Also known as "Parallax effect" - the viewfinder camera's main disadvantage, making it almost useless for careful composition of close-up subjects. The scene viewed by the photographer through the camera's viewing frame is different from the scene the lens will capture because the viewing frame is offset from the lens.
The difference between the image seen by the viewing system and that recorded on the film. Problems occur as the subject moves closer to the taking lens when using TLR cameras. Only through-the-lens viewing systems can avoid parallax error. (see TLR)
An error in reading an instrument due to a parallax situation
Occurs when shooting very close up with a viewfinder camera. The photographer does not see an accurate indication of the subjects position relative to the lens, so parts of the subject that he or she thinks will be photographed are missing on the final photograph. Parallax error is overcome in more expensive compact and viewfinder cameras which adjust the viewfinder to compensate for the distance the subject is away from the camera.
The error in meter readings that results when you look at a meter from some position other than directly in line with the pointer and meter face. A mirror mounted on the meter face aids in eliminating parallax error.
With a lens-shutter camera, parallax error is the difference between what the viewfinder sees and what the camera records, especially at close distances. This is caused by the separation between the viewfinder and the picture-taking lens. There is no parallax error with single-lens-reflex cameras because when you look through the viewfinder, you view the subject through the picture-taking lens.
When the motif seen through the camera's viewfinder does not correspond with what will be captured by the lens due to the different viewing positions of the two. When shooting close up, the degree of error can lead to incorrectly framed images. Some cameras feature a viewfinder with correction markings to prevent this while others automatically compensate for the parallax effect. In digital cameras, the parallax error can be avoided by framing shots with the LCD monitor (if available).
Measurement error that occurs when the object being measured is too far away from the measuring device.
The difference between what the lens sees and what you see through the camera's viewfinder; especially pronounced at longer focal lengths and with closer subjects.
Many cameras don't allow you to look directly through the lens when taking pictures providing a small separate window for you to look through instead. As you see things from a slightly different position to this lens unexpected results can occur. This is called parallax error an apparent change in the position of an object. This is only a problem when focusing on nearby things.
