Canon Live View
Discussion
What is Canon live view?
Does it just mean that you get a live image from the sensor on the screen, much like a regular point and shoot? Following on from that, on Canon cameras without live view, for example a 350d, is the image only displayed on the camera LCD after it has been taken so you have to use the viewfinder to compose the shot?
Thanks
Does it just mean that you get a live image from the sensor on the screen, much like a regular point and shoot? Following on from that, on Canon cameras without live view, for example a 350d, is the image only displayed on the camera LCD after it has been taken so you have to use the viewfinder to compose the shot?
Thanks
bobthemonkey said:
Does it just mean that you get a live image from the sensor on the screen, much like a regular point and shoot?
Yes.bobthemonkey said:
Following on from that, on Canon cameras without live view, for example a 350d, is the image only displayed on the camera LCD after it has been taken so you have to use the viewfinder to compose the shot?
Yes.bobthemonkey said:
What is Canon live view?
Does it just mean that you get a live image from the sensor on the screen, much like a regular point and shoot? Following on from that, on Canon cameras without live view, for example a 350d, is the image only displayed on the camera LCD after it has been taken so you have to use the viewfinder to compose the shot?
Thanks
You are spot on with both your answers Does it just mean that you get a live image from the sensor on the screen, much like a regular point and shoot? Following on from that, on Canon cameras without live view, for example a 350d, is the image only displayed on the camera LCD after it has been taken so you have to use the viewfinder to compose the shot?
Thanks
bobthemonkey said:
What is Canon live view?
Does it just mean that you get a live image from the sensor on the screen, much like a regular point and shoot? Following on from that, on Canon cameras without live view, for example a 350d, is the image only displayed on the camera LCD after it has been taken so you have to use the viewfinder to compose the shot?
Thanks
Yes, it flips the mirror up and displays the image on the LCD before you've taken the shot. Without Live View you only get to see the image after you've taken the shot.Does it just mean that you get a live image from the sensor on the screen, much like a regular point and shoot? Following on from that, on Canon cameras without live view, for example a 350d, is the image only displayed on the camera LCD after it has been taken so you have to use the viewfinder to compose the shot?
Thanks
I thought Live View was aimed at people moving up from point and shoot cameras, but if they're using the quick AF mode to focus they're not going to like it, as it can take 3 seconds to focus. This 450D review tells you all about it - http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_canon_eos_4...
It has quick AF, or slow (contrast) AF. Quick AF needs the mirror to flip back down but slow is more precise. Rather than half-press the shutter, you have to press the (-) button for some reason.
I thought it was a gimmick too, but it has proven very useful for taking shots where I simply couldn't get to the viewfinder.
I thought it was a gimmick too, but it has proven very useful for taking shots where I simply couldn't get to the viewfinder.
Thanks for that guys.
I'm trying to get into proper photography, as it were, on a budget. I was looking at used 350ds, but refurbished 400d seem within range on the Canon outlet store. I guess in terms of learning, its far better to use the viewfinder, but I wouldn't mind something I could into full auto and let other people use, along with a nice LCD, hence I may wait until the 1000d or 450d appear - unfortunalty both shoot on SD and I have a stockpile of fast CF cards.
Out of interest, whats the closest Nokkor equivilent to the 450d or similar.
I'm trying to get into proper photography, as it were, on a budget. I was looking at used 350ds, but refurbished 400d seem within range on the Canon outlet store. I guess in terms of learning, its far better to use the viewfinder, but I wouldn't mind something I could into full auto and let other people use, along with a nice LCD, hence I may wait until the 1000d or 450d appear - unfortunalty both shoot on SD and I have a stockpile of fast CF cards.
Out of interest, whats the closest Nokkor equivilent to the 450d or similar.
I have never seen a Nikon outlet on Ebay, or anything remotely official. I wouldn't worry about the viewfinder, if the Canon is in "green box" mode, they just look at what they want to photograph and push the button. Generations of small kids and ancient aunts have managed with a viewfinder so it must be fairly intuitive 
outnumbered said:
The 450D live mode is much more awkward to use than the viewfinder, or the live view on any compact camera. I'd only ever use it with a tripod.
I've just taken delivery of a Nikon D700 which also has Live View, and it's not a device to make the camera feel like a POS. It would certainly be more cumbersome to use 'in the field' and IMHO is more appropriate for studio work for fine focusing - a kind of miniature electronic view camera. But don't think LV is going to make it like a compact. Looking through a viewfinder is really not that hard!I find Live view really beneficial!
For example at the london motor show, whacked it on live view, full zoom and then the 10x magnification on the live view, it was like having binoculars! I could look at the dash of the spykers etc, pretty cool. Other than having an expensive set of binoculars i use it for focusing in difficult situations etc, like the moon.
Its better to have something and not need it than to not have something and need it.
For example at the london motor show, whacked it on live view, full zoom and then the 10x magnification on the live view, it was like having binoculars! I could look at the dash of the spykers etc, pretty cool. Other than having an expensive set of binoculars i use it for focusing in difficult situations etc, like the moon.
Its better to have something and not need it than to not have something and need it.
Bigdrift said:
live view is a complete waste of space on a DSLR , however manufacturers try and justify it , looking through the viewfinder is your live view !
I thought that until I got a camera with it on. In the real world (i.e. not on a set where there is plenty of time, you can get into awkward positions and move stuff around) you sometimes need to get the camera into a position where you simply could not get your eye to the viewfinder! e.g. Ground level, above head height etc. It is rather annoying that you have to manually enable it through the setup menus though, which is a bit odd.
Focusing with 10* zoom in with live view can be much easier for landscape or macro than the viewfinder.
Also found it easier (on a 40D) to shoot with gloves on at times.
Its not something miraculous but considering it takes little if any hardware why not offer the option?
Also, especialy on the 1D it probably helps remote operation too..
Also found it easier (on a 40D) to shoot with gloves on at times.
Its not something miraculous but considering it takes little if any hardware why not offer the option?
Also, especialy on the 1D it probably helps remote operation too..
Zad said:
I thought that until I got a camera with it on. In the real world (i.e. not on a set where there is plenty of time, you can get into awkward positions and move stuff around) you sometimes need to get the camera into a position where you simply could not get your eye to the viewfinder! e.g. Ground level, above head height etc.
It is rather annoying that you have to manually enable it through the setup menus though, which is a bit odd.
The modern phenomenon of being able to see a live image on the back of a camera is only a by-product of POS digital cameras not having a mirror, and/or trying to save money. DSLRs are about quality, not convenience or price, and have an angled mirror that sends the image to the viewfinder via a pentamirror or pentaprism. If you then want to 'smash up a boat to make a raft' you have to get the mirror out of the way so that the sensor can see the image - that's why Live View on a DSLR is cumbersome. It's not there to make it like a compact, although I can see that it would attract people who have only known digital compacts and think viewfinders are weird and old-fashioned. If you want to step up, then somtimes you have to adjust what you do and the way you do it It is rather annoying that you have to manually enable it through the setup menus though, which is a bit odd.
ETA: On the D700 LV is enabled by a top dial.
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 3rd August 10:09
Bigdrift said:
live view is a complete waste of space on a DSLR
How about a moving car to car shot with the camera right down on the floor?How about shooting through a gap big enough for the camera, but not your head too?
How about shooting from just above a puddle (to get the nice reflection).... but you dont fancy leaning in it?
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