cameras without live preview?

[Abby Rose]

I'm curious as to how you guys with cameras that don't have live preview (obviously film, but digital too) manage to get things in focus? I find it difficult to see what's in focus and what's not when I don't use the live preview on my camera, and have to go the trial and error route. That is, take a picture, view it on the screen, and see how I did. So usually I just use the live preview unless I'm feeling particularly patient. I guess that the viewfinder probably differs among cameras at least a little, though. Is it partially a practice makes perfect thing?

 

[Jcampbelll]

Maby it's your eyesight? I can tell for the most part what is in focus. I use the center focus point, put what you want in focus on center point, push half way on shutter button, and then recompose. It works great for portraits. :thumbup: For moving subjects harder to do.

 

[Josh66]

:lmao:

Sorry for that... But really... The first sentence had me laughing a little.

Well, for one - auto focus does work pretty good.

A big, bright view finder helps a lot too.

Most entry level and 'prosumer' crop bodies have small, dark viewfinders - which makes focusing harder.

 

[KmH]

Todays digital cameras and lenses are not configured to be manually focused.

Using LiveView is also not an optimal way to focus.

 

[MissCream]

I never use my live view and I manual focus a lot. Like someone else said, its probably just the size of the viewfinder on a point ad shoot vs an slr.

 

[phiya]

I've never used live view, I guess I can just see well enough close up to tell what's in focus in my viewfinder? The D80 wasn't exactly the top of the line when it came out, but I don't seem to have a problem w/ the view finder, except that it crops a small amount of the actual shot.

 

[LightSpeed]

Todays digital cameras and lenses are not configured to be manually focused.

EDIT: Statements removed.

EDIT: My bad. I see , or at least think that I see , that you were not referring to D-SLR cameras bodies and lenses.

Using LiveView is also not an optimal way to focus.

Nailed this one.

 

[Overread]

First have you checked that your diopter is set correctly (check your manual for how to set your diopter). An incorrectly set diopter can make it impossible to focus correctly. There are also adaptors to change the viewfinder diopter setting further for those with weaker eyesight.

Todays digital cameras and lenses are not configured to be manually focused.

I am going to ignore this unless you can give me a reason why all lens manufacturers incorporate manual focus on all lenses. And why camera manufacturers, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony ETC have an option on the body to disengage auto focus for purposes of manually focusing. Not trying to be a prickk. I'm trying to understand how you came up with this.

.

Simple - the older camera bodies in the film era had larger viewfinder images; brighter viewfinder images and also had build in aids to help you focus the shot sharp manually. Digital SLRs retain the manual focus control and option; but they are geared toward you using AF not manual focusing. Hence why many don't even have 100% viewfinders and that they are generally darker than film equivalents. Furthermore the viewfinder lacks any kind of manual focusing aid (save for the red dot from the AF).
Thus whilst it is an option to use the DSLR is just not as geared toward the manual focusing photographer as the SLRs were.

Using LiveView is also not an optimal way to focus.

Nailed this one.[/QUOTE]

Depends what and how you're shooting - I know several landscape and macro photographers who love 10* magnification on the liveview to help them focus a shot perfectly - of course this is slower tripod based focusing and not handheld, where I agree the optimum is through the viewfinder.

 

[redtippmann]

I just got a live view capable camera and I never use it. I really don't see the point in having it. I like the camera to have another point of contact with my body (my face) so I could keep it more stable. And you can't see anything through the screen if your in a dark studio.

 

[Abby Rose]

Sorry for that... But really... The first sentence had me laughing a little.

Glad you got a chuckle out of it. But we all have to learn somehow! :greenpbl: And need I remind you that this is the beginners forum?

EDIT: My bad. I see , or at least think that I see , that you were not referring to D-SLR cameras bodies and lenses.

My question referred to all cameras in general. But my experience is indeed limited to point and shoots. So, sort of.

Using LiveView is also not an optimal way to focus.

Depends what and how you're shooting - I know several landscape and macro photographers who love 10* magnification on the liveview to help them focus a shot perfectly - of course this is slower tripod based focusing and not handheld, where I agree the optimum is through the viewfinder.

Also for my bridge camera... I find live view to be much easier because (as has been mentioned before in this thread) my viewfinder is difficult to see out of. Plus, I almost always use auto focus anyway. Manual focusing is pretty tricky on my camera because of the nature of the button that must be used (rather than a "ring" or whatever, like you guys use)... think those little lever things on the back of point and shoots that are used to zoom. Thats also what must be used to set the focal length on my camera. It's not so easy to fine-tune.

Anyway, thank you all for the replies.

 

[Overread]

Ahh if you're using a bridge camera then things are even more setup for auto focus and liveview by design. I've tried manual focusing on my sisters and it is indeed a very tricky nightmare because its electronic controled and not with fine fast response - in the DSLR world manual focus is with a manual ring on the lens and is worlds easier!

 

[pgriz]

Todays digital cameras and lenses are not configured to be manually focused.

Using LiveView is also not an optimal way to focus.

Keith, can you elaborate on your last statement? I'm not trying to challenge you, but trying to understand. Why is Liveview not optimal? What would be a better way? What is the downside to focusing using LiveView? I thank you in advance for your patience and explanation.

 

[Josh66]

What is the downside to focusing using LiveView?

For me, personally, one of the biggest downsides is metering. You can only use Matrix/Evaluative metering modes with live view. Most of the time, that's probably fine.

I personally prefer spot metering though, and that's what I'm used to.

 

[Derrel]

I use the AF system, and look at the AF confirmation dot, aka "the green dot". Some practice really helps, as doe being aware of exactly how the particular camera's AF system actually works.

 

[Sbuxo]

I love viewfinders.
<3