Viewfinder or Screen? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/11/2002 01:46:00 PM · #1

When taking photos, for dpc or otherwise, do you normally use your digital camera's LCD screen or the viewfinder?

Sometimes I use the viewfinder for big outdoor shots, but generally I use the LCD screen. This is because it is more accuratly displaying the exact photo I am going to end up with, and also, I can't always get my head where my camera is.

How about you?

I'd be interested to know what the great photographers here use.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

09/11/2002 01:51:44 PM · #2

I have an electronic viewfinder so I use that whenever possible.

-Terry

CreativeFlyPhoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/11/2002 01:54:52 PM · #3

I use the viewfinder mainly .... especially if it's bright outside ... or my batteries are going low - LOL

I'll use the screen at night time or in the clubs when i have to put the camera where my eye can not be attached - heheh

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

09/11/2002 01:57:23 PM · #4

Maybe it is just my camera.. but don't you find that the viewfinder is inaccurate or you want a precision photo, whether it be an angle or a position?

spiderman

Canon EOS-D60

09/11/2002 02:02:59 PM · #5

FYI to those dreaming of a D60: the LCD monitor cannot be used as a viewfinder

all shots are composed through the normal viewfinder, and reviewed with the LCD

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

09/11/2002 02:09:34 PM · #6

I always use my lcd unless ambient light makes it too hard to see...

lecook

Sony Mavica CD1000

09/11/2002 02:11:47 PM · #7

i use both, mostly the lcd screen tho

inspzil

Olympus E-510

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Olympus

09/11/2002 02:15:25 PM · #8

For me it depends on the range. I have a Tiffen 2x attachment lens and I have to use the screen because #1) The darn lens blocks part of the viewfinder and #2) The viewfinder is not seeing what is going thru the acutal camera lens.
So you cut stuff off you didn't wanna cut off. That sucks.
If I don't have that lens on and I'm not messing around with the shutter or aperture, viewfinder all the way. I don't like looking at the back of the camera to take pictures.
The more complex the camera, the more reason to use the screen (for settings adjustment purposes).
That's clear as mud......good luck

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/11/2002 02:21:15 PM · #9

Another reason I like to use the screen is because my camera auto-adjusts the brightness, and I like to fiddle around with that by fixing the brightness on certain objects and they changing the lighting around. I wouldnt be able to tell thru the viewfinder.

CreativeFlyPhoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/11/2002 02:23:27 PM · #10

Originally posted by konador:
Maybe it is just my camera.. but don't you find that the viewfinder is inaccurate or you want a precision photo, whether it be an angle or a position?

It seems that the photo outcome is the same whether i use the viewfinder or the screen .. the really good thing about my view finder is that i can adjust the sharpness to my eye - so the image is actually clearer than the lcd screen ...

09/11/2002 02:48:02 PM · #11

I look thru the eye piece to frame my photo, although, I will grin and admit that there are times I see a shot about to happen that I don't want to mess up, and I might turn on the LCD for a moment to check that my settings will give me the right exposure (since I'm still working on getting the right exposure for certain conditions). I did use the LCD primarily when getting this shot.
Draw backs of using the LCD's is you are more apt to have camera shake (unless you use a tripod of course), and the LCD can tend to be brighter than the actual image.

Zeissman

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/11/2002 03:00:15 PM · #12

My camera only has an LCD

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

09/11/2002 05:34:09 PM · #13

I nearly always use the viewfinder, unless the angle/position/place put me in a position where I cannot.

courtenay27

Pentax *ist DS

Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 MF

09/11/2002 05:40:12 PM · #14

90-some% of the time I use the viewfinder. It's an EVF so I can see all settings the same but mainly because it just feels more natural. Ireally only use the LCD screen if I'm shooting in super macro mode, less so in regular macro mode and maybe occasionally if I'm like too short to shoot over a crowd or something like that.

FranziskaLang

Nikon D100

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

09/11/2002 05:42:34 PM · #15

i rarely use my viewfinder, always the LCD. the only time i use vf is to pan or follow a moving object. i got so used to the lcd (took me a little while) that i would have a hard time going back to a camera that doesn't have one. i also use the foldout/swivel feature of it a lot.

Jak

Fujifilm FinePix S602Z

09/11/2002 05:47:42 PM · #16

I have to be honest and say it has never really occured to me to use the LCD. I suspect this is just a muscle-memory thing from using viewfinders for ever on SLRs.

Also, I always shoot hand-held. However, I am planning to shoot some tripod material over the next little while and I am sure the LCD will be of great use then.

indigo997

Nikon D70

09/11/2002 06:05:45 PM · #17

you mean my camera HAS a viewfinder? WOW!

just-married

Canon EOS-10D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/11/2002 06:59:38 PM · #18

I use the LCD for just about everything except:

Bright outdoor shots
Low battery instances
shots where I need a really steady hand and have no tripod (and even then I try not to)

I find the EVF in the Dimage annoying, it looks so pixellated as a result of being shrunk.

Dawn

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

09/11/2002 07:26:16 PM · #19

Originally posted by Karen Bryan:
I look thru the eye piece to frame my photo, although, I will grin and admit that there are times I see a shot about to happen that I don't want to mess up, and I might turn on the LCD for a moment to check that my settings will give me the right exposure (since I'm still working on getting the right exposure for certain conditions). I did use the LCD primarily when getting this shot.
Draw backs of using the LCD's is you are more apt to have camera shake (unless you use a tripod of course), and the LCD can tend to be brighter than the actual image.

After reading some responses, I just wanted to clarify that this does not mean my settings are not viewable in the eye piece/viewfinder. They are, but when I switch on the LCD and change the manual settings, the exposure is previewed before taking the shot so that I can be sure to not make it to dark, or even over expose if I am unsure of the conditions. It's a nice little feature, and teaches in an instant. :)

Gracious

09/11/2002 10:44:53 PM · #20

Most times I use my lcd. It yields more accurate results. It really is a big bummer, though, when I'm in bright daylight. I carry my camera everywhere, and I usually have 3 charged up batteries, besides the one loaded and set to go. I usually carry extra memory cards too. When I know I am going on a specific shoot, I often carry more than one camera too! Thank God, my husband often comes and carries some of the stuff for me.

a1leyez0nm3

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/12/2002 01:42:46 AM · #21

Originally posted by spiderman:
FYI to those dreaming of a D60: the LCD monitor cannot be used as a viewfinder

all shots are composed through the normal viewfinder, and reviewed with the LCD

I sometimes use a D30 and sometimes a d60. if you had the choice, you wouldnt use the LCD anyway, the viefinder is so nice! but pretty much otherwise non-SLR digitals (all that i have tried) have HORRIBLE viewfinders, which I absolutely hate, and have to result in using the lcd, which is a real pain sometimes. the canon EOS series is great tho, but i cannot personaly afford to own one at the moment. when i use a EOS i use my partner's camera :). i hate going back my middle of the line olympus and sony although :(.

overall:

if i have a good viewfinder to use, i use that. otherwise, i resort to the lcd, in the exception of special shots that require the use of the lcd.

floyd

Canon EOS-5D

09/12/2002 05:57:51 AM · #22

I always use the LCD screen. I stopped using the viewfinder when I went digital and I've not looked back.

John

09/12/2002 07:50:21 AM · #23

Originally posted by a1leyez0nm3

...but pretty much otherwise non-SLR digitals (all that i have tried) have HORRIBLE viewfinders, which I absolutely hate, and have to result in using the lcd, which is a real pain sometimes. ...

True. I usually had to use the LCD on my FujiFilm camera because the viewfinder was offset and hard to see thru. Using the LCD can be useful - in crowds and what not - but it still can result in a lot of shake.

09/12/2002 10:45:02 AM · #24

How does the viewfinder increase shake?

Also, my camera is fujifilm and the viewfinder is more of a "skyfinder" cos u have to aim so much higher than you actually want the photo at.