Are you a viewfinder or screen user?

Cockney

Cockney

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Whats your go to framing method?
I instinctively put the camera to my eye but have recently started framing using the screen. Getting to quite like it.
 
I only use the screen when shooting lower, as in waste level shooting or ground level shooting when I don't want to kneel or lay down. Accurate MF is difficult on the back screen as you cant see see much on a smallish screen not near your eye and half the time I struggle to see if the AF point is indicating if it's in focus or not on the back screen.

My first MFT camera was a Panasonic GF1 but I soon got frustrated and decided that I really wasn't happy doing without a VF so all my cameras have them now except an old Medion compact. I can't see myself buying a camera without some sort of VF now.

I don't like holding a device in front of my face but at least when doing that with a camera (rather than a phone) you don't have to jab at the screen to take the picture.
 
Screen 90% of the time.
 
Viewfinder 99.99% of the time. Doing panning shots with a 300mm f2.8 lens held at arms length whilst looking at the rear screen is nigh on impossible.
 
VF most of the time - harder to adjust the dioptre of the rear screen!
 
When handholding, I use the viewfinder 90+% of the time. The screen is used occasionally for difficult viewpoints, but often find it difficult to see in bright light.

On a tripod it's primarily the viewfinder, but I quite like being able to stand back and look at the screen to get a final feel for a composition, and I often critically focus using a hand held magnifier. I don't think I ever "just" use the rear screen, but like having the flexibility of it being available.
 
The only time I ever use Liveview is for studio work. Then I tether it to a computer screen - the one on the camera is far too small to be of any use to my old eyes.
 
Viewfinder virtually all the time.
 
A bit of both as I have cheap cameras that I carry 24/7 that only have the rear screen. I’m going to make it a point in the future to only buy ( even cheap cameras) that have an eye finder. In bright light I find framing the shot becomes total guess work and particularly with my manual lenses you cannot see if you have the thing focused where you want it to be focused.
 
Viewfinder, most of the time. I check the histogram on my DSLR screen and may zoom in to check focus but it's the VF I use for framing and composition.

I use the viewfinder on my mirrorless camera a bit more as I can see the histogram there.
 
Viewfinder - and if it's low down, the right angle eyepiece comes out (even though I have a flip out screen) - except astro, then I use the screen on max zoom to focus
 
Except for low and high shots where I use the swing-out screen I always use the VF. I can't focus close enough to get anything meaningful from a screen, I'd have to put glasses on which all gets a bit tiresome.
 
Viewfinder most of the time. Flip screen when using tripod or for low level shots.

If I am trying to follow a moving object (bird in flight), then I find it easier with the viewfinder. I've no problem framing and focussing with the flip screen.
I suspect that a lot depends on the camera, as well as the user.
 
Viewfinder most of the time.
Used to film and ordinary SLRs, and also have always had compacts with a viewfinder, as previously living in a sunny country, and now visiting another sunny country, the rear screen is usually near to useless.
If sitting in the living room going through settings, then the screen.
 
Viewfinder most of the time for stills.
Screen most of the time for (the very occasional) video.
 
GeeJay57 said:
Viewfinder most of the time for stills.
Screen most of the time for (the very occasional) video.
Click to expand...
I've never even taken a video on my camera. Even to test it.
 
Cockney said:
I've never even taken a video on my camera. Even to test it.
Click to expand...
It’s really rare for me to take video. I just don’t find it interesting, but it has its uses. Get much more enjoyment from taking stills.
 
99% Viewfinder, rear screen only when the camera position means I cannot physically look through the VF.
 
Viewfinder unless shooting at awkward angles or low
 
99% viewfinder here, unless the angle's weird.

That said, I've only had a twizzly screen for about 3 months.
 
Viewfinder for everything unless I need to shoot from low down. Like many "older" people my knees don't like me bending down too often :(
 
Bristolian said:
Viewfinder for everything unless I need to shoot from low down. Like many "older" people my knees don't like me bending down too often :(
Click to expand...


It's not the kneeling down that's the problem, it's the standing up afterwards!!! :P
 
EVF unless shooting street and don't want to be too obvious with a camera in front of my face. Then it's easy to use the screen and look as if you are fiddling with or checking something on the screen.
 
I also use the viewfinder most of the time, unless this old body won't let me get down or up to where I want the camera. Metal knees aren't near as good as the originals. I too, need a plan for getting back up, but with metal knees they took out the padding, so a thin carpet feels like kneeling on sharp road gravel. I keep a 3" foam pad in the studio for such emergencies, but still need something to climb.

In bright areas I do what the old glass plate photographers did. I have a 3' X 4' double layer black cloth that I place over my head and rear of the camera, so I can see the screen for the shots while I'm out in bright Sunlight. This cloth has a fabric strap loop attached to the center of one long edge of the cloth that's large enough in loop size to fit over my largest camera lens (70-200 mm). This allows me to hook it over the lens to help keep it in place on windy days. This cloth is Bright Sun Proof ,because of the double layers and it's very light in weight. It's made of black cotton bed sheet material, so it folds small to allow me to keep it in a zip-lock bag and stowed in my camera bag. I don't use it often, but will never be without it. Talk your wife or significant other into sewing one together for you.

Now the question about hats?

I usually wear a baseball type cap. It's usually white and of a design that is a mesh ventilated fabric (very hot Summers here) on the rear half with a Velcro size adjustment strap. Mine say "PHOTOGRAPHER" in red across the front in large letters. I had wanted it to say "Staff" on the upper line and "Photographer" below it, but the supplier left Staff off and I decided that it wasn't necessary anyway and didn't return them. When shooting begins, the hat is turned to put the brim on the back, so I can get my head close to the camera to use the viewfinder and I usually forget to turn it back after the shoot (anybody else have a half round Suntan spot on their foreheads?). I've been looking for a better hat design that works well for photographers, but I haven't found one yet. I burn easily and thin hair doesn't help much, so a hat is absolutely necessary when I'm outside. Any suggestions will be appreciated?

Charley
 
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