Cameras with viewfinders

twopenny

I've been wanting a camera with a view finder ever since my last one died but the cost and size made them prohitive. I find the screen impossible to get the quality photos I used to get with a viewfinder.

Looking now I see they are 'digital viewfinders' and wondered how well that works?  No idea what my last one was but the camera was one of the first digitals.

I also notice that there are cheapie cameras with viewfinders now and am curious. Also that Sony seem to be producing the majority. I'm ambivilant about Sony as they used to be brilliant, then went to pot. Not sure if they've pulled their socks up yet or not.

I used to work with some top stuff (not mine) in the old days of viewfinders and lightmeters. My cameras were good end of ranges, limited imports, cheap casing with great lenses. Surprising what used to be out there. Now I'm limited to what's on the internet or my local camera shop that does second hand if that's an option.

If anyone could give me the benefit of their knowledge or experience I'd be grateful because I'm all at sea with this.

EssexExile

You don't say what sort of camera you are looking for. I'm on my 3rd or maybe 4th Panasonic compact camera and with this one, the TZ60, they've at last fitted a viewfinder. It's brilliant.

photodgm

If you could give us some idea of the subjects you wish to photograph and your budget, it would help people to make appropriate suggestions.

Farway

I've recently started using a Lumix GX85. Which is Micro 4/3 system

The viewfinder like many these days is electronic, you are not looking through the lens but seeing what the sensor "sees"

One advantage of MFT is lens interchangeability with other brands, in this case Sony

Another is the advantage of being able, same as most mirror less cameras, to use older / vintage lenses using adaptors because of sensor position

You may well be able to use all your lense with adaptors if you get a mirror-less camera & not a DSLR

There are loads of videos on You tube about mirror-less & older lenses

PS, you mention size, the MFT system is very small & light compared to full frame, which is why a lot of photographers prefer them

twopenny

Thanks for the replies, some things to google and hopefully learn from so I can be more specific at what I need. Didn't specify as it's going to take some work learning the new technology at a price I can afford.

I've no idea what MFT is despite googling. I'm making a guess at micro. I have enjoyed using macro in the past but it's not a priority.

I live on Exmoor and with no holidays it's time to entertain myself with photographing the fabulous landscape. I was directed to 2 herds of Red Deer relaxing on the hills opposite but couldn't get scene + deer both sharp. I'd like to photograph the hidden waterfalls and landscape which needs a wide view. The colours and light are amazing at this time of year.

I used to use a Sports setting which was great for water or running wild ponies. I haven't found this with the newer cameras.

I'm budgeting around £350 max as my computer's defunct now so having to spend ££££££.

Faraway the lens I mentioned was inside the camera. In the olden days you could buy a Zeiss lens in a plastic camera, the main internal lens. I'm not (yet) into adding lenses. I'd need a sherpa for that + picnic.

EssexExile

twopenny said:
I'm not (yet) into adding lenses. I'd need a sherpa for that + picnic.

I'm with you on that, I used to lug an SLR about with all the associated lenses, flash guns, etc. Now I just use the compact, it does everything the old SLR did well enough for me and fits in my pocket.

waamo

EssexExile said:

twopenny said:
I'm not (yet) into adding lenses. I'd need a sherpa for that + picnic.

I'm with you on that, I used to lug an SLR about with all the associated lenses, flash guns, etc. Now I just use the compact, it does everything the old SLR did well enough for me and fits in my pocket.

I don't think I've so much as touched my old Nikon for a couple of years. Modern compacts seem to do just as good a job.

twopenny

Yes, compact would be good. I was interested in the new small ones that have a vewfinder because I'm more likely to have it with me when surprise events happen,

But think if I want better quality photos I probably need to get something a little larger. Hoping to get better distance than I wanted before.

I tend to just drive out when I feel like it and where I end up I explore. Due to the massive influx of tourists looking at the wilder parts of the moors and river valleys less interesting to visitors and trying to make the views something special.  Though we do have a lot of unexpected wildlife you can't plan for and I'd like to get them in surroundings rather than up close

The view finder if you are on a rock in the middle of a river keeping the levels straight or a galloping foal in view.

Farway

waamo said:

EssexExile said:

twopenny said:
I'm not (yet) into adding lenses. I'd need a sherpa for that + picnic.

I'm with you on that, I used to lug an SLR about with all the associated lenses, flash guns, etc. Now I just use the compact, it does everything the old SLR did well enough for me and fits in my pocket.

I don't think I've so much as touched my old Nikon for a couple of years. Modern compacts seem to do just as good a job.

A good compact should do the job well.

I only stopped using my Sony Cybershot when I moved onto the Lumix MFT. [it is Micro BTW 2p, refers to the sensor size]

One reason I moved to Lumix was lack of viewfinder but I never really looked into a compact replacement

I guess a second hand or recon one would be cheaper if you don't mind not having "new"

The market for compacts has dropped with the advent of very good camera now fitted to mobile phones so bargains or older but good models should be plentiful

PS, not a recommend but this sort of thing,£293 sounds ideal, plus flip out screen.

Trust me a flip out touch screen is great, no more bending down at odd angles, just flip out the screen to look

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/canon-powershot-g5-x-digital-camera-used-1750736/

twopenny

Crossed post Faraway. Yes, my phone camera is good but the screen is still hard to see for good compositon or straight horrizons expecially when a coastal bay has no straight lines.

Perhaps that's why they are now introducing more cameras with viewfinders which have been in demand since they got rid of them. A way to overcome that glare on the screen.

Farway

twopenny said:

Crossed post Faraway. Yes, my phone camera is good but the screen is still hard to see for good compositon or straight horrizons expecially when a coastal bay has no straight lines.

Perhaps that's why they are now introducing more cameras with viewfinders which have been in demand since they got rid of them. A way to overcome that glare on the screen.

In case you are not aware there are good camera apps available for your mobile which may help with framing / composition,  "rule of thirds" lines etc

No help if sun is on screen of course