Lcd vs viewfinder

Blue · 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.

pasvorto

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.

creators

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.

hil26

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

Simonzphotoz

Interesting question.

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)

Evolution104

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.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse330/

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http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/liveview/index.asp

One big downside, as Dave has mentioned, is that in bright sunlight an lcd screen can be nearly impossible to see.

digitalkiwi

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.

creators

jonH

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 Smile

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 Smile

keith - folding lcd - zigview Smile

hil26

jonH

dunno.. in my eyes it allows you to frame a picture without having to get your eye to the viewfinder