Live View exposure differences? (Page 2): My camera has an automatic eyepiece cover that is opened by my eye coming close to the eyepiece, so that can not be the problem.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Normanicus wrote:

The issue of covering the eye piece is particularly important with long exposure times when more light can enter via the unblocked eyepiece than through the lens.

My camera has an automatic eyepiece cover that is opened by my eye coming close to the eyepiece, so that can not be the problem.

chiya Loc: Wellsboro, Pa.

Normanicus wrote:

When using live view you should cover up the eye piece of the view finder as light can enter there during exposure.

Thank you so much for that piece of info, good to know if I decide to use live view.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

tom hughes wrote:

try the same test on a subject 100 yds away and you will find your answer.

Can you explain why a greater distance will affect the exposure?

tom hughes Loc: Phila Pa

It won't effect the exposure, but will give you a truer read on what works better on your camera. On a telescopic lens, pick a subject at a considerable distance and autofocus, then switch to live view, hit 5x, and check, you will find yourself manually adjusting the focus, and then 10x for a final check. If I am looking for tack sharp, its always live view and manual focus. Then you don't have to worry about your lens re focusing if it's set on manual rather than auto.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

tom hughes wrote:

It won't effect the exposure, but will give you a truer read on what works better on your camera. On a telescopic lens, pick a subject at a considerable distance and autofocus, then switch to live view, hit 5x, and check, you will find yourself manually adjusting the focus, and then 10x for a final check. If I am looking for tack sharp, its always live view and manual focus. Then you don't have to worry about your lens re focusing if it's set on manual rather than auto.

OK on the focus method, I'll try it out. But, the original post was the difference in exposure using live view, not focus.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Normanicus wrote:

It does make a difference with Canon DSLR's .

that's been my experience

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Normanicus wrote:

When using live view you should cover up the eye piece of the view finder as light can enter there during exposure.

The eyepiece was uncovered for all three shots. Used a wireless remote.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

rpavich wrote:

they look the same to me....maybe 1/10 stop difference?

The difference is very slight, probably less than a third.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

tom hughes wrote:

It won't effect the exposure, but will give you a truer read on what works better on your camera. On a telescopic lens, pick a subject at a considerable distance and autofocus, then switch to live view, hit 5x, and check, you will find yourself manually adjusting the focus, and then 10x for a final check. If I am looking for tack sharp, its always live view and manual focus. Then you don't have to worry about your lens re focusing if it's set on manual rather than auto.

The original test was to see which method of focusing was more accurate, that's when I noticed the difference in exposure. Kind of sidetracked me from the original experiment. I have been following the threads about covering the eyepiece when in Live View and I still don't see how that would make a difference if one is shooting away from the camera with a remote.

boydimages Loc: California

SonyA580 wrote:

I searched for the previous discussions but couldn't locate it. I know for sure it was discussed previously and several members, including myself, concurred that is was happening. As I recall, it was something in the neighborhood of 1/3 stop difference that actually showed up in the meter readings.

I find the search feature is at times difficult to use and find what you are searching for.

RichardE Loc: California

My Pentax k-5 IIs manual has the following statement:

"The exposure may be affected if light enters the viewfinder. Use the AE Lock
function (p.107) or attach the provided ME viewfinder cap. The light entering the viewfinder has no effect on the exposure when the exposure mode is set to a (Manual Exposure)."

So, there is a way around the light problem if you lose the viewfinder cap.