[Mitch.Carter]

Hello All

Just a little curiosity coming from me here, was thinking about live view because I am going to buy a DSLR soon and know that some have LV and some don't! I would like LV when I buy one but is there certain makes that always have Live View (even in low range stuff) and some that don't? I would like LV but is it worth it, or shall I not consider it?!

Sorry for the amatuer question but if I didn't ask I would be thinking it over all day!

Thanks for being patient

[Rob_J]

My 40D has it and iv not used it once, never felt a need to use it.

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by Mitch.Carter

Hello All

Just a little curiosity coming from me here, was thinking about live view because I am going to buy a DSLR soon and know that some have LV and some don't! I would like LV when I buy one but is there certain makes that always have Live View (even in low range stuff) and some that don't? I would like LV but is it worth it, or shall I not consider it?!

Sorry for the amatuer question but if I didn't ask I would be thinking it over all day!

Thanks for being patient

If you can get it, get it. But don't pass over a fantastic dSLR because it doesn't have it.

[OrbitalPete]

To be honest with SLRs you want to use the viewfinder. I've used live view a few times while doing tripod-mounted macro at awkward angles, but it's no substitute for using the view finder, and whenever I've used live-view I've had a far lower % of keepers than shots taken through the viewfinder.

[kBm]

Never used live used on the D300 to any great use. I wouldn't miss it if it was removed.

[andy1249]

The only way live view is of any use on a DSLR is with tripod mounted shots at awkward angles.

Its also no where near as good with focusing as it would need to be to match the actual viewfinder.

As far as general use goes , most compacts are used at arms length or close to it , this is where live view is useful , on a compact in auto mode.

You cant use it like this on an SLR because they are too heavy.

So live view on an SLR is definitely not a must have as its of very limited use on such a camera.

[Mitch.Carter]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I am honestly a bit shocked! I thought photographers would be a lot more dependant on the whole Live View perspective!! Well it looks like I won't not buy a camera because of the lack of LV now.
Thanks again,

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by Mitch.Carter

Thanks for all the replies guys, I am honestly a bit shocked! I thought photographers would be a lot more dependant on the whole Live View perspective!! Well it looks like I won't not buy a camera because of the lack of LV now.
Thanks again,

Look at pros taking shots at press events etc., how many do you see using liveview

[Malone]

As above another 'never bothered' comment. SLR's are best viewed through viewfinder. I have to keep puttin me specs on to look at live view. Hardly worth it imo.

[eviljohn2]

I was in the same position at the start of the year before I bought my Nikon D60 (which doesn't have liveview). I discovered that the viewfinder on an SLR is a whole different beast to anything on any compacts. There are also benefits to be had by holding the camera close to your body for stability as opposed to at arms length like a modern compact.

There are occasional times where liveview would be useful but it's easy enough to take a quick snap and check the readout anyway.

[nikonuser11]

I'm a new DSLR owner and all the salesmen and websites stated live view as if it was a good plus feature, I havent used it once, it came on once by error and I took it straight off.
andy1249 hit the nail on the head, GREAT for compacts but not dslr's unless really really awkward viewing angle

[mark.carline]

I was taking some moon shots a while back using the viewfinder and one thing I found difficult was to use manual focus on infinity (maybe because I wear glasses). The next time I am going to use Live View as my 450d has a 10x zoom into a selected area so I can ensure that whatever I want to be in (manual) focus will be.

In general - i think that manual focus is better with live view when its dark.

[willj12]

I don't have it on my dslr, and have never wanted to use liveview or thought it would be nice to have it.

[tracymae]

I don't normally use live view often but there are times when it comes in handy, I have used it quite often recently when using my ND filter, using the viewfinder is useless with the filter on but you can use the live view to compose your image. Also if you are trying to take photos from a low perspective it saves you lying on the ground I guess it depends on the type of shots you want to take.

[OrbitalPete]

I tried manual focussing in live view once and never again. The pixel resolution is nowhere near sharp enough to guarantee you've got it sharp. If I find myself in a situation where I *have* to use live view, it'll be on autofocus.

[nikonuser11]

Originally Posted by tracymae

Also if you are trying to take photos from a low perspective it saves you lying on the ground I guess it depends on the type of shots you want to take.

good point tracymae, I should have used it yesterday when I didnt want my trousers to get wet

[tdodd]

I find Live View and Live View AF a Godsend when shooting with a long lens (400mm/5.6) and a 1.4X teleconverter, since normal AF does not work properly, if at all. DOF is virtually nil and accurate focus is essential. Live View can give you that. Example at 560mm with a 50D. This is a 100% crop....

There's no way I would have nailed the focus like this without Live View.

Basically it is great for use with a tripod when you have some time to set things up - macro, product photography, shots of the moon etc. - and you need to fine tune exactly where your sharpest point is.

In an emergency you could also use it "point and shoot style" for shots over the top of a fence or people's heads, for example.

[senu]

I have it on the 40D and D300 ,
It can be handy on occasion but it isnt a must have,The viewfinder is much more accurate
I have used it 3-4 times ( just this weekend after over 7 months of ownign the 40D) when I give the camera to someone unfamiliar with a DSLR but as you cannot use it wih AF you also have to focus manually

I wouldnt avoid a camera becuse it doesnt have it but it is inreasingly more common now anyway and my next one may have it by default

[tdodd]

Originally Posted by senu

The viewfinder is much more accurate

I don't understand the basis on which you make that statement. The optical path from lens to view finder is completely different to that between lens and sensor. In the same way that AF can be miscalibrated, how can you be 100% certain that what you see in the viewfinder is a perfect match for what the sensor records? There is a mirror to deal with and a focusing screen to display the focused image. It only needs the tiniest difference in distance between lens and sensor vs lens and focus screen and what looks sharp in the viewfinder will not be sharp at the sensor.

Apart from that, how can judging focus accuracy through a little APS-C viewfinder - especially on a Rebel - possibly compare for accuracy with 10X Live View focusing? You may only have a 40D, but the 50D offers an additional Live View AF mode using contrast detect AF. It may be slow but it is very, very accurate and I cannot improve on its performance, no matter how long I take fine tuning focus manually, even with 10X magnification to aid me. Live AF, as it is known, is at least as quick and at least as accurate as any attempt by me to manually focus, on a static subject. Live View focusing is an instant cure for any miscalibration between lens, body, mirror or focusing screen. Remember, with the Canon AF system the accuracy is only good to "within the DOF" for a lens slower than f/2.8 and only good to "within 1/3 DOF" for a lens of f/2.8 and faster, and then only with some focus points, not all. Live focus has the potential to be mm perfect, wherever within the scene you want it to be.

[senu]

Originally Posted by tdodd

I don't understand the basis on which you make that statement. The optical path from lens to view finder is completely different to that between lens and sensor. In the same way that AF can be miscalibrated, how can you be 100% certain that what you see in the viewfinder is a perfect match for what the sensor records? There is a mirror to deal with and a focusing screen to display the focused image. It only needs the tiniest difference in distance between lens and sensor vs lens and focus screen and what looks sharp in the viewfinder will not be sharp at the sensor.

Apart from that, how can judging focus accuracy through a little APS-C viewfinder - especially on a Rebel - possibly compare for accuracy with 10X Live View focusing? You may only have a 40D, but the 50D offers an additional Live View AF mode using contrast detect AF. It may be slow but it is very, very accurate and I cannot improve on its performance, no matter how long I take fine tuning focus manually, even with 10X magnification to aid me. Live AF, as it is known, is at least as quick and at least as accurate as any attempt by me to manually focus, on a static subject. Live View focusing is an instant cure for any miscalibration between lens, body, mirror or focusing screen. Remember, with the Canon AF system the accuracy is only good to "within the DOF" for a lens slower than f/2.8 and only good to "within 1/3 DOF" for a lens of f/2.8 and faster, and then only with some focus points, not all. Live focus has the potential to be mm perfect, wherever within the scene you want it to be.

I bow to your obvious superior knowledge , and indeed better camera, in this area (50D vs 40D)
I did use live view on a 450D as well ( over this weekend at a wedding) and found the performance to be similar to that of the 40D, clearly the 50D implements it better than either of its " siblings"
FWIW I used a lens with constant f2.8
I base my remarks perhaps on the use on Camcorders which may have a different optical path, in this area I do have more than a passing experience
In camcorders the use of viewfinders is often inherently superior to that of the LCD screen
My gut feeling is that Live view as a technology is a work in progress and the newer cameras will implement it even better
but
As I said at the start Im happy to be corrected at any misconception.. we live and we learn ( but Ill still keep to using the viewfinder.. !)

[ryart]

I very rarely use liveview, but when I do need it, it is invaluable. There are quite a few occasions when you can't (safely) get your eye to the viewfinder and having liveview saves a lot of guesswork.

Very useful to have even if you don't use it regularly.

[tdodd]

Maybe this video demonstration of the 50D's Live View focusing modes will help - YouTube - Canon 50D Live View | Auto Manual Focus Modes | 50 D DVD

[senu]

Originally Posted by tdodd

Maybe this video demonstration of the 50D's Live View focusing modes will help -

Thanks for that
It does help
It is clear that in the 50D Canon has taken Live View to a different level of functionality
However this is not implemented in models before this and indeed not Rebel series although it may well have Element in the 500D ( apart from HD video)

In the context of entry level DSLRs, though I doubt that Live view where implemented is anywhere as sophisticated. To be sure the OP did not indicate he wanted entry level DSLR so this might steer him toward the 50D..

At any rate most newer models have live view so it may be that anyone buying will have it unless they buy a slightly older model
The implemention on the 50D does reflect that level of camera though

[anthony566]

Just over a month ago I upgraded from a Sony A350 ( with LV ) to an A700 ( No LV ) and I have to say I really do miss it.... an A700 with LV would be spot on for me :-)

[HotblackDesiato]

It's is useful in adjusting microcalibration, so toning up the regular AF. But in regular use i've found it has advantages when manually focusing in situations where depth of field is very tight, and i have time. There is little doubt that at 5 or 10x you can ensure pinsharp images.
Mostly though i trust to AF, and or MF through the viewfinder, and accept some shots will be OOF.

[OrbitalPete]

I would make a few points regarding the 50D live view functionality.

Firstly; it is a vastly more complex and involved liveview than you get with earlier or more budget bodies.

Secondly, it is not a simple point-focus-and-click system as you get through the viewfinder

Thirdly the display is only 920,000 pixels. That is 10% of the resolution capability of the basic Canon models. As a result, any manual focussing based on the screen depiction of what's going on is severely limited.

While there is some validity in the stated issues of mirror position versus actual sensor display, the mirror location is tightly controlled, and the viewfinder output is far far greater resolution than you get from an LCD display. The positioning of the mirror and viewfinder is an easily calculable ratio that any manufacturer of optics is well able to cope with.

Certainly the live view in the £800+ 50D is more than functional, but it's no replacement for the viewfinder. In entry level cameras this is only exacerbated.

[FazerThou]

Originally Posted by anthony566

Just over a month ago I upgraded from a Sony A350 ( with LV ) to an A700 ( No LV ) and I have to say I really do miss it.... an A700 with LV would be spot on for me :-)

For what reason, low down angle use or something else?

[anthony566]

Originally Posted by FazerThou

For what reason, low down angle use or something else?

I really liked to use it for setting up shots and it was really nice when out with the family not to have my face behind the camera all day dont get me wrong this is by no means a must have but it was a very nice to have IMO.

[HotblackDesiato]

Originally Posted by OrbitalPete

Thirdly the display is only 920,000 pixels. That is 10% of the resolution capability of the basic Canon models. As a result, any manual focussing based on the screen depiction of what's going on is severely limited.
.

Yes at 1x it's no advantage (worse), but at 5 or 10x i've found it a benefit.
I've only used it to aid MF though, the other three "auto" modes i find too slow and cumbersome. So nice to have rather than essential.

[weetsie]

i dont use live view that offen at all but i do use and it is useful.

taking macro shots on a tripod especially at wide aperture is made alot easier by using live view.