Do you use the screen or not?

[JoshD]

I always thought the screen (LCD?) on my Olympus Stylus was there for a reason. To use it to take pictures. So basically I have ALWAYS used that. Lately people have been telling me in order to take better pictures, in most instances you should use the viewfinder, not the screen.

What is your take? is it situational? If so, under what types of scenarios do you or don't you use the LCD screen?

Thanks

[Peter_AUS]

If you use the screen all the time, you won't get good framing of your photos as you can't really see them in the frame as you do in the viewfinder. That being said, sometimes it is easier to use the screen. The big thing about using the screen all the time, is you waste a lot of your battery juice by doing that. But wat works for some might not work for others. What ever you feel comfortable with. Me personally, I use the viewfinder 110% of the time. And a cursory check of the screen after the shot. But then I am using a Canon 10D not an Oly.

[almo]

Well like Pete, I use a Dslr. There is no preview with these cameras so the idea of framing a shot with the LCD is a moot point anyway. However, I used to shoot a DiMage 7i from Minolta, and when I used that camera I only framed using the LCD when it was not feasible to look through the VF. Like when I was holding the camera over my head, or trying to hold it still by pressing the lens aginst the side of a lagre fish/reptile tank.

OTOH I have used a Canon A60 quite a bit as well. I always use the LCD with that camera cuz the VF is abhorred. I have found that I got pretty good results that way, but an LCD will never compare with my Dslr's big bright VF!

[Sebastian]

Most of the time the viewfinder is small, fuzzy, and inaccurate on P&S digicams, and it NEVER shows the frame the way it will come out. Almost always use the screen if you want the most accurate preview of how the shot will be framed.

[Michael Fanelli]

I always thought the screen (LCD?) on my Olympus Stylus was there for a reason. To use it to take pictures. So basically I have ALWAYS used that. Lately people have been telling me in order to take better pictures, in most instances you should use the viewfinder, not the screen.

What is your take? is it situational? If so, under what types of scenarios do you or don't you use the LCD screen?

Thanks

With my P&S digitals, I use the LCD exclusively. The viewfinders don't cover enough for proper framing and they are physically too small. On the DSLR, its obviously the viewfinder.

[OldSchool]

When I use my P&S, I use the LCD screen to compose for the reasons stated above. The viewfinder does not do a good job of showing actual image boarders. I also like the use the LCD for those tight shots where it's difficult to get your eye behind the camera. Really, the only time I use the viewfinder is when it too sunny to see the LCD.

Don't worry about what people tell you on this. If you like your pictures... there you go...
Tim

[another view]

Really, the only time I use the viewfinder is when it too sunny to see the LCD.

I agree. My P&S's viewfinder only shows something like 82% of the image, so it's very difficult to compose accurately with it just for that reason. I'd rather use the LCD and cup my hand around it so I can see it (a little, anyway) in bright sunlight.

[OldSchool]

I helped shoot my brother wedding, and some of my best candid shots came from my point&shoot. You can be sly about it using the LCD. People don't realize that you are lining up a shot on them and you capture that moment. When people see me with a SLR, they often stop and "pose".

So, I'll bring my P&S along when asked to shoot some event. It is a potent tool to have along...

Tim

[joelw135]

I use the LCD on my Fuji S5100 to focus my macro shots. I just ordered a LCD lens hood which has a 1.5x magnifier so it will be much easier to focus and align my shots.

[Franglais]

I always thought the screen (LCD?) on my Olympus Stylus was there for a reason. To use it to take pictures. So basically I have ALWAYS used that. Lately people have been telling me in order to take better pictures, in most instances you should use the viewfinder, not the screen.

What is your take? is it situational? If so, under what types of scenarios do you or don't you use the LCD screen?

Thanks

On my new Fuji F10 there's ONLY the LCD screen on the back, no viewfinder. At first I thought this would be awful, but I must say the results have been okay. The LCD screen is very large and the gridlines help a lot to get the camera straight.

I've also started shooting video and that only seems right using the LCD screen

Charles

[trog100]

i find myself useing the LCD nearly all the time now.. the only time i dont is if i am worried about camera shake for longer zoom shots.. holding the camera against your eye useing the viewfinder does give a more stable shooting position.. arms held out in front will make camera shake worse..

useing the LCD more to frame shots is just something i find myself doing.. its probably down to bigger and brighter LCDs..plus better battery life.. i know i never used to.. he he

trog100

[erich_vasconcelos]

I have a Sony DSC-W1, which has a marvellous 2.5" LCD screen. But that's a snapshot camera, and it's not intended to be used mainly with the LCD turned off. In these kinds of pocket cameras it is often difficult to take advantage of the viewfinder, because they are so small, and your nose gets on the way.

That's why I stick to the LCD, and rely on viewfinder only in emergency, mostly when the batteries' life are near their end.

In the end it's always a matter of taste. Use both and choose one you're most confortable with.