How important in live view in a DSLR camera?


With point in shoots they are so light that I am usually holding them with one hand out from my body but even with the lightest dslr cameras there is still some weight to them and I don't see myself holding it out in front of me to look at the live view when taking pictures. I have never had a dslr before so I am just curious if I am overlooking something or if live view isn't that big of a deal.

Thanks.
Also I believe I am going to go with the Nikon D3000 because of price and ease of use for a beginner.

I've use a camera many of years without live view. There was times when it would have been handy but I work around those situation .

Answer by brian_rmsy on 30 Dec 2009 09:52:52

Depends on your shooting style. For many photographers it is never used, for others it is uncomfortable to look through an eyepiece...

Answer by KB on 30 Dec 2009 09:56:15

There are lots of people who have wanted to go with the Nikon D3000 just like you, but then they find out that it doesn't have live view. Live view may be useful for some types of shooting but it's not something most people really need. It also drains some battery life when you use it. So it might come in handy sometimes but if you buy the Nikon D3000 you'll probably see that you won't be wanting to use live view much. I think it's just sort of a gimmick that only regular point-and-shoot users would really desperately need.

You can refer to the link below to see a discussion about the same topic:
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Answer by T. Le on 30 Dec 2009 09:56:51

It's depend on user, personally I don't think live view is a big deal. Nikon D3000 is a good camera for beginner, easy to use, good image quality and good price.
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Another good camera ina same class and same price range with Live View is Canon Rebel XS.If you not sure if live view is necessary for you, I would suggest go to store and try them both yourself.
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Answer by BL on 30 Dec 2009 09:57:47
Best Answer

Your point is absolutely correct. Holding a dSLR at arms length is a recipe for disaster. This kind of cameras is meant to be fixed in place by three points of pressure: your hands and your head. And let me tell you, that gives you a far more secure and steady grip than any p&s at extended arms can even dream of (provided you use proper holding techniques, which aren't that hard to master).

Also, when shooting with live view, you are forcing the camera to use a different focusing mechanism: contrast detection - same as used in p&s cameras. It's slow and less reliable than lightning fast phase detection focusing used when live view is off.

All in all, live view is not a very useful feature for most camera users. There are exceptions. For instance, D5000 has a flipping LCD, which can be used for live view shooting at odd angles. Say you're in the crowd, and want to shoot whatever that crowd is after - flip open the display, raise camera above head and go. Another example is an opposite of that: shooting from ground level without a need to lay down and make everyone laugh at you. These are about the only live view applications I can think of. The normal shooting situations - the optical viewfinder is more than adequate, and in fact it's far better than an LCD for composing, seeing focus and dof, etc.

As you can see, there are very few applications for live view, but if some of these apply to you often, you may consider it. I have a great dSLR without live view now, and there's probably been only one or two times over past few years when I wished it had that feature...

The bottom line is - if you have to spend the same sum of money, get D3000 and a better lens, rather than D5000 and a cheaper lens. That will make a big difference. Live view: not likely.

LEM.

Answer by LEM on 30 Dec 2009 10:00:10

I do not think it is important. If it is an option that is available then that is good, but just wait until you get your DSLR, that viewfinder is the way to work.

Also, the Nikon D3000 is a great option. It is an excellent camera from a quality brand, it is very user friendly.

Below, I listed a few links to some photo dealers websites to help you look for a deal. Some of the photo dealers are offering some nice little extras, it is very common to get free shipping, and often a dealer is also adding a memory card and/or a camera bag.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Mark

Answer by Mark on 30 Dec 2009 10:02:29

It can be very important if you are a scientist and use your camera when attached to either a telescope or microscope and it can be useful if you are a studio photographer who shoots a lot of products on a production schedule. In those cases, an AC adapter is necessary since the LCD will cut the number of shots a battery can produce down to 1/10th the number if you did not use the live view feature.

Answer by fhotoace on 30 Dec 2009 10:14:19

Live View is not important in the dSLR. Personally, the use of Live View is a mockery to the very meaning of dSLR itself. To go further, camera use and taking pictures can be done without viewing at all. It is an important skill many press photographers are required to develop.

If you find the weight of a dSLR too much, don't get one. They tend to get heavier the more you become obsessed with bigger lenses!

Finally, do not be fooled with the promise of getting spectacular pictures with the use of a dSLR. Picture quality is most dependent on the user. The camera is just a tool.

Answer by keerok on 31 Dec 2009 02:39:11

There are some applications where Live View can be useful.

Suppose you're at a parade or other large gathering and the only way possible to get a picture is by holding your camera over your head. With Live View you just flip the screen down and then look up, compose and shoot.

Suppose you're wanting to shoot from ground level. Flip the screen up and you aren't lying flat on the ground trying to use the viewfinder.

Of course you wouldn't try to use a DSLR at arms length like you would a compact digicam.

Answer by Edwin on 31 Dec 2009 03:33:14

Live view, as implemented by Canon and Nikon, is pretty much useless.

Live view, as implemented by Olympus and Sony, works just like you think it should. They still use phase detection focus, work just as fast as they do using the viewfinder, and they don't eat up 90% of your battery power doing so. Maybe an exra 10-15% in my experience, meaning I only get 800 shots instead of 900 on a charge. Replacing the battery takes 3 seconds, and I'm good for another 800. You can still shoot well supported, there is no need to hold the camera at arms length to use live view.

I use it much more often than I thought I would... I bought my Sony for other reasons, I was one of the "live view is useless" crowd too until I actually got my hands on a camera that does live view properly.

If you want to see how live view *should* work, get your hands on an Oly E-620 or Sony A350. If you want to see live view as a gimmick, try Canon or Nikon.

Answer by Caoedhen on 31 Dec 2009 05:50:56

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