OM-D EVF question: My OM-D EM5 Mii recently started behaving differently. I have not done any firmware updates or changed settings. When I first turn the camera ON the EVF is black. I...

JD750 Loc: SoCal

My OM-D EM5 Mii recently started behaving differently. I have not done any firmware updates or changed settings.

When I first turn the camera ON the EVF is black. I have to open the back LCD) then close it to see the image on the EVF.

Sometimes it does that from sleep as well.

I double checked settings and “EVF Auto Switch” is OFF.

Has anyone here had this problem? What was the solution?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

"If OFF is selected, the EVF will not turn on when you put your eye to the viewfinder." page 108

The way you described the issue sounds like you're talking about the LCD screen, not the electronic viewfinder.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Linda From Maine wrote:

"If OFF is selected, the EVF will not turn on when you put your eye to the viewfinder." page 108

(the way you described it sounds like you're talking about the LCD screen, not the electronic viewfinder: "open the back and close it..." ??)

Correct. I have to open the LCD and close it in order to see the image in the viewfinder.

With “Auto LCD” OFF it will not automatically turn on if the LCD open and the eye is put to the viewfinder. But With the LCD closed I expect the EVF to be on.

I will try switching it right now.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Ok ...

With “EVF Auto switch” ON this is what happens:
(1) the EVF is black until I look into it then it lights up.
(2) opening the LCD displays the super control panel. It does not display the image. Pressing ok, Or menu doesn’t change it to show the image.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Ok I switched back to auto OFF and now it seems to be working. When I turn the camera ON the EVF lights up.

This has the smell of a software (firmware) bug 🐜

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

JD750 wrote:

Ok ...

With “EVF Auto switch” ON this is what happens:
(1) the EVF is black until I look into it then it lights up.
(2) opening the LCD displays the super control panel. It does not display the image. Pressing ok, Or menu doesn’t change it to show the image.

JD750 wrote:

Ok I switched back to auto OFF and now it seems to be working. When I turn the camera ON the EVF lights up.

This has the smell of a software (firmware) bug 🐜

On many cameras the Electronic Viewfinder is off until you look into it - they assume you are using the LCD instead. This is how they expect you to use it - not a "bug" at all.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

rehess wrote:

On many cameras the Electronic Viewfinder is off until you look into it - they assume you are using the LCD instead. This is how they expect you to use it - not a "bug" at all.

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, what you describe, helps save batteries. But what happened here was a change from how it was working, and how it is working again now. ??

With Auto EVF -> OFF the viewfinder lights up when the camera power is turned ON. When the LCD is opened the LCD turns on and EVF OFF. When the LCD is closed EVF is back ON. The EVF stays lit until the camera sleeps.

It burns more battery this way but I get less delay when shooting. I can touch the shutter as I raise the camera and the EVF is lit before I put my eye to it.

But something changed. And now after switching AUTO to ON then Auto back to OFF and power cycling, it's back to working the way I expect.

I think it's state dependent, meaning the state it is in when powered down after changing the setting, is determining the outcome. THAT would be a bug 🐞 in the firmware.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

With mirrorless carry more batteries...

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Well the problem appeared again this morning. Turn the camera ON And the EVF is black. Put my eye up to it still black. Open and close the LCD screen the EVF lights up.

Does anybody with an EM-D have this happen?

MarkSki

I have the same camera but do not have the problem, so I doubt it’s a firmware problem. What do you mean when you say you “open and close “ the LCD? Do you keep it reversed so the glass side of it is positioned into the camera body and can’t be seen until you swing it out and turn it over?

User ID

Was just messing with mine and cannot replicate the glitch. Mine is fairly new. I wonder if a hardware problem can cause the glitch, as there seems to be a micro switch for the LCD panel hinge, and the intermittent problem does respond to opening/closing the panel.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

MarkSki wrote:

I have the same camera but do not have the problem, so I doubt it’s a firmware problem. What do you mean when you say you “open and close “ the LCD? Do you keep it reversed so the glass side of it is positioned into the camera body and can’t be seen until you swing it out and turn it over?

Thank you for the information.

Yes. I keep the LCD reversed so the glass side of it is positioned into the camera body.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

User ID wrote:

Was just messing with mine and cannot replicate the glitch. Mine is fairly new. I wonder if a hardware problem can cause the glitch, as there seems to be a micro switch for the LCD panel hinge, and the intermittent problem does respond to opening/closing the panel.

Yes seeing as your camera does not do it and correct there is a switch.

And the problem returned this morning, after no changes to settings. It was Cooler this morning. It would seem a hardware problem is very likely. 😡

Thank you for trying that and thank you for the information.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Peterfiore wrote:

With mirrorless carry more batteries...

The anomaly is not a battery problem it is not related to battery state of charge.

User ID

Peterfiore wrote:

With mirrorless carry more batteries...

UHH