Live View and Mirror Lock-up?

My D5000 doesn't have mirror lock-up. When using live view isn't the mirror in the up position eliminating the need for a mirror lock-up option?
Thanks.

Yes.

I don't believe that is the case, if it's like other Nikons with live-view. The first press of the shutter release lifts the mirror, yes, but when you press the release again to make an exposure, the mirror goes down and back up again for the exposure.

The D5000 does have exposure delay which works with live-view. With first press, the mirror goes up for live-view, on second press the mirror goes down and back up again followed by a 1 second delay before the shutter fires.

I think Floris is correct, for live view to be active the mirror has to be locked up or else it would be in the way of the sensor. That's how all the Canon's I've seen work anyway, I think Nikon works the same way though.

I suspect Alan is correct. When the shutter is pressed during live view on the D90, you can actually hear 2 clicks (which probably represent mirror down and mirrow up) before the shutter fires.

The D90 does not have mirror lock up. I will interested to hear from those who use Nikon with mirror lock up eg D300 or above whether they hear 2 clicks before the shutter fires or does the shutter just fires in mirror lock up mode.

My remarks were based on a D300. If you take the lens off, you can see that the mirror moves up when you press the shutter release so the sensor is exposed for live-view to operate. However, when you press the release again to take the exposure, the mirror goes back down, then up again, just before the shutter fires, so you do hear two clicks. I think Canon cameras work differently.

Oh, that's weird.. well, thanks for the clarification Alan. Is that even the case if the focus is set to manual? For canon depending on the settings if you try to focus with live view the mirror will drop back down to allow for focusing, then let you take the picture. Perhaps the Nikons are unable to meter digitally? But that would seem strange.. If you don't need focus or metering it seems like a waste to lower the mirror before exposing.

I think I've read some complaints about how that works with Nikon live-view. Canon seems to have live-view with mirror lock-up worked out a little better.

Well, I'm not very technical, but fwiw, I have the D700 and can focus while in live view... Just my cheap 1¢ contribution. But that's the reason why I use live view at all, esp. for macro. Sure uses up the batteries, though, that's for sure!

Here's a good description of the interrelationship of LIve View and Mirror Lock-up. It depends upon the camera. Hopefully the newer cameras will have the more advanced vibration-free Live View capability.
http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/live_view_mirror_lock_up.htm

I believe the D5000 is like my D90. There is a menu choice for "Exposure Delay Mode" where the mirror goes up and the shutter release is delayed for 1 second to allow the camera to stop vibrating from the mirror. It works quite well on a tripod.

Thanks for the comments everyone. Ed the link you provided pretty much answered the question. No, live view does not eliminate the need for mirror lock-up on Nikons. It seems like Canon has the best approach to the issue. But hey, I'm a Nikonian so what can I say.

Walt-Yeah the D5000 does have Exposure Delay Mode, but the very useful D5000 manual by camera reviewer "extraordinaire" David Busch, says that the one second shutter delay is merely to allow you to steady your steely grip when handholding before the shutter releases to minimize the effects of vibration that results when you depress the shutter button. Or the same thing if on a tripod although the selftimer function set on a 2 second delay is more useful in that scenario, say David. He doesn't mention the mirror at all in the Exposure Delay Mode segment of the book. Sounds like it's just a shutter delay function that is useful if you're not using a cable or wireless release.
BTW it's an excellent book that far exceeds the manual that commes with the camera, and he has written several manuals on Nikon as well as Canon equipment. A graceless plug for Mr. Busch.

Mr. Busch is mistaken. When using Exposure Delay, the mirror goes up immediately followed by the shutter being released one second later. (The viewfinder goes black while the mirror is up, so I'm not sure it would be much help when handholding.) Perhaps one second isn't a long enough delay, but I would bet that it is.

Alan, I don't think David Busch is contradicting the point you are making. He does say that ED mode is only marginally useful. I think he doesn't mention the mirror in the ED Mode segment because it's not a substitute for mirror lock-up.