The viewfinder is a type of camera that offers the photographer an apparatus through which the photographer can roughly preview which area will be captured on film.
Viewfinders could either be attached onto the side/top of the camera in the form of a pair of frames that – when lined up – would roughly simulate the view to be captured; or viewfinders could be made up of a group of optical lenses that would aim to – likewise – allow the photographer to find their view.
Viewfinder cameras differ from SLR cameras in that the photographer is viewing the scenery through a distinct contraption, not through the same lens the picture will be taken with.
Viewfinder cameras differ from rangefinder cameras in that viewfinder cameras offer no integrated way to find the range/distance to the object of interest.
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