No OVF is a great problem

Recently I have been cycling a lot with my LX3 hanging round my neck, ready for action. The problem with this great little cam is I just cannot frame my pictures. I became so used to using the view finders on my SLR camera's that I find it really frustrating not having one on the LX3.....

The point is....on the LX3 price point plus technology I can sort off accept it.....with the future PEN from Olympus......well I will just not get one.....

I really agree with other posters that by excluding the the EVF/OVF on the new Oly, Olympus badly crippled a fantastic camera. Seriously the Panasonic G1 or the GH1 seems like a much better option. The only reason I will not take the latter is because I have a perception that the lenses are not that good plus Panny use software correction to correct weaknesses....

My 2 cents for the day....

Best

Siegfried

I have said this very often in the past.
The viewfinder is the most important part of the camera, how you frame a shot is more important than spot on exposure or sharpness, the more you care about your shots and how well framed they are the more a viewfinder becomes important.
I am always shocked that it is so far down the list for most photogs when choosing a camera. I do see that the lead desinger at OLY has said that a viewfinder model is on the way and the reasion that E-P1 doesn't feature this was due to making a headliner small camera.
I would suggest Sigi that you look for an old hot shoe finder in a camera shop or on Ebay.

Simon,
While I agree with the idea that composition is more important (to an extent) than exposure and certainly more important than ultimate sharpness, what I don't understand is why you think you cannot compose using an LCD as opposed to an OVF. There was a quote on another forum where someone made a simliar comment and one of several responses (though I will try not to use the same tone) was - stop living in the past with old ideas.
I understand certain people are "troubled" by the EP1 not having any sort of viewfinder - but not for composition reasons. The general concern is either for (1) stability when using longer/larger lenses (and having to hold the camera to see the LCD) or (2) using the LCD in bright sunlight.
But were most OVF don't even show you entirely what the sensor sees (except in very high end models) and we won't even discuss the very limited use of the type on the Canon G7/9/10 which is (1) hard to see through and (2) shows nothing like the sensor. Atleast with the LCD's you are seeing exactly the composition that the lens/sensor sees.
Steve

Steve I guess its just the way I roll I like the camera against my face.
Now if its on a tripod the LCD rules.
I think also I see better when blinkered by the finder, with a lcd one is seeing other things at the same time. Remember I am very old school and still think colour was a bad move.
It is a problem looking for a better solution IMHO.
I do how ever agree that it is perfectly possible to compose on a LCD screen.
For me its easier with optics. I do not include the finders on any current P&S cameras. I can't remember what you shoot but treat yourself to a look through a D700 or D3 other FX cameras are available just not as good, if you do you will never want to look at another LCD and if you shoot a OLY digital you may wet your pants. If it can be done this well by Nikon why is this not the benchmark that all cameras are judged by and should be trying to match? And yes I have a Nikon and bought it because of the finder.
Sorry I am not having a pop at you Steve but this is one of the things I find that has gone backward in cameras. In fact try a OM1 back in the early 70s OLY had the best viewfinder bar none.
Cheers
Si

Simon,
No apologies necessary. I agree (old-timers like us must stick together - I had an Olympus OM-1 that I borrowed for a while and started with Minolta manual SLRs) that a lot of things that "make photography easier" are not huge improvements. (And though I love the OVF of the E30 - miles above the E3**/E4**/E5**/E6** viewfinders - I actually like using the LCD and being able to see a bit outside the camera. Sometimes makes me not miss what is going on aside from where the camera is pointed.
Funny thing - just picked up the EP1 this afternoon and DARN if I don't still have a habit of bringing it in too close to my face! My nose keep messing up that lovely LCD.
Steve