Tilting LCD screens - Do you have the need for them?

jamiebonline

jamiebonline

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Jamie
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Hi everyone

I have had a couple of cameras over the last year. The Sony A5000, A6000 and D7000. The older Nikon, no tilting screen but the Sonys, yes. I remember at the time reading how people think the tilting screens are a ''consumer feature''. Generally I hate labels for photographers. I mean, this camera is for pros and amateurs use another due to the features of each. Real market regulated.

I found the articulating screen good in different ways. The A5000's lcd screen turned in such a way as you could see yourself when recording videos. Very useful.

The A6000 could be articulated up and out at the top (so you can point the lens upwards to the sky and see exactly what is there without having to stoop under and look up) and also at the bottom (so can hold the camera high over your head and get a higher viewpoint such as being able to see over the heads of people)

I found the first of those two, the one where you can point the camera up and see the lcd screen, to be invaluable. Now I have to say, I do have back problems so that makes it worse but no doubt I have had to guess shots and failed using the Nikon. There is no doubt this could be used as a professional level tool. I don't see why not. Surely getting the shot matters even more at pro level. I mean, you are being paid to get the shot.
I found this also really useful for wide angle where you want to place the camera low and look down on the lcd screen.

Maybe this also relates to using the lcd screen to take pictures in general, regardless of tilt. That's another interesting question. Do many of you not use the viewfinder or your camera doesn't have one and you don't mind.

And what do you think?

J
 
Everyone is different with different needs. I started with a D5100 which had a tilt/swivel screen but only used it an odd time. Changed ti a D7000 which hasn't a tilt screen and have never missed it.
Horses for courses.
 
Yes I love them so I can shoot from the hip and see what I'm doing or for accurate overhead shooting. And for shooting very low. Of course you need an excellent live view system to enjoy using the LCD so I can understand Nikon and canon users not wanting a tilt LCD as they don't want to use the LCD full stop.
 
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Brazo said:
Of course you need an excellent live view system to enjoy using the LCD so I can understand Nikon and canon users not wanting a tilt LCD as they don't want to use the LCD full stop.
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????
 
•
I recently help a student in setting up her D750 I recommended her.
I was amazed how practical this feature would be for me… that little
screen has only an up/down movement but that 's why it is sturdy!
 
Two years ago I eventually upgraded from a Sony DSC-R1 to a Nikon D7100. Although the R1's articulated screen was small, I found it very useful, so waited to see if the D7000's successor would have an articulated screen. It didn't, and as I could wait no longer, I bought the D7100 and a Seagull right angle viewer. I didn't consider the D5100 or similar as it didn't have the features I required. I've only ever used the seagull device once.

Many times the R1's screen allowed me to capture images I couldn't of without it. A few days ago I was shooting an office reception, and needed to position the camera right into a 90 deg corner of 2 adjoining walls.I couldn't do this with the D7100 and compose. I had to use the R1 on a tripod leaning over, R1 with its screened flipped over like a TLR to compose, it worked beautifully.

If you have ever used a good articulated screen and change to a camera that doesn't have one, depending upon the type of photography you shoot, you will likely miss it, I have. Hopefully manufacturers will eventually upgrade some of their more advanced cameras with articulated screens.

Presently I'm considering next year buying a Nikon D5300 or D5500 body simply for shots that would benefit from a flexible screen, when logically I should be considering another d7100 body or the D7200.

I'm with you on this issue Jamie.
 
steveb said:
Hopefully manufacturers will eventually upgrade some of their more advanced cameras with articulated screens.
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•
I would do fine with a removable prism… like in the F3
but these had the light meter under the mirror!
 
I think it is very dependant on what you photograph. I mostly photograph wildlife and quite a lot of the time is spent laying on the ground trying to get to eye level. If it's something like a hedgehog or water vole then the camera is virtually on the ground so it's very difficult to see through the viewfinder. As live view AF is slower on nikons then I use a right angle viewfinder as it's much easier and the camera functions as it normally would. For landscapes I use the tilt screen as AF doesn't need to be as fast or I'm manually setting the focus. When out landscaping I have the cover price on the viewfinder so the LCD is always used to compose the image.

I honestly think the era of tilting LCD screen has past now, cameras are starting to get built in wifi so it's much easier to view and control the camera using your smart phone.
 
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There's always the option of a right-angle finder?
 
steveb said:
Presently I'm considering next year buying a Nikon D5300 or D5500 body simply for shots that would benefit from a flexible screen, when logically I should be considering another d7100 body or the D7200.

I'm with you on this issue Jamie.
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Doesn't the D7200 have wifi so you could just use your phone as the LCD. Much easier than worrying if the tilt screen is going to knocked off or damaged when it's out.
 
I have a D750 and I have already found it very useful. Instead of laying down in the wet grass to compose an image of a dog chewing a ball I could easily stoop down and use the articulating screen within seconds and get the shot with no drama.

I have not tried the smart phone app yet via wifi.
 
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That's right Rob, phone just becomes a remote screen. Flappy screens on mirrorless are fine but I don't use live view much as focussing is so much slower, with Nikon anyway. So no, I don't miss not having one on my D7200 even though I used it all the time on my Fuji bridge camera. I'd probably want one if I shot video though.
 
chuckles said:
There's always the option of a right-angle finder?
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+1
This accessory is what I use when needed and with the 2x loop view, even manual
focus is easy.

I would never consider Wifi elsewhere than in studio since I experienced that, in the
wild, one should have all his attention and hands for the gear; it's a slippery, windy
(and else) world out there!
 
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steveb said:
Two years ago I eventually upgraded from a Sony DSC-R1 to a Nikon D7100. Although the R1's articulated screen was small, I found it very useful, so waited to see if the D7000's successor would have an articulated screen. It didn't, and as I could wait no longer, I bought the D7100 and a Seagull right angle viewer. I didn't consider the D5100 or similar as it didn't have the features I required. I've only ever used the seagull device once.

Many times the R1's screen allowed me to capture images I couldn't of without it. A few days ago I was shooting an office reception, and needed to position the camera right into a 90 deg corner of 2 adjoining walls.I couldn't do this with the D7100 and compose. I had to use the R1 on a tripod leaning over, R1 with its screened flipped over like a TLR to compose, it worked beautifully.

If you have ever used a good articulated screen and change to a camera that doesn't have one, depending upon the type of photography you shoot, you will likely miss it, I have. Hopefully manufacturers will eventually upgrade some of their more advanced cameras with articulated screens.

Presently I'm considering next year buying a Nikon D5300 or D5500 body simply for shots that would benefit from a flexible screen, when logically I should be considering another d7100 body or the D7200.

I'm with you on this issue Jamie.
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It was the Sony R1 that surprised me with the possibilities of a fully articulated screen. I decided it was so useful in awkward viewing positions that I'd add it to my list of features I must have in future cameras. In fact I was hoping Sony would come out with an R2 with exchangeable lenses. A giant American backpacker with a huge rucksack swiped over my tripod mounted R1 and broke it in 2008. At that time Sony's DSLRs didn't have fully articulated screens, just tiltable. I found that an annoying limitation.

The Sony A77 gave me back a fully articulated screen in an exhangeable lens camera. I'll never go back to a camera without it. I don't often use it, mostly using the viewfinder, but it's so useful when I do need it, like off-camera flash, or a remote shutter release, that I'll never again consider a camera without it. In fact I'm hoping my next camera will be able to use my smartphone as a remote live view.
 
Tilt screen are extremely useful for me for landscape. It means I can do low level shots without having to get on my hands and knees or lie down, plus at 6'4" it means I can use my tripod without centre column extended so it's more stable. I prefer the tilt like on my D750 rather than one that flip out ones such as that on my EM5-II, but the best one I've used is on the Sony A77/A77-II. Why no-one else has copied/come up with a slightly tweaked version is beyond me.
 
Once you get used to any form of articulating/flipping screen - using a fixed-screen camera can give you moments of frustration.
Being frustrated with your equipment is a death sentence for said items.

The moral : never get a camera with an articulating screen!! ;)
 
Much prefer using the viewfinders on the cameras that have flip out screens but also prefer using the flipped out screens to kneeling, especially on the ice beach in Iceland where being knelt down could easily result in an extremely cold soaking! Could live without the flip out screens (or indeed, any screens!) if I had to since I have a Nikon DR-3 which fits my old D700 and X-Pro1.
 
Nod said:
Much prefer using the viewfinders on the cameras that have flip out screens but also prefer using the flipped out screens to kneeling, especially on the ice beach in Iceland where being knelt down could easily result in an extremely cold soaking! Could live without the flip out screens (or indeed, any screens!) if I had to since I have a Nikon DR-3 which fits my old D700 and X-Pro1.
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Agreed, the viewfinder on my D750 is always preferred over the LCD but as I mentioned above there are times when the LCD on a tilt screen are advantageous. On mirrorless the viewfinder offers no benefit (other than the lack of reflection in sunlight) as it's the same image as the LCD. That being said in normal shooting I still prefer the viewfinder as it feels more natural, and adds stability hand held.
 
stickyfiddle said:
Much prefer VF if it's an option, but for overhead shooting a tilting screen is excellent. Makes shots like this far easier - taken with arms stretched as far above my head as I could


Kindergarten, Pripyat by stickyfiddle, on Flickr
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Love that. I'm trying to find 'gritty' locations like this but not succeeding at present.
 
My brother is looking for a camera to improve his astrophotography, and last night we discussed the merits of the Pentax K3 II. This has a special feature built in that combines GPS with sensor movement to allow up to 5min exposures tracking the stars without getting trails. For him this is a benefit over stacking exposures, which is a chore he dislikes. It all looks really good except that the camera has a fixed screen, meaning that one cannot easily point it at the stars and compose an image. :rolleyes:

I don't often use the rear screen on my Sony, but when I do it is always tilted to enable composition at awkward angles and incredibly useful: and I would think more than twice about buying a camera without a tilting rear screen.
 
Brazo said:
Of course if you have a tilting screen you don't actually have to use it but surely it's better to have one even if only rarely used?
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Exactly this.

I never thought I'd use mine, but as it turns out I use it all the time. Especially when shooting from a hight or down low.

I'd go as far to say it's helped my photography because previously I wouldn't have tried those kinds of shots.
 
I've never had a tilting screen and I'm sure it has its uses but it would be well down my list of requirements in choosing a camera.
 
Gaz J said:
I've never had a tilting screen and I'm sure it has its uses but it would be well down my list of requirements in choosing a camera.
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Nah, it's certainly not a deal breaker although having said that it is a feature I would now just expect with higher end bodies. Strange they don't feature on pro bodies (unless you consider the D750 and EM1 pro bodies)
 
I think technology is moving on from tilt screens. With wifi enabled cameras you can take photos (it would be better if nikon actually improved the app so you can alter settings too) and see the cameras view on your phone. Want to put your camera on a pole and raise it above your head or over the edge of a cliff or building, fine no problem, view on your phone, compose and take the imagine. Like doing street but don't want to stand out as the person shoving a camera in everyone's face or looking at you, just look like you are playing on your phone and take the pictures.
 
rob-nikon said:
I think technology is moving on from tilt screens. With wifi enabled cameras you can take photos (it would be better if nikon actually improved the app so you can alter settings too) and see the cameras view on your phone. Want to put your camera on a pole and raise it above your head or over the edge of a cliff or building, fine no problem, view on your phone, compose and take the imagine. Like doing street but don't want to stand out as the person shoving a camera in everyone's face or looking at you, just look like you are playing on your phone and take the pictures.
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I'd be very disappointed if this is the future tbh, I certainly don't want to be holding a camera in one hand whilst holding the phone in the other. Granted there are occasions where it is useful, but not as a general rule. Likewise on a tripod I don't want to be taking my phone out to take a picture. I did this with my EM10 using the phone as a remote shutter and found it a PITA (plus damaged my phone) and so went out and bought a proper remote shutter.
 
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Yeah, a remote release is much easier to use than the phone. My D7200 has 2500ish clicks on it now, 3 of which were with the phone as a remote screen. Nice to have but like a flippy screen, hardly essential, for me anyway.
 
snerkler said:
I'd be very disappointed if this is the future tbh, I certainly don't want to be holding a camera in one hand whilst holding the phone in the other. Granted there are occasions where it is useful, but not as a general rule. Likewise on a tripod I don't want to be taking my phone out to take a picture. I did this with my EM10 using the phone as a remote shutter and found it a PITA (plus damaged my phone) and so went out and bought a proper remote shutter.
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I actually bought a cheap android phone specifically to use as a remote for my Fujis - cheaper than a wired (official) Fuji one! Interested to know how it damaged your phone.
 
The Nikon App is very basic but does the trick, one extra bit of kit to carry around but who goes anywhere without their phone? The touch focus works too doesn't it? which is essentially added functionality over using live view and the LCD - which is mostly depressing.

Earl
 
Nod said:
I actually bought a cheap android phone specifically to use as a remote for my Fujis - cheaper than a wired (official) Fuji one! Interested to know how it damaged your phone.
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Lol, the app didn't damage my phone just when you're out on somewhere like stanage edge in winter it's very cold making it easy to drop your phone ;) I got more knocks and scrapes using it as a remote shutter than ever before :rolleyes:
 
I have used my phone with an app to trip the shutter but I found the Sony App quite clumsy and it was awkward to juggle two devices. Given photography is about capturing the moment, anything that interferes with that...........well.....
 
bigearl91 said:
The Nikon App is very basic but does the trick, one extra bit of kit to carry around but who goes anywhere without their phone? The touch focus works too doesn't it? which is essentially added functionality over using live view and the LCD - which is mostly depressing.

Earl
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The nikon app is sadly quite basic compared to likes of cam ranger and other third party apps.


snerkler said:
Lol, the app didn't damage my phone just when you're out on somewhere like stanage edge in winter it's very cold making it easy to drop your phone ;) I got more knocks and scrapes using it as a remote shutter than ever before :rolleyes:
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For landscapes I'm constantly using my phone to use photography apps on it that check DoF, hyper focal distance, calculate shutter speed for long exposures, even actuating the shutter using triggertrap. Cold hands is easily solved by etip gloves.

Like tilt screens wifi enabled cameras are just another tool that some will like/use and others won't. To be honest it's best to use what works for you. Honestly neither tilt screens or wifi are features that would be make or break for me. A cheap pair of yongnuo radio triggers are much for remote shutter triggering, they work at much better distances too.
 
rob-nikon said:
I honestly think the era of tilting LCD screen has past now, cameras are starting to get built in wifi so it's much easier to view and control the camera using your smart phone.
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The smartphone remote viewfinder would need to be ready instantly, to compete with a flip out screen. People are annoyed with any delays with the twist out type if it takes longer than the flip up type. With built in screens you can keep your hands on the lens and shutter button. A smartphone would need a hot shoe mount or headset visor to compete.

snerkler said:
On mirrorless the viewfinder offers no benefit (other than the lack of reflection in sunlight)
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People who need reading glasses will probably disagree with you here. The dioptre correction on the EVF brings it into a world of clarity without the delay of on/off of reading glasses. And the clarity in sunlight is, in fact, a huge benefit. I don't want a camera without a viewfinder.
 
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My powershot g12 came with an articulating screen. It was my first camera and hence my first foray into the world of photography. The articulating screen has been immensely useful especially in crowded situations (and being of short stature) it means i can get shots at head height or low down and know i'm focussing on the correct subject. Makes a big difference when you look at smartphone users who have to hold up their phone, try and focus and hope the photo comes out okay.

Naturally the usefulness of the articulating screen was an important factor when I bought my 70D. I've used the canon app with this camera but it is such a PITA to have to set up each time I want to use it.
 
ianp5a said:
People who need reading glasses will probably disagree with you here. The dioptre correction on the EVF brings it into a world of clarity without the delay of on/off of reading glasses.
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And OVF's don't have a diopter adjustment?????? ;)
 
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It's changed the way I shoot. I expect all dslr's to have these in the future. I can't really see any disadvantage of having the feature.
 
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