If I may suggest something, kanetan, instead of using the Object/Viewpoint mode (V), just use the Arc Rotate tool (ctrl-r) while you're in Object/Edit mode (A). You can zoom in, rotate, pan, etc in different ways much more easily than when using the Object/Viewpoint tools
(hint: use all three mouse buttons and try rotating/panning outside the circle, inside the circle, and inside the little squares on the circles to limit the axis', move the camera pivot/pan, and change the camera orientation for that view).
Not to mention you can use the arc rotate tool in all the viewports whereas Object/Viewpoint mode only lets you rotate the view in the perspective viewport.