Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Jerry, I think you are missing the point - live view focusing is more accurate. And if you shoot tethered - either to a computer or a tablet - it is the best way to see what the camera sees. Just this morning I spent a couple of hours using a wireless tether to a tablet, and would check not only the tablet while shooting, but the camera's lcd as well. For certain kinds of shooting it is the best way to go.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Live view is used by both amateurs and professionals depending on situation.
Pro's will almost never use live view in sporting situations, where speed counts.
They may use it when doing portraits and they want a larger image to view. Also they may use it for landscape and other similar situations. It is not as common as using the view finder but that may be because many of the pros are "old school" and may change as newer pros come along.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Thank you SS. I did some night photography a while back using live view. I had a lot of noise in the photos and didn't know why that happened. If what you say is true about the lengthy use overheating the sensor, that would be a possible explanation. I had never heard that before. This is what I love about this forum. I learn something new all the time.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that with live view I can use the grid to help get horizons level when taking landscape and building photos. My camera doesn't have that ability thru the viewfinder.

Walt

Richard K Loc: Toronto Canada

Thanks all for your great input so far great to see so many different opinions. A lot learned from me on this subject. Go hogers go

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

++++++++++++++++++++++

The use of "Live-View" is something that I have been making use of about two years now. Here is My Procedure in doing this - (Remember.. I am from the large format View Cameras ;-)

When I am about to capture an image of a "low-light" subject in landscape work..... (say, at sunset)...

1.) I first let the auto-focus (Canon 5D Mark II with a 24mm lens) "find" the sharpest it can.

2.) I then make the settings on the camera as to Aperture - Shutter speed - ISO (usually at 100) f-11 OR 18 depending on foreground and distance to infinity.

3.) I switch to Live View and depress the Times 5 and or 10 to get what I am about to make a focus correction on. (Usually 2/3's of the way into the area of focus). At this point in Live View the auto-focus is "suspended" and I can make manual adjustments.

4.) While in this Live-View mode, I return to the full area of what I am about to capture - and Move the little box around to get a better exposure on my sensor.
(Also at the time that Live-View is engaged, the mior is locked up.)

5.) I have the camera set to open the shutter 2 seconds after I depress the shutter button.... OR I use a remote cable.

IF I am about to capture a H.D.R. (which is rare) I use the "Spot metering" to get my brightest and darkest that I want good values to show. And as I have an old Honeywell spot meter I often make use of that... Why? Because I can think better about what I am about to do.

This is my way of doing this - Others here will - and should - have their own way of doing what they wish to do.. This is mine. (There will be no debate.)

H.D.R. Using Live-View, Manual focus.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Live view is an extremely technical feature of digital cameras. When used properly the user can actually see the final image as it is being sent to the processor. The user is viewing the image collecting on the sensor. Experts would be hard pressed to autofocus an image to more finely focused than live view offers. Depth of field is viewable, as is the histogram. The only thing lacking is shutter speed effect. The economic beliefs of the shooter have nothing to do with the use of a camera's tools. Good photographers know their art whether they charge for their services or provide them for pleasure. Digital cameras are quite expensive, and that is because they do so much. If a camera offers a feature, the good photographer will decide how to use that feature in their workflow.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Love your last line and couldn't agree more! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Nikonos II

Good points. Thanks.

PhotosBySteve

I use live view if I need to obtain absolute precise focus. One detail that has not been mentioned is the fact that when using live view, the view finder should be covered to prevent extraneous light from getting to the sensor. I don't know about brands other than Canon, however on my cameras a view finder cover is attached to the strap. Just my two cents. Keep it in mind when using live view.

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

Live view has certain advantages that increase image quality. In Canon (and as I understand upcoming Nikon)the camera starts the picture electronically without the mechanical movement of having the shutter open. This eliminates one of the causes of camera shake and improves the sharpness of images. It is particularly effective in macro and long telephoto photography. Using a second screen to focus is particularly nice when the camera is at ground level and at one of those angles where it is nearly impossible to see through the view finder.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Wonderful point to make! When Canons go into live view the mirror goes into the up position. What the viewer is seeing on the LCD is exactly what the sensor is seeing. Not only can you focus tighter, you have no camera shake! Can't get much sharper.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

I only use it for smhhoting tethered in my studio. And for family and vacation videos.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

[quote=Bazbo]I only use it for smhhoting tethered in my studio.
That sounds very kinky

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

[quote=Psergel]

OMG you're on to me! I think I should staple talking now.