing something or someone has a solution. I'm sure there's an answer out there.

  • peternappeternap

    It's a bastard getting old. First the eyesight, then the hearing.

  • julesjules

    @kazou "And all that rubbish about pixelation, am not sure what the user was looking at, or through which tinted glass."

    don't mislead people. It may be the SHARPEST IMAGE that you have experienced, but there is def pixelation!! just state the facts.

    i have used mine a lot more recently and am becoming more and more used to focusing with it. wouldn't shoot without it now.

  • theteddytheteddy

    @peternap, All I do is turn on the menu/set button and use the on camera diopter (dial on left side of viewfinder) to adjust to my eyesight. Put the loupe on and adjust the diopter on that. Yes the diopter knob can be easily moved but you could put a white marker dot where you need it or tape it place. I only use primes as well, but you can use autofocus with lumix and olly m 4/3 lenses. Also I use the rear dial with my FD primes. Press the button in and you get focus assist. It's a bastard having crap eyesight dont you think !

  • peternappeternap

    @theteddy I'm not sure. Since I almost exclusively use primes, checking it with autofocus is out. I have used the focus assist and the camera to focus on a tree or something nearby, then set the diopter...that takes time though and since you can't lock it, I like to be sure it's right every time I use it.

  • theteddytheteddy

    @peternap , yes,that is what I was doing. Whats the best way do you think ?

  • peternappeternap

    @theteddy How are you focusing? I'm just using the display info as a target but that's not really precise.

  • RobertoRoberto

    I have a cheap viewfinder, not Varavon but still no good for my vision. So I got a separate 1-diopter filter out of its casing and fit it inside the viewfinder.

  • theteddytheteddy

    @Rambo, just got one of these and may be able to give you some stuff on the diopter. I use reading glasses and for me things start getting blurry at 85cm and closer. Not to scientific sorry but hope that helps. With the diopter knob at the half way adjustment point I get perfect focus. Overall its plasticky but strong, with really good metal fittings for attaching the loupe to the camera so I have no fear of breaking off the LCD screen. Definitley assists focus.

  • 0understeer0understeer

    I can highly recommend the Varavon EX Loupe GH1/2. Good looks & quality, high value for money and very fast shipment to Europe! The loupe would also fit on the G3 if you drill another hole in the supporter.

  • fehafeha

    @brudney , i mean "closed" ... but it all depends, for my rig configuration i bought the GH2 version, not Uni, but in some situations i wish i had Uni version too ...

  • RatLabProductionsRatLabProductions

    Just ordered the Varavon EX. Can't wait to try it out.

  • brudneybrudney

    feha-> did you mean folded aka closed aka lcd NOT sticking out? i'm confused here;)

  • fehafeha

    @brudney , if you intend to use it with unfolded LCD than go for Uni as this can work with GH2, GF2 etc ...

  • brudneybrudney

    guys, can't decide... which one do you think is better, Varavon Screen Loupe EX Uni or LCDVF 16/9 Viewfinder? Thanks!

  • RatLabProductionsRatLabProductions

    Now lets have another deal! (says the guy who missed the last one)

  • bheathbheath

    Hi, I received mine last week. Thanks Vitaly and Varavon. Just yesterday I was trying it out and yes, it's excellent. Varavon seems like a passionate co. and it is nice to see specialty products built for this little wonder.

  • kazuokazuo

    I have probably used more viewfinder loupes than anyone on this forum: 4 in total including the Varavon, and I hope to stay with this one.

    Of all, i find the varavon to be the most hardy in build and design. And all that rubbish about pixelation, am not sure what the user was looking at, or through which tinted glass. I have shot many projects, but the most recent one with the varavon, I find, had the sharpest images. The loupe made it easy for me to find the focus in all the shots, it wasn't always the case with the other brands.

  • SangyeSangye

    Now I just always make sure to flip up the loupe anytime I'm not using it, so it's never focused on the LCD. But in the flipped up position, it points at my follow focus gear... I hope it won't melt that next!

  • peternappeternap

    @Sangye I'm putting a baby sock on it. I use them on the GoPro's so I have a bunch of them.

  • fehafeha

    @Sangye , thank you, thats important point. It would be great if there is a lens lock for viewfinder ... This may happen even with GH2 own view finder ...

  • SangyeSangye

    Just wanted to reiterate, how important it is to be careful with the loupe while out in the sun. After a few seconds it WILL start melting your LCD if it's pointed at all towards the sun. So far I've been lucky - it's melted the bezel of my LCD pretty badly, but it hasn't damaged the screen itself.

  • RatLabProductionsRatLabProductions

    Seems people really are liking this. I sure hope a personal-view deal comes back as I didn't have cash at the time of the last one. Even to just focus in bright light this thing looks well worth it (at around the deal price not B&H price)

  • SangyeSangye

    Be careful never to leave the loupe on with the lens pointed toward the sun. Melted a little hole into the bezel of my LCD! Thank god it still works fine.

  • peternappeternap

    I just got mine and so far....it's great. It does tip the balance left but I have an adjustable bracket to attach the QR plate. That will balance it. Money well spent especially after using a Hoodman on the 7D.

Add a Comment