Live View?

[motor]

I just tried a 900 and I must say it is very impressive! I also performed the big sin and tried the new 7D. The only thing I wish the 900 or even the 850, a bit slower for me, had was live view. What is your feeling of live view? Maybe if and when sony replaces the 700 with a newer model it will! What's Your Feeling? should the new 700 and even 800 series have live view or is that taking it out of the "professional" range.

[Lonnie Utah]

Live view is a battery killer. No way I want it on my 900.

[Tom F]

Looking through the viewfinder is enough live view for me.

[Dusty]

I prefer a viewfinder, and use it most of the time on my 350, even if it is a bit small.

However, I have used LV at times as a 'waist level' viewfinder and for certain shots - camera held overhead or macro - where it makes it easier to frame the subject.

I could do with out it just as easily.

Dusty

[Javelin]

Live view might be helpfull but there is no way I would choose LV over the VF on those 2 particular camers or the one on my A700 for that mater and especially the live view the other makers have that also sacrifice autofocus

[bfitzgerald]

We have 2 types of LV though.

One is the Sony fast AF LV, which does not give full coverage of the frame, and a smaller VF. but fast AF. The other is sensor based LV, which is the better option IMO, as you don't have any compromises to the viewfinder.

I have no objections to sensor based LV, it's simply a cost nothing add on, fast AF LV is of no interest to me whatsoever
Nobody can really object to sensor LV as you don't have to use it.

[TomB]

Live view with tilting display was for me maybe the primary reason for choosing A350 over other cameras and other brands. I use it occasionally only but there are situations where it is hardly substitutable. I was used to it on my A2 (great tilting viewfinder too).

Fast AF is fine. Sensor based LV has some advantages and some disadvantages. Contrast focusing avoids front/back focus issues; I would prefer it on a tripod. The disadvantage is heating of the main sensor causing more noise. I like the idea of the A550, just the mirror lockup function is missing.

[RubberDials]

LV will become popular as soon as it appears on a camera that fits the KM7D, A700 'class' that most 'enthusiast' photographers own. Then they will stop talking about it as a feature for P & S users and stress how important and useful it is for tripod work etc. ...

For my part, I believe it is illogical to have an electronic imaging system and no electronic viewing system. I don't mean as a replacement to an optical viewing system, but in addition. We really should be able to view through our cameras with some kind of wireless mobile device already. This is the direction Contax was going in with their last film camera.

[Lonnie Utah]

We really should be able to view through our cameras with some kind of wireless mobile device already.

If you have an iphone and a Nikon/Cannon it exists already....


http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=38

[RubberDials]

We really should be able to view through our cameras with some kind of wireless mobile device already.

If you have an iphone and a Nikon/Cannon it exists already....


http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=38

I wasn't aware of this, but it still isn't what I meant. This requires the camera to be tethered to a computer - hardly convenient.

Thanks for posting the link, however.

[bakubo]

Live view is a battery killer. No way I want it on my 900.

When LV is turned off does it kill the battery? With my pocket digicam when I have LV turned off it seems the battery lasts and lasts.

[Javelin]

add on live view for a DSLR.

http://www.zigview.co.uk/prdzigs2.htm

[motor]

I have both the 700 and the 300. I do not use LV all the often but when I use it is useful on the 300. Sometimes I will set up a deer stand and when a huge buck or elk is coming in you can't move or he is gone. Having LV with tilt on the 300 allows you to make little movement but capture the picture. When shooting architecture there is so many lines that you have to look at. I don't have a problem getting down and laying on the ground to find the perfect shot but with LV just lower it and tilt it one way or another to find the set lines. Do I use it all the time, no! But when you need it it is nice to have. As for battery life my 300 last as long as the 700 when LV is not used. If LV was the primary view finder then stay with a cybershot but it is useful at times. Sony being so HD I would think they would want to lead in that area. Does using it make you less professional no it's a perk to have. I'd even have no problem having video introduced to the new 700. You don't have to use it all the time but if you want it, you've got it. Strap a New 400G on with the opportunity to film for a second I'd take that in a heartbeat. A picture is nothing but a memory and video is memories also. It would be very nice to have but not use all the time. Plus only one thing to carry rather than a whole bag of equipment makes travel with children easier and more convenient. Thanks for you input.

[TomB]

Motor expressed everything what I think but more detailed. I'll wait for an A700 successor with tilting display LV and with video. I miss adjustable F2.8 AF, mirror lock-up and video on my A350.

[UrsaMajor]

What's Your Feeling? should the new 700 and even 800 series have live view or is that taking it out of the "professional" range.

Personally, I do not understand the objections expressed by most of the people who object to Live View. I regard it as just a functional equivalent of the waist-level finders that have been around for many decades on cameras such as the Rolliflex, the Hasselblad, and other cameras that were definitely "professional". Although I primarily use an A700, with my 7D as a backup camera, my first digital camera - and one that I still use when appropriate - was a Minolta A2.

When the A2 was my only digital camera, I used the eye-level finder about 95% of the time and the lcd display about 5% of the time, mostly as a waist-level finder. Today when I use the A2, those proportions are reversed, because I use the A700 for most of the pictures for which the eye-level finder is my preference. I find the Live View capabilities of the A2 to be a big asset - in the small percentage of cases when I want waist-level finder capability.

Having said this - if I were to buy a new 700/800 series camera at this time, I would prefer that it NOT have Live View. All designs are a compromise, and from what I have seen, providing Live View with the current technology requires a sacrifice in one or more areas in which I want the best economically practical performance. I desire a bright and very good eye-level finder, and I desire good high-ISO performance for about 5-10% of my shots. All of the Live View designs with which I am familiar will impact at least one of those areas. Personally, I am willing to sacrifice the advantages of Live View to maximize the camera performance in other areas that I place at the top of my priority list. If and when technology improves to the point where that performance trade becomes acceptable to me, I would love to have Live View on a 700/800/900 series camera - as long as the economic cost is also acceptable.

With best wishes,
- Tom -