Posted by Guy Schmickle on October 13, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Gotta thank Jim Talaric a couple of weeks ago for opening my eyes to the virtues of the live view feature. As far as I knew, it was just another useless, gimmicky feature that I'd never bothered to really look at. After Jim showed me its intended use, I was really jazzed to try it for myself. I gotta say that, coupled with that kick-butt lcd on my newly acquired 50d, this feature is gonna change the way I shoot landscapes.
I've always been an AF guy as I never could trust my eyes to manual focus through the viewfinder. With live view, accurate manual focus is now such a breeze it's not funny. Just compose the shot, move the focus point ANYWHERE on the scene (you're not constrained to the AF focus points), blow up to 10x magnification and manually focus. The new LCD is so sharp that it's easy to see when the blown up portion of the screen snaps into focus. So cool!! No more focus and recompose.
On top of that, previewing dof is now just as easy. Just blow up the view to 10x and move the focus point around the image while holding down the dof preview button. It's light years better than trying to view that uber-dimmed down view in the viewfinder.
While, in reality, I doubt I'll really use this feature all that much on my 50d (I bought it for wildlife photography where AF is more important), I'll use it in spades once I get the 5d2. I gotta say, I no longer care about the 5d2's shortcomings in the AF department!
For those who already use live view, this post is just old news. I just wanted to share my experience for those (like me) who aren't sure what it's all about and wonder if it's a worthwhile feature on Canon's newly announced cams. Coupled with that new LCD, it sure get's a big thumbs up from me.
Posted by Bryan Pezman on October 13, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Macro shooting and framing into direct light using live view with my IdsMIII has been a godsend Guy. I cant tell you how many gnarly positions I find myself in out in the field, and it really has made a big difference, if nothing else, at least saved my aching back more times than I can count.
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 13, 2008 at 11:35 PM
That's good news, Guy. I do wish they had offered a movable screen, though.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 14, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Thanks for that update, Guy.
Ooooohhh....a 50D and a 5D2 ! Things must be looking up.
Now that I found a cheap copy of Topo! Arizona, I've been crawling all over NE Arizona the last few weeks finding more and more unique and beautiful places to shoot. We'll have to get together so you can show me that new LCD and LiveView in person.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on October 14, 2008 at 1:09 AM
Todd - Movable screen? That would be icing on the cake...but way too much for conservative Canon to consider.
John - After selling my old cams and a rarely used 135 f/2, my costs to move to the new cams should be pretty minimal. I'm definitely up for a shoot sometime in the near future. I'll shoot ya an email.
Posted by Jack Brauer on October 14, 2008 at 2:54 AM
Guy, my Oly E420 has live view, and I found it to be very useful when I was backpacking and I dropped my camera on a rock and busted the viewfinder! Saved the day.
Thanks for the info Guy. I just purchased a 50d as well, and I'm not familiar with using the live view feature, but after reading this post I will have to look into it. I've had little success using manual focus with the little viewfinder, and like the idea of focusing where I want and checking the DOF right away. The lcd on this camera is sweet!
I have a 40D and thought the same thing...that it was a gimmick...but I have found myself loving it! It's so nice to see the full frame view that you don't see in the finder, and if you set it for showing you the exposure it gives you an idea what your photo will look like. I find myself composing the picture with live view A LOT!
Posted by Don George on October 14, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I have a 40D that I use for wildlife so the Live view doesn't get used much. However I am waiting for the 5D2 reports before I jump into the water. The information that you shared is great input towards purchasing this camera. Thanks for taking the time.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on October 14, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Thanks Guy! I've had a 40D for over a year and just tonight fired up live view based on this thread. I thought it was a gimmick too. Thanks for enlightening me!
Posted by Jack Garrett on October 15, 2008 at 12:20 AM
I've got a 40d and use live view frequently. The only problem I seem to have is when I move the focus point around, certain parts of the photo are sharp while other parts seem soft. At F18, I'd like most of the photo to be sharp...where is the best point to set the focusing rectangle for maximum sharpness front to back. Thanks for the tip on DOF Guy, I need to try that too!
Jack
Posted by Don Grall on October 15, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Thanks for reminding me of this feature. I ignored it on my DsIII figuring it would drain the batteries too quickly.
Discussion
11 repliesI've always been an AF guy as I never could trust my eyes to manual focus through the viewfinder. With live view, accurate manual focus is now such a breeze it's not funny. Just compose the shot, move the focus point ANYWHERE on the scene (you're not constrained to the AF focus points), blow up to 10x magnification and manually focus. The new LCD is so sharp that it's easy to see when the blown up portion of the screen snaps into focus. So cool!! No more focus and recompose.
On top of that, previewing dof is now just as easy. Just blow up the view to 10x and move the focus point around the image while holding down the dof preview button. It's light years better than trying to view that uber-dimmed down view in the viewfinder.
While, in reality, I doubt I'll really use this feature all that much on my 50d (I bought it for wildlife photography where AF is more important), I'll use it in spades once I get the 5d2. I gotta say, I no longer care about the 5d2's shortcomings in the AF department!
For those who already use live view, this post is just old news. I just wanted to share my experience for those (like me) who aren't sure what it's all about and wonder if it's a worthwhile feature on Canon's newly announced cams. Coupled with that new LCD, it sure get's a big thumbs up from me.
Ooooohhh....a 50D and a 5D2 ! Things must be looking up.
Now that I found a cheap copy of Topo! Arizona, I've been crawling all over NE Arizona the last few weeks finding more and more unique and beautiful places to shoot. We'll have to get together so you can show me that new LCD and LiveView in person.
John - After selling my old cams and a rarely used 135 f/2, my costs to move to the new cams should be pretty minimal. I'm definitely up for a shoot sometime in the near future. I'll shoot ya an email.
Thanks for the info Guy. I just purchased a 50d as well, and I'm not familiar with using the live view feature, but after reading this post I will have to look into it. I've had little success using manual focus with the little viewfinder, and like the idea of focusing where I want and checking the DOF right away. The lcd on this camera is sweet!
Kevin
I have a 40D and thought the same thing...that it was a gimmick...but I have found myself loving it! It's so nice to see the full frame view that you don't see in the finder, and if you set it for showing you the exposure it gives you an idea what your photo will look like. I find myself composing the picture with live view A LOT!
Jack