The latest update to the Mark II Artist’s Viewfinder went online earlier today. Besides the usual slew of newly supported cameras and backs (listed in the press release), there are two feature groups I’d like to talk about. Let’s begin with new customization features.
Original Viewfinder editions had a completely neutral main screen. While the Mark II’s red/white toolbar looks pretty neat, a few users complained about the vivid colors interfering with their composition. So in the 3.2 update you can switch the toolbar into a dark and neutral themed one. It’s interesting to note that it brings a completely new character to the main screen – but still looks neat.
The new Dark & Neutral toolbar theme
Speaking of distractions, a few of you found the translucent white AF/AE point indicator distracting. You can now turn it off if you wish. But please note that the red circle will still be displayed when AF is in progress.
We also received requests to make “more Fn Keys” – that is to let the user customize the function of other toolbar buttons. And beginning with version 3.2 you can override the EL and FL buttons with the exact same functions that you can assign to the Fn Key. You’ll lose their initial functions while the override is active, of course.
Finally I was able to put my hands on the iPro lens system case for the iPhone 5s, so this update rounds out the supported wide converter/device combinations with both Schneider converters on the iPhone 5s. And also adds the Cambo WRS-1060, which utilizes the Schneider wide lens.
A fix for the “gray screen with no live view after switching to another app and back” bug is also included. While fixing this, I ran into a more serious issue: with toggling exposure lock on and off on the iPhone 5s I was able to bring the phone’s entire video capture system down to its knees. We are working on a fix with Apple, but the interim solutions is to restart live view when you disengage the exposure lock. I know, it’s a bit of pain, but there’s no better workaround yet. The good news is that only the iPhone 5s is affected.
The Viewfinder Handbook has also been updated to cover these new functions.
