araia

Hello every body this is Araia again. I need your suggestion whether to use the viewfinder or LCD. I know the LCD consumes too much battery.
I wear glasses, and I see better on my left eye, so what do I loose if I use the LCD. Your answer is much appreciated.
Thanks

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

I'm assuming you are using a DSLR camera.
Some "purist" will argue till the day they die that the only way to view (pre picture taking) is through the viewfinder ..... :roll:
But I (I :) ) say ....use whatever work best for you.....considering the vision problems you have.
As you said....you will use more battery power with live view though!

WAKD Loc: Cincinnati

I am left eyed and have been forever. Back when a wiewfinder was all there was, I didn't even notice that everybody else used their right eye.
Probably your answer is whatever you like. You're the one running the camera.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

There is a reason why manufacturers give you two options. Sometimes , weird angles and such, live view works much better. I use the viewfinder about 98 percent of the time. I love, however, having the option. One of the best features, in my opinion, of the new D750 is that it has a LCD screen that can be pivoted. I would love to have this option for low angle shots.

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

If the camera is a DSLR - then the viewfinder will show you the scene as it is, the LCD will show you the cameras interpretation of the scene. They are not necessarily the same.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

I have adapted a "Hoodman Loupe" with a bracket and use it to view the LCD when it fits the occasion. It has a large rubber eyecup and a large lens which is easier for glasses. It also sits several inches away from the back of the camera to clear my "schnoze."

I also carry two extra batteries to cover the extra drain. Hate to see "No battery power remains" notice just when things get good.

blankmange Loc: down on the farm...

love the viewfinder on my K-50; I only use the LCD for settings...

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I'm left-eyed also and have the added burden (or blessing) of only shooting with back button focusing. I use the viewfinder on my D5200 almost exclusively and pay for it with smudges from the back of my thumb on my right glasses lens. It's worth the results for birds in flight and other fast moving objects that I know I couldn't do using the LCD. My keeper ratio is much higher with this technique. The D5200 has the articulating LCD, and I find it useful on a tripod for focusing in Live View when I'm setting up a shot and for those times when I need a weird angle and have to hold the camera low or overhead. It's really not worth a darn in bright sunlight, however. Finally, I turn off the Image Review feature my camera has, where it wants to display the picture after every shot. This really slows you down and reduces battery life as you have stated. If I want to "chimp" at a picture to see how I'm doing, I'm one button away from reviewing my images manually. With these settings, I rarely need to get into a second battery. I like the other suggestions for Hoodman loupes and they also do make bigger, deeper eyecups that you can get online, there was a thread about them here yesterday. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I use both...but my LCD is a touchscreen. I can use it to change focus points or take an image. Very handy

MarkD Loc: NYC

The VF has two big advantages over the LCD screen. In bright daylight it's easier to see than the LCD screen. In low light it's more stable holding the camera to your eye than holding it out in front of you.

The advantage of the LCD screen is that you get a wider view because you can see around the camera when you are holding it in front of you.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

I'm a viewfinder hater. I always find the LCD better than staring into a peephole.

Why I hate viewfinders #7: It takes a while for both eyes to readjust after squinting into a viewfinder with one eye.

araia

Thank you guys. I think I gathered good and valuable information.
Sincerely, Araia

mikeg1218 Loc: Port Charlotte Fl.

Which ever one gives you a better picture of the same subject

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Here is my take. I shoot with my left eye through the view finder, No particular reason. It's just ssomething I have always done. If yoy have rock solid hands at low speeds using the LCD is no problem but I have a big problem with camera shake so I find steadying the camera easier. using the viewfinder. I have 70 year old hands. (come to think of it the rest of me is 70 also.) If your shots are sharp then using the LCD or not is purely your choice.

Lloyd Miller Loc: Washington state

And here is my input. I travel alot and have a d7100 as my main camera. I use the view finder more than the Live view. I bought a LV hood for the sunlight and burnout of the LV and magnification. I love the hood as it has saved me a few times. I have to pick what to use as the needs make to appairent. I don't have the shakes YET but doing good at 82yrs.