(See Finder)

optical device attached to the camera which approximates the image formed by the lens on videotape or film. A "director's viewfinder" is a device, separate from the camera, which is used by the director of photography for location scouting or shot selection prior to camera placement.

Provides the photographer with an approximation of what the lens is seeing. SLR (single lens reflex): Allows you to see through the same lens that the photo will be taken through. Rangefinder: Uses a separate viewfinder which approximates what the lens is seeing: works better in low-light conditions. (See parallax error).

Digital Video: The window in a camera or camcorder that is used to frame the subject.

a tool used to look through to compose an image. This tool is helpful in selecting the most interesting composition to be found in a larger image by cropping out unwanted perimeters. In photography a viewfinder is what the photographer looks through to compose, and in many cases to focus, the picture (see illustration).

the small, usually rectangular, opening in a camera through which one looks in order to see what will be included in the picture frame.

optical device that helps a user to find the target of interest

a simple optical device that shows the likely lens coverage for a given focal length(s) and format of camera (e

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Equipment for showing the limits of the view which the camera will record. (Also See Finder.)

Built-in camcorder monitor that allows a users to watch a scene. Viewfinder images are small compared to viewscreen images, but do not look washed out in direct sunlight.

Camera feature that allows operator to view the image as it is being recorded. Video viewfinders typically depict the recorded image in black-and-white.

A small video monitor that enables you to watch the scene you're recording (or play back a previously recorded sequence). Depending on the model, it can be tilted toward your eye. The viewfinder is often preferable to a camcorder's LCD when in direct sunlight or in order to save battery life. Viewfinders come in color or in monochrom (i.e., black and white). The more pixels a viewfinder has, the clearer the image will be. Note, however, that the viewfinder's pixel count does not relate to the number of recorded pixels.

Part of the camera where the image through the lens can be viewed. There are two types – a straight through or reflex viewing system or a separate viewfinder (where the image encompassed by the lens can vary slightly from what is seen in the viewfinder).

the window you look through to see what the camera sees

small screen (normally black and white), that you look into with one eye when recording.

The part of the camera that allows you to see your intended picture. The most common types of viewfinders for digital cameras are the mirror reflex viewfinder, the direct viewfinder, the LCD color screen and the electronic video viewfinder.

is used for composing and sometimes focusing the subject.

A small window cut in a piece of paper or card used by an artist to frame a scene and decide on the composition.

A viewing device on a camera to show the subject area that will be recorded on the film. Also known as the finder and projected frame. Most viewfinders are optical viewfinders meaning that you are looking a real representation of the scene rather than an electronic representation. We you use the image displayed on the cameras LCD display (see LCD display), you are looking at an electronic representation of the scene. Some cameras, such as megazoom camera, feature a view finder the is not optical but an electronic representation – just as you see on your LCD.

A viewing screen built into a video camera enabling the operator to monitor the images being recorded. Most electronic viewfinders also allow the playback and review of recorded material.

A camcorder's small built-in video monitor, black-and-white or color that you hold up to your eye to watch the scene you're recording. Although a viewfinder doesn't provide as big an image as a swing-out LCD Screen, it may be preferable when shooting outdoors in direct sunlight, which can wash out the image on an LCD.

System used for composing and sometimes focusing the subject. There are several types: direct vision, optical, ground glass screen or reflex.

The device that allows you to see the image you want to capture in the camera. Compact digital cameras often us an optical viewfinder that is set parallel to the main lens and zooms in and out with it. Becasue the viewfinder is offset what you see is not always what you get, especially in close-up shots. Digital SLR's use two different systems (depends on the manufacturer). A through the lens system that uses a mirror to project the image into the viewfainder or an EVF (Electronic ViewFinder) that is essentially a miniature LCD that shows what is on the imaging CCD in the camera.

A viewfinder is the small square on the back of a camera that the photographer holds up to his eye. Using the viewfinder is the traditional method of framing photos prior to shooting. Many digital cameras offer an optical viewfinder, just like the ones on film cameras. A few cameras have an LCD viewfinder, much like a camcorder's viewfinder. A few cameras have given up the viewfinder altogether; framing photos requires you to use the LCD viewscreen. Although a viewfinder doesn't provide as big an image as a viewscreen, it may be preferable when shooting outdoors in direct sunlight, which can wash out the image on a viewscreen.

The part at the back of the camera for framing the shot. It can be an optical viewfinder or a LCD viewfinder.

The window on a camera that shows your scene. Autofocus cameras normally focus on the center of the frame as shown in the viewfinder. Use focus lock to ensure that you're focused correctly: center the frame over your subject, half press the shutter and hold it, then recompose to your liking and press the shutter the rest of the way. Top of this page

An optical or electronic display used to frame an image in the camera. One looks through the viewfinder in order to see the image that will be captured by the camera.

The eyelevel device you look through to compose the image.

A tiny video monitor used by the camera operator during shooting.

Either an optical or electrical display used to frame in the camera.

The viewfinder on a camcorder is the small window you look through to compose your image. It may be B&W or color.

Small view of the scene you are recording. This is normally a small LCD screen. The more pixels the viewfinder screen has, the clearer the image will be. The number of pixels in the viewfinder does not relate to how clear the picture will be recorded.

A separate window on the camera through which you look to compose images.

The little window at the back of the camera that you look through to see what you are taking a picture of.

The camera window through which you see the rectangular frame used to view and compose your subject.