Viewfinder or Monitor ?


cjtks

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Apr 9, 2011
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Hi
Most photographers who use DSLR shoot via the viewfinder and not the LCD (live view). Why ? What happen to those who use camera with 95% viewfinder as what they see is not what they get ? Since shooting via LCD is common in terms of compact camera, was this the reason to separate between compact & DSLR users, hee...? Which is better, shoot via viewfinder or LCD ? FYI, I'm a newbie who just bought a DSLR :sweat:
 

Hi
Most photographers who use DSLR shoot via the viewfinder and not the LCD (live view). Why ? What happen to those who use camera with 95% viewfinder as what they see is not what they get ? Since shooting via LCD is common in terms of compact camera, was this the reason to separate between compact & DSLR users, hee...? Which is better, shoot via viewfinder or LCD ? FYI, I'm a newbie who just bought a DSLR :sweat:

Shooting with a DSLR in live view can introduce unnecessary vibrations and as well slow down your shooting speed, because the mirror has to flap down to disengage live view before it can flap up again to take the shot. So shooting via the viewfinder is generally better.
 

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Shooting with a DSLR in live view can introduce unnecessary vibrations and as well slow down your shooting speed, because the mirror has to flap down to disengage live view before it can flap up again to take the shot. So shooting via the LCD is generally better.

but shooting via the LCD, is live view no? o.o
 

Hi
Most photographers who use DSLR shoot via the viewfinder and not the LCD (live view). Why ? What happen to those who use camera with 95% viewfinder as what they see is not what they get ? Since shooting via LCD is common in terms of compact camera, was this the reason to separate between compact & DSLR users, hee...? Which is better, shoot via viewfinder or LCD ? FYI, I'm a newbie who just bought a DSLR :sweat:
my take is viewfinder. even if its 95%, what u see, u can crop for sure if there are extras around in the 5% region.

view finder is what u see at that moment, u shoot. live view has some delay/lag, as camera has to output to the LCD. that can be costly.

i'll use LCD when my subjects are not moving. it allows me to zoom in to manual focus and make sure they are sharp. something that the viewfinders cannot do for now
 

my take is viewfinder. even if its 95%, what u see, u can crop for sure if there are extras around in the 5% region.

view finder is what u see at that moment, u shoot. live view has some delay/lag, as camera has to output to the LCD. that can be costly.

i'll use LCD when my subjects are not moving. it allows me to zoom in to manual focus and make sure they are sharp. something that the viewfinders cannot do for now
But often is I dun hv extra to crop off ! Most of the time, my subject is perfectly within the frame when I see tru viewfinder but after the shot, the LCD show part of my subject no capture ! Btw, u mean crop via camera setting or editing software ? Won't cropping affect the image quality ?
 

cjtks said:
But often is I dun hv extra to crop off ! Most of the time, my subject is perfectly within the frame when I see tru viewfinder but after the shot, the LCD show part of my subject no capture ! Btw, u mean crop via camera setting or editing software ? Won't cropping affect the image quality ?

Cropping generally cuts the picture. Not the quality. For your first part, use the viewfinder and frame your subject first then zoom in slightly or move forward slightly so that when viewed in the LCD, it would be just nice.
 

Always viewfinder as my first choice whenever possible. Even if I need to stoop or prone. Only when conditions doesn't allow such as overhead shots and prone is not possible if I need the perspective low.

I prefer the posture of snapping when using viewfinder. Somehow it is just me that I happen to feel more comfortable composing in this manner. I prefer the optical vision that I am getting. I like the way how my hands and position and the placement of the camera along with the right reach to the buttons on the camera.
 

Unless there is a need due to angle and position of the cam, I find it quite weird when people hold their DSLR at arm's length in front of them, squinting at the screen in glaring sunlight and after 10s one can see the shaking hands and arms getting tired. And for all this they need Image stabilization .. Congratulations.
The viewfinder gives exactly the image at the moment of shooting. The big difference to the smaller PnS cameras was the Parallax error, cause by the difference in optical axis between viewfinder and lens. Today, when the image sensor projects the image for the Lifeview, this is no longer the case. Another point is the stable position. Using viewfinder your arms and the resting against the head will form a stable triangle (do you remember your NS time and the rifle drill?) - something you cannot achieve with the arms sticking out at full length. Maybe it's less obvious with a kit lens, but if you try this with a bigger / heavier lens you'll notice the weight quickly.
I only use Liefview on tripod, when using manual focus. Everything else goes with viewfinder.
Cropping via software or cam will not affect the image quality.. unless you mess up other settings as well. But why would you crop in camera? The picture taken should not be touched, but rather a copy on your computer. If you mess it up you still have the first pic.
 

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Content aware fill
 

Hi
Most photographers who use DSLR shoot via the viewfinder and not the LCD (live view). Why ? What happen to those who use camera with 95% viewfinder as what they see is not what they get ? Since shooting via LCD is common in terms of compact camera, was this the reason to separate between compact & DSLR users, hee...? Which is better, shoot via viewfinder or LCD ? FYI, I'm a newbie who just bought a DSLR :sweat:

in the end.. its up to personal preference.. as long you are comfortable and get ur shots.. that matter most..
 

There are a few reasons why people still prefer viewfinders. Those who started photography during the film days did not have LCDs so they are probablt used to viewfinders. AF with liveview is painfully slow. During day time; if the sun is shinning from behind or side, the glare will render LCDs useless unless you have an added hood over it.
 

Simple, for my camera, D7000, autofocusing using viewfinder is much faster than liveview. Also, it saves battery power.
 

For me I know roughy where is the 5% gap so I will take that into consideration when framing.
 

Hi
Most photographers who use DSLR shoot via the viewfinder and not the LCD (live view). Why ? What happen to those who use camera with 95% viewfinder as what they see is not what they get ? Since shooting via LCD is common in terms of compact camera, was this the reason to separate between compact & DSLR users, hee...? Which is better, shoot via viewfinder or LCD ? FYI, I'm a newbie who just bought a DSLR :sweat:

The sun isn't an issue when using a VF. I can also hold a camera more steadily pressed against my face than at arms length. When using a monopod you'd also get much better stability with a VF than with the LCD. In fact your forehead and two legs are supposed to form the rest of the tripod when you're using a monopod, which you cannot do with LCD.

The Nikon Coolpix 3100 (2003 version) is still one of my favorite cameras and I still use it regularly. One primary reason is its VF.

The D7000 has 100% VF view so no reason not to use it. :)
 

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I find that my compositions are different when I use the LCD, maybe because it is easier to shoot weird angles when I don't have to put the camera to my face.
 

Viewfinder most of the time. Only uses LCD for precise manual focusing with tripod and stationary subject.

LCD gives me the impression of a dinosaur that hungers for electricity.
This phenomenon always happens to me, I'll sometime lend my friends a fully charged battery with 4bars indicated on the camera, then they will go around shooting with LCD for like only 10mins or so, and comes back with only 2bars left on the battery... =(
 

But often is I dun hv extra to crop off ! Most of the time, my subject is perfectly within the frame when I see tru viewfinder but after the shot, the LCD show part of my subject no capture ! Btw, u mean crop via camera setting or editing software ? Won't cropping affect the image quality ?

What camera are you using? Please provide make and model, so we can better understand your issue.
 

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