Do you use the viewfinder or live view?
 

Hi all,

I just upgraded from a D80 to a D5100; haven't had time to really use the new camera. My D80 didn't have live view so this is my first dslr with liveview.

I understand liveview would be useful when your angle is awkward, making it difficult to put your eye to the viewfinder.

What is the consensus here, do you use the viewfinder or live view for most shots? If anything I suspect using live view would hurt battery life.

Nikon doesn't spec liveview usage i see. however, for a Canon 5d Mk II, without liveview, 850 shots. with liveview, ~ 200 shots. big difference. i see your camera is rated for ~660 shots, so i would assume the additional power usage would be in the same ballpark.

D90 has live view? o_O

My D90 has live view...

Almost all my shots are taken with the viewfinder. Live view for those occasional awkward position shots.

D90 has live view.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PROD...90LIVEVIEW.HTM

Oops meant D80.

Forgot to answer your question.. Never use Live View unless it's a weird, tough angle and I can't see the viewfinder at all

I use viewfinder all the time because I shoot film :troll:. dat E screen, dat rule of thirds lines :megusta:

I still use the viewfinder on my D3100 but I hate it (80% vs 100% on my F3), only use live view for those awkward angles and manual focusing.

I'm so used to using the viewfinder that holding a dslr out to frame like a point-n'shoot is weird.

I use live view all the time. It's invaluable when shooting static objects and you need to fine tune focus, and when shooting something in the distance, as AF isn't always accurate due to front/back focusing issues. Particularly with large aperture lenses, it's quite handy to have.

+1
always use live view doin macro...

live view when mf cause my 5d doesn't focus well in the dark

5D & 5DmkII doesn't focus well period. :p My 8 year old 6MP Minolta 7D DSLR focuses better.

I use live view for some things like taking pictures of food where things are pretty close quarters. I use the viewfinder for everything else.

Aside from when I'm shooting video, I always use the viewfinder.

I use live view on my D7000 only for video. All my photos I use viewfinder, which I think provides more steadiness and less shake/blurred images.

Wow, amazing how no one has brought up the fact that to get the most stable platform for shooting, you'd want the camera as close to your centre of gravity as possible.

And this means holding the camera right up against your face.

^^^ unless the camera is on a tripod.

i always use viewfinder.

as mentioned above i find live view better if youre doing macro work. i find that pics are shakier if i use live view too because your head is supporting the head too.

I also own a Zacuto Z-Finder, so that helps a lot when using live view.

99% viewfinder and the rest live view if its mounted on a tripod