Can i view what i'm taking on the screen rather than having to hold the camera up to my eye

Hello, you really need to tell us what model camera you are using, It is almost impossible to answer your question without more info.

Many cameras that have view finders do not support use of the LCD display to compose or frame a picture. This is generally to conserve battery life of the camera. Most of these cameras limit how long a picture is displayed on the screen to 10 or 15 seconds, immediately after taking for the very same reason.

The exception would be a camera that lacks a view finder - or has a menu item that allows the user to compose the picture on the LCD in addition to the viewfinder. Some manufacturers call this "live view". Check your camera manual to see if it is supported. If so, be sure to buy extra batteries!

I hope this helps & good luck!

How do you hold your camera? Holding it at arms length and viewing the subject through the screen will practically guarantee a blurred image with most cameras. You might get away with it with cameras equipped with Image Stabilization but not compact digitals.
Use the view finder and hold camera firmly against your face. Frame your subject, take a breath in then exhale, stop breathing momentarily and squeeze the button. (Don't forget to start breathing again!) If possible rest your camera on or against a solid object while shooting.

Is it the viewfinder (that you hold up to your eye) or the screen that's blurry?
If the viewfinder is blurry, there should be a diopter adjustment to fix it, probably right above the rubber eye cup.
If the screen is blurry, you should take some pictures and video and view them on a computer. I they are sharp on the computer but blurry on the camera screen, there may be a problem with the screen and you may need to take it in for repair.
If the pictures are blurry on the computer as well, the camera may not be focusing properly. If you can't focus manually, or the camera can't focus when auto focus is turned on, you have good light, and aren't too close to your subject, then it may need to be serviced.

Your camera is a "Fixed eye-level pentaprism" it has no "Live View" so it can't switch from the viewfinder to the LCD screen. You have a real camera one that will offer far better pictures using the viewfinder then others using the LCD screen.

I'm going to give you a ling to a Google search for a PDF manual the two right on the top of the list are from Ken Rockwell who is in my opinion one of the best writers of manuals and how to

http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&source=hp&biw=1194&bih=827&q=Nikon+D80+PDF+manual&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&fp=cc0ca0f632636127

Take a look for yourself there is two guides there and you will see some really great information about your camera Ken Rockwell writes a review which is unbiased as he is an independent. Yes he's going to ask for a "Donation" some do but most don't. You have a great camera there don't be dissatisfied with it because it lacks some feature.

There's a covered screw in the center of the adjustment knob on the view finder.
Probably that's the one holding the back.

Test the camera by taking a picture and saving to the memory card. Then download it from the card to the computer and view it. If it is clear, the problem is in the playback system or the LCD.

DO NOT look directly at a solar eclipse... You will do permanent damage to your eyes. If your camera has a "live view" LCD screen (Where you can look at the LCD while composing the image), use it to view the eclipse. DO NOT look at the eclipse through an SLR lens or other OPTICAL viewfinder unless you have the proper equipment in place to protect your eyes. You will typically want to use your full optical zoom on the camera to make the image and set the ISO setting to its' LOWEST possible setting. You will have TONS of light, so a low setting will reduce noise, giving you a much higher quality image. If you have exposure compensation on your camera, set it to underexpose by at least two full stops. Since the scene is so bright, it will fool a light meter, thus the need for this compensation. Also remember to use a tripod as well. When you use telephoto lenses, it magnifies shake introduced when you hand-hold a camera. If you're using an SLR camera, you will need a filter to view the eclipse through... here is a site that will give you GREAT detail on safely viewing a solar eclipse:
http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/filters.html

If you want to purchase one for your lens, go to any astronomy equipment sales site or telescope manufacturer. Hope this helps and good luck with the eclipse!

Hi. No you can't shoot by viewing the LCD, only by using the eye-level viewfinder. Some SLR cameras have "live-view", which lets you use either the eye-level finder or the LCD. It really isn't a very good method of shooting with an SLR, as you first have to lock the mirror up, compose your shot, then drop the mirror back down. Using the eye-level finder also blocks out the bright light that makes the LCD difficult to use in sunlight. Hope this helps answer your question.

You hit the EVF/LCD button near the "eye hole". When this is pressed it will cycle viewing through either the optical viewfinder or the LCD screen. This display is controlled independantly on each of the modes: shooting, or viewing. This is so you can set the camera to view pics before taking them from the optical viewfinder and view pics once taken from the LCD or vice-versa.