External EVF Portkeys LEYE video review. If you want to know quickly what LEYE is, please see this video first.
“PortKeys LEYE” which I tried using an external EVF for the first time was an electronic viewfinder that was lightweight, compact, and comfortable to use even with glasses.
LEYE is a Reasonal Electranic Viewfinder
For the first time, I tried using an external electronic viewfinder (EVF), and when reviewed it, I noticed that external evfs are expensive. ZACUTO’s Z-Finder EVF, which is famous for its external evf, is about 100,000 yen. when it comes to the specifications on top of it, there are a lot of expensive items with 200,000 yen and 300,000 yen.
In addition to PortKeys LEYE, EVF is sold, but in the upper rank, OEYE-RED EVF for professional users is about 1399 USD and it is expensive.
Equipped with a 2.4-inch LCD screen
The display is 8-bit
Brightness is 300nit
Resolution 1440×900
HDMI Input supports up to 4K30P
Contrast ratio is 1100:1
Power input is DC7-24dV/USB 5V
Sponge for LEYE eye cups
In general, the matrial of the eye cup used for EVF is often made of rubber, but leye is a sponge.
You know if it is made of rubber, it can hardly be used with glasses, but with a sponge, you can look comfortably without damaging the glasses. I’m happy to consider eyeglass users.
Accessories such as D-Tap power cable is included. LEYE II EVF has an integrated Canon E6 battery plate. (Battery is not included)
Manual is not included with paper. Download and check from the web.
Left side of LEYE EVF
On the left side of the LEYE, there is an HDMI port and the power is supplied by 7-24V or 5V USB-A.
It can be connected to a mobile battery with 5V output, and of course it can be used with a V-battery.
Buttons on the top of the LEYE
Buttons on the top. You can set the function keys. You can assign your favorite settings such as peaking and false color.
Menu button on the left side
On the left side is the menu button. You can set the guide, video, system, LUT, and even update the firmware.
NATO rail and 1/4 threaded hole with ARRI lock pin on the bottom
Three 1/4 threaded holes with NATO rail and ARRI lock pin on the bottom.
The screen looks a bit white when photographed with the camera, but when you actually see it with your eyes, it is very clear and the visibility is quite high.
Since this is for light users, I wanted to see what a professional EVF would look like.
Thoughts on actual use Portkeys LEYE
It is very difficult to check the peaking and composition due to the reflected light.
Even if you block the light with your hand, you can hardly see the contents of the monitor.
I set up LEYE on BMPCC4K and tried to use it.
The power supply uses FXLION NANO ONE V-mount battery 14.8V 50Wh
For the power supply, I used the “FXLION NANO ONE V-mount battery 14.8V 50Wh”.
Other mobile batteries with 5V output can also be used normally. If you use a thin one, you can also use it by attaching it to the back of the LEYE with Velcro.
No need to worry about the EVF even in bright sunny weather
Even on sunny days when the light was blinding, I didn’t have to worry about the EVF. Even with glasses on, the sponge prevents scratches on the glasses.
The sponge allows you to look through the EVF comfortably even with your glasses on. No scratches on the lens.
First of all, there are four good point…
- When shooting outdoors, especially in the daytime, the light reflects off the monitor and makes it hard to see, but this was easily solved. It’s a great motivator when shooting outdoors.
- The body is very compact and light. This compactness is very helpful when I take it with me.
- It is definitely easier to see with the naked eye, but even with glasses, the sponge makes it very easy to see. Diopter adjustment is also easy, so even if you take off your glasses, you can quickly adjust them to your eyesight by turning them a bit.
- The price is about 399 USD, which is quite cost-effective for an external EVF.
On the other hand, there is one thing that bothered me…Need an external power supply.
This time I used the FXLION V-battery, but I felt it would have been better if I could have attached a small battery such as the NP-F550 series or LP-E6 to the back of the camera.
This was the first time I used an external EVF, and I liked it a lot.
I used to use an external display like the ATOMOS SHINOBI on top of the BMPCC4K, but it was often difficult to see outdoors due to light reflection.
But with this EVF, there is no light at all and the image is very clear and bright. In addition, since I couldn’t see anything extraneous, I could concentrate on the screen and immerse myself in the shooting.
I recommend it for cameras without a viewfinder such as the BMPCC4k and Canon C70, as well as for those who are looking for an affordable EVF that is easy to see when shooting outdoors.
