Why can't we see a Preview of the histogram?

[TMR Design]

I am just starting to understand what the histogram is showing and how it can be useful. So it seems like an obvious question to ask why we only get to see the histogram after the picture is taken? Wouldn't it make sense to be able to see a live preview of the histogram as we are composing and changing settings?

[spur]

You can on the S3. That and the grid help me all the time.

[TMR Design]

Do the EOS cameras give the histogram preview?

[SmuckerS2]

yes, the EOS cameras give a histogram preview. usually by pressing the 'display' button a couple times to get to the histogram, then once left at this screen, it will show up upon review by you for each shot.

[tommykjensen]

yes, the EOS cameras give a histogram preview. usually by pressing the 'display' button a couple times to get to the histogram, then once left at this screen, it will show up upon review by you for each shot.

I think what is meant is if it allow preview before the shot is actually taken which to my knowlegde none of Canons DSLR's can do.

[SmuckerS2]

I think what is meant is if it allow preview before the shot is actually taken which to my knowlegde none of Canons DSLR's can do.

oh, okay then, then the answer is 'no'. :)

[TMR Design]

Thanks. So is there a reason for this? I am wondering because the more reading and research I do it seems everyone always says "don't forget about the histogram". If it is that important a tool then why don't all cameras that display a histogram after the shot is taken do so before the shot? Wouldn't that be an incredible invaluable tool and a time saver, since so many people say they always review the histogram after they take a shot?

[Jon]

Basically the DSLRs can't do a histogram preview since the sensor isn't exposed to the scene until you actually take the photo. However most of us, when shooting action, use a preliminary shot to get the histogram we'll use for settign our exposures rather than try to update on the fly. Looking back at the LCD after every shot (or before it, for that matter) will destroy your concentration.

[McRotterdam]

S3 can doe a live histogram preview, i have seen it, only cant remember the option how it got there in my viewfinder.

[spur]

S3 can doe a live histogram preview, i have seen it, only cant remember the option how it got there in my viewfinder.

Go to Menu, then custom display.

[RossW]

...it seems everyone always says "don't forget about the histogram".

OK, not everyone... I say "Ignore the histogram" unless you are shooting nothing but test charts and doing calibrations. I don't need a graph to tell me that a scene is light or dark, or (worse), sway my judgement about whether the exposure is "correct." And I've made a career in video production, where you absolutely must use a waveform monitor (same idea as a histogram, but with carefully calibrated values for technical requirements) and a vectorscope (for color values). Sure, a histogram may be valuable in post-processing if you are trying to control contrast, but for shooting I just can't see getting hung up on it. Rembrandt's pictures would flunk a histogram check miserably, and he did pretty well. Just go out there and shoot.

[lostdoggy]

Most famous artist died poor.

I for one use the histogram to make sure I'm not wasting my time taking pictures w/ the wrong EV. The Exposure sensor is not intelegent enough to tell the difference from one part of the picture to the other so it needs intervension to tell it where to meter or how much to compensate. Ideally if the scene is w/in the dynamic of the camera then it wouldn't be an issue and the whole scene is a perfect 18% gray.

[Jon]

Don't ignore the histogram. Just don't devote your life to slavishly worshipping it. If you don't know now, as you continue to work with your camera(s), you'll learn when to trust it and when it'll be wrong.

[dunker]

i just use it as a guide, i have a tendancy to take dull pictures as my lcd is pretty bright by the time it gets to the monitor it looks half as dull. so i try to get a good curve after the first shot then mess with other settings.