Do You Use Live View? Quick Poll

Inspired by a post by JimB on the EVIL & Micro Four Thirds cameras forum, I created a new Quick Poll about Live View use:

DSLR users - how much do you use Live View?

I'm surprised we didn't already have a Quick Poll on this subject. Maybe it was just too obvious. Live View has been around for a couple of years now and I think most DSLR users have had a chance to try it and form an opinion So now is probably a good time for the poll. I'm really curious about this one, too. Live View is one of those features that I thought was silly when it was first introduced. But now it's a regular part of my workflow that I'd hate to be without. It's always interesting to find that something you thought was stupid is actually very useful :)

Have no idea what that is. Would have been easy enough to Google and find out, but I figured you wanted an honest poll result. Is it a DSLR viewfinder thing?

Rarely do I use live view, only if I *have* to shoot jpg in a tough lighting situation to set the WB.

But never for actually composing shots.

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Originally Posted by Asylum Steve

Have no idea what that is. Would have been easy enough to Google and find out, but I figured you wanted an honest poll result. Is it a DSLR viewfinder thing?

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Oh, Steve! You need to get with it, buddy! Thanks for providing some variation in the poll results, though. :p

Live View lets you compose with the LCD display on your digital SLR. It also provided the groundwork for video in DSLRs.

How about an option - "my camera doesn't have live view"

I recently (2 weeks ago) upgraded to the Canon Rebel T2i and it has live view. I've not used it and don't see myself using it. In time I might change my mind... Right now it seems more like snapshot photography than what I strive to be. Does that make sense? Maybe it's because it's new to the DSLR? I don't know... (Did I just ramble a bunch in order to say no?)

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Originally Posted by SmartWombat

How about an option - "my camera doesn't have live view"

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Giood idea, Paul. Your requested option has been added.

Good poll. I used the live view feature as an excuse to buy the D90 over the D40, does that count?

I use Live View more than half the time, but almost never hand held. One of my uses that I think may be somewhat foreign to the DSLR users is to have the camera mounted loosely (vertical and horizontal) on the tripod with the handle out the back similar to a video set up – handle in one hand and remote in the other. Half press to focus, compose, and shoot. This allows me to position the camera other than at face level and/or off to the side. It is not convenient for zooming. While just waiting, I'm not holding on to anything.

Everyone should also be aware that there are many types/features of Live View and not to judge by the limitations of only one type.

Terry

I use it occasionally, but generally only if I'm using a tripod. The d90 has a great feature of scrolling to any point in the frame and being able to zoom in to focus.

Only if I am using a tripod. Other wise I use the VF.

I only use it very rarely and usually for one of these two reasons:

1. To see exactly where the edges of the frame are.
2. Because the camera is in a position that makes looking through the viewfinder very awkward or impossible.

Paul

Only time i use it is when on a tripod to manually focus. The XSI lets you zoom in 10x on the images, so i get get things tack sharp.

Two things on the list to try:

Shooting in Live View Mode
Shooting tethered

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Originally Posted by Jay C

Only time i use it is when on a tripod to manually focus. The XSI lets you zoom in 10x on the images, so i get get things tack sharp.

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Word.

I love Live View in the studio. Not only do I not have to bend over or squat down quite as much, but I can zoom in to check and fine-tune my focus much better. I use an XSi in the studio, too. But Live View is even better with a camera that has a tilt-swivel LCD, like the Olympus E-620 or the Nikon D5000. Then you never have to squat down to look at the LCD or through the viewfinder. You just turn on Live View, adjust the LCD so you can see it easily, and get to work!

I haven't really done any tripod shooting with a live view enabled camera but I can see myself using it there. I find that a lot of the time it is clunky and slows me down, but that could be a combination of not being used to it and not having a camera with the best live view.

Another vote for not having live view.

on my p&s all the time.

Yeah, not what I was expecting it to be. I could see it being more useful with a tilting LCD, but as is, I don't use it at all.

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Originally Posted by almo

Yeah, not what I was expecting it to be. I could see it being more useful with a tilting LCD, but as is, I don't use it at all.

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I think it would be very good for your cyclid photos. Did I spell that right?

Used when trying to get a specific POF

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Originally Posted by Photo-John

I think it would be very good for your cyclid photos. Did I spell that right?

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Chiclid. :p But you get points for remembering the name!

I have not taken a picture of a fish in almost two years. I got out of fish keeping a while back. In fact the last picture I took of a chiclid was 1 year 11 months ago yesterday. I was still using a 30D back then, so I never got to try live mode. I can see how it might have been useful up close. Maybe some day I will get the chance again.

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Originally Posted by Photo-John

Live View is one of those features that I thought was silly when it was first introduced. But now it's a regular part of my workflow that I'd hate to be without. It's always interesting to find that something you thought was stupid is actually very useful :)

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You took the words right out of my mouth. I I thought it was a silly gimmick at the time and figured that if I purchased a camera with it, I would never use it. I don't use it all the time, but when I'm working on a tripod it becomes an extra tool that I can use to help me get the image I want. Especially if I'm shooting very low to the ground. For many years I had a right angle viewer on my wish list. Thanks to LV that is one piece of gear I never had to buy and add to my camera bag.

Switching gears a little bit.

When I was looking for a P&S it was very important to me to have a view finder. I have been using the G9 now for over a year and I almost never use the VF...

Switching gears even more.

When video was first introduced on DSLR's I also that it was silly and something I would never use. I don't own a DSLR that shoots video, but I almost always have my G9 along with me so I can take some video clips. The more I use the G9 for video, the more I feel I would use it if it was part of my DSLR.

sorry for the thread hijack (well not really) but you guys really should start posting some of your videos. Yeah I know, practice what you preach and all that, but the fact is that with the way copyright applies to the work I do I really can't post it.

Only very rarely; my main camera, a Canon EOS 1D mk2n pre-dates this feature and my main interest is sports photography, and for that it's about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Where I did find it useful was for macro work, with the camera on a tripod. This is using a Canon EOS 5D mk2 and the ability to zoom in on a particular part of the image @ 10x magnification to ensure critical focus is very useful.

I use it as often as I used to use mirror lockup in the past and the magnifier on my waist-level finder of my medium format. That is, primarily for macros (inanimate ones) and some scenics only when I'm using a tripod and a cable release.

I think of it as a modern day "mirror lockup with benefits".