Do you notice a difference in image quality when using MLU?

[gulogulo1970]

When you use a tripod do any of you notice a difference in picture quality when using mirror lockup and without using MLU?

I would guess it would be very useful for macro photography. But, does anyone use it for landscapes and such.

Anyone have any side by side tests or know of a web site that shows the benifits of using this feature? I know every little bit helps, but how much does MLU help your images?

[Bodog]

The first time I Heard of mirror lock up in a digital camera I was pretty sceptical, as I thought the idea was to prevent the film from vibrating. How could a tiny mirror cause the whole camera to shake?? After installing the Russian hack on my DRebel I enabled it. Tried it on my 100-300 at the 300 end. It does make a very noticable difference. There is a pretty narrow range of shutter speeds that are affected, and I can't remember exact numbers, somewhere around 1/30 second. I'm sure the difference is even more noticable with macro. If I'm taking a shot with a long lens on a tripod, and have to use a slow shutter speed, I use it.

[pradeep1]

Yeah, you can notice a difference using MLU with exposures that are slower than 1/15 sec.

[Jim_T]

Actually mirror lockup is most advantageous when using long lenses..

At 400mm and longer the narrow field of vew makes the subject prone to blurring even with the slightest shake. The inertia from the mirror flipping can cause enough movement of the body to blur the image.

[Jesper]

Not only for very long lenses, also for macro photography ofcourse, where every little vibration is magnified.

MLU is mainly useful for shutter speeds between about 1/8 and 1/30 second. With slower speeds, it doesn't have as much effect because for the largest part of the exposure the vibrations caused by the mirror will have died away, and with faster speeds, the shutter is already closed again before the vibrations can cause any trouble.

Here is an interesting article: Understanding Mirror Lock-Up - Techniques for Reducing Vibration (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/mirror-lock.shtml)
Another one: Mirror Lock Up (http://www.photo.net/photo/nature/mlu)

Ofcourse you should be using a tripod and remote shutter release when you use MLU, because handholding or pressing the shutter button with your finger introduce vibrations that are much stronger than the flipping mirror.

And for fun: Almost all Nikon cameras do not have MLU, so the Nikon people are trying to convince themselves that you don't need MLU: Mirror Lock Up myth (http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID86/4749.html)

[gulogulo1970]

Jesper, thank you for the web site links, very informative.

[Cadwell]

Of course you should be using a tripod and remote shutter release when you use MLU, because handholding or pressing the shutter button with your finger introduce vibrations that are much stronger than the flipping mirror.


or if you don't have one, use the self timer...

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

Yesterday I did a test with a 400mm + 1.4x TC stacked with a 2.0x TC and believe me without MLU you could see some blur and with it none.

[Marshall]

Surely using the self timer doesn't irradicate the vibration due to the mirror, it only deals with self induced disturbance which can also be reduced by using a remote release.

[mr.photoguy]

you can activate the mirror lock up, and then use the self timer to fire off the camera. You press the button, and the timer starts, mirror locks up, then picture is taken ..
I tend to use this method, as I don't have a remote .

[stv737]

If you want to see the the advantages of MLU take a shot of stars. I have done this with my 85mm f/1.8 and my Sigma 100-300 f/4 and it definatley makes a huge difference.