Additionally, when using the viewfinder you will have the camera braced against your body with your arms tucked in instead of outstretched , which adds up to taking sharper images. The two main types of viewfinders are pentaprisms and pentamirrors. A pentaprism, found on professional-grade DSLRs, uses a prism to redirect the light from the lens to the viewfinder.
Pentaprisms are a higher quality than pentamirrors, which redirect the light through a series of mirrors. Pentaprisms provide a brighter image in the viewfinder than pentamirrors. Pentamirrors are generally found on entry-level DSLRs and are constructed of plastic instead of glass because it is cheaper to mass produce.
Viewfinders can be either optical or electronic. Login Join for Free. What is Plus Membership? With this in mind, here are three situations where an electronic viewfinder will come in helpful: In Bright Light When it's really bright, or the sun is shining straight onto the back of your camera, it can be really difficult to see anything on the screen, even if you up the brightness level. Help Frame The Image Sometimes, looking at the scene away from the camera slightly on the screen can result in a composure that's not so tidy.
Help To Stabilise Your Camera Using the viewfinder can sometimes help you to stabilise the camera a bit more if using a tripod isn't an option. Other articles you might find interesting Autumn Photography Walk Advice. Take A Composition Challenge.
Halloween Photography Tips. JackAllTog Plus. In some cases there's the option to show a level in a DSLR's viewfinder. It's also possible to activate a grid view via the camera's Setup menu. This can be set to display a 3x3, 6x4 or 3x3 and diagonal grid on the screen when the camera is in Live View mode, and in some DSLRs in the viewfinder. This is a helpful visual aid that makes it easier to align objects in the scene, avoid tilted horizons and create pleasing scenes conforming to the compositional principle known as the Rule of Thirds.
The depth-of-field preview button , found on the front of some EOS DSLRs next to the lens mount, is useful for checking what parts of the scene are in focus at the current focus and aperture settings. It can even be used in combination with the magnification functions to give a very clear idea of exactly what will be sharp. EOS cameras can adjust the brightness of an electronic viewfinder and the rear LCD screen automatically to suit the ambient conditions.
In particularly bright or particularly dark environments, however, it can be helpful to manually set a level that you find comfortable via the options in the menu.
In glaring sunshine, it is usually easier to use the viewfinder rather than the rear screen — even if you can make out the image on the LCD screen, it might be difficult to accurately assess the focus, exposure and composition. Otherwise, lowering the LCD display brightness, and the screen refresh rate on cameras that offer this option such as EOS R System cameras, can also help extend battery life. But if you adjust the LCD or EVF brightness, remember that this won't affect the brightness of the images you capture.
It's advisable to use the histogram to be sure you can assess your images' exposure accurately. Whether it's a DSLR with an optical viewfinder or a mirrorless camera with an electronic viewfinder, all EOS cameras feature a built-in dioptric adjustment system that makes it possible to configure the viewfinder for your own eyesight.
Ideally, it should be the first adjustment you make when setting up a new camera. The process is essential to ensure that both the information and the image displayed in the viewfinder are in perfect focus for you. If the dioptre setting is wrong and you are focusing manually, the image is unlikely to turn out to be sharp.
If you use autofocus, the camera will probably get the subject sharp but it will look out of focus to you in the viewfinder, and of course the information display will be unclear.
The small dioptric adjustment dial is easily overlooked. It will be located close to the viewfinder, but its position varies between camera models — it may be below the eyepiece or to one side of it. This is best done by squeezing both sides of the eyecup together firmly between finger and thumb and then pulling carefully upwards. The eyecup is held in place by two small latches. If it does not come free easily, it may need a little more pressure, lower down, on either side of the eyecup, before pulling upwards.
Sometimes pushing upwards on the base of the eyecup with an index finger may help to bring it away from the viewfinder. Take a close look at the dioptric adjustment dial and you'll find that it has a centre point marker, which aligns with a line on the camera body. At this point, the adjustment is set to the default -1 dioptres. Canon recommends that dioptric adjustments are made using your normal spectacles.
However, if you prefer to use your camera without them, the process is the same. Remove the camera lens and point the camera at a bright but diffused light source such as a window on an overcast day. Removing the lens ensures that you can concentrate on getting the viewfinder display in perfect focus. With a mirrorless camera you will see the usual EVF information display, while with a DSLR you will see the viewfinder display and the focus screen, the surface where the camera mirror projects the image that you are capturing.
Move the dioptric adjustment dial backwards and forwards until the information display and markings on the screen in the case of a DSLR appear sharpest. The eye has an impressive ability to compensate for subjects that are not quite in perfect focus, so it may be worth repeating the process a couple of times to ensure that results are consistent.
Once you have finished making the dioptric adjustment, replace the lens and eyecup if relevant and check that when the camera autofocuses, the image in the viewfinder appears clear and crisp.
Related articles. Find Out More. Related products. Shop Now. Mirrorless Cameras EOS RP A small, lightweight and intuitive full-frame mirrorless camera designed for travel and everyday photography. Optical viewfinders OVF are built by a system of mirrors and prisms that allow you to see what the lens of the camera is seeing.
When the light comes in through the lens, it hits a mirror that sits in front of the sensor. Thanks to the angle of the mirror, the light bounces up towards a pentaprism. It depends on the type of photography that you do, but the general answer would be yes. However, in most situations, a viewfinder will help you improve your framing and composition.
Most DSLR cameras have an optical viewfinder. Each type of viewfinder has its pros and cons; choosing one over another depends on your needs and preferences. For example, if you shoot sports photography , you might find optical viewfinders better.
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