30 replies to this topic

[PrettyCranium]

So, what do you use to compose your pictures? The optical viewfinder, or the LCD screen?

I use the viewfinder. I would love to use the LCD screen for macro, and low shots where the articulation would've helpful. But I find it really unwieldy, for some reason. On my D5100, there seems to be a slight lag in what is displayed. I also can't take as many pictures as fast in a row.

Opinions?

[Afterimage]

Viewfinder!!! LCD's are for smartphones and point-and-shoots!! 

 

No, seriously, I do use the LCD when I have to hold the camera at an angle I can't put my eye to the VF.

[alden]

With my D80 I have no other option than to use the viewfinder. 

 

It would be nice to use the LCD screen in some situations. 

[nbanjogal]

I always use the viewfinder, but when I do night sky photography, the LCD is extremely helpful for focusing. It's easy to find a bright star and then zoom in to assist with manual focus. (I shoot with a D600.)

[morticiaskeeper]

I don't have the option of LCD with the D80 & D40.

Today I was using my Pentax compact, I was dangling off a cliff in a harness, one handed use is essential! I just didn't like using the LCD.

A few months ago, a flying club member asked me to look at his bridge camera, as he was having focus problems. It appeared to have a viewfinder, then I looked throughout it. The viewfinder was a small LCD screen! It was awful, the worst of both worlds :-(

[Stas]

Viewfinder. I just already get used to it. Viewfinder will give you better results on bright light.

[IanB]

Viewfinder nearly all the time although i find the freedom of the screen on the D5100 very useful for low down shots or awkward positions or night shots in Manual.  I cannot say i have really been bothered by any noticeable lag though. I must admit, when i first got the camera i did think that i would use the LCD a lot more than i actually do.

 

Ian.  

[PrettyCranium]

Yeah, I thought that I would be using the tilt-LCD much more than I do, but I far prefer the viewfinder.  Looks like I have good company!

[foto guy]

Whichever suits the situation best.

I tend to "see" differently through a DSLR viewfinder, a film SLR and an LCD screen.

[Warrick]

Viewfinder most of the time in the day and night.

 

for say bulb/extended time shots ill use the viewfinder to compose then use the LCD to get a better look at exposure levels etc before setting the timer

 

viewfinder in my opinion is good as there is much less chance of being affected by glare as with LCD's with reflected light

[TBonz]

Viewfinder unless I'm taking a quick photo on my iPhone!  I occasionally check shots during a break in the action if there was some important play, but I don't think I've really ever used the LCD for shooting...

[stuguy]

Ive always used the Viewfinder but recently started to use the LCD screen for macro shots

[PrettyCranium]

Ive always used the Viewfinder but recently started to use the LCD screen for macro shots

 

I tried the LCD screen for macro, but I just can't get the hang of it.

[Tony892]

I have always automatically gone for the viewfinder and have found it to be an automatic reaction when taking a photograph, however, having read the comments below I think I will try and start looking occasionaly at the LCD screen,which I currently use if I want to look at a the image I have taken.

[Gordo]

Viewfinder.  I only use an LCD screen when absolutely necessary.

[Thumper]

I prefer the viewfinder.

[K-9]

The flip out, tilting screen on my NX20 comes in handy for discreetly composing street shots. Otherwise, always the viewfinder.

[fishwm]

Viewfinder all the time.  I don't have a camera phone, so I am stuck in "old school" mode.  LCD is for checking the pic after the shot and showing others. 

[Merco_61]

Viewfinder or sometimes the MacBook Pro when shooting tethered in the studio.

[Chrisf]

Viewfinder 100%. Only use the lcd to check my images.