---
title: The issue of viewfinder clutter
description: The issue of viewfinder clutter
---

[RedShark News - Video technology news and analysis ](https://www.redsharknews.com)

# [The issue of viewfinder clutter](https://www.redsharknews.com/production/item/244-the-issue-of-viewfinder-clutter)

 Written by [Barry Braverman](https://www.redsharknews.com/author/barry-braverman) | Nov 26, 2012 10:00:00 AM

**(Replay) Are viewfinders overwhelming us with information?                                                                                                                                    **

###### Are viewfinders too cluttered? Image: [Shutterstock](https://shutterstock.com/photos) composite.

There seems to be no limit to the minutiae that can be displayed in a camera’s viewfinder.  Focal distance, zoom percentage, date and time, battery condition, shutter, and umpteen other things, all contribute to the clutter; indeed, there is no shortage of miscellany that can obscure the viewing image and the edges of the frame.

Many camcorders now offer a customizable VF display that gives us new reason for life. I prefer a clean view with only the essential functions: timecode, battery level, record time, focus, iris, zoom, frame rate, and audio level.  The frame outline or action safe is also crucial of course to ensure accurate composition and sufficient headroom.

## Not so safe

The action safe specifies a ten percent cut-in from each side of the frame; the title safe indicates twenty percent. The notion of title and action safe zones assumes that a portion of the transmitted image will be cut off in the home television. Modern viewing environments including laptop computers with thin frames seldom intrude more than a few percent into picture so the traditional 20% title safe seems like overkill many times over.

For me the rangefinder is also a vital part of my viewfinder complement as the numerical readout in feet or meters greatly facilitates the setting of non-critical focus when shooting in documentary or run-and-gun environments.

The zoom readout is less critical although shooters of narrative-type programs will often note this setting to match frame size in a reaction shot or to ensure continuity in case of a reshoot. The zoom setting may be expressed in millimeters or percentage.

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