Comments on: Live view versus the cheating DSLR viewfinder http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/ Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:49:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: David Kilpatrick http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-1188 David Kilpatrick Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:20:35 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-1188 It depends on the exact screen and camera model. You'll find that 2.2 may apply to the full frame professional screens, but a figure closer to f/4 will apply to APS-C entry level (this is the usual situation anyway, with all camera makes having a range of screens and finder types). When mirror prisms with low brightness are used, they tend to go for a more transparent focus screen. I notice on the Sony Alpha 380 that a less transmissive screen is fitted, perhaps to enable the live view system to work better off-focus-screen. This results in the visual effect of the f3.5-5.6 kit zoom darkening as you zoom. Other models using a different focus screen don't darken the same way and presumably have an f/5.6 focus screen (in the terms we are talking about). It depends on the exact screen and camera model. You’ll find that 2.2 may apply to the full frame professional screens, but a figure closer to f/4 will apply to APS-C entry level (this is the usual situation anyway, with all camera makes having a range of screens and finder types). When mirror prisms with low brightness are used, they tend to go for a more transparent focus screen. I notice on the Sony Alpha 380 that a less transmissive screen is fitted, perhaps to enable the live view system to work better off-focus-screen. This results in the visual effect of the f3.5-5.6 kit zoom darkening as you zoom. Other models using a different focus screen don’t darken the same way and presumably have an f/5.6 focus screen (in the terms we are talking about).

]]> By: Alec http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-1147 Alec Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:41:18 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-1147 What you are noticing in depth of field issues is that Canon viewfinders start at 2.2. There is no difference below that. You can't figure it out very easily with the automatic Canon lenses but I shoot a lot of vintage glass (mainly Olympus) and the viewfinder only starts to darken after 2.2. After 2.2 the viewfinder is accurate. What you are noticing in depth of field issues is that Canon viewfinders start at 2.2. There is no difference below that. You can’t figure it out very easily with the automatic Canon lenses but I shoot a lot of vintage glass (mainly Olympus) and the viewfinder only starts to darken after 2.2. After 2.2 the viewfinder is accurate.

]]> By: Canon 1000D: knop voorzijde - Belgiumdigital forum - Digitale fotografie http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-721 Canon 1000D: knop voorzijde - Belgiumdigital forum - Digitale fotografie Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:43:56 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-721 [...] lenzen die lichtgevoeliger zijn dan pakweg f/5.6 is enkel liveview betrouwbaar als DOF preview : klik Maar die info zal misschien een beetje overkill zijn? __________________ Hans Van Rafelghem [...] [...] lenzen die lichtgevoeliger zijn dan pakweg f/5.6 is enkel liveview betrouwbaar als DOF preview : klik Maar die info zal misschien een beetje overkill zijn? __________________ Hans Van Rafelghem [...]

]]> By: Canon 1000D: knop voorzijde - Belgiumdigital forum - Digitale fotografie http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-720 Canon 1000D: knop voorzijde - Belgiumdigital forum - Digitale fotografie Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:20:24 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-720 [...] lenzen die lichtgevoeliger zijn dan pakweg f/5.6 is enkel liveview betrouwbaar als DOF preview : klik __________________ Hans Van Rafelghem PBASE [...] [...] lenzen die lichtgevoeliger zijn dan pakweg f/5.6 is enkel liveview betrouwbaar als DOF preview : klik __________________ Hans Van Rafelghem PBASE [...]

]]> By: AEH http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-708 AEH Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:21:38 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-708 I found this all very interesting. So interesting that I did some comparisons using my Sony A-100 & the Minolta 50mm f1.7. In my VF, the DOF looks much more like f8 than f1.7 regardless of where I have the aperture set. Even when I press the DOF preview button, the DOF doesn't really change. The VF gets dimmer, but no apparent change in the DOF up to at least f8. So, what good is the DOF preview button? Is it any different on the A-700 or the A-900? Maybe this is why Sony took it off of the A-200, A-300 & a-350. I found this all very interesting. So interesting that I did some comparisons using my Sony A-100 & the Minolta 50mm f1.7. In my VF, the DOF looks much more like f8 than f1.7 regardless of where I have the aperture set. Even when I press the DOF preview button, the DOF doesn’t really change. The VF gets dimmer, but no apparent change in the DOF up to at least f8. So, what good is the DOF preview button? Is it any different on the A-700 or the A-900? Maybe this is why Sony took it off of the A-200, A-300 & a-350.

]]> By: 5D of 1DMkII(n) ? - Pagina 2 - Belgiumdigital forum - Digitale fotografie http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-643 5D of 1DMkII(n) ? - Pagina 2 - Belgiumdigital forum - Digitale fotografie Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:10:13 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-643 [...] van de 5D kan je dit wel degelijk zien. Trouwens, een interessant artikel daarover is dit : klik __________________ Hans Van Rafelghem PBASE Life is [...] [...] van de 5D kan je dit wel degelijk zien. Trouwens, een interessant artikel daarover is dit : klik __________________ Hans Van Rafelghem PBASE Life is [...]

]]> By: Full frame demands inclined planes | dPhotoexpert http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-590 Full frame demands inclined planes | dPhotoexpert Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:03:27 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-590 [...] You will see it more easily in the full size file, just click to open; it is a patch to the right of the instrument’s nut (the instrument is a Canarian timple, a Canary Island relative of the ukulele). The overall focus is slightly different, despite a similar 8 degree tilt, as judging the focus and tilt angle on the focusing screens of these DSLRs is next to impossible for reasons we explain in this article. [...] [...] You will see it more easily in the full size file, just click to open; it is a patch to the right of the instrument’s nut (the instrument is a Canarian timple, a Canary Island relative of the ukulele). The overall focus is slightly different, despite a similar 8 degree tilt, as judging the focus and tilt angle on the focusing screens of these DSLRs is next to impossible for reasons we explain in this article. [...]

]]> By: Reko http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-572 Reko Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:45:36 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-572 Nice analysis... I agree with you that sooner or later, LiveView becomes industry standard. Fyi, I take photo especially underwater. Many divers nowadays still take photo by DSLR inside of its UW housing by viewing the object through viewfinder. But after I use Sony A350 liveview (quick fast, autofocus, really live, set whitebalance/Kelvin temperature and view the effect on screen at the same time...!!!), and how easy it is to capture small critters inside coral while the position to view from viewfinder is limited or when the object position is level with seabottom where you can't see the object via viewfinder while you want to take the eyes .. liveview make my life easier and safer :-).... made me think thrice to move to better camera but without (good) liveview. Hopefully 2009 will be better... Nice analysis… I agree with you that sooner or later, LiveView becomes industry standard.

Fyi, I take photo especially underwater. Many divers nowadays still take photo by DSLR inside of its UW housing by viewing the object through viewfinder. But after I use Sony A350 liveview (quick fast, autofocus, really live, set whitebalance/Kelvin temperature and view the effect on screen at the same time…!!!), and how easy it is to capture small critters inside coral while the position to view from viewfinder is limited or when the object position is level with seabottom where you can’t see the object via viewfinder while you want to take the eyes .. liveview make my life easier and safer :-) …. made me think thrice to move to better camera but without (good) liveview.

Hopefully 2009 will be better…

]]> By: Live View Mode on DSLR Cameras - Digital Photography Tips and Techniques http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-547 Live View Mode on DSLR Cameras - Digital Photography Tips and Techniques Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:00:39 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-547 [...] Accurate depth of field. This may not be obvious, but the view finder optics seem to alter the DOF!  [...] [...] Accurate depth of field. This may not be obvious, but the view finder optics seem to alter the DOF!  [...]

]]> By: Theo Naessens http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/comment-page-1/#comment-544 Theo Naessens Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:35:46 +0000 http://www.dphotoexpert.com/2007/09/21/live-view-versus-the-cheating-dslr-viewfinder/#comment-544 Thanks. You prove what i already thought. I dont understand why Nikon and Canon cannot give us the choice what screen we want. I use 30 years old manual focus lenses on my Nikon D300. And it is impossible to focus without live view. Why not offer a darker old style focus screen. I think a lot of people would appreciate it. For my Nikon D70 I bought a Katz screen, that had a small microprism ring around the splitscreen circle in the middle. That you could use to focus. But the rest of the screen is just as useless as the original screen. I wonder if a smart and precise technician could make a screen by cutting of a part of a manual focus screen for a Nikon F3 or Fe .(I do not have the skills to try it myself) To give you an impression of my attempts to use my old lenses: I once shot an old 1.8/50 mm lens in really low light. Back home, my computerscreen showed me the focus was off by more than a meter! Live view is nice, but for studio situations. Thanks. You prove what i already thought. I dont understand why Nikon and Canon cannot give us the choice what screen we want. I use 30 years old manual focus lenses on my Nikon D300. And it is impossible to focus without live view. Why not offer a darker old style focus screen. I think a lot of people would appreciate it. For my Nikon D70 I bought a Katz screen, that had a small microprism ring around the splitscreen circle in the middle. That you could use to focus. But the rest of the screen is just as useless as the original screen.
I wonder if a smart and precise technician could make a screen by cutting of a part of a manual focus screen for a Nikon F3 or Fe .(I do not have the skills to try it myself)
To give you an impression of my attempts to use my old lenses: I once shot an old 1.8/50 mm lens in really low light. Back home, my computerscreen showed me the focus was off by more than a meter! Live view is nice, but for studio situations.

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