outside shaddows on screen
Nov 8, 2011 08:37:24 #
Husband bought me coolpix Nikon...great fun but can't take pictures outside without view finder. The image screen is always black or in shadow. Any suggestions? New to your web sight; but hoping to learn lots about my camera and taking good pictures. JMM
Nov 8, 2011 08:44:11 #
Nov 8, 2011 08:47:44 #
LCD is good for inside pictures but bright outside is hard to see what I am taking pictures of
Nov 8, 2011 09:12:07 #
Jane,
I have a coolpix S8100 and the screen seems to do pretty good outside. But bright sunlight right on the screen seems to wash out the best of them. Have you looked for a screen brightness control? That might help. Or you can try to shade the screen with your other hand. If all else fails you could check to see if anyone makes a hood for your coolpix. Try goggling coolpix (your model number) screen hood, or screen shade. They dont seem to be all that expensive, around $15 or so.
I am not a point and shoot expert though, I use my D300 DSLR most of the time. So if others have come up with better ideas please chime in.
I have a coolpix S8100 and the screen seems to do pretty good outside. But bright sunlight right on the screen seems to wash out the best of them. Have you looked for a screen brightness control? That might help. Or you can try to shade the screen with your other hand. If all else fails you could check to see if anyone makes a hood for your coolpix. Try goggling coolpix (your model number) screen hood, or screen shade. They dont seem to be all that expensive, around $15 or so.
I am not a point and shoot expert though, I use my D300 DSLR most of the time. So if others have come up with better ideas please chime in.
Nov 8, 2011 09:18:15 #
I just ran across an ad in Outdoor Photographer for a device called HoodLoupe. Carry it around your neck on the strap and hold it to the display for viewing. Has + - 3 diopter. Sounds a little clumbsy put maybe with a little practice,who knows.
pounder35
pounder35
Nov 8, 2011 10:40:03 #
pounder35 wrote:
I just ran across an ad in Outdoor Photographer for a device called HoodLoupe. Carry it around your neck on the strap and hold it to the display for viewing. Has + - 3 diopter. Sounds a little clumbsy put maybe with a little practice,who knows.
pounder35
pounder35
What you are talking about is the Hoodman Loupe. I use one all the time when out and using live-view on my Sony.
Makes viewing the LCD in bright sunlight a snap.
You can google Hoodman loupe for sources of supply, or try adorama.com. They have them in stock arounf $47
Nov 8, 2011 12:38:50 #
Thanks for information...I was beginning to think I was the only one with the problem!! JMM
Nov 9, 2011 07:33:06 #
NewEnglandPhotoguy
Loc: Chelmsford, MA
Wife had the same problem:
Can't use LCD outside in bright sunlight.
Shutter lag prevented here from taking pictures of active kids.
Wasn't totally thrilled with the image quality.
I bought her a Nikon D40.
Has a viewfinder - works in any light
No shutter lag - now takes action pictures
Quality equal to the larger DSLRs.
Smallest DSLR made (at the time).
She's now a happy camper (me too).
Can't use LCD outside in bright sunlight.
Shutter lag prevented here from taking pictures of active kids.
Wasn't totally thrilled with the image quality.
I bought her a Nikon D40.
Has a viewfinder - works in any light
No shutter lag - now takes action pictures
Quality equal to the larger DSLRs.
Smallest DSLR made (at the time).
She's now a happy camper (me too).
Nov 9, 2011 08:58:43 #
naturalite
Loc: Up state NY
This common problem of screen washout by bright light is the nature of what you work with. So you work with what you have. I do realize sometimes for the shot you want, there is no way to get away from bright light. So you do the next best thing. Stuff like wearing a broad rimmed hat, and bringing the camera closer to your face. Taking that same hat and holding it out to block sun on the camera.
Compose your shot to where shadow works in your favor.
Getting the photo you want takes work and that is what makes great photographers. The people willing to work at what they want.
Compose your shot to where shadow works in your favor.
Getting the photo you want takes work and that is what makes great photographers. The people willing to work at what they want.
Nov 9, 2011 09:55:27 #
Nov 9, 2011 10:00:09 #
I tried foldable sun screen protectors. When facing the sun I couldn't see a thing. I started to refer to the cameras, without a optical view finder as "point and pray cameras". I carry around a small pocket camera with a view finder (Canon Power Shot SD 990) for just that reason. It uses the same battery as the Canon S200 that is always with me, so it serves a double purpose. Hoodman works well, but trying to block the sun with a hat, etc. didn't help at all. I would love to find a small pocket-able, point and shoot, with an optical view finder, and extended zoom.
Nov 9, 2011 10:30:29 #
naturalite
Loc: Up state NY
Hello Sensei, Love that name because my students call me by it too.
Anyway, I have a bunch of P/S cameras (5) I use for different conditions. And they all seem to cover a variable splash of applications. Each one set a bit different.
My fuji s1500 is a slug but does well if I have the time to set up. My nikon coolpix L11 does a good job, but the zoom is jumpy. A little vivitar X029 is a snappy critter that makes me smile every time it squeaks at me. (when I power it up) And does a great job for its $19 dollar price. And my Coby Snapp, well it takes forever to fire up but does a great job for what it is.
Anyway, I have a bunch of P/S cameras (5) I use for different conditions. And they all seem to cover a variable splash of applications. Each one set a bit different.
My fuji s1500 is a slug but does well if I have the time to set up. My nikon coolpix L11 does a good job, but the zoom is jumpy. A little vivitar X029 is a snappy critter that makes me smile every time it squeaks at me. (when I power it up) And does a great job for its $19 dollar price. And my Coby Snapp, well it takes forever to fire up but does a great job for what it is.
Nov 9, 2011 11:49:52 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
put a dark cloth over your head and shield the LCD from the sun. If you don't want to walk around looking silly then simply find some shade and each time you take a pic and you want to see it on the LCD - walk back into the shade,
Nov 9, 2011 12:08:34 #
Nov 9, 2011 13:46:16 #
Are you wearing sunglasses with uv lenses. They sometimes tend to make the screen look black.
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