Blurry Line in Viewfinder I received my camera, but there's a blurry line down the middle of the viewfinder (actually, slightly off center to the left). The width of the blurry section is about 5% of the width of the viewfinder, and I can see it mostly in daylight photographing foilage. Does anybody else have this? I noticed this on one I returned also. Maybe it's just a universal defect... Blurry Line in Viewfinder I received my camera, but there's a blurry line down the middle of the viewfinder (actually, slightly off center to the left). The width of the blurry section is... » Read More Blurry Line in Viewfinder I received my camera, but there's a blurry line down the middle of the viewfinder (actually, slightly off center to the left). The width of the blurry section is about 5% of the width of the viewfinder, and I can see it mostly in daylight photographing foilage. Does anybody else have this? I noticed this on one I returned also. Maybe it's just a universal defect... « Show Less
1820635
The blurry line does not seem to have gotten any worse, and a friend's D40 had much the same issue. I decided to live with it rather than sending the camera in. It's not that big a deal for me, and I just couldn't find a good time to be without the camera for 4-6 weeks.
1820636
My D40 developed a blurry line in the middle of the viewfinder after about 2 months (or maybe it just took me 2 months to notice it). It doesn't affect the photos, just the viewfinder, but it is a little annoying at times. I'm guessing it's a warp or something like that in the focusing screen. Since I take most of my photos in the Summer and Fall, I don't want to part with it for another couple of months, but after that I plan on sending it in to Nikon to have them check it out while it's still under warranty. It really hasn't been a big deal, and the camera is great in spite of it, but I would like to make sure it's not going to get worse. My D40 developed a blurry line in the middle of the viewfinder after about 2 months (or maybe it just took me 2 months to notice it). It doesn't affect the photos, just the viewfinder, but it is a little annoying at times. I'm guessing it's a warp or something like that in the focusing screen. Since I take most of my photos in the Summer and Fall, I don't want to part with it for another couple of months, but after that I plan on sending it in to Nikon to have them check it out while it's still under warranty. It really hasn't been a big deal, and the camera is great in spite of it, but I... » Read More My D40 developed a blurry line in the middle of the viewfinder after about 2 months (or maybe it just took me 2 months to notice it). It doesn't affect the photos, just the viewfinder, but it is a little annoying at times. I'm guessing it's a warp or something like that in the focusing screen. Since I take most of my photos in the Summer and Fall, I don't want to part with it for another couple of months, but after that I plan on sending it in to Nikon to have them check it out while it's still under warranty. It really hasn't been a big deal, and the camera is great in spite of it, but I would like to make sure it's not going to get worse. « Show Less
1820637
Yeah, it doesn't affect the pictures at all you're right. Sometimes it's annoying when I'm trying to use my 50mm prime, as I have to manually focus that and the blurry line doesn't help.I called Nikon also and they said I could ship it to them and they would look at it. I'm slightly worried to do that because I'm afraid they'll do something to screw it up worse. I guess I can live with it. If you send yours in, could you let me know if they actually fix it by replying here?
237581
I have the same camera. It's perfectly normal. It's just the camera focusing.
39834
So I finally got around to checking on the aspect ratio question. The VF-3 definitely reflects the change. In fact, it does everything that the view screen does. About the only wonky thing I could find is that if you're in the automatic setting and you're using the viewfinder, when you select the menu button, the menu comes up on the back screen, not in the viewfinder. But if you're in any of the other shooting settings via the dial (manual, aperture priority, etc) and you choose to change the shooting mode via the "OK" button, the in-screen options lists pop-up within the viewfinder. Again, the viewfinder is pretty awesome! So I finally got around to checking on the aspect ratio question. The VF-3 definitely reflects the change. In fact, it does everything that the view screen does. About the only wonky thing I could find is that if you're in the automatic setting and you're using the viewfinder, when you select the menu button, the menu comes up on the back screen, not in the viewfinder. But if you're in any of the other shooting settings via the dial (manual, aperture priority, etc) and you choose to change the shooting mode via the "OK" button, the in-screen options lists pop-up within the... » Read More So I finally got around to checking on the aspect ratio question. The VF-3 definitely reflects the change. In fact, it does everything that the view screen does. About the only wonky thing I could find is that if you're in the automatic setting and you're using the viewfinder, when you select the menu button, the menu comes up on the back screen, not in the viewfinder. But if you're in any of the other shooting settings via the dial (manual, aperture priority, etc) and you choose to change the shooting mode via the "OK" button, the in-screen options lists pop-up within the viewfinder. Again, the viewfinder is pretty awesome! « Show Less
1547865
The viewfinder is very small, I've gotten in the habit of not using it. Haven't used it for either bright sunlight or actions. However, it is one of the few cameras in this class with a viewfinder, and I am glad to have it. One of the reasons why this camera appealed to me. Will check these two conditions. I am extremely satisfied with the camera so far.
287473
I haven't tried it in bright sunlight, yet. Good question though, as I hadn't thought about the lack of a normal viewfinder. Might hold on to my old camera just in case, it took great daytime shots but was poor in low light situations.
258816
Hello Phileein,Thanks for the input, I ordered the 2 lines kit. I have trouble looking through viewfinders thus my need for live view.I am awaiting my new camera and will do a review after I get itThanks again
1590201
Hello James, was curious if you found a similar camera without the grid lines, or was able to remove the grid lines? I like this camera as well but want to use it as a cargo camera, hence I do not want grid lines. Thanks!
1356326
You cannot get a quality point and shoot digital with a long wide angle zoom that has a viewfinder. In fact, you can hardly get any point and shoot with a viewfinder. I really miss having this feature for several reasons: (1) I wear reading glasses. With a viewfinder (especially one that allows an optic adjustment) I can see details of the shot I want to take (is my subject smiling?). With the largest LCD screen, I cannot always see the detail I want. I sometimes have to put my glasses on to take a picture. Not easy when you are wearing goggles on a ski slope. A pain anywhere. (2) In bright sun, forget it. Just "point and shoot" and hope for the best. (3) Holding the camera up toward your eye and slightly against your face provides a more stable base and results in much less shake than holding a camera out from your body. I don't know why manufacturers stopped making viewfinders--economy? weight? --but I sorely miss them. I'm afraid it's a lost cause.
2038628
Ok so the pictures say it has a viewfinder (the little eyehole on the back of the camera for the unintelligent), yet some people are saying it does NOT have one and some people are saying it DOES have one.... how is someone who NEEDS a viewfinder supposed to know whether to purchase this camera or not
1915107
Yes! You screw it off completely! It shows up blurry if you're trying to take normal pictures, but when you angle the camera close to something, its supposed to focus and look zoomed in! Keep trying, or look up info about macro lenses!
478485
Same problem. Thought I just got a defective camera. I exchanged it for the same model, same problem. I found that if I zoom even a little bit, the shadow goes away. Annoying, goodbye Lumix.
834114
You can take up to three pictures, either left to right or right to left. After taking the first (say left hand) picture, the edge of this picture (perhaps 10% of the total width) appears at the left edge of the viewfinder. You then line up the image for the second picture with the edge of the first and take the picture. The process is repeated for the third picture. The camera then stitches the three pictures into one. Usually hard to see the joins - very impressive!
414376
Hi j michael, I suggest checking on the distnace of your camera to your subject to avoid blur and out of focus shots. Thanks_Mitch
1080090
What is your usual ISO setting? If you are not already, try shooting in ISO 80 or 100 and don't increase it unless when you hold the shutter button half way down to focus the view goes dark. Re focus, unless it is necessary to shoot immediately, hold the shutter button half way down and don't depress it further until you can see, either through viewfinder or on screen, that the scene is in focus. Other suggestions already given are to shut off digital zoom and leave it off, use compression setting L instead of M3 to greatly reduce the number of pixels lost, thus the quality of the picture.
871931
Sorry, I haven't had this problem. I think I remember it's best to focus from a normal angle to assure good focus zooming in. I presume you are also careful to center the image on the subject you want sharp. Ther might also be a setting to tell the camera how to handle close up shots. There may be levels orb types if selectivity possible. Depth of field is more critical in telephoto so it doesn't take much to throw it off. Sorry I don't have the camera or manual handy.
1157234
Would not go so far as to say it is normal, only that it has been experienced before :) and at least in my case has not apparently affected operation of the camera. However, for all I know this could have something to do with the fact that this camera has trouble staying in focus taking video sometimes. I'll never know - it's out of warranty now and there are still more pros than cons versus the alternatives available at the time so I'd have kept it anyway. :)
101122
I had the same problem and sent in for warrenty work. Its probally not your imagination, mine was defective and they replaced the auto focus sensor. Now its easy to get crisp photos without vivid mode even. Ive had lots of olympus cameras and this was the first problem Ive ever had. they repaired the next day tehy recieved it and sent it back to me a day later. Im very happy with it now. It should be easy to get a crisp photo with this camera. Hope this helps.