Viewfinder

[BillBingham2]

For me the finder is what drives the style of handling for the camera.

The Nikon S2 was as close to perfect as I've ever found built in to a camera. I could see around the frame, open the other eye and see even more.

While I have to admit that I love brightlines they really only felt great with wide glass, like the CV 25/4 (on a Bessa L).

I like sport finders too, for the same reasons, I can see what's might be coming into the frame. Somewhat harder for 35mm than for MF or 4x5, but I like them for the speed.

SLR finders feel great for moderate to longer telephoto, but the image using saying a 24 doesn't give me the same feeling of control I have with an RF. I've tried to using moderate (90-135) on my RFs and they never felt as good as on an SLR.

I'm pretty close to plunking down the funds for an iPad Pro and thinking of using it as a LF camera. I have to say that I'm spoiled with Retina level displays on the iPhone.

Poorly executed viewfinders are a reason NOT to get a camera. I never really bought into the concept that "Chimping" was bad. I just thought it was using what you had to the fullest.

B2 (;->

 

[willie_901]

The option to choose between bright-line optical, EVF or LCD to affect the most efficient means to compose is more useful than some might realize.

I often composed with the X100, X-Pro 1 and X100T exactly as I composed with an Ziess Ikon M.

Analog rangefinder technologies are simply one way to implement bright-line finder composition. The Fujifilm X-Series technology is another. With either one can make full use of a bright-line finders' advantages.

I reject that the notion that Leica bright-line rangefinders offer any fundamental advantage over numerous analog bright-line rangefinders offered by others or over Fujifilm's "reverse Galilean viewfinder with electronic bright frame display"

 

[presspass]

Don't forget the Zeiss viewfinders. They almost make the scene brighter than real life. As to use, they're one of the reasons I prefer a rangefinde. I even keep them on M series cameras that have the built-in bright line finder for the lens I'm using. For instance, the old 135 bright line finder is much easier to use than the built-in finder even on the M3.

 

[dmr]

I have found that I compose better and am more comfortable using the LCD on my Fujis. In the viewfinder is too cramped for my vision or something like that.

I'm just the opposite. I just can't concentrate on composing on a screen held out in front of me. I find it very awkward. I NEED a viewfinder! (Whether it has bright lines or not.)

One reason one of my carry-everywhere cameras is an old junky 1990s vintage Kodak Easyshare is because it has a real optical viewfinder with zoom.

Now one case where I'm finding the screen to be handy is doing test exposures for the upcoming eclipse. With the camera pointed at 70-ish degrees up on a tripod, zoomed out to 700mm with a ND1000000 filter, it's much easier to use live view and tilt the screen up to a comfortable viewing angle than it is to use the viewfinder.

 

[Chuck Albertson]

Since I wear glasses, I've relied on viewfinders for 28mm and wider for rangefinders for a long time. After a while, the focus/frame dance is not a bother. Cost is a factor, but so is the ability of the bugger to stay in the hot shoe slot - having one of them slip out when you're not looking is a real pain, and even losing a cheap one is a hassle. I paid the premium for a Leica finder for the 24mm lens, mostly because it has a switch that really locks it to the hot shoe slot.

I bought a Voitlander 35mm finder for a Leica X2, and it works fine now that I have figured out and learned to trust the camera's autofocus. It certainly doesn't draw the batt power taken by the EVF, and it's faster than squinting at the LCD screen.