Sony A200 slr

New to slr's, just read the book cover to cover, but cannot work out how to get an actual "view" from the lcd screen on my Sony A200??? Currently I only get the various settings, and then when I go to take pictures I'm just left with a blank screen anyway, so have to guess where my subject is all the time! I don't want to use the viewfinder and I've blanked it off, but surely my subject should be displayed on the large screen somehow, but for the life of me (and husband!) we cannot work out how? Any help would be most gratefully received, thanks!

Almost all SLRS do not accomade what you are after - Live View. The power needed to support such a function on an SLR would drain the battery extremley fast. The A200 doesnt have this option.

Welcome to Yo BTW

Welcome to the world of SLR cameras Helena

Not all DSLRs, have 'live view' which is what you are referring to. And I think the A200 is one of those that doesn't.

Most photographers won't use the live view 99% of the time anyway (as it's usually used for detail work, like when you need to be really precise with the focus). Besides it will eat up battery.

It doesn't take long to get used to the viewfinder, and it will actually help you hold the camera correctly too.

If you do want live view I think the Sony A350/300 models have them

I always used live view on my Fuji, but even though my 40D can have live view, I chose not to use it from the start. (Okay...I couldn't figure out how! ) Now, even though I know how to enable it, I'm not using it, because I'm used to the viewfinder and it's actually much easier too.

Welcome to YOP.

Thanks for the welcome, and thanks for the help both of you I didn't really want to hear that though I almost went for the A350 but when I read the write ups, I thought the A200 would more than suit my requirements. I'm used to my old Kodak digital, where I just shoot what I see on the screen, but I wanted something that would give me continuous shots, I got fed up with the waiting and waiting with the normal digital, which of course this camera now gives me. Oh well, looks like I'll take the cover off that viewfinder then and go back to the old fashioned way of peering through it then! I might be surprised I suppose, it might actually be better! At least I found the AF settings, coz I'm only a simple girl, but I'm sure I'll learn as I go along plus it's great to know you lot are here for any hiccups, of which there will probably be many!

I didn't look for the intro's on here coz I'm known on a sister site, but I'll go and check that out

H, you will find it much easier through the viewfinder. DSLRs can and do get very heavy and holding them up against the eye will help keep it steady and stop your arms from aching so much! LOL

When I was looking, it was the Sony A350 with the flip down viewfinder, most are for viewing "already" taken shots.

Hi Helena, you will find the viewfinder quite natural after a short time and develop a natural position with your arms tucked in to support the camera, eye flicking around the frame to check compositon, exhale, gently squeeze the shutter button...

The LCD panel promotes bad practice. Arms away from the body, unsupported, minor shaking if held for any length of time, peering at a panel difficult to see in bright sun. The 'live view' LCD can be useful on a tripod or occasionally otherwise, but none of the serious photgraphers really are using LCD panels to compose. Your A200 is an excellent bit of kit, don't feel let down by the lack of LCD display.

Well thanks everyone all very positive then for my new piece of kit! I took the trouble of taking the camera to bed (yes, sad aren't I!!!) and again reading all the instructions cover to cover, and have to say it all made a lot more sense being totally fixated on it with no other distractions around (sadly!). I see your point about the lighting Kanikula, that seems far more complicated but hopefully I'll manage all that once I get familiar with all the other stuff. Thanks for all that too BlackCloud, you've made me feel a lot more positive. I would have taken it this morning, glorious morning, sun was rising on top of the South Downs where I was with the dogs, it would have been so perfect, but I forgot to take it coz I'd left it on the bedside table! Tomorrow morning then, should be another bright day, and hopefully I'll get some fantastic shots coz I think Cissbury Hill which I climb every morning is way, way high with some glorious views across the South Downs Thanks again, I'm going to like this new hobby of mine!