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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:29 pm Post subject: Lcd vs viewfinder
pasvorto's question just made me think of another one which might sound stupid... I usually look at my lcd screen when taking pictures, rather than the viewfinder. Is this ok? Is there any benefit to looking through the viewfinder instead? I feel like when I look at the lcd, I am more able to interact with and control what I'm shooting, since I'm not so "inside" the camera.
If I frame a picture using the lcd, I can almost guarantee that their will be "shake". I can barely shoot "steady" when I hold the camera close, much less at arm's length. _________________ "Nothing exceeds like excess"
With a DSLR there is no LCD viewer so you have to use the viewfinder. But even with my Nikon compacts I still use the viewfinder, because to avoid camera shake I need the steady stance that holding a camera that way offers, whereas looking at the LCD on the back I find it impossible to steady the camera effectively. Some compacts, though, have digital viewfinders which I find horrible. _________________
I can never see the lcd on the back of the past cameras I have had, even with a "shade".
That said, when the camera had viewfinder and lcd that I could see, always used viewfinder as I felt a bit more "safe". Always thought the thieves were looking for digital people.
Also, have a look at how people take pictures using the lcd, its very amusing _________________ -----------------------------------------------------
Like Kieth said, Dslr's don't have, afaik, a LCD capability until after you have taken the shot. However there is another reason why, if you have a compact, you shouldn't necessarily use the viewfinder. If you look at the front and the back of a compact p&s camera the viewfinder and the lens don't always line up.
This means that if you were to take a photo using the viewfinder the actual picture will be slightly to the left/right of what you are seeing through the viewfinder. Its only a small amount but if you are filling the vf then it can be very irritating.
To find out if your p&s does this look through the viewfinder and take a shot, taking note of where specific things are near the edges, then take the same shot using the lcd, you should see a small difference if your vf is offset to your lens. Most of the time I don't suspect his matters, but sometimes it may have an effect.
This doesn't happen on a DSLR because the vf actually looks through the lens at what you taking a shot of.
HTH (hope that helps) _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
DSLRs usually don't have live view via the lcd screen because of the mirror in front of the sensor. It requires a second sensor to provide the capability.
Olympus was the first to launch a DSLR with live view capability with their E-330 camera last year, and the new E-410 and E-510 cameras have it too.
One big downside, as Dave has mentioned, is that in bright sunlight an lcd screen can be nearly impossible to see. _________________ see my photography at john.seelbinder.org
try holding a 400mm lens on a SLR, and looking at the LCD screen, i would need to go to the gym and work out my arms, lol. Saying that though a compact with one of those tilt LCD screens are very handy for shots from the ground or above your head.
blue - if you're happy shooting using the lcd, there's nothing wrong with it - there is more than one way to skin a cat and at the end of the day, it's the result that matters
nikon have introduced live view lcds on their latest dslrs - the D3 and D300 and I have to say it's attractive - when i shoot on remote i usually have to lie on the floor to try and line the camera up and a live view would certainly allow me to spend the day without muddy knees and elbows
keith - folding lcd - zigview _________________ There is nothing in life that cannot be improved with either monkeys, pirates or ninjas NPU Member
nikon have introduced live view lcds on their latest dslrs - the D3 and D300 and I have to say it's attractive - when i shoot on remote i usually have to lie on the floor to try and line the camera up and a live view would certainly allow me to spend the day without muddy knees and elbows
keith - folding lcd - zigview
Been looking at Zigviews, but cannot work out if they suffer the same problem as my works compact - that is
it is not a point and shoot, but more a "guess what your are aiming at" and shoot -
is the Nikon live view the same? _________________ -----------------------------------------------------
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