J
juz
Guest
Optical (brightline) viewfinders are really a different animal altogether. A lot of people don't realize that this kind of view was standard for a long time on non-slr cameras (50's-70s), and they are a joy to use.
The Voigtlander and Leica finders are expensive because they are not just a piece of plastic, but a well-designed beautiful optical tool, with fully-corrected glass; and the brightness of these are truly astounding. Framing in lowlight is fantastic (the white lines are etched in the glass and reflect the most minute traces of light to give you a hard edge). This is a totally different experience than the electronic, tv-like tunnel of EVF. It allows you to feel more "engaged" with the subject, and is therefore more suitable for action shots (in my opinion). Rangefinder fun.
Also, keep in mind that brightline finders will retain their value, since they can be used on any camera. I still use my Leica 50mm finder from the 1950s. Your panasonic will essentially be worthless in just a few years.
The Voigtlander and Leica finders are expensive because they are not just a piece of plastic, but a well-designed beautiful optical tool, with fully-corrected glass; and the brightness of these are truly astounding. Framing in lowlight is fantastic (the white lines are etched in the glass and reflect the most minute traces of light to give you a hard edge). This is a totally different experience than the electronic, tv-like tunnel of EVF. It allows you to feel more "engaged" with the subject, and is therefore more suitable for action shots (in my opinion). Rangefinder fun.
Also, keep in mind that brightline finders will retain their value, since they can be used on any camera. I still use my Leica 50mm finder from the 1950s. Your panasonic will essentially be worthless in just a few years.