Community weekly poll: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot?
- 11/28/06 2:43 PM
external battery packs for digital p&s's
by sean710 - 11/29/06 8:26 PM In reply to: The Choice Between the Optical Viewfinder and the LCD Screen by Archie RabbitI don't know of many, but I do know of this:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/maha_powerbank.html
If you're looking for a home-made solution, you can always get a giant 12-volt lead-acid battery (ie. car battery, or sealed hobby battery), paired with standard 12-volt inverter, and you can power your camera for a very, very, very long time.
Scott
Neither Optical or LCD View Finder
by jdventer - 11/28/06 9:37 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Ever since I started using digital cameras I've used the LCD Screen rather than the viewfinder. Like a view camera I find it easier to visualize the end product with the LCD Screen.
Didn't you just contradict your lead in?
by NM_Bill - 11/28/06 10:15 PM In reply to: Neither Optical or LCD View Finder by jdventerDuh.
Action and Sunshine overwhelm LCDs
by gprellwitz - 11/28/06 9:45 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
First, the survey is pretty useless, since it doesn't specify which TYPE of viewfinder: optical or LCD. I think it's fair to say that almost everyone uses one or the other on most of their shots.
Many of the shots I take are outdoors in bright light, frequently of planes doing low passes. I find that, aside from the dificulties of taking such fast-action shots with digital in general, the LCDs don't keep up with the action quickly enough to let me track the plane and snap the picture with the subject still visible. And to top it off, I normally can't even make out anything on the LCD viewfinder in strong sunlight, which tends to be when I'm doing this. And let's not even start talking about the added battery drain caused by the LCD panel. Some cameras use a tiny LCD that you look at through the optical-like viewfinder. That helps the sunlight and battery problems, but doesn't do too much for the fast action issue.
Almost always
by srg727 - 11/28/06 9:50 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
The biggest problem with LCD's as viewfinders, is that they can't be seen in bright light. I always use the optical view finder to frame my shots. I prefer digital SLR's to point-and shoot's anyway, and you must look through a viewfinder there. I have several point-and-shoot digital cameras, and I truly dislike having to use the LCD displays. They are useful, though, as a preview screen, but only useful if you can see them.
Almost Always
by skydiver51 - 11/29/06 1:15 PM In reply to: Almost always by srg727There is hardly a time that I don't use my optical viewfinder. I feel I have more control over my aim that way. I don't know why....I just do. Also, I am far sighted and I always have to grab my reading glasses when I use the LCD display. I do use the LCD display when I'm using the timer or when I take pictures at a wierd angle and need to twist the LCD display on my Canon S2 for convenience.
My camera does not have one
by Ed-duh-win - 11/28/06 10:17 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
My camera, a Konica Minolta Dimage E50 does not have an optical viewfinder. It instead has a big 2.5" LCD screen which is quite useful in many occasions.
Use of the optical viewfinder in a camera
by lennyjg - 11/29/06 8:15 AM In reply to: My camera does not have one by Ed-duh-winI am an old time photographer. I am used to using a viewfinder. I, at most times automaticaly bring the camera up to my eye to take a photo.
It's funny that when I decided to buy a digital camera I wanted to have one that had all the features that was available. When I had it I could not understand how to use it. So very new to me.
I have been in the photography field for over 50 years, starting as a dark room tech going on to be a photo jounalist for a major newspaper. Throughout my career I always used Nikon equipment. Later in my life I went on to selling photo equipment and then to the repair of the same. I had an enjoyable life due to the "camera" and now they have changed the whole concept.
I guess it is for the better, but I will aleays use the viewfinder.
Optical Viewfinder is a relic
by nishmeister - 11/28/06 10:29 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I have Olympus C-5050, Nikon Coolpix 8400, Canon Rebel XT (SLR), and use Nikon D70 (SLR) at work (which all takes good pics). The viewfinder on the Olympus is like looking though a wide angle lens with wide bars that show approximate borders. The Nikon Coolpix has a video viewfinder like a camcorder. The D70 and Rebel XT is what i consider truly functional viewfinder. Overall i never had a problem with battery life? I mean you do carry extra set don't you? I find that holding a tiny point and shoot camera up by my face is very awkward and get better shots if its held about a foot away... as well as better composition outweighing the battery life for using the lcd screen. Its just easier for the eyes. For important shots.. of course.. there's just no match with using a digital SLR through the viewfinder.
Why use optical viewfinder on point and shoot?
by alaw168 - 11/28/06 10:29 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
One of the biggest advantages of digital photography, to me at least, is the ability to instantly review the picture you take. And you cannot achieve that by using the optical viewfinder. So I've been using LCD viewfinders exclusively since switching over from film to digital.
Also, how exactly do you compose your picture using OFV on a P&S? Wouldn't an OFV on a P&S only show an approximation of the picture you're taking? After all, unlike an SLR, the OFV on a P&S uses a different lens that the one used to take the actual picture.
If I had a REAL viewfinder, I might use it.
by TreknologyNet - 11/28/06 10:34 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
On my camera the "viewfinder" is another miniature LCD anyway, so lighting governs the decision on Tiny screen or Larger screen. It doesn't make that much difference which I use, because if the subject is moving, then the shutter lag means I have to guess the result, and if I'm using a flash, then I have to guess because neither screen can display enough image to even guarantee the right direction...
Love the LCD!
by kkraz - 11/28/06 10:35 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Before my first trip to China and India (this summer), I bought my first digital camera with an LCD (Sony DSC-H2 with 12x zoom and stabilization). While shopping, I insisted that I needed a view finder and couldn't see the value of the LCD. On the go, though, the LCD turned out to be the big winner. Because of the stabilization feature, I didn't need to support the camera against my forehead. And, with the LCD, I could place the camera against a window or in other awkward positions and still get a great shot. And, when trying to shoot street scenes, using the LCD away from my face meant I still had peripheral vision to see what was coming into the shot.
i use my viewfinder
by tazadsldevil - 11/28/06 10:36 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
On the digital camera's i have i use the viewfinder and after taking the picture i look at the lcd to see if the picture is taking as i saw it in the viewfinder.
camera's with viewfinder
canon eos 300 D
nikon coolpix 7600
camera without
mustek 3000 dv
Always, exept....
by tsnyderks - 11/28/06 11:34 PM In reply to: i use my viewfinder by tazadsldevilFrom time to time I do not use the viewfinder.That is while composing selfportrait. I turn the LCD backwards and use the remote control to shoot. That happens once a year.
A steady shot, without tripod, means: holding arms to the chest and the camera to the eye and head. That's what I learned in school.
SLR only
by IronManCurtis - 11/29/06 12:45 AM In reply to: i use my viewfinder by tazadsldevilYes LCD's wash out, but non-SLR viewfinders are next to worthless. You can't accurately see if it's framed correctly, in focus, etc. I refuse to waste my time with them. Digital or film, I'll take SLR. Next choice is LCD or other electronic eyepiece thatlets me see through the lens.
-Mike
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