Community weekly poll: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot?
- 11/28/06 2:43 PM
Optical always, only way for me
by sawcat - 11/29/06 7:59 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I absolutely hate using the LCDs on my cameras when taking a picture. The Optical Viewfinder is the only way I take pictures. Where I'd have to hold the camera to be able to see the lcd when trying to take pictures would not angle it toward what ever I needed the photo of; its just too awkward for me to use the lcds. Not to mention the lcds drain the batteries like nothing flat. I have to take lots of pictures for work and I can't be changing batteries that often out in the field (where I wouldn't even be able to see the lcds). The lcds are only used on mine to preview a picture after it's taken, when I need to make sure I didn't get a large truck in the middle of my shot when at a street or something on those lines.
viewfinder
by surfdolfin - 11/29/06 8:02 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
If you own a Canon - most P&S have them and you are at least a little more likely to use a viewfinder. My 2 Nikons have none, which allows more space for my 2.5" LCD's - which is more than fine w/ me.
The OVF can be an important feature
by BDK - 11/29/06 8:27 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
A bit of history. My first digital camera was a true SLR so what you saw throught the optical view finder was what you got. There was no LCD view finder. A friend purhased a camera that only had an LCD which worked great indoors. But outside the bright sun, not so good. My current camera a point and shoot with both OVF and LCD. I find myself using the LCD most of the time. Exceptions, on a long backpacking trip where battery use will the picture taking, and when bright sun washes out the LCD.
still or movie?
by Ca$h - 11/30/06 5:10 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Your question didn't specificly say STILL digital camera, but I assumed that's what you meant. On my Canon SD300 'still' digital I always use the LCD, whereas on my JVC 'movie' digital I always use the viewfinder. It's just a matter of what you get used to.
While I prefer framing photo within LCD screen
by SpamFighter - 11/30/06 6:33 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
The optical viewfinder is still necessary. In very bright sunlight, often you cannot see an image on the LCD screen.
I only use the LCD
by RobertFHarwood - 11/30/06 6:40 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Never
_____
My camera doesn't have a viewfinder!
___________________________________
What's a viewfinder?!
my camera doesn't have one
by kerry44 - 11/30/06 1:06 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
When we first got our newest digital camera(Canon sd630), I was a litle concerned that it didn't have a view finder. With the 3 inch screen, it appears there is not enough room to put a view finder. The one reason we got this particular camera is its ease of use and quick response time, as we have small children and every second is precious. After using the camera for 6 months, we found we didn't miss the view finder at all, but found using the digital screen sped up the whole process of lining up our shots. We also like the fact that everything we see in the digital screen will be in our shot, where our old camera(Kodak DX6340) would cut off the outer edges of the shot. So you never got a true perspective of the shot. I was a little worried about extra battery usage with such a large screen, but it hasn't been a concern at all. I just make sure the back-up battery is always charged. The only problem with the digital screen is sometimes it is hard to see in extreme light conditions(snow or sand on bright sunny days). But I suspect this is my fault, as I have yet to learn all the settings on my particular camera(I know there is a daylight setting for the screen somewhere)
Only need the LCD screen for macros and sports video
by georgie11 - 11/30/06 4:29 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I use the optical viewfinder for most still shots but when it comes to macros of butterflies and dragonflies, you have to hold your camera at armslength so you don't scare the little guys away...then you NEED the LCD screen. If your camera also records video then its also better using the LCD screen so you can watch the game while you're recording.
Viewfinder Mandatory! Even better viewfiender desired.
by corner260 - 12/1/06 8:48 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
As a "pro-sumer" with an SLR-like camera and an electronic VF, I use the viewfinder 90@ of the time. Bright sunlight washes the LCD and I want to hold the camera with two hands to minimize picture "shake".
If I was using a pocket size point-n-shooter, then the the LCD would probably be more useful, more often, than the viewfinder.
One of the areas that I would like in my next SLR-like camera would be an improved viewfinder including: Better resolution; Larger VF screen; A better physical arrangement to hold the VF to my eye; And improved display of the camera settings in the VF.
My next SLR-like camera should have a tilt/swizel LCD vs. a fixed LCD. There are times that being able to hold the camera and view the LCD at an angle would be desireable.
However, if I had to choose between a fixed LCD and a good VF, the VF would be the no-contest winner.
digital viewfinder the best for me
by Chilllax - 12/1/06 7:00 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
In the survey lead in, we were asked if we use optical viewfinders. My camera, a 4year old intermediate FujiFilm camera (aprox.$375), has a digital viewfinder and a nice size LCD. If I had a choice between LCD or optical viewfinder, I would probably go LCD everytime because then I can see what I'm getting. But a digital viewfinder is a different animal. Since the colors on my LCD are usually washed out due to lighting conditions, I almost always go with my digital viewfinder; it gives me the better image. Also, having the camera against my face helps me track moving targets or keep the camera steady when shooting in low light. Then there's the energy savings. I only use the LCD for special shots like when I want to hold the camera above head level, or set in on a base.
viewfinder
by nlv4ever - 12/1/06 8:14 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
My first digital camera was a sony zoom that used floppies as storage cards...which is the sole reason I bought it...and didn't even know till I bought it that it did not have a view finder. The lcd screen was so bad on it ...in the sun sometimes you couldn't even see what you were trying to take. Since then I have had two olympuses and now a Canon...The canon you can even hide the lcd screen so the only time I open it is if I want to view a picture I have already taken...:) I really think the viewfinder is mandatory for most people.
viewfinder or LCD display
by sissidekroon - 12/3/06 8:58 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I always use the viewfinder, it gives a more clear idea about what I am shooting at. Using the viewfinder helps keeping the camera stable. The display I use only when its the only possibility. Like strange angle, very high or very low. two negative points about the LCD;in broad daylight the screen visibility is very poor and it uses up the batteries very fast.
Missing option in this week's poll question:
by Wil712 - 12/3/06 9:36 AM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
One option that might seem unthinkable: I do not yet own a digital camera. How's that for being way behind the times?? Just call me a caveman!
LCD all the way
by de_zwaluw - 12/4/06 3:54 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
I've owned two digital cameras and I must say that I never used it on the first one. My first digicam had indeed a viewfinder, and when I needed it (in lowlit conditions) I would turn it off. However, an indicator lamp next to it would light up to show that the camera still was active. The problem was that it blinded me with its intensity. And if you turned the screen on I had too much light coming from that source. So basically it was useless since I only wanted to use it in dark lit conditions. My present digicam doesn't have a viewfinder, but relies on a large 2.7 inch LCD which works well in the dark, too, as well as nearly flawless in any sunlit condition. So no viewfinder for me. It's battery lasts 550 shots anyway, with the screen on. (I'd rather search and buy a camera which compensates very well for not having a VF). And oh, you have to take a couple of extra look-on-the-LCD, look-into-viewfinder, steps before you get right exposure, WB, ISO etc, with an optical VF... why not just use the LCD screen and spare yourself that extra fiddling? VF is old-school according to me, except when you have a pro digital camera or one which has an LCD powered VF.
optical view finder....
by rufrider - 12/18/06 4:21 PM In reply to: How often do you use the viewfinder on your point-and-shoot? by Marc Bennett
Fifty percent of the time, I use the View finder, however
its important to note that I have a Sony Cybershot 3 mp camera,
that has a humidity problem.
Many of them do.
Since visiting the seashore, the LCD whited out for over 6 months.
Then I visited Wisconsin, in the winter, and viola, the LCD started working. The tale gets thicker.
When I got back too Arlington TX, the LCD went back to white out phase.
I put the camera in the refrigerator and nothing changed.
Weeks later I went to Tennessee, again cool weather...
the LCD came back to life. Now back in Texas, it still works,
however I now keep the cmamera in a ziplock bag with a
drying agent, desicdent, the kind you find in pill bottles.
So my friends with Sonys get your decidents at the nearest pharmacy or
camera store, to keep you Sony alive.
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