Stupid question for Nikon D40 etc users

[Fran27]

Is there a way to render what's in the 'aiming window' on the screen?

Half my pictures are awful because they're horribly centered

 

[HoundedByHounds]

not sure what you mean. You can change what area of the viewing window is focusing on in some modes...is that what you mean? Center right and left?

 

[Fran27]

I mean that when I take a picture I have to look through the little window like in old non digital cameras. I just have information on the screen. I'd like to see what's in that window on the screen (I don't know the right words in English sorry).

 

[milos_mommy]

actually I have a nikon d50 and never managed to get the picture on the screen...i don't know if you can.

 

[zoe08]

You actually get a more accurate picture by looking though the viewfinder, than by what is on the screen. With DSLRs you can not use the LCD screen for picture taking like you do with P&S cameras.

Are your pictures off centered on the computer? Or when you print? Your camera will take an 8x12. So if you go directly to print that, like as an 8x10, part of your picture will be missing and can cause it to be off center.

I always try to shoot fairly loose so that I can crop the picture to the size I want without having to cut off anything important out of the picture.

 

[Toller_08]

Nope. There's no way to take pictures using the screen. I was disappointed when I first got my D40 because of it, but I got used to it really quickly. Haha, now I can't even take a decent picture using the screen like you would with a P&S. I have to use the viewfinder on all cameras now.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

lol...no you cannot...lol.
This is a CAMERA...you need to look thru it just like a real, actual camera. LOL.

Sorry to laugh ...you actually get used to it in a bit. I think it's awkward and odd to hold the ENTIRE camera out away from you trying to frame something. GREAT way to drop or bust your cam IMO.

You use your own eye to frame things with a dslr...sorry. That's the way it is.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

You can only use the viewfinder--a DSLR does not use the screen for picture taking--only for viewing, and displaying info.

 

[Fran27]

Oh well, was worth asking!

I usually crop them too, but it's still annoying. The main reason I asked is because sometimes I can't physically go where I want to take the picture from, whereas I could just move the camera there and aim from the screen, so having to use the viewfinder is an issue. Oh well.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

you mean like out over a lake...when someone bumps you from behind and your camera falls in? LMAO....

No thanks...I will keep my girl around my neck. I dropped so many tiny cam's and phones that way...lol.

 

[Fran27]

Nah usually it's when I want to take a pictures of the kids, but if I sit down to be at their level they will crawl all over me and so much for the pic, lol.