How To Use Your Camera’s Viewfinder

Using Your Camera’s Viewfinder

Viewfinders found on today’s modern cameras allow the photographer to see what their photograph will become once it has hit the camera’s sensor. However, viewfinders are not all created equally. Understanding how and when to use your camera’s viewfinder is not only a simple subject, but is also simple to use in practice.

DSLR Camera Viewfinder:

DSLR cameras use the same design as the 35mm film cameras of the past. A mirror inside the camera body reflects light coming in through the lens up to a prism (or additional mirrors) and into the viewfinder so your image can be previewed. When you press the shutter button, the mirror flips up, the shutter opens and the light hits the image sensor, which captures the final image. Although some cameras do offer it, many camera viewfinders do not show 100% of the image that is reflected to the sensor.

Mirrorless Camera Viewfinder:

In a mirrorless camera, light passes through the lens and right onto the image sensor, which captures a preview of the image to display on the rear screen. The more expensive and feature rich camera models also offer a second screen inside an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that you can put your eye to. These previews can be much better than those you get with a DSLR, because you will also get a preview of the exposure, color profiles and more.

LCD Screens

Most cameras these days come not only with a viewfinder that you place your eye up to, but also come with LCD screens on the back to use as well. These can be immensely useful for taking photos, especially with mirrorless cameras. However, many of the more compact cameras, even those that are quite advanced, may only come with the LCD screen, and no viewfinder.

The LCDs on mirrorless cameras allow the photographer to get a “real” preview of what the final image will be. This inlcudes what the final image will look like when using filters, such as neutral density (ND) filters. The final colors for JPEGs is also previewed, as well as the final exposure.

If you’re still looking for a camera, and the LCD screen is one of your deciding factors, there are a few things to consider:

• Is it touchscreen? Some people love touchscreens, and some do not.

• Does the screen articulate / flip / or rotate? These features, at least to some degree, are a must for me when choosing a camera. Having the ability to flip the screen down so the camera can be held way above the head is indispensable. Alternatively, being able to flip the screen up for getting those low shots is also a must have.

Displaying Information

One of the key elements to using the viewfinder and LCD screen on your camera is having the ability to display information to assist in making your images. This list shows only a few of the items that can be displayed on both your viewfinder, as well as on the rear LCD screen:

• Framing Guideline

• Electronic Level

• Focus Frame

• AF and MF Distance Indicators

• Histogram

• Aperture / Shutter Speed / ISO

• Photometry

• and so, so much more

Using Your Viewfinder

Although we have sections on framing, horizon lines, and other photographic techniques, it’s obviously appropriate to mention some of these here.

The viewfinder or LCD screen allows you to overlay a “Rule of Thirds” grid in both the viewfinder and LCD screen, which helps you to compose your photo. You also can utilize the horizon level, which insures your photos are level.

Of course, the histogram can also be shown on the screens, which helps the photographer to get a proper exposure. This will be covered in more depth in a future post.

Any questions, comments or suggestions? Please leave a comment below, or email us directly.

Thank you, Matthew Reed