How do you shoot ...LCD or EVF ?

[Roxanne]

OK , this might be a stupid question , but I need to know !! lol
Which way do most of you use to take your pics ? The LCD Monitor ? or look through the VF ? Thanks

[TDT]

I usually use the LCD. I'm not sure why one method would be better over the other method, but I like to take photos from different angles, some taller than me, some shorter than me, and the LCD is easier for taking those photos.

Personal preference I guess, hehe.

[David Metsky]

Almost always the VF, it just feels right. For video and overhead shots I'll use the LCD, but that's just about it.

[Rhys]

Always the LCD. I tried optical viewfinders and find there's usually a hopeless paralax error.

With my S1 IS, I can see exactly what the camera sees because it has an LCD viewfinder.

[speaklightly]

Roxanne-

I might be incorrect, but if I remember correctly, you are using the Nikon 8800. For the sake of our discussion here today, let's assume you own a digital camera with an EVF (electronic viewfinder) like the Nikon 8800.

An EVF is essentially a repeat of your LCD, using a separate small, second, LCD. So, in the case of a digital camera equipped with an EVF, there is very little difference, view-wise whether you use the EVF or the LCD.

Now, let take a look at the body geometry involved. When you are using the LCD, most folks stretch their arms out a bit to get a comfortable position beween the eye and the digital camera's LCD. When using slow shutter speeds, in my opinion only, you actually face a greater, or increased chance of experiencing camera movement when using this technique..

In contrast, when you are using the VF/EVF, you are forming a crude tripod pattern. The spot where you rest you camera against your forehead or bridge of your nose is one leg of the tripod. Your two arms, held close to and against you body are the other two legs of that crude tripod.

As for me? Well, with slow shutter speeds, and in bright sunshine, I tend to use the VF/EVF. When taking landscapes, close-ups, or using a real tripod, I use the LCD.

Sarah Joyce

[Geoff Chandler]

Sarah
I prefer VF - and I like EVF as all the info is there as well - but in the light of my possible future purchase of a C-7070 (if I like it!!) I may have to compromise. HOWEVER - recently I took photos at my sons school concert - you are familiar with this sort of thing I believe - and had to hold the camera up in the air as there were too many heads in the way - additionally it was slow shutter speed AND fairly telephoto!! - so I had to try to lock out my arms - I was surprised at a good many non blurred results. Basically I think I need to be ready to be adaptable but if push comes to shove - I prefer the viewfinder.
(PS - OLY UZ'z seem good at concerts and plays and the like, despite no IS)
Geoff

[Roxanne]

Thanks Sarah ! and Yes, Your memory is correct ! I have the Nikon 8800 . And I agree , I feel that I am much more stable using the EVF , rather than the LCD . But I see so many digital users using the LCD I thought that maybe *I* was doing it wrong :D By all of your responses I can see that its just what YOU feel comfortable with ! I do have to say , that in practicing using the LCD , I like that you can use the quick button and see your pics on the LCD without the added step of switching from EVF then hitting quick :confused:

[propwash]

I prefer the EVF. I suppose this goes back to my 35mm SLR days, when I didn't have a choice. Now, I'm just used to using the viewfinder. With the EVF on my FZ3, I have all the information that can be displayed on the LCD, and it makes it easy for me to see what my settings are. Another reason is that I don't always have my reading glasses with me, and if I don't have them, my arms (though quite long) aren't long enough for me to hold the camera far enough away to focus on the LCD clearly. It's all part of getting old, I guess!

I do agree with Sarah Joyce, though in that using the viewfinder makes for a more stable platform, especially if you are using a relatively slow shutter speed.

[sherlock]

Hi,

I much prefer using the EVF when using my point and shoot digicam. It just feels right to me, maybe because that's how I learned to take pictures using a film camera (come to think of it, that was the only way!!). But when I am shooting a video I use the LCD because I can see where the camera is going better than by using the EVF. Just to add my 2 cents, I really don't like EVF's compared to an optical viewfinder. EVF's get dark and grainy in low light and they just don't seem as sharp as an optical viewfinder. I don't know, I guess it's just my film backround. But, that is why I bought a dSLR, the best of both worlds I guess!!!

Andrew S.

[John_Reed]

Thanks Sarah ! and Yes, Your memory is correct ! I have the Nikon 8800 . And I agree , I feel that I am much more stable using the EVF , rather than the LCD . But I see so many digital users using the LCD I thought that maybe *I* was doing it wrong :D By all of your responses I can see that its just what YOU feel comfortable with ! I do have to say , that in practicing using the LCD , I like that you can use the quick button and see your pics on the LCD without the added step of switching from EVF then hitting quick :confused:With the Panasonics, you can see a "Quick Review" in the viewfinder for a selectable time (I use 1 second) immediately after each shot. So, I really never have to use the LCD unless I really want to pore over a particular shot or show it to someone. Can you do the same thing with the 8800? I agree with Sarah's analysis of why the EVF is better to use in general, by the way.

[Roxanne]

You can use it on my Camera as well....but I like to see it "BIG" lol