How do you shoot a camera without VF?

[GaryLH]

Preferring to use a viewfinder is not "a box."
It's a preference. Don't you have a preference on other things also?

LCD will always be there for the usages that you mentioned, but in normal shooting I *much* prefer using a viewfinder to compose.

I prefer to use ovf or evf or any viewfinder to LCD as well, but I don't intend to limit my choices. If the choice is use the LCD, so be it. Right now to get a camera w/ good iq that can fit in my front jean pocket, I have to live w/ an LCD.

At the end of the day so long as u are happy about the picture u took, does it really matter?

Gary

 

[back alley]

Preferring to use a viewfinder is not "a box."
It's a preference. Don't you have a preference on other things also?

LCD will always be there for the usages that you mentioned, but in normal shooting I *much* prefer using a viewfinder to compose.

but passing on a camera because it only has a rear lcd is like living in a box...to me anyway...my talent is limit enough for me.

 

[SausalitoDog]

but passing on a camera because it only has a rear lcd is like living in a box...to me anyway...my talent is limit enough for me.

Joe-

I think there are enough cameras that have both so that you might just pass on one that has only the rear lcd...even if that is the mode you use most, why wouldn't you want the other features as well. To me the lcd is kind of like auto focus...whether I use it all the time or not, I want a VF and lcd to be on the camera I buy.

 

[back alley]

Joe-

I think there are enough cameras that have both so that you might just pass on one that has only the rear lcd...even if that is the mode you use most, why wouldn't you want the other features as well. To me the lcd is kind of like auto focus...whether I use it all the time or not, I want a VF and lcd to be on the camera I buy.

i'm not really arguing that point...i like a vf but it's not a priority anymore.

i cannot understand manually focussing an af lens...but to each his own.

what amazes me is the vehemence with which some of these points are made though...

 

[raphaelaaron]

One option that you may resort to, if you happen to have Sony NEX, is to shoot camera the "rolleflex style", looking down to the screen, flipped 90 degreees.... I guess it is OK.

This is what I do. And it works like a wonder. It has replaced my Medium Format equipment for the most part (at least the ones with WLFs)

image stabilization is great too, and i use settings to perfectly compose at at a level plane.

 

[MikeAUS]

what amazes me is the vehemence with which some of these points are made though...

It shouldn't. It's in every 2nd thread here at RFF - so everyone should be used to it by now 😀 You know the old parrot lines like 'No viewfinder = deal breaker for me' , etc. repeated ad nauseam

 

[SausalitoDog]

It shouldn't. It's in every 2nd thread here at RFF - so everyone should be used to it by now 😀 You know the old parrot lines like 'No viewfinder = deal breaker for me' , etc. repeated ad nauseam

There are a lot of folks here with very strong opinions.

That said, it's less contentious than the US Congress!!!

 

[giellaleafapmu]

what amazes me is the vehemence with which some of these points are made though...

Same here, and the funny thing is that you could never know how a picture was composed by looking at the picture itself, not like in the old film vs digital war where, at least, there is a real difference in the final product.

Also, my original question was about technique: "How do you use...", assuming you use one. I also like cameras with VFs much better but sometimes it happens that one ends up with a camera without...oh well, it happened to me at least. The Q was cheap and nice to have always in a pocket, the K-01 was, ahum, strange looking and also cheap
so I got them. 😀

GLF

 

[SausalitoDog]

Doesn't anyone just literally point and shoot??

No VF, no LCD ... Just shoot?

again, not often, but it's a useful skill 😉

 

[back alley]

Doesn't anyone just literally point and shoot??

No VF, no LCD ... Just shoot?

again, not often, but it's a useful skill 😉

i've done it...like shooting from the hip or quick shots.

using the rear lcd can be fun, easy and quick...kinda perfect for some street shooting.
i took the rx100 into manhattan when i was in nyc, just the rx100 for the day, and it was a hoot.

 

[jcrutcher]

I shoot a Leica "I" a few times a year. What I do is load it with Portra 400 set at 800 iso, I use a 35mm Elmar lens. F8-F11 scale focus 1/250 and you've got it made. Most of the time its in my cycling jersey rear pocket and I shoot while riding. Obviously you don't want to focus at 20 MPH on a bike. Portra is used since it will give you a few stops of room since you're guessing the exposure too. My cycling buddies think I'm nuts when I pull out a 80 year old camera, but they need to stop to use their I-phones ha-ha, a case where old technology wins!

 

[cz23]

Shooting waist-level candids with the Nex 7 flip screen has been a revelation for me. So much so that, while I'm very drawn to some Ricoh and Fuji offerings, I don't think I could part with this feature. It's not just the speed and stealth factor. I like the point of view -- at subject level and even lower.

John

 

[GaryLH]

Shooting waist-level candids with the Nex 7 flip screen has been a revelation for me. So much so that, while I'm very drawn to some Ricoh and Fuji offerings, I don't think I could part with this feature. It's not just the speed and stealth factor. I like the point of view -- at subject level and even lower.

John

Fuji xm1 to be announced. LCD only but w/ swivel.

Gary

 

[cz23]

Fuji xm1 to be announced. LCD only but w/ swivel.

Gary

Yeah, I saw that. But the Nex 7 viewfinder is also pretty valuable. Wouldn't want to be without one of those either.

John

 

[GaryLH]

Looks like they didn't remove the hot shoe, so I would put a ovf on it like a cv brightline. I was thinking the 27 pancake w/ xm1 and the cv 40 brightline would make a nice combo.

Gary

 

[joshxiv]

I used to say that a VF would be a requirement for any camera that I'd buy - but after getting a GRDIV, and just recently, a GR - and I'd say I'm pretty happy with just using external 'dumb' finders on the hot-shoe.

But, there are times that I remove the external finders because I want to go out with a camera in my pocket - so I leave the VF at home, and shoot off the LCD - I'm only just getting used to it, but I find that I usually do this in 3 different ways -

1. I shoot with the camera up to my face, and the LCD about 8 inches from my eyes. So, it is still kind of like shooting with a VF, haha. You still get to "hide" behind your camera.

2. Hold the camera out with two hands, usually stomach and chest level. (Not shooting from the hip, but still looking at the LCD) (I usually do this for 24mm and wider) (Think of it as crouching when shooting with a VF, except you just look like a tourist)

3. Hold the camera out with one hand, and thrust/extend my arm out towards the scene. (I usually do this if shooting close, or in really really crowded areas) (i.e. I bring my camera closer, instead of bringing all of myself closer, since it's less 'intimidating' - I hope that makes sense, LOL.)

As it is, there are still times I miss shooting with a VF - but I do also find shooting without a VF pretty liberating, for some reason. I don't know if that's partly due to the smaller cameras as well. But I do feel more "fluid" when shooting with just the LCD, especially when shooting in a crowded area. Biggest problem with shooting with just the LCD, in my opinion, is that it's sometimes hard to see details - i.e. facial expressions etc..

Cheers.

 

[Sid836]

What I hate with the LCDs is that I cannot see a thing in bright light. Other than that I have no hate for them, but I strongly prefer a 100% optical viewfinder.