Is it possible to set the D80 so you can use the screen instead of the viewfinder?
Posted by Kent Staubus on September 12, 2007 at 8:44 AM
No. Not sure why you'd want to unless the camera is on a tripod, but even then I think the screen is useless for everything except checking the histogram.
Kent in SD
Posted by David Bostedo on September 12, 2007 at 9:43 AM
To expand on what Kent said - what you are referring to, Kevin, seems to be known now as "Live View" and is a newer feature on several cameras (Olympus E410 and E510, Canon 40D, 1D MkIII, Nikon D300 and D3, the new Panasonic, probably the new Sony). There are actually quite a few reasons for using it - awkward angles for looking through the viewfinder being the primary one.
I have an EVF with an articulated screen, and I use the screen rather than the viewfinder a fair amount - usually when the camera is close to the ground, or I'm shooting overtop of something; times when it's hard to get an eye on the viewfinder.
With this in mind, if/when I get a DSLR, full live view with an articulating screen would be a pretty good feature to me (I think only the Panasonic has that so far).
There are also devices (ZigView I think) that attach to your viewfinder and give you a fully articulating live view screen - but they're pretty expensive. It's an option if you really want one though.
The reason why I was looking for this option is because when photographing venomous snakes I would rather be looking at a screen instead of having my face against the camera. It allows me to get some better angles for the photo without putting myself at risk. With the screen I could just lower the camera to the ground.....compose the shot and shoot. And then If I need to retreat all I would have to do is backup. Whereas looking thru the viewfinder I would have to be laying on the ground which makes retreating a bit more of a challenge.
And not photographing these wonderful creatures is NOT an option. I guess I will have to stick with my P&S
Posted by Bob Miller on September 12, 2007 at 8:48 PM
If I was dodging snakes I think I'd consider shooting teathered! Can you shoot to laptop?
Posted by Kent Staubus on September 12, 2007 at 11:56 PM
You have a very specialized subject, and I see your point. Doesn't that Austin Stephens guy on TV (or whatever his name is) use a regular camera when he's ticking off the 20 ft. king cobra? Then again, he's been bit several times. Only the soon to be realized D300 will have the live view. However, NIkon did not make an articulating screen for it. I'm just not sure what use I would ever have for live view.
Discussion
5 repliesKent in SD
I have an EVF with an articulated screen, and I use the screen rather than the viewfinder a fair amount - usually when the camera is close to the ground, or I'm shooting overtop of something; times when it's hard to get an eye on the viewfinder.
With this in mind, if/when I get a DSLR, full live view with an articulating screen would be a pretty good feature to me (I think only the Panasonic has that so far).
There are also devices (ZigView I think) that attach to your viewfinder and give you a fully articulating live view screen - but they're pretty expensive. It's an option if you really want one though.
And not photographing these wonderful creatures is NOT an option. I guess I will have to stick with my P&S
Kent in SD