How to Turn Off the Viewfinder on a Sony A6000: Tips and Tricks
When using your Sony A6000, the rear screen is the primary display showing what your lens sees. However, when you lift the camera to your eye to use the viewfinder, the rear screen automatically hides to allow you to see the scene through the viewfinder. This is the intended behavior, but sometimes, the camera displays the viewfinder even when you're bringing the camera near your face. Here's how you can adjust this behavior, ensuring you have more control over your viewing experience.
The Default Behavior
When your Sony A6000 is turned on, the rear screen is the primary display, showing the image captured by the lens. As you lift the camera to your eye to use the viewfinder, the rear screen goes dark, and you see the scene through the viewfinder. This automatic switch is meant to allow you to see the scene clearly as you compose your shot. However, you might encounter a situation where the camera switches to the viewfinder display even when the camera is near your face, which can be frustrating.
Why It Happens and How to Fix It
This unexpected switch to the viewfinder can sometimes occur due to the camera detecting a natural angle of view. While there isn't a straightforward setting to prevent this from happening entirely, you can adjust your camera settings to reduce the frequency of such occurrences. Here are some tips to help you control the viewfinder behavior:
Tips to Minimize Viewfinder Switches
1. Adjust the Viewfinder Switch Sensitivity: Most modern Sony cameras, including the A6000, have a setting that controls the sensitivity of the viewfinder switch. This setting determines how close your camera needs to be to your face before the viewfinder automatically engages. Look for the 'Viewfinder Sensitivity' option in the camera menu and adjust it to a lower setting. This will reduce the likelihood of the camera switching to the viewfinder display when you're just bringing the camera up to your face.
2. Enable the LCD Lock: Some Sony models, including the A6000, come with an LCD Lock feature. When this feature is enabled, the LCD screen remains on even when the camera is lifted to your face, preventing the viewfinder from engaging. Go to the camera's settings and find the 'LCD Lock' option to enable it. This ensures that the rear screen remains active, allowing you to see the image continuously.
3. Use the Touch Screen: If you have a touch screen version of the A6000, you can use it as your primary display. Keeping the rear screen active with the touch screen function can help you avoid the viewfinder switching. By tapping the screen, you can confirm the composition without the viewfinder engaging.
4. Manual Override: While there is no direct setting to turn off the viewfinder entirely, you can manually keep the rear screen active by not lifting the camera to your eye. This might not be ideal for all shooting scenarios but can be useful in certain situations where you need continuous rear screen display.
Conclusion
Though there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to always turn off the viewfinder on a Sony A6000, these tips can help you minimize the instances where the viewfinder switches on unexpectedly. By adjusting the viewfinder sensitivity, enabling the LCD Lock, using the touch screen, or manually keeping the rear screen active, you can have more control over your viewing experience. Experiment with these settings to find what works best for your photography style and needs.