live view on a 450d - does anyone actually use it?

[chr1s]

i only picked up my 450d today, and i'm playing around with it now, trying to familiarize myself with all the settings. i've just had a quick look at the live view, and it seems quite poor compared to using the viewfinder.

what do the 450d users on here think to it? do you find it useful?

seems a nice camera however (my first digital slr)

[Wheelu]

Congrats on your acquisition

In terms of IQ per unit of cash, arguably the best value camera in Canon's current DSLR line up. Sorry I don't have one, and can't therefore answer your question, but one day maybe....

[daft_biker]

Happy new toy I don't even know how to switch on live view on my 40D...tis a completely useless feature on a SLR as far I'm concerned as I have no use for it. The viewfinder does everything I've needed

Using live view can increase the noise in your pics as the sensor gets noisier as it gets hotter. The sensor gets hotter as it's used and it's being used to capture the live view image.....that's bad karma in my book so if I was to use live view it would be as a last resort only if I really couldn't use the viewfinder.

[chr1s]

cheers guys!
(i may try a couple of pics later and report back with how i get on )

thanks andy, that's quite interesting and food for thought. to be honest i can't see me really using live view anyway... which is one of the reasons why i went for the 450d and not the newer 500d, the other reasons were extra cost, and i didn't think i'd use the video function either.

comparing the 2 in store i didn't think the extra megapixels on the 500d made that much of a difference to overall image quality, and both cameras were supplied with the same kit lens.

just got to get playing now!!!

[Benchista]

The 450D is an excellent camera - I'm surprised at just how good it is, TBH. Live View has its uses, and the 450D's is a touch better than the 40D's, but it's not something I would use too often - in some cases, though - where it's difficult to use the actual viewfinder - it's really useful. But it's not for use as you might use a compact.
But as an all-round picture taking machine, it's very well sorted, and it's comfortable to carry around all day. I like it.

[beejaybee]

i've just had a quick look at the live view, and it seems quite poor compared to using the viewfinder.

Yup. It's a very poor substitute. Even zoomed right in the focusing assistance is less useful than it should be because of the way the image is generated (compression) & zoomed out for composition it simply lacks useful resolution as well as having coulour balance, contrast etc. that do not match the final image.

Like video, live view is a graft from compact cameras, one which at least some of us do not welcome.

[tonycro]

Happy new toy I don't even know how to switch on live view on my 40D...tis a completely useless feature on a SLR as far I'm concerned as I have no use for it. The viewfinder does everything I've needed

Using live view can increase the noise in your pics as the sensor gets noisier as it gets hotter. The sensor gets hotter as it's used and it's being used to capture the live view image.....that's bad karma in my book so if I was to use live view it would be as a last resort only if I really couldn't use the viewfinder.

I was quite surprised when i first used my live view on a 40D, bending down to photograph a moth - for me it is a useful add on feature and I use quite often for a variety of subjects (landscape, still life, macro...)

But, I agree that it will increase the temperature of the sensor so I limit the time that I use it for

tony

[Simon_King]

When I first got my 40D I never used it thinking it a bit of a gimmick. But once I tried it out I found it really useful. Now I have my 5DMKII I use it all the time. So why is it it useful:

Still life type images for focus getting the focus on the exact point I want and making that really sharp. Landscape using depth of field preview and ensuring all is in focus and looking how I want it. That's useful when using filters such as ND Grads for positioning them. Also as it shows 100% of the viewfinder I can see if I have missed any distractions.

However, as mentioned above I don't leave the camera in live view for long so that the sensor doesn't get too hot. I just use it to ensure I have what I want right and then switch it off. I then use mirror lockup and a remote cable to fire the shutter.

Cheers
Simon

[chr1s]

cheers guys, that's most helpful

[Smudger79]

I have a 450D but haven't and don't use the Live View.
My understanding is that it is useful if you wish to focus manually and ensuring that the point of focus is correct.

I guess it would also be useful for those "over the head of the crowd" shots that you see people doing with their P&S when the front view is blocked.