When I parked my car at a restaurant today, this was the scene in front of me. There is a small bank up towards the tree which exaggerated the shadow. I placed the camera near the ground in the shadow and shot blindly towards the tree. A case where an articulating LCD would come in handy. As a matter of fact, I seem to have many scenarios where an articulating LCD and good functioning live-view would come in handy. I know some camera “purists” scoff at such a thing, I say if the technology helps, use it. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t exactly enjoy laying on wet muddy ground to get a shot. About a year ago, I had the chance to use a Panasonic Lumix G1 camera. Besides having the aforementioned articulating LCD, it also comes equipped with an electronic viewfinder. Both features made using the camera a joy. The LCD helped in shooting at weird angles and the electronic viewfinder was marvelous. It was big……no, HUGE, and bright with all of the technical data I needed while shooting easy to read yet not in the way. I got used to the EVF real quick and after a while didn’t really notice, or care, that it wasn’t an optical view. The one thing I don’t like about my Pentax is that the viewfinder info is too dim and one has to make an effort to read it. Oftentimes I’m shooting and don’t really notice that the shutter speed isn’t what I want, or I inadvertently changed the ISO because I can’t really see the viewfinder info. If it wasn’t for the fact my Pentax K20D offered better image quality, I would be using the Lumix G1 today. Pentax doesn’t offer anything similar yet and I liked reviews of the Lumix GH2 enough to peak my curiosity, but I think the perfect camera with right combination of image quality and usability is around the corner. Until then I’ll keep plugging away with the K20D.
In the Shadow
© David Guidas
What I Pic 
I just gave my sister my Canon SX10 IS that had an articulated LCD for her birthday. That is why I bought the new A1200, so I could slip it in my pocket. I miss the LCD but I prefer something that I can slip in my pocket. I could have used the LCD for both of the coffee house pics I took yesterday, but I managed okay without them.
The contrast in today’s image is eerie.
I’m not a fan of using LCD’s in general. I think they have a use when shooting at odd angles, as I mentioned, but I prefer a viewfinder most times. When I use my Lumix LX-3 in the daylight, it’s frustrating to not being able to see the LCD very well, plus having to hold the camera out in front of you.
I think it’s LCD was the biggest reason the bought the Canon 60D, it’s been a joy so far!
I like the 60D. I just can’t afford to get into Canons better lenses right now. I used EOS cameras when I shot film though and enjoyed using them.