? about the 350D/XT viewfinder

[Spots]

Hi,
I am just curious....When looking through the viewfinder and the subject takes up every bit of the real estate (a close up shot) shouldn't what I see be exactly what comes out in the picture? The reason I ask is because I always get more in the shot than I want no matter what lens I am using but especially the Tamron which ends up with way more than what is framed. Here is an example of what I mean. The red indicates approximately what is in the view finder.

Any help is appreciated.
Spots

[robertwgross]

Nearly all cameras of this class have a viewfinder which shows about 95% of what is being recorded.

There are a few that do 100%, mostly in pro bodies.

Just think what a scream you would hear if the viewfinder showed 105%.

---Bob Gross---

[DocFrankenstein]

LOL

20% viewfinder? :D

It doubt it crops THAT much from the picture. But you'll find that consumer cameras do not show the "whole picture". Only the professional ones, like 1-Series cameras do that.

Learn to live with it

[DocFrankenstein]

Just think what a scream you would hear if the viewfinder showed 105%
Scream? :confused:

[guitarman3]

I've noticed there is a distinct difference between what the viewfinder shows and what you get but it's no where near that shown in your example. It's more like the 5% difference Bob has indicated. Are you sure you have the red box in the right place?

[etaf]

something is very very wrong there

see here viewfinder 95%
http://www.waltersphotovideo.co.uk/details.php?id=0210B014AA&productname1=EOS%20350D%20w/EF-s%2018-55mm%20Kit
http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/digital_rebel_xt/eos_digital_rebel_xt_specs.html

[Jesper]

The red indicates approximately what is in the view finder.You're joking, right?! :rolleyes:

[ddelallata]

that sounds like you expect the focusing point to be what comes out in the picture.

[nitsch]

that sounds like you expect the focusing point to be what comes out in the picture.

Thats what I'm thinking too. This is an approximation of the viewfinder vs the actual image in my 300D which has the same 95% viewfinder.

http://www.nitsch.co.uk/photos/viewfinderarea.jpg

[nater]

that sounds like you expect the focusing point to be what comes out in the picture.

Well, his box is way too big to be one of the focus points. But it's way too small to be the entire viewfinder.

Color me confused...

[Spots]

Thank you all for the responses!

The red box (made in Photoshop) is an approximation of what was framed in the view finder when I took the shot. I had her head and shoulders only in the view finder using all of the focus points...and no I did not expect what was in the focus point to be what comes out lol . I have had an slr before so I know how to use the viewfinder...just new to digital lol. I also knew there would be the 5% difference. I have only had the camera for about 2 weeks and being new to the camera and digital I thought I would ask here as I thought there might be something I am missing with it being digital. I guess you all confirmed my fears and will be taking the camera back.

Thanks again
Spots

[nitsch]

Hi Spots, why are you going to take the camera back? Your shot looks sharp and well exposed, I don't think there is anything wrong with your camera. The 350D viewfinder field of view is identical to the 300D which I posted an example of above.

Here's an idea. Take another picture, this time of a wall, but first stick 4 post-its or something similar on the wall and move them until one is exactly at the top of the viewfinder, one all the way down at the bottom, one at the far right and one at the far left, take the shot and then have a look at how much space there is in the image beyond each post-it. It shouldn't be far off the squirrel picture.

[tim]

The test nitsch suggest's a good idea, if your viewfinder is that badly out return it for one that works properly.

[Spots]

Sorry it tooks so long to reply but I'm having internet connetion trouble...anyway I'll try what Nitsch suggested and see what happens.

Thanks again

[Spots]

Finally got back up and running online again. Just wanted to thank everyone for their reply and to let you know that there was a problem with the camera and not the way I was taking pictures. I took it back to the store and their Canon rep said there was a problem with the optics or something so I had to send it in for repairs. So all those who thought I was nuts :p ...j/k :lol:

Still waiting to get it back tho :cry:

Cheers
Spots

[nitsch]

Hehe! Glad to hear it wasn't you going mad Spots! :D

Enjoy your camera when you get it back fully functioning, look forward to seeing some of your shots.