I wanted to take just a few fast pictures of one thing on the weekend and my previous Nikon D800 was closest at hand, so I fired it up, seemed via the optical viewfinder and immediately felt at dwelling. I understand I’m in all probability going to be within the minority right here, however I actually do desire optical finders to digital viewfinders (EVFs).
Maybe it’s as a result of I’ve received a bee in my bonnet about being current, having lately stood behind an Oasis fan, on the much-hyped reunion tour, who proceeded to movie the whole lot of the two-hour set on their telephone. Even going as far as to plug the darn factor into an influence financial institution midway via. They may as properly have watched it on YouTube and saved themselves from Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing.
My level is, I already spend 85% of my life staring from one display screen to a different. Getting out and taking images has at all times supplied a much-needed respite from this digital world. So, strive as I would, I merely can not get completely comfy sticking my eye millimeters from one more display screen.
Call me old style, however images is all about mild. I merely don’t really feel as current when my retinas are being fed digitally-manufactured mild from a collection of minuscule LEDs, as once I’m witnessing the precise mild rays I’m capturing, flooding straight into the viewfinder.
Encasing my eye in an EVF can really feel like a really lonely place to be. How can that not sever a few of the connection between photographer and topic? I really discover myself taking photos via the rear LCD display screen of my digicam these days, very like a telephone. And earlier than anyone accuses me of hypocrisy, it’s partly so I can search for in a break up second or join with the scene I’m taking pictures via my peripheral.
Don’t get me unsuitable. I perceive why the trade has shifted to EVFs; the mirrorless camera really is a technical marvel and, clearly, I don’t hate electronic viewfinders enough to stick exclusively with my old DSLR. But I can’t help how comfortable an old optical viewfinder feels. There’s a reason why the Fujifilm X100VI has a hybrid viewfinder, and that’s because some people do prefer using an OVF.
And while I absolutely agree that EVFs make learning the exposure triangle easier for beginner photographers, I had become so used to my D800’s built-in light meter that I knew its foibles and could work around it quite happily. Besides, EVFs aren’t a perfect replication of the image you’re shooting.
Ultimately, I know very few people are going to agree with me on this one, and that’s okay. But maybe we can both agree that an EVF is a physical barrier placed between your eye and the subject. I think that matters.
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Want to experience the joy of an optical viewfinder? Take a look at the best DSLRs. I think the decade-old Nikon D800 is still a beast. Despite its EVF, I reckon the Nikon Z8 could remain in my kit bag for a decade AT LEAST. On the subject of the Fujifilm X100VI, I can’t believe I actually bought this camera.