20D mirror lockup timer question

[tim]

I'm using my 20D with mirror lockup for the first time, and it's not working quite how I expect. The manual says there should be a 2 second delay between pushing the button and the shutter opening, but it's currently taking 30 seconds, then the photo starts being taken. As far as I can tell there's no timer active, but it must be a setting somewhere causing it. Anyone have any idea how to get it back to 2 seconds?

[tim]

I've just been playing some more, and it's actually much, much worse. When mirror lockup's enabled, it doesn't actually take photos. The ones I thought I was seeing before were actually the test shots taken before I turned mirror lockup on.

I'm using firmware 1.1.0, which was on there when I bought the camera.

Ideas anyone?

[ScottE]

Your mirror lock up certainly does sound strange.

On my 20D (also D60 and EOS3) the mirror flips up the first time I press the shutter button, the shutter opens the second time i press the shutter button and the shutter closes and mirror flips back down when the exposure is completed. According to my manual that is exactly how it is supposed to work. (Actually I never touch the shutter button when using mirror lock up. I use a cable release.)

The manual does mention that if you use a combination of bulb exposure, self time and mirror lock up you have to hold the shutter down for the 2 second self timer plus the bulb exposure time. I have never seen a need for that combination so I have not tried it out.

The manual also mentions that if you press the shutter to lock the mirror up and do not press it a second time, the mirror will flip back down after 30 seconds. This can be annoying if you are waiting for the wind to stop blowing for an out door macro shot but the flower does not stop nodding for 31 seconds. By the time you get the mirror locked up again the wind will have started and the flower will be moving again.

[tim]

Ok, the problem is my understanding. On the 300D you push the button, it locks up the mirror, then 2 seconds later it takes the photo.

It looks like the 20D's doing just what it should, but it doesn't seem very helpful. The reason I use mirror lockup is to eliminate mirror movement and to eliminate the movement caused by my hand shaking the camera. If you have to push the button a 2nd time to take the photo that's going to shake the camera, right?

If I do it how you say it works fine... it's just me reading too quickly and getting it wrong, sorry. I have a cable release on the way, should be here before too long.

[ScottE]

I think you've got it. In my opinion mirror lock up is only useful if you use it with a tripod and a cable release.

The 2 second delay on the 300D sounds like a Nikon work around to having a true mirror lock up. It is a rather poor compromise to doing it right. A proper mirror lock up lets you first lock up the mirror, then fire the shutter when the subject is right. Of course you can't watch the subject through the view finder while the mirror is locked up. You have to look at it directly.

[tim]

Yeah it was me having a dumbass moment ;)

I like the way the 300D does it, it means you can use it without a shutter release cable. It's no good if your subject moves. With the 20D you really need a shutter release cable. It'll make for better photos, but it's more of a pain. Ah well, my cable will be here in a week or two :)

Thanks Scott :)

[mbze430]

Mirror lockup is only useful with a cable release. you are better off using the self timer option.

[tim]

Good point - I never thought of that!

[Andy_T]

My 20D works as described in the manual if I enable Mirror lockup AND self timer (the self timer is reduced to 2 seconds when MLU is enabled).

Did you set the camera on self timer?
Otherwise you have to manually press the shutter button twice... the first one turns away the mirror ... the second takes the shot.

Best regards,
Andy

[donlavange]

Yeah it was me having a dumbass moment ;)

Ah well, my cable will be here in a week or two :)

Thanks Scott :)
What patience you have!! I wait the obligatory three days and if it gets to be evening, I go half crazy (the other half). Enjoy your posts.

[tim]

I just didn't read the manual properly :o So If I enable MLU and the timer I push the button twice but there's a delay before the shot's taken? Handy.

I ordered my cord from a guy in China selling them on ebay, and it'll be a bit slow because it's chinese new year. I'm used to things taking a while to get here, you get used to it when you live in a reasonably remote country.

[Andy_T]

No, if you have MLU and the timer, you only push once.
The camera puts away the mirror, waits for two seconds and takes the picture. Works like a charm.

If you do not use the timer, you have to push the shutter twice. First puts away the mirror, second takes the shot.

IMHO, the only reason why you might need the cable release is if you want to take a long time 'bulb' picture.

Hope that helps.

Best regards,
Andy

[tim]

It does indeed help, thanks Andy :)

[ScottE]

IMHO, the only reason why you might need the cable release is if you want to take a long time 'bulb' picture.

Everybody is entitled to their opinion.

For my purposes I want to be able to control exactly when the shutter fires. This may be due to changing light conditions or movement of the subject. I usually use mirror lock up for either macro shots or pictures using a long telephoto lens, conditions where even the slightest camera vibration will cause a soft shot. For a macro shot I may want to time the shot precisely when a flower stops nodding after a slight breeze. For a long telephoto shot it may be when the bird or animal momentarily raises its head and looks in the right direction. You will find that using a 2 second delay will cause you to miss most of those situations.

Also, any small movement of the camera can change composition for either extreme macro or telephoto pictures. If you do not touch the camera you have less risk of this. The solution is to use a cable release.

I have been using cable releases for about 30 years and learned long ago that it is one of the most useful implements if you want very sharp photos.

Scott

[Arsonist lolol]

Glad you gave your input Scott....Considering that the photographic situations you mentioned are the ones I plan on getting myself into during / after college, I will now be buying a remote for sure!

[Andy_T]

For my purposes I want to be able to control exactly when the shutter fires.

You are absolutely right. I had not thought about these applications, as I've not been into studio or macro photography too much.

I thought the only application of MLU that readers on the EOS forum will want to know about is how they can eliminate camera shake when doing the obligatory ruler test shots. :lol:

Best regards,
Andy