A PERSONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDERS AND REAR SCREENS
I started out with the Sony NEX-5 and had no real problem with the fact that there was no EVF. Later I purchased a Sony A7R and loved using the EVF and never used the screen for photography. Eventually I decided that I would never get a camera that did not have a top class EVF. As soon as it became available I purchased a Sony FX30 and until it arrived I did not realise that it did not have an EVF. After using it for more than a year I have formed the view that Using an EVF and depending only on a back screen/back-panel encourages two different styles, equally valid, of photography.
Here’s a breakdown of how EVFs (Electronic Viewfinders) and back screens can influence different photographic approaches:
EVF Photography: The Immersive and Deliberate Approach
Isolation and Focus: Using an EVF blocks out ambient light and distractions. This allows for heightened focus on the composition within the viewfinder.
Pre-visualisation: EVFs show real-time exposure adjustments, effects, and focus peaking. This gives photographers a precise pre-shot view, facilitating meticulous adjustments before capturing the image.
Stability: Bringing the camera to your eye creates a more stable shooting platform, especially helpful in low light or when using longer lenses. This reduces camera shake and potential blur.
Manual Control Affinity: EVFs often pair well with cameras that emphasize manual controls (dials, etc.). This encourages a slower, more deliberate shooting pace focused on intentional adjustments.
Back Screen Photography: Flexibility and Spontaneity
Adaptable Angles: Back screens, especially fully articulating ones, allow for shooting from perspectives that would be difficult with an EVF. This includes high-angle, low-angle, and candid shots.
Street Photography: Screens can be less conspicuous than raising a camera to your eye, ideal for street photography where you want to blend into the surroundings.
Videography: For video work, back screens are often superior for framing and tracking moving subjects.
Touchscreen Functionality: Many cameras offer touchscreen controls like focus point selection or menu navigation, enhancing ease of use for those accustomed to smartphones.
It’s Not Just About The Tool: Photographer’s Intent
It’s crucial to remember that the presence or absence of an EVF doesn’t automatically dictate a photographer’s style. Here’s why:
Experienced EVF users can be spontaneous as well: A photographer familiar with their EVF camera can develop quick reflexes and anticipate interesting moments.
Back screen users can be deliberate: A back-screen photographer can employ techniques like a tripod for stability. They might also rely more heavily on elements like depth-of-field visualisation to compensate for the lack of a real-time exposure preview.
The Takeaway
EVFs and back screens cater to different preferences and offer advantages in specific situations. Understanding these strengths makes a photographer more versatile. Rather than being mutually exclusive, sometimes the best approach is having a camera that offers both options!
20.1 MP Exmor R APS-C (Super 35mm format) image sensor with wide dynamic range
S-CinetoneTM for a cinematic look straight out of the camera without grading
Flexible ISO, Cine EI Quick and Cine EI Log shooting modes for optimized image quality
User LUTs can be applied to the LCD display and HDMI output and embedded in clips
Dual Base ISO and a 14+ stop range for wide latitude and low-noise images
Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Sony FX30 is a budget-friendly cinema camera that packs a punch. Here are the key points:
Features and Design: The FX30 is a video-first camera but can also capture 26MP stills. It outperforms Sony’s aging A6000 series and even gives the FX3 a run for its money. Cinema Line LUTs, log modes, and 4K 120p (with a crop) make it a versatile choice. Premium build quality adds to its appeal.
Pros: Cinema camera features and design. Cinema Line LUTs and log modes. Affordable price point. 4K 120p (albeit with a crop).
Cons: No built-in EVF (electronic viewfinder).[this did disappoint me] 3-inch rear screen feels small. IBIS (in-body image stabilisation) isn’t very effective.
FX30 vs. FX3 vs. a7R V Sony FX3: Essentially a reskinned A7S III for cinema users. Internal tech in the FX30 is all new. 26MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor.
Sony a7R V: 61MP sensor, more focus points, and higher resolution. Better for photography.
Why Choose FX30: Affordability: Full-on cinema camera at a mirrorless price. Stabilisation and AF technologies. Unlimited recording times and 4K up to 120p. New 26MP sensor matched with a fast BIONZ XR processor.
Lenses for Sony FX30 Wide-Angle Zoom: Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens or Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens. Wide-Angle Prime: Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens or Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Lens. Standard Zoom: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens or Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens. Portrait:Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens or Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens. All-In-One: Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens or Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens. Telephoto Zoom: Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens or Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens.
Full Frame Lenses: If you’re already using full-frame lenses, consider the Sony 20mm f/1.8 or Samyang 18mm f/2.8.
PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST 2018 PUBLISHED 15 JANUARY 2024
There were two buildings on the banks of the river Nore and they were collectively known as The Tea Houses and as part of the ongoing development of the Abbey Quarter site, Kilkenny County Council recently completed the refurbishment of the Tea Houses on Bateman Quay. The buildings are located at the entrance to the new Riverside Garden and Skatepark amenity area which was officially opened in the summer of 2021. The Tea Houses are also strategically located adjacent to the bus stops for the City Bus Service and the Market Yard car park.
The Houses, dated 19th Century, and were known as “Pleasure Houses” have a history of operating a coffee/café type service as historically they were used by the gentry to take their afternoon tea on the banks of the River.
There is also a memorial tree here the “Tree Of Heaven” erected by the Bereaved Parents Support Group Kilkenny
There is now a pedestrian bridge connecting John’s Quay to Bateman Quay which is home to a courthouse and the new Thomas Woodgate Memorial.
On the former Smithwick’s Brewery and Bateman Quay sites, historical maps reveal that the area was subdivided into long plots of ground with one end on the main street known as burgage plots. These burgage plots were first established by William Marshall in 1207. A ‘burgess’ rented a burgage plot for a shilling a year and built a house on the street. Behind the house stretched a long narrow garden for growing fruit and vegetables. The burgesses built sheds in these gardens and in some instances, a dovecote, which ensured a supply of fresh meat for the family all year around.
To be honest I did not get the opportunity to explore the immediate area in detail during my visit to Kilkenny in August 2018 but I hope to do so in 2024 when I visit in March.
A bridge ‘designed for the Joint Committee of the Kilkenny County Council and the Kilkenny Borough Council by Mr. A.M. Burden [Alexander Burden Mitchell (1864-1923)] County Surveyor of Kilkenny’ (Concrete and Constructional Engineering VI 1911, 223) representing an important component of the early twentieth-century built heritage of County Kilkenny with the architectural value of the composition confirmed not only by the pioneering construction using the Hennebique ferro-concrete [reinforced concrete] system engineered to designs signed (11th June 1907) by Louis Gustave Mouchel (1852-1908) of London, but also by the elegant “sweep” of the arch making a pleasing visual statement at a crossing over the River Nore.
The Butts is without doubt Kilkenny City’s best known housing estate and I visited the immediate and general area in August 2018.
While exploring the area I came across this small cross but when I asked locals no one was able to tell me anything about the history or the purpose of the cross but they suggested that I should visit the nearby home of the greatest Elvis fan in Ireland … Myles ‘Elvis’ Kavanagh is a well-known personality around the city. He’s a big fan of Rock’n’roll legend Elvis Presley (I did get to meet him).
The Butts Cross is located at Butts Green on the south-east side of the junction with Lord Edward Street, on the north side of Kilkenny City. My understanding is that the Butts derived its name because it is an area where male citizens were compelled to practice archery by shooting at targets know as “butts”.
In the seventeenth century there were several private crosses, like that a portion of which still exists at the Butts, erected in different parts of Kilkenny by the wealthy inhabitants, as tributes to the memory of departed friends and relatives.
In 1758, when it was included on Rocque’s map, it was in the centre of the road and around 1900 it was positioned to the north-east of its current location. The cross itself is a nineteenth century pseudo-Celtic cross on a stone plinth that hold a plaque that reads: ‘Improved by Kilkenny Corporation, Michael Kennedy Mayor 1891’. The base is however much older. John Prim recorded traces of an armorial plaque to the Fagan family on the cross base, indicating it is part of a late 16th-early 17th century roadside memorial cross. Similar examples are known from Freshford and Dunamaggin, the idea being that they encouraged prayers for the soul of the deceased. Some local historians regarded the cross as a memorial for the construction of what is now known as Lord Edward Street, though this is probably incorrect
Below I have produced some accounts of events related to the cross:
The most vivid explanation for the cross however comes from young Michael Walsh of the Butts National School. Writing for the Irish Folklore Collection in 1937 he describes how an English soldier attacked a group of catholics who had congregated around the cross. The soldier’s horse reared up, felling the soldier who was killed in the accident. The soldier’s wife is said to have then erected the cross in his memory and the horse was buried beneath it! Strange as it may seem there may be a grain of truth in this story for there have been accounts of human remains found at the adjacent cross-roads. These are probably part of the graveyard that surrounded the suburban church of St Nicholas which was located somewhere in the vicinity. The memorial cross would therefore have been deliberately sited next to the church.
There is a delightful story Nancy Meade, 88 Patrick Street, Kilkenny: Many years ago when no cars were used only horses a large procession was to be seen coming out of the Church. This procession was part of the Forty Hours Adoration and the Blessed Sacrament was being carried around. From the opposite direction a horse man came into view, The gentleman was a protestant with no respect for the Blessed Sacrament and he intended to ride by without getting down from his horse. When the children saw him do this they raised their hands and ordered him to dismount. The story is that he said he would get from his horse if the horse would kneel down. As though he understood the words he immediately went down on his fore-knees and the man got down. After this amazing happening the protestant was converted and believed in the truth of the True Faith. The cross was erected in honour of this.
I have not been inside this pub for about thirty years and to the best of my knowledge it has changed ownership at least once since then. The current owners purchased and refurbished it in 2018 and before that it had not been trading for at least 3 years.
The Kings Inn Pub in Dublin, Ireland, is a traditional Irish pub with a rich history dating back to the 18th century. While the exact date of its establishment is uncertain, it is believed to have been operating since at least the 1860s, with some sources suggesting it may have been even earlier.
The pub is located on Henrietta Street, just a short distance from the iconic King’s Inns complex, which is one of Ireland’s most important legal institutions.
THE KINGS INN PUB [THIS COULD BE DESCRIBED AS MY LOCAL]-226197-1
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