what is optical viewfinder

[ugotlobbed]

ive read descriptions of it.....but im a noob
can someone put it in lamens terms for me.....
thx

[propwash]

An optical viewfinder is what you will find on film cameras. It's a small viewfinder through which you look to compose your picture. Most digital cameras have it too, but not all of them do. Some only have the LCD screen on the back of the camera, and some have an electronic viewfinder instead of an optical viewfinder.

[Norm in Fujino]

ive read descriptions of it.....but im a noob
can someone put it in lamens terms for me.....
thx

The word "optical" is used because you're looking only through glass, not through an electronic device. Suppose you had a camera pointing out the window, and you could only see what's outside by looking at your TV set; that would be an "electronic window". It's similar to the "electronic viewfinders" on most digicams.
On the other hand, if you can look out the window directly, you have a clearer view, because you're not looking through all the electronics of the TV set. That would be an "optical window," similar to the optical viewfinders on SLR digital cameras.

In general, optical viewfinders are preferred because they're clearer. You can see details of the scene you can't see on an electronic viewfinder. But many people believe that electronic viewfinders will eventually catch up technically and be installed on all digital cameras since they can display more information (like live histograms, flashing areas where the image is over/underexposed, etc.).

[ugotlobbed]

ok thanks a lot guys nice descriptions

[Myron]

I am new to digital photography. I was going to purchase a digital camera with a large 3" LCD screen but I am afraid that I won't be able to use it outdoors; inside it's great. I can't see the LCD screen on my cell phone outside despite trying to shade it from the sun. My camera photos are usually poorly centered as a result. As an alternate, I could get a model with a smaller, 2 1/2" screen with an optical viewfinder. Would the viewfinder solve my problem? How do others see the LCD screens outdoors? I see so many using laptops sitting in the park having no problem. How do they manage? I never see this topic on any forum. Thanks.

[danidabi]

An optical view finder would definetly solve the problem the LCD has in the sun. I personally use my optical for all shots because I find I'm more stable with the camera resting on my face. Kodak came out with an LCD that works in both sunlight and darker conditions, I'm not amazed by it, I didn't find it worked that much better.

As for the people with the laptops. They may be sitting facing the sun so the screen is hidden. They could also be tilting the screen a certain way so the sun doens't hit the screen. I have a laptop with a shiny screen and can't see a damnthing when the sun shines into my office.:mad:

[mattdm]

Camera LCD screens have gotten much better in this regard. I rarely find it an issue.

[JLV]

Another alterative is a Delkin Devices' Pop-Up Shade, either specific for your camera or universal. I got one from Radio Shake. Micro Center carries it as does Ritz. It also available from the following:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=441826&is=REG&addedTroughType=search