dchew
Well-known member
In the XF/GFX thread, Erik commented on some different aspects of live view vs viewfinder:
https://www.getdpi.com/forum/medium-format-systems-and-digital-backs/63038-phase-one-x1d-gfx.html#post746974
Hopefully Erik doesn’t mind that I quote a part of that:
First, a few of my viewfinder quirks (I’ve got many other quirks, but they are not related to viewfinders, and therefore not relevant to the discussion):
This got me thinking: I prefer seeing what is going on around the image because it makes me feel like I am in the environment with my camera, as opposed to viewing the environment through my camera. My distaste for cameras without viewfinders while handheld cannot be simply habit; I used a DSLR for most of my formative semi-serious photography years. Still, I find the rangefinder is the in-between Goldilocks when handholding (for me).
Now back to the viewing card Charlie uses. I have a small one, even has the lanyard for wearing around my neck. But I haven’t used it much because I’ve been using the Alpa Viewfinder App on my iPhone. Wait, what?? I hate using the iPhone without a viewfinder but use the screen as a viewfinder for my technical camera?? Well, it has my lens views programmed in (not the 35 or 40mm – too wide) and various stitch formats so I can see what an 18mm horizontal or vertical stitch would look like. Very convenient with no guessing.
I agree with Erik in the benefits to walking around without a lens mounted. I’m lazy and too easily influenced. I wander around, find something of some interest then either move forward-backward, left-right, or up-down until the perspective feels right. At that point, I need tools to help my brain. Maybe cup my hands over one eye is enough, or pull out the Viewfinder App. Regardless it is a very iterative process, moving around a few feet, walking back and forth, standing on a log or crouching down, both with and without the tools. Zero in on a spot with the right perspective. Only then does the camera come out. Sometimes after being out for a while I do think/see in a specific focal length, and start walking around with a lens mounted. Probably not good for my images or my equipment. That lazy part is hard to shake…
Easy for me to conclude I use these tools because they are efficient and convenient. But if that was my only reason I certainly wouldn’t be using a technical camera. I think we all settle on a specific mix of tools that strike the right balance between the environment we are in experiencing, and the images we are attempting to make (with a big dollop of habit thrown on top). This balance may seem nonsensical to everyone around us, yet feel natural none the less. I think that is what Erik means by, “I guess that the EVF shows the subject in isolation while the monitor shows it in a different way.”
Couldn’t agree more, Erik!
Dave
https://www.getdpi.com/forum/medium-format-systems-and-digital-backs/63038-phase-one-x1d-gfx.html#post746974
Hopefully Erik doesn’t mind that I quote a part of that:
I’m guessing by now most of us have watched the above-referenced Charlie Cramer piece on Lula. I’ve been carrying a similar card for years, but frankly haven’t used it much lately and it got me wondering why? And more importantly, What accessory tools do all of you use, if any?“An interesting observation is that I by and large prefer an EVF over a monitor screen. The EVF works best with an eyecup. But, here is an interesting thing, after composing an image trough the EVF and looking at the monitor I often feel I can improve the composition. I guess that the EVF shows the subject in isolation while the monitor shows it in a different way.
The way I work, mostly, is that I use my hands as a framing tool. So, when I get to a place I walk around and look for a good point of view. Once I find a PoV, I start looking for a good composition. Once composition is found I start to consider which lens to use.
…
“The reason I think about this is in part a series with Charles Cramer on LuLa. Charlie always carries some viewing frames cut from cardboard. Perhaps I should carry something like that, too.”
First, a few of my viewfinder quirks (I’ve got many other quirks, but they are not related to viewfinders, and therefore not relevant to the discussion):
- For some reason, I abhor hand-holding cameras without viewfinders. It is one reason I hate using my iPhone. I doubt I will ever buy a dedicated camera without a viewfinder for handheld use.
- Once the camera is mounted on a tripod, I love using the LCD screen and hate using a viewfinder. I have no idea why that is. Purely comfort? Better intimacy with the image I am trying to make? When Live view came out on the Canon 5D, it was probably the single feature that benefited my photography more than any other.
- For handholding, I like rangefinders better than SLR’s / EVF’s, but again I am not sure why that is. Every rangefinder I’ve used had the view on the port side of the camera. Gets my big nose out of the way and makes it easy to see what is going on with both eyes. Is it just comfort, or again is my preference related to seeing what is going on around the image? Certainly others tout that as a benefit, but I don’t really know. I darn well better get the Leica CL to find out for sure if it is the aspects associated with a rangefinder or just its position on the camera.
This got me thinking: I prefer seeing what is going on around the image because it makes me feel like I am in the environment with my camera, as opposed to viewing the environment through my camera. My distaste for cameras without viewfinders while handheld cannot be simply habit; I used a DSLR for most of my formative semi-serious photography years. Still, I find the rangefinder is the in-between Goldilocks when handholding (for me).
Now back to the viewing card Charlie uses. I have a small one, even has the lanyard for wearing around my neck. But I haven’t used it much because I’ve been using the Alpa Viewfinder App on my iPhone. Wait, what?? I hate using the iPhone without a viewfinder but use the screen as a viewfinder for my technical camera?? Well, it has my lens views programmed in (not the 35 or 40mm – too wide) and various stitch formats so I can see what an 18mm horizontal or vertical stitch would look like. Very convenient with no guessing.
I agree with Erik in the benefits to walking around without a lens mounted. I’m lazy and too easily influenced. I wander around, find something of some interest then either move forward-backward, left-right, or up-down until the perspective feels right. At that point, I need tools to help my brain. Maybe cup my hands over one eye is enough, or pull out the Viewfinder App. Regardless it is a very iterative process, moving around a few feet, walking back and forth, standing on a log or crouching down, both with and without the tools. Zero in on a spot with the right perspective. Only then does the camera come out. Sometimes after being out for a while I do think/see in a specific focal length, and start walking around with a lens mounted. Probably not good for my images or my equipment. That lazy part is hard to shake…
Easy for me to conclude I use these tools because they are efficient and convenient. But if that was my only reason I certainly wouldn’t be using a technical camera. I think we all settle on a specific mix of tools that strike the right balance between the environment we are in experiencing, and the images we are attempting to make (with a big dollop of habit thrown on top). This balance may seem nonsensical to everyone around us, yet feel natural none the less. I think that is what Erik means by, “I guess that the EVF shows the subject in isolation while the monitor shows it in a different way.”
Couldn’t agree more, Erik!
Dave
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