View finder or LCD display

[Theninjaseal]

In response to Solarflare, I have an EVIL camera and it is -amazing-. Lumix GH2. It uses Contrast AF, but it's faster than my friend's T3i (which is the main competitor). It's true that it can't predict the direction to focus, but the focusing is way more precise - meaning no big motors or whirring, and it moves faster so it can afford to waste more time - if that makes any sense. Of couse, such advanced Contrast AF is exclusive to EVILs, and not P&S.

I use the EVL for probably 70% of my shots. The remaining are on the LCD because a) it was a tripod shot b) the shot was taken from above eye level - holding it up in the air c) The shot was taken from below crouching eye level and I didn't want to go prone d) I was sweating so much that I get the camera all wet if it touched my face.

Some people were mentioning that the VF is nice because it's clean and not distracting. My EVL has all the settings I need, so I don't ever have to look away for specs (top lcd on dSLRS). My EVL has fully functional Live View (which you can turn off) and I can preview what a shot would look like before taking it -- you spin the dial 'til the scene looks right, rather than 'til the arrow points in the middle

A few features on currently available EVIL cameras (of which the GH2 tends to lead) are still behind pro dSLRs. But compared to their competitors in the $600-800 range, EVILs tend to be better. I certainly think that they're the way of the future and will dethrone dSLRs when they are available in the higher price brackets and bigger sensors.

 

[Hunter19XX]

I use the viewfinder to shoot and the LCD screen to review.

Same thing I do, with the addition of using the screen for video.

 

[teribithia]

I prefer the viewfinder. The camera settings information and the scene I am shooting are all that I can see, so there are no outside distractions like when using the rear LCD.

The viewfinder does not have varying amounts of ambient light falling on it like the rear LCD does.

Using the viewfinder promotes a steadier hold, with the arms close in and against the body than using the rear LCD allows.

Exactly. Your face stabilizes the camera quite a bit. Besides, the viewfinder shows "reality". I also find auto focus to be much worse with the LCD.

J

Er good skill, but to me the LCD is more convinent as the glasses sometimes dirty.

 

[Fred Berg]

LCD, is that some kind of new drug thing? The back of my camera has a slot for the top of the film box....in case I forget what I loaded.

 

[jorce01]

I dont use the LCD monitor a lot

 

[baturn]

ALL cameras I have ever owned have a viewfinder. Two of them have had LCD monitors,(basically an after thought), what do you think?

 

[Solarflare]

[...] Only DSLRs have enough room to implement a Phase AF, and since it only works when using the viewfinder and not in lifeview, I try to use the viewfinder almost always. [...]

Correction: as I recently learned, some mirrorless systems have Phase AF on chip. It seems though that this solution so far doesnt result in an as performant AF than SLR solutions.

 

[Phototripper]

I like the viewfinder as opposed to the LCD. By eliminating distractions, I find that I get more involved with my photographs, as well as tend to make better compositions.

 

[DiskoJoe]

I use the viewfinder for taking portraits and the lcd for doing landscape and things where the camera is mounted to a tripod and I want to do a focus check for accuracy.

 

[skieur]

I use both, since features are there to be used well, by any good photographer. The LCD articulated screen means that it is not necessary to lie on the ground or find a stepladder to get the shot. It is also great for street photography since you can shoot from the waist without holding your eye up to the viewfinder. In some lighting situations, the LCD screen may also provide a better image than the viewfinder and some cameras allow you to zoom in on part of the LCD screen to check focus.

As a photographer it is necessary to AVOID getting into a rut of doing everything repeatedly in the same manner using the same photographic procedures. If you buy a camera for its additional features such as an articulated LCD screen, then it makes sense to use it on the appropriate occasion.....Otherwise you have wasted your money.

skieur