How Do I Work With A Camera With No Flip Out Screen?

[Becky Keegan]

Hey guys
So I am getting a new camera for Christmas to bring back my YouTube channel. It has arrived and I have had a look at it. At first I thought it has a totally rotatable flip out screen which I could turn around and use to look at myself and ensure everything is okay during recording. But when it arrived, it seems that the screen only comes out a little bit and tilts up and down so you can look at the screen whilst you tilt the camera.
I'm worried that I won't be able to work with it on my videos.
Does anyone have any tips on how I can use this camera for YouTube videos?
Thanks!
P.s If you want to know the camera is a Nikon Coolpix P90

 

[JTMulcahy]

Oooh, that does seem like a bit of a challenge. For the longest time I had recorded using a camera that had the screen stuck in the back of the camera. It can be challenging if you're trying to switch the focusing on images while you're recording yourself, but for the most part as long as the auto-focus is functioning there shouldn't be too many issues.

I suggest testing it out for a bit and if you're not content with the auto-focus, and if you're allowed to, I'd say send it back and find a camera that works for you. Hope that helps!

 

[MichaelNoker]

I have a small mirror set up behind my tripod, so I can see it when I record in my designated spot. When I'm mobile, I kind of just guess the distance to keep myself in frame and hope auto-focus does the job (or sometimes just use my phone in selfie mode). I also have a lot of footage I've edited out of me focusing the camera on my hand and then trying to put my head in the same place...

 

[Talooka]

If it has a display port, you can get a cheap monitor for a couple of bucks to face you while it's plugged into a computer. See if your local community college is throwing out some old ones, or even a local computer repair shop

 

[Zachary Thomas]

I'm upgrading soon to connect my camera to my monitor to use as an external display! I know how you feel, its a pain to make sure you're in frame and everything's looking good.

 

[TheDutchTexan]

As others have suggested: A mirror!

All my carvlogs where initially framed without any type of footage. I just aimed the lens of my action cams at myself and went to town. Soon you will learn what works and what does not.

 

[Adam.W]

You should be able to connect your camera to a phone, tablet or monitor. All you need is the right cables witch you can find for cheap online or in your local electronics store.

 

[Becky Keegan]

Oooh, that does seem like a bit of a challenge. For the longest time I had recorded using a camera that had the screen stuck in the back of the camera. It can be challenging if you're trying to switch the focusing on images while you're recording yourself, but for the most part as long as the auto-focus is functioning there shouldn't be too many issues.

I suggest testing it out for a bit and if you're not content with the auto-focus, and if you're allowed to, I'd say send it back and find a camera that works for you. Hope that helps!

Thankyou all for the help! Unfortunately, I have made a bit of a mistake with asking for this camera, as the guy who sold it will not accept returns :/ Also, Iv'e just found out it only shoots 30fps at a 640×480 resolution...... But I will not give up and still try to do some videos with it, a decent camera is better than no camera!