Live view, gimmick?

Dimitri

Dimitri

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After discussions with people who participate my photo courses and also other photographers I meet on locations, it was obvious to me that a lot of people see the live view function on a dslr camera as a gimmick.
I decided to write a small article about live view on dslr cameras in my blog. Some of you might find it very interesting.

http://dvattika.com/blog/
 
Interesting read. :)

I initially dismissed live view as being pretty pointless on a DSLR but over time, I've come to like having the option.

I take quite a lot of shots using a 10-stop neutral density filter and once it's fitted, it's very difficult to make out the scene. My 7D has an 'exposure simulation' widget on the live view which has made composing ND shots an awful lot easier. I'm not saying it's perfect but it's certainly an improvement over having to remove and refit everything between shots.

Don't get me started on DSLR HD video though... I think I've only switched mine on once and that was just to make sure it worked! :D

Si
 
Spiritflier said:
Don't get me started on DSLR HD video though... I think I've only switched mine on once and that was just to make sure it worked! :D

Si
Click to expand...

It's a great way for videographers to get relatively cheap HD recording with interchangable lenses and shallow DoF, something that's difficult to achieve with the small sensors used in most sub £2,000 camcorders. :)

So while you and I won't get much use out of it some people may well do.
 
Nice article. I didn't buy my camera because it had live view, it was a nice little extra which I thought I might use maybe some of the time. I'm really glad I ended up with it though. That focus trick you describe is a wonderful thing and since figuring it out I've really improved sharpness in a lot of my shots. And as Spiritflier says, brilliant for doing stuff with a strong ND on. I also love it for fiddly low level shots that would practically do in my back if I had to use the viewfinder.
 
it's also a handy mirror lock up cheat to save setting it up

beware using it for extended periods before long exposure shots in warm weather, can heat the sensor and cause a little extra noise. Didn't worry much last night :D
 
I find live view essential when taking macro shots, I can choose the area on which I want to focus, and by using the magnify facility, get critical focusing just where I want it. I can't do that through the viewfinder.

The video facility isn't used often, but I did use it on Friday to get some movie of a goldeneye displaying.
 
Raikiri said:
...So while you and I won't get much use out of it some people may well do.
Click to expand...

You may well be correct but that doesn't necessarily make it a good thing! I'm a STILLS photographer... not a videographer (and I never used a camcorder to take still images either).

The right tool for the right job! ;)
 
Live view is an excellent addition to a DSLR :thumbs: as previously said: Excellent for Astro and Macro work, also great for product shots ... Even better when linked to a PC :cool:
 
Splog said:
Live view is an excellent addition to a DSLR :thumbs: as previously said: Excellent for Astro and Macro work, also great for product shots ... Even better when linked to a PC :cool:
Click to expand...

Its handy for Archiving shots in the studio when you can quickly scan the LCD to check everything in fram instead of craning you neck to see through the viewfinder
 
Live view is also useful for certain landscape shots. The ability to zoom in to certain features and focus on the point can be invaluable. IMO live view is most certainly not a gimmick but is useful only in certain specific instances.
 
There are a few things on dslr's that are gimmicks and i suppose live view could be seen as one but imo it's a handy one to have especially for macro and low level shooting....well thats my tuppence worth anyway.
One gimmick i see as pointless is the need for hd recording,whatever next....a touch sensitive lcd screen so that you can make a phone call utilising the end of the lens as an earpiece:)
 
Spiritflier said:
The right tool for the right job! ;)
Click to expand...

Ah, but maybe it's fast becoming the right tool for the job ;)

That said. I only use LV for video clips. Otherwise the rear LCD is off all the time on my K-7, preferring to use the top LCD and reserving the rear screen only for when I need to get into detailed setup or check a shot already taken.

I think we all have our own preferences.
 
Dimitri said:
I hope some of you indeed found this of some help.
Click to expand...

It was very interesting, Dimitiri, and thank you for taking the time to write it and post here.

The micro adjustments on the 50d, and other Canons too no doubt, are done by focusing with liveview x5 or x10 and using manual focus.. then after taking a photo like that... turn off liveview and auto focus back on and take another.

Most of my lenses were ok but the Canon 17-85 IS was 3 markers out in its focus.

It just shows how accurate the liveview focusing is. :thumbs:
 
The times when I use it, the articulating screen on the E-3 makes it a lot more useful. E.g. Taking shots over people's head with the camera held high, or on the ground getting very low-level shots without having to lie in the mud. It's also useful for tripod work (you can alter the 'scene' - be it portrait or still life and see what it will look like whilst being lens-side of the camera. Hide shooting, with the camera along side (so I can use the binoculars unimpeded by a camera) is another example. Prefocussing on a perch for a bird and checking critical focus is the only example I can think of where I use LiveView and don't have the screen stuck out. Without the screen articulation, LiveView is nowhere near as useful.

Andy

Edit: useful for IR photography with an R72 filter fitted - you can't see through the viewfinder, but liveview is okay with boost turned on!
 
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