Viewfinder or Display - A Discussion

 

Nikon published a downgraded version of the Z5 II recently, the Z5 IIC. Its main feature is the missing viewfinder, making the camera a lighter and more compact, and the lower price. It is still a full frame camera with most specs identical to the Z5 II. As expected, it met a lot of critique. Let me share my take of this camera and some thoughts about viewfinders in general.

To start with, I won't buy this camera. If I wanted a more compact camera, I'd go for APS-C, or I'd use a more compact lens. But a downgraded Z5 II is not the right solution. Nikon also made the mistake to put a display with less resolution onto a camera which has the display as the only composition tool. They also took away one card slot which is something I learned to appreciate. In short, this camera is not for me. But that is not the topic of this posting.

In the forums, I learned that the viewfinder seems to be an essential tool for many, many photographers. Not for me. I use it rarely, and I think most photographers should do the same. We all have the photographer silhouette in our mind bending slightly with the camera tucked on the face, shooting everything from eye level. I don't like that anymore. There are so many interesting angles you can chose from instead, very low to catch more foreground, very high to avoid leaning verticals, close up with extended arms, or from the hip to avoid attention.

This is the right time for me to pick this topic. I had knee and hip problems for decades. I am overweight, yes, but not excessively. Nevertheless, nightly pain drove me to go for surgery with a recent hip replacement. But this is not the place to talk about me. I'm just writing this here so you know why I'm definitely in the mirrorless camp, and why I don't use the viewfinder much anymore.

There is one problem which does not affect me and which I overlook accordingly, but which can make a viewfinder a necessity. If you are extremely farsighted, you need glasses to see anything on the display. All viewfinders can adjust for this. The only solution to this problem is to wear reading glasses, the kind where you can look over into the distance. Or continue using the viewfinder.

Anyway, my solution with my current handicapped movements is to use the display and learn to trust and check the auto-focus. I also will explore the 50mm f/1.8 a lot more, a truly amazing lens.