Use for angle finder?

[AlexeyK]

Hey guys!

I've seen a lot of angle finders online, but I could never get the point?
Is it simply a lower point of view, or is there any other uses for it?

If any of you have one, in what situations do you use it?

Thanks, probably a dumb question but maybe it'll open my eyes and I actually totally need one..=)

[FlyingPhotog]

You must be young enough that a long day of low angle shooting doesn't make your knees creak... :lol:

[AlexeyK]

Haha! Well, I'm 20 so no neck problems just yet, but the back on the other hand is a totally different story..! :D
But isn't it even worse with the angle finder? you have to shoot with your neck at a 90 degree angle all the time..

[Savas K]

If the camera is down low, the Angle Finder comes in handy. If the body is on a tripod and you are shooting upward, again, it comes in handy. Live view on current Canon bodies help eliminate its need.

[krb]

Haha! Well, I'm 20 so no neck problems just yet, but the back on the other hand is a totally different story..! :D
But isn't it even worse with the angle finder? you have to shoot with your neck at a 90 degree angle all the time..
Try this. Set your camera on the floor and try looking through the viewfinder. You'll probably find that the most comfortable way of doing this is to lay flat on the floor and crane your neck a little to see. Now imagine that your taking a macro shot of a flower out in a field. That has been full of cows for a long time. Wouldn't you rather have an angle finder so you only have to get down on your hands and knees with your face over the camera?

FWIW, since getting a camera with LiveView I haven't found any need for an angle finder.

[Madweasel]

I have an old Yashica one that fits the Canon viewfinder. I don't use it often, as others have said, Liveview can reduce the times it's needed. But one time it was essential was in getting a "worm's eye view", looking up at some flowers. Then the back of the body is practically on the floor and you can't get to either the viewfinder or the rear screen.

[lancemoreland]

An angle finder also magnifies the focus screen allowing for a more precise manual focus.

[Madweasel]

An angle finder also magnifies the focus screen allowing for a more precise manual focus.
The Canon one does - old ones like mine leave you with quite a small image.

[darosk]

Flower photography. Especially if you own a nursery and are in the habit of methodically documenting every single plant you own.

[RPCrowe]

I have modified a SLIK Pro 330DX into a great travel tripod by substituting a shorter center column and a Flashpoint F-1 Magnesium Arca Compatible Ball head for the heavy clumsy stock canter column and pan/tilt head.

This makes a wonderful 2.5 pound travel tripod which can support my 40D camera and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens.

The only problem with this rig is that it is pretty short and I don't raise the center column for the sake of stability. (see image of tripod extended fully withot right angle finder) It is fairly workable if I am shooting straight-on but, quite difficult to use if I want to shoot with the camera tilted upwards.

The right angle finder is great for shooting up and makes almost any shooting a bit easier on my back. Of course, I am an old geezer also and that might explain my need for the right angle finder.

[Sledhed]

They're handy when setting up remote cameras for sports photography.

[AlexeyK]

I see now!
Thanks guys, I've been kind of wondering about it for a while.. about the canon one magnifying the finder sounds pretty awesome, maybe I'll get one just for that..!

Can see Madweasel's and Darosk's points about flower photo, and about low tripods..ah, hate tripods..

[RodentOfUnusualSize]

Wow, this is something I could probably find very useful :-)

Just one more question: do you guys keep this on camera all the time or do you take off the rubber viewfinder protector and attach the angle finder before every shoot?

[krb]

def. take it off when not using it because I wouldn't want it or the camera viewfinder to be damaged if it takes a hit.

[RPCrowe]

I also remove it when I am not actually using it and carry it in its own little case in a pocket of my photo vest. Note: my viewfinder is not a magnifier type and I have no problem with that at all. However, if I were to purchase one now, I would probably get one that magnifies.

[RodentOfUnusualSize]

Thanks for replying :) That's what I suspected, but having never handled an angle finder so far - I wasn't sure if there wasn't some clever way to fold it that's not apparent from pictures.

Oh well, I'll just need to stock up on those rubber thingys that are normally around the viewfinder. I'm pretty sure the moment I'll take one off to put the angle finder in, I'll lose it (if the rate at which I'm going through lens caps is any indication).:lol: