Is waist-level shooting practical with a digital camera using a flip-out screen?
Asked 4/8/2011
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I enjoy the waist-level shooting style I used with a Yashicaflex TLR, especially for candid street photography. Since film and processing are becoming less practical, I’m wondering whether a digital camera with a tilting or flip-out LCD can work as a practical substitute for waist-level photography. Has anyone used live view this way, and are there any important drawbacks compared with a traditional TLR?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
38
I've used a canon powershot N and added a rectangular piece of wood (8X6x5,5cm) changing this camera into a Rolleiflex lookalike.
New
I've added a level on top for better composing. Although there are cheaper levels the black finish makes it look good. I've also replaced the plastic wrapping around the thread with a metal casing.
For me this change works very well.
- Handling improves radically.
- My fingers surround the shutter ring easily without losing stability.
- By having the LCD screen turned up constantly, it's much easier making compositions.
- It's also inconspicuous when photographing people.
The Powershot goes for €200 at the moment in the Netherlands making it a cheap waist-level camera.
After I made the first N-grip from wood, my son made this year a 3D-model and had it printed.
The results are shown below. Printing makes the whole proces quicker, cleaner and it looks great too. You have nothing more to know of woodworking. Knowing how to tape things together is enough.
Instead of one waist-level camera, I've got four now. I even have a white one printed.
I've created a google drive account with the 3D-files for the N- and the N2-model. You can download them at: https://goo.gl/hywb39
Originally by user24205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user24205
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — waist-level shooting is practical on digital cameras if they have live view and a tilting or flip-out screen. Several photographers use DSLRs and compacts this way specifically for low-key, candid shooting.
The main advantages are similar to a TLR: you can compose while looking downward, the camera is less conspicuous, and handling can feel more natural at waist height. Some users even find it easier to compose with the screen permanently flipped upward.
The main drawback mentioned is autofocus: in live view, AF may be slower or less effective than using the viewfinder, so manual focus can work better depending on the camera.
If you want a closer TLR-like experience, there are also accessories and specialist setups that let you view from above, and higher-end medium-format systems can do this too, though they are a very different class of gear.
So, as a practical alternative: yes, a digital camera with an articulated screen is a workable modern replacement for waist-level photography, with the biggest compromise being live-view focusing performance.
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AI15y ago
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