Community weekly poll: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot?
- 11/28/06 2:43 PM
The ambiguous question makes the results meaningless.
by borden - 11/28/06 10:44 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Both the ‘optical’ and the LCD screen are, in fact, viewfinders – and it’s hard to take pictures using NO viewfinder at all !
optical view finders
by tedj - 11/28/06 10:57 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Marc, I can't imagine not having the option of an OVF. If you live in Arizona as I do, shooting during daylight is almost out of the question with a LCD. Additionally, I can compose much better using an OVF since it yeilds a truer perspective, enhances the 3D effect of the subject matter, facilitates the 9 quadrant rule for composition, and helps me choose the amount of forground versus sky for the shoot. Basically, I only use the LCD for checking/auditing the shot immediately after it is taken. Someone elses comment about holding the camera against your head is a very valed point for steadiness.
My only hope is that the results of this survey gets back to the camera manufactures. For those who want point and shoot, let them have it sans OVF, I will never do with out it.
Ted, Sedona, AZ
Viewfinder -v- screen
by telman8 - 11/28/06 11:40 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I have both slr and point-and-shoot cameras. Both have the option. For the slr, I have never used the screen, always the viewfinder. This identifies the circumstances in which I use the screen in preference to the viewfinder on the p-and-s: for anything other than a close-up, I use the viewfinder. For the close-up, because the lens position is not in full alignment with the viewfinder, the screen shows me what the lens is viewing.
Oh, I forgot. I do find the screen useful if I want a shot from almost on the ground: it avoids the necessity of me actually having to lie on the ground. Useful!
Telman
What about bright sunlight?
by grahamm - 11/28/06 11:42 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
The LCD display is next to useless in bright sunlight conditions.
Viewfinder or CCD screen?
by alan sidney baldwin - 11/28/06 11:48 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I like using both, especially the viewfinder in strong sunlight and indoors or in shade to keep the object framed whilst the delay is taking place between click and flash.
What I would like to see is an extra facility to turn off the LCD screen and better viewfinders that zoom with the altering optical focal lengths. That way, you don't have to spend a lot of battery power supporting a large screen.
Zooming viewfinders are not new and appeared on some 35mm cameras years ago.
alan baldwin.
Optical Viewfinder most of the time.
by Yumpin_Yimminie - 11/28/06 11:54 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I shoot a lot of photographs outdoors. The two digital cameras I use (Olympus & Canon) the LCD screens wash out with the bright light especially outdoors. In addition I find it just more convenient and faster to shoot using the optical viewfinder. The framing by using the optical viewfinder may not be 100% perfect, but it is very close. With both of the cameras if you frame using the optical you will get in the final image all of what you see in the optical viewfinder.
Jim
How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot?
by bryanall - 11/29/06 12:01 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I have a Canon G5 and use the viewfinder probably about half the time, it just depends on the image but I would not be without it. I also have a Sony VX2100 Camcorder and with that I seldom ever use the LCD screen, perhaps only when I'm filming over the top of heads in a crowd, otherwise I always use the viewfinder. I find I can adjust the image better. bryanall
Value of the Viewfinder
by sheywood - 11/29/06 12:13 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
It would be interesting to correlate the results of this survey with the age and the general photography experience of the respondents. I wonder if the likelihood that a user will use the viewfinder is related to the level of users' experience in using non-digital cameras.
Since they have no frame of reference for using the LCD, I've noticed that new digital users who have used non-digital cameras try the viewfinder first. As more people buy their second and third cameras, users will be familiar with the LCD and may use the viewfinder less.
The converse may also be true. If young users lack the frame of reference for using the viewfinder, the LCD may be used exclusively, and the viewfinder may become vestigial. There are no viewfinders on mobile phone cameras.
Personally, I use the viewfinder for some of the same reasons others have shared. It is useful for setting up shots in bright lighting, for framing product shots and for conserving battery life. If technology advances make these reasons moot, I would bet on the viewfinder's ultimate demise.
go the whole hog have a eye cam ????????
by proshoots - 11/29/06 12:34 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
just leave the lcd 'party shooters'
you NEED a viewfinder to compose the shot simple there is no replacement for it
SO let the lcd party shooters have a head cam 'great photo's ????
What a relief
by Jay0223 - 11/29/06 1:09 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Whew - when I read the topic I thought, 'Oh no, not another feature I'm going to have to search for in a new camera!' I was relieved as I see from the results of the poll that the largest percentage of voters agreed with me. Using the viewfinder steadies the camera so that the results are crisper and clearer, better focussed; the viewfinder works perfectly in any lighting conditions, not something you can say for the LCD and the last thought that occurred to me is the battery problem. I always carry a spare, but they last a lot longer without continual use of the LCD. I tend to use the LCD only for reviewing of photographs after they have been taken. Give me a viewfinder any day for taking the pictures.
LCD without any scruple !
by WilliamJBrant - 11/29/06 2:14 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I am still using my (old?) Canon Powershot G2 camera with satisfaction and this allways with LCD.My reasons?
Taking pictures while wearing (sun)glasses is easier with the LCD.
After taking your shot you can see it for a few seconds on the screen before it disappairs, enough to see if you have to take it again and without having to switch to "view".
Brigth sunlight? With the swiveling LCD screen that effect can be strongly reduced. (Imho the Canon screen is very good and the brigthness can be adjusted, if necessary)
Battery life? What do you think of a 1400 mAh Li-ion battery? Or even a spare one in your pocket?
definition of point and shoot
by Per_Bressendorff - 11/29/06 2:39 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
The outcome of this poll depends on people's understanding of "point-and-shoot". I own a Canon Ixus and en EOS. On the Ixus I almost always use the LCD screen, and obviously only the optical viewfinder on the EOS. But would you consider the EOS a point-and shoot? Canon do so in their own litterature because of the automatic setting. I wouldn't for the sake of this poll. But how do you think other people who have replied understand the point-and-shoot?
simple definition for point and shoot
by ncbugman - 11/29/06 7:26 PM In reply to: definition of point and shoot by Per_BressendorffFor this poll I would consider those who use a "point and shoot" camera as those who generally only "take pictures". Those who use "OVF" are generally those who "compose photographs". If all you do is "take pictures" then an LCD is all you need. I am biased toward the "OVF" as I use a Nikon D-70 and a Cannon AE-1. Both are SLR's.
One advantage of the LCD
by MegsL - 11/29/06 2:39 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I have two digital cameras. One is a Sony DSC 707 with a choice between optical viewfinder and small LCD screen and the other, a tiny Sony T5, just has an LCD screen.
Both have their advantages. On the T5 the LCD screen is much bigger (two and a half inches) and I can see it when the camera lies casually on my lap, so that if I want to photograph something (or, more often, somebody!) without being noticed, I can do that. Holding a camera up to one's eye is a giveaway.
On the other hand - as has been pointed out - an LCD screen exhausts camera batteries more quickly. Also I personally get the impression (though I'm not sure about this, and it mau just be eyesight related) that accurate focusing is more easily checked in an optical viewfinder.
Certainly, the DSC 707 gives me sharper pictures than the T5. Horses for courses.
Regards to all, Meg.
Flexible thinking is the key
by moviebug - 11/29/06 3:00 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Things go in cycles. My first serious camera in the 60s was an Exakta VX (the East German company that invented the SLR). This was such an early model (I could not afford a new one) that it only came with a waist-level viewfinder with groundglass field, shielded by a neat folding metal hood. I learned how to compose pictures well, and to take them from wacky angles. Later I bought a "new-fangled" pentaprism viewfinder (eyelevel) to interchange with the waist-level. So I understand the advantage of both points of view. Now LCDs swivel all over the place, leaving the waist-level finder for dead. Leaving aside the current valid points about battery saving and avoiding camera shake, the main reason I use the eyelevel viewfinder on my Canon S1 IS is the speed with which you can compose and shoot when viewing through the viewfinder. But even so, I do use the LCD when I want those wacky camera angles. You can shoot over a crowd or around other obstacles. You can even reach inside metal railings (NOT the sort with fanged animals on the other side) and compose a picture without intrusive bars. And you can take pictures down at dew-laden grass level without getting your clothes wet. So let's not be dogmatic, people! Be creative...
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