Mirror Up Question: Have a Nikon D60 with the ability to position in "Mirror Up". I've always thought the feature was to avoid unnecessary camera shake in certain situations but am...

jthomas Loc: Lancaster, PA

Have a Nikon D60 with the ability to position in "Mirror Up". I've always thought the feature was to avoid unnecessary camera shake in certain situations but am wondering why one could not (or would not) leave it "Up" all the time - any problem with that? Thanks for any and all help!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

It comes back down after the shot to allow you to look through your viewfinder and compose your next shot.

JLC Loc: Santa Rosa CA

I always thought lock mirrow up was to allow access to the image senor for inspection or for cleaning....

JLC in Merced CA

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

JLC wrote:

I always thought lock mirrow up was to allow access to the image senor for inspection or for cleaning....

JLC in Merced CA

Nikon allows the mirror to be locked up so as not to cause vibration in the body when taking a long exposure shot. The energy of the mirror moving can create a vibration which resonates around the metal bodies long enough to affect the sensor if the shutter opens before the vibration subsides. Granted it is a very fast motion, but it is easily documented. The "mirror up" feature is utilized and appreciated by photogrpahers in many genres.

jthomas Loc: Lancaster, PA

MT Shooter wrote:

quote=JLC I always thought lock mirrow up was to ... (show quote)

MT - ...I've been keeping mine locked up all the time and am still able to compose the next shot. Is it dropping after I take a shot and popping back up after I focus the next shot and just before I press the button?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

jthomas wrote:

quote=MT Shooter quote=JLC I always thought lock... (show quote)

If you see an image through your DSLR viewfinder, the mirror is down. If you have the mirror up option selected then it is popping up, stabilizing, then the shutter trips before the mirror returns to viewing position. When the mirror is up you will get no view through your viewfinder.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Here is an article you may find helpful.
http://www.stockholmviews.com/mup/mirror-up.html

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Pepper wrote:

Here is an article you may find helpful.
http://www.stockholmviews.com/mup/mirror-up.html

Thanks for the link Pepper, it backs up what I have been saying for years, and have been called nuts over more than once! I have been using the mirror lock-up feature on my Nikons since the F4s days, and have used it handheld a few times in critical light situations along with VR. It definitely can help.

shadow1284 Loc: Mid-West Michigan

In the Canon, if you are shooting in live mode, through the LCD monitor, the mirror stays up. AF is a bit slower but presents a larger view of your prospective picture.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

shadow1284 wrote:

In the Canon, if you are shooting in live mode, through the LCD monitor, the mirror stays up. AF is a bit slower but presents a larger view of your prospective picture.

The mirror locks up in all DSLRs when using Live View, it is the only way for light to hit the sensor through the lens. This works on Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Sigma, or any of them that offer a Live View function.

snowbear

The lower-level Nikon DSLRs lock the mirror up for cleaning the sensor: you select the lock up item in the menu and press the shutter. The mirror snaps back down the next time you turn the camera off.
I don't believe the D60 has live view.

snowbear

The D60's mirror only locks up to clean the sensor - not during shooting - it will not prevent mirror slap/vibration.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product-Archive/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25438/D60.html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-TechSpecs

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

snowbear wrote:

The D60's mirror only locks up to clean the sensor - not during shooting - it will not prevent mirror slap/vibration.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product-Archive/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25438/D60.html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-TechSpecs

I have no idea which bodies have or do not have mirror lock-up feature by model, but I do know it is less necessary on a plastic or composite body than it is on a metal body. I did have a D50 ay one time and it only had mirror lock-up for sensor cleaning. The OP apparently thinks he is using it and I was merely addressing the reasoning behind the function.

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

Does it have "Exposure Delay Mode"

Nikonian72 makes mention of that function on a D90 in this thread: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-23615-1.html

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

MT Shooter wrote:

Pepper wrote:

Here is an article you may find helpful.
http://www.stockholmviews.com/mup/mirror-up.html

Thanks for the link Pepper, it backs up what I have been saying for years, and have been called nuts over more than once! I have been using the mirror lock-up feature on my Nikons since the F4s days, and have used it handheld a few times in critical light situations along with VR. It definitely can help.

i gotta an F4 - frigging work horse