Dumb question of the day: Cropped Viewfinder?

[jwbryson1]

On DX cameras, does the view finder crop the image so you know what your final image will look like cropped?

I've never looked through the viewfinder, taken a photo and then noticed that the image was cropped from what I saw through the viewfinder. This makes me wonder if the viewfinder somehow crops the image too.

Sounds like a dumb question, but I just don't know the answer. I'm doubt the answer is yes, but I thought I'd ask anyway. :mrgreen:

Flame away...

 

[cgipson1]

What you see is basically what you get.... cropped or full frame.

 

[Kerbouchard]

Most DX viewfinders actually crop more than what the sensor sees. Usually around 95% or so.

 

[Patrice]

On most decent cropped sensor DSLR's the viewfinder will show 'nearly' the same image in terms of field of view size as what the sensor will record. I say nearly because a few will show slightly less.

 

[480sparky]

Nikon has a specification titled, "Viewfinder Frame Coverage". Some cameras are 100%, so it's literally a WYSIWYG in the VF.


For the D4, its:

• Viewfinder Frame Coverage
  FX (36x24): 100% Horizontal and 100% Vertical Approx.
  1.2x (30x20): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx.
  DX (24x16): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx.
  5:4 (30x24): 97% horizontal and 100% vertical Approx.

For the D3100:
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
95% Horizontal
95% Vertical Approx.

 

[Jaemie]

"Viewfinder coverage" is usually listed on the camera specifications. You can look it up on a site like dpreview.com if you can't find the information elsewhere.

 

[jwbryson1]

Nikon has a specification titled, "Viewfinder Frame Coverage". Some cameras are 100%, so it's literally a WYSIWYG in the VF.


For the D4, its:

• Viewfinder Frame Coverage
  FX (36x24): 100% Horizontal and 100% Vertical Approx.
  1.2x (30x20): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx.
  DX (24x16): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx.
  5:4 (30x24): 97% horizontal and 100% vertical Approx.

For the D3100:
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
95% Horizontal
95% Vertical Approx.

Nice post, Sparkomatic! Thanks.

 

[o hey tyler]

The D7000 has a 100% viewfinder, even though it's cropped. I figured you might be interested in that tidbit since you have another thread where you stated that you're interested in upgrading.

 

[KmH]

Note to that there is usually a magnification factor too. A D7000 has an approximate 0.94 magnification factor according to the D7000 specs.

The D3100 has a 0.80 magnification factor.

 

[Josh66]

What about multi-format cameras?

Nikon cameras that can shoot FX or DX. Does the viewfinder change when you switch it?

I only have one multi-format camera, and it's a medium format film camera, and the viewfinder does change when you change formats.