cameras without live preview?

[BuS_RiDeR]

I always use the viewfinder. In fact, I don't know if the Canon 50D has "Live View". It must... But I've never used it... Nor have I wanted to.

I guess its because I got used to using the 35mm rebel and upgraded to the Elan II... I always used the viewfinder... And I think I always will.

Plus, I have bad eyes (thick glasses).... So I can't trust the view screen on my camera. They all appear ok... until I get them on my monitor (larger image). Thats why when possible, I will take multiples of the same shot... Part habit from my 35mm days, part because I can't trust my eyes.

I trust the AF on my camera and the setting/exposure that I am using; more than my eyes.

But when I have time and I think of it (long story) I just take a few of the same shot and make adjustments to my Av, Tv, ISO and other settings . Then when I see them on my monitor I select the one/ones that I like.

 

[orb9220]

Yep Bridge type camera's are a different ballgame with viewfinder & liveview. And on my D90 just don't use it. As don't video or or done real macro work on a tripod yet.

My friend has a FZ-28 and to me the viewfinder is nothing much beyond a general framing aid. And I find Liveview on any cam limited due to light & sun reflecting off it's back troublesome. So problematic in many situations. And yep trouble nailing manual focus especially for macro type stuff. As can't fine tune enough with electric buttons vs. manual lenses on a dslr that give that extra tuning ability.
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[enzodm]

When I started looking around for a dSLR I decided to choose one with live-preview, because I feared to miss my compact camera screen. Then I did not use it (viewfinder is way better from an ergonomic point of view) until I started buying on manual focus lenses, for which, sometimes, I need to use live preview magnification because the viewfinder of my 1000D is too small, and too dark when focusing at > f/5.6, when the AF dot is no more on. However this should be done on tripod, so only for some kind of picture. Next time, larger viewfinder .

 

[Big Mike]

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.

Think about how you hold a camera when viewing the live view on the screen. It's probably out in front of you...which is much less stable than holding the camera up to your face and tucking your elbows into your body. That can mean the difference between a sharp and a blurry shot.

Also, because the live view screen is a digital representation, it's not going to be exactly 'real time'. The camera has to see the scene, convert to digital and recreate it on the screen. It's pretty fast but there is still a lag...some cameras are faster than others but it's never going to be the same as actually looking out the viewfinder.

 

[eccs19]

My Pentax K7 has live view, and I hardly ever use it. The only time I may use it is for macro work. One thing that wasn't mentioned about using live view vs not using live view would be battery consumption. If your out somewhere without a way to charge, or don't have a spare, it could make a difference of getting a dozen or so more shots I would think.

One other item ( wouldn't be the case with your bridge camera), but with most DSLR's, you can get a split screen focusing screen, and if your into manual focusing, it can aid in nailing those hard to get situations that may be troublesome without. Some of them you can also get an upgrade when you purchase them, and it will help bring more light into the viewfinder. (optibrite comes to mind)

 

[pgriz]

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.

Think about how you hold a camera when viewing the live view on the screen. It's probably out in front of you...which is much less stable than holding the camera up to your face and tucking your elbows into your body. That can mean the difference between a sharp and a blurry shot.

Also, because the live view screen is a digital representation, it's not going to be exactly 'real time'. The camera has to see the scene, convert to digital and recreate it on the screen. It's pretty fast but there is still a lag...some cameras are faster than others but it's never going to be the same as actually looking out the viewfinder.

OK, I can see where there's a discrepancy between what people are talking about and the way I'm using it. I use it only when I've got the camera on a tripod, and I'm making sure that I've got the focus properly placed, using manual focus, and with the magnifying option on to see clearly the area of interest.

Live view in hand-held operation is almost unusable, even without magnification.

 

[Big Mike]

OK, I can see where there's a discrepancy between what people are talking about and the way I'm using it. I use it only when I've got the camera on a tripod, and I'm making sure that I've got the focus properly placed, using manual focus, and with the magnifying option on to see clearly the area of interest.

OK, that's fair. If I had a liveview capable camera, I'd probably use it while on a tripod as well. Especially for close up/macro type stuff where precise focus is more important. With landscape type shooting, precise focusing usually isn't an issue.

 

[gsgary]

Is this a joke ? never had a camera with live veiw and don't want one the only thing i can see it useful for is macro

 

[Ron Evers]

I almost always use live view when on a tripod. The articulated screen on my camera is very useful as well, particularly in tabletop macro work.

 

[pgriz]

Ron! That's a nice rack you got there! (and since you're not a woman, you won't misunderstand that statement ). Can you share any details?

 

[Overread]

Put "Focusing rails" into ebay and you'll get loads of vendors selling similar rails to the ones Ron (and I) use - eg:
Macro Focusing Rail Slider 4-way for Nikon Canon on eBay (end time 23-Dec-10 02:49:04 GMT)

for their price in the market they are about some of the best - Adorama use the exact same design (most likely the same rails) as their own trademark rails. They are superior to the manfrotto design focusing rail and the only other rail I know in that price is the Velbon - I've never tried them however.

I'm not sure about Ron's tripod head - given the choice for macro type photography though a Geared tripod head (eg the popular manfrotto Junior Geared head) is ideal for photography work. Letting you change each axis by small precise amounts.

 

[Ron Evers]

Overread is correct on the rails. I have basically devoted a Velbon Sherpa tripod & three-way head to the rails which you see her set-up for panorama shots.