Why I Still Prefer the Viewfinder Over the LCD Screen

With the advent of digital cameras and LCD screens, many photographers no longer use the viewfinder as often. Instead, they compose their shots using the live display on the back screen. This approach has clear advantages, especially when shooting from very low or very high angles where using the viewfinder can be difficult or uncomfortable.

However, composing a shot through the viewfinder still offers a very different experience.

Personally, I rarely use the LCD screen to compose my shots for a couple of reasons. Of course, this is only based on my own experience and may not apply to every photographer.

First, I have poor eyesight and am farsighted, which makes it difficult for me to see the LCD screen sharply. I struggle to notice the finer details of the image while shooting. Thankfully, most cameras have a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder that can be tuned to match your eyesight. Because of this, I can comfortably look through the viewfinder without constantly relying on my glasses. It makes shooting feel more natural and less distracting.

Another reason is focus and concentration. When I compose through the viewfinder, I feel more connected to the frame. Everything outside the frame disappears, allowing me to focus entirely on the subject and composition. With an open LCD screen, there are more distractions happening around me. My eyes tend to wander outside the frame, and it becomes harder to fully immerse myself in the moment I’m trying to capture.

I also find that in many mirrorless cameras, the back LCD screen often appears brighter and can hide highlight details compared to the electronic viewfinder. Sometimes an image may look perfectly exposed on the rear screen, only to appear darker when viewed later on a larger computer monitor. Because the rear LCD is brighter, it can give a misleading impression of exposure. Through the EVF, exposure and highlight details often feel more accurate and easier to judge, especially in bright environments.

For me, the viewfinder creates a more intimate and reliable shooting experience. It simplifies the scene, minimizes distractions, and helps me focus on what truly matters inside the frame. This is especially valuable for photographers who want to learn studio portrait photography, where attention to lighting, composition, and facial expression plays a huge role in creating powerful images.

While LCD screens are incredibly useful and practical in many situations, there is still something special about bringing the camera to your eye and seeing the world through the viewfinder.

Keep on shooting everyone!