Viewfinder blackout with mirrorless cameras

The focusing seems accurate enough! I am pretty sure what I see on the LCD is exactly what I would see in the EVF, just with a slightly lower resolution and refresh rate.

I haven't run into too much a stability issue, but that is probably largely in part due to the image stabilization. That is one of the reasons I would never use the LCD on my old DSLR that lacked IS. If you are using an R7 I would imagine the IS will compensate for the extra stabilization of having the camera up against your face. When I first made the switch I was mainly using the EVF just as I would on my DSLR and would try out the LCD thinking of it as sort of a neat gimmick. Then I found it to be more and more useful for getting the camera into awkward positions. I don't think it took more than a couple of weeks before the LCD became my main method.

thomas-b wrote in post #19406499
The focusing seems accurate enough! I am pretty sure what I see on the LCD is exactly what I would see in the EVF, just with a slightly lower resolution and refresh rate.

I haven't run into too much a stability issue, but that is probably largely in part due to the image stabilization. That is one of the reasons I would never use the LCD on my old DSLR that lacked IS. If you are using an R7 I would imagine the IS will compensate for the extra stabilization of having the camera up against your face. When I first made the switch I was mainly using the EVF just as I would on my DSLR and would try out the LCD thinking of it as sort of a neat gimmick. Then I found it to be more and more useful for getting the camera into awkward positions. I don't think it took more than a couple of weeks before the LCD became my main method.

Thanks, I will give it a go. I don't have the R7 (yet), so will use the 90D. I could also use my R5, but the 90D is so good at macro. But I could use the R5 to test a mirrorless case using the LCD.

What do you mean by a stability issue? I always have IS on when doing macro. A long time ago I found it gave a steadier view in the viewfinder. I just tried it out now, though, and am finding that IS doesn't make much difference.

Archibald wrote in post #19406448
I appreciate the potential here, but when you are hand-holding, it can be a challenge to get all the legs etc into the frame, and at 5x, you can't see the frame margins to check for that.
Yes, I've got to try that.

This shot was one of the hardest I have had to do because the wind was moving the leaves around with the killer hornet moving around as well. AF didn't work, I don't typically use IS because I am very still and use faster shutter speeds when possible, so I had to use focus peaking. I did use the EVF here and not the rear LCD, but I would sit still and as soon as I saw the hornet outlined in yellow I would snap the shutter. I did this a few times and ended up with one keeper anyways.

Trying to move with the wind, or using AF as things shifted so fast (DOF so thin), I never could get any real keepers. This was with the M50 APS-C 24Mpx and 100L at ISO 6400.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19406512
This shot was one of the hardest I have had to do because the wind was moving the leaves around with the killer hornet moving around as well. AF didn't work, I don't typically use IS because I am very still and use faster shutter speeds when possible, so I had to use focus peaking. I did use the EVF here and not the rear LCD, but I would sit still and as soon as I saw the hornet outlined in yellow I would snap the shutter. I did this a few times and ended up with one keeper anyways.

Trying to move with the wind, or using AF as things shifted so fast (DOF so thin), I never could get any real keepers. This was with the M50 APS-C 24Mpx and 100L at ISO 6400.

Good shot, TS.

When I shoot macro, I locate the target, focus with BBF, and then move in while in servo mode. That way I get my insurance shots initially, and a chance to get some really close shots too as I move in. Not sure how I would do that with focus peaking, as I believe I would have to be in manual focus. Might require more dexterity than I have, but might work with practice.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19405021
Could you use this on the rear lcd?
https://www.amazon.com …onic-FZ1000/dp/B07MLZVLZD

That is an interesting gadget. I've been not using my lcd at all, and maybe this thing could put be back into it.
I was going to suggest one of those magnifying viewfinders: https://www.amazon.com …3M6&qid=1658268​905&sr=8-3 I did get one years ago and for one thing it works really well, but problem was that it was pretty easy to fog over the lens that is in they eye cup. Also don't get one that has you use double-stick tape to secure the item to the back of the camera! That is unacceptable! Anyway, I decided it wasn't for me, but I thought to suggest it anyway.

Sorry that was more in response to Lester's comment on how they prefer the stability of being pressed up against the view finder. I didn't make that very clear. With the image stabilization (which I never had on my old camera) I have found it more than makes up for any stabilization lost from not using the EVF.

Wilt wrote in post #19404806
You and I fight a losing battle...to most photographers today, 'macro' is merely 'shooting very close' with zero interest in the scale of reproduction. Blame the lens manufacturers for that, putting 'macro' label on anything that gets closer than about 0.33 * FL

The bane of my existence, along with people thinking that cropping an image changes the mag. The power of belief is strong in some people...

Not sure what kind of sensor Canon is using for eye detection, but odds are it is just a light sensitive diode. If you find it you could cover it with a piece of gaffers tape (the adhesive will not stick to the sensor when you take it off). But that would mean that the EVF wold always be on and it will impact your batter life, and there could be some burn in issues with the display. Not sure it's a good idea, and you might have to change your technique (unfortunately).

Regards,
John

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19406435
With live view on the DSLRs on the rear screen, and either display on mirrorless, you can set up a 5x loupe.

On mirrorless, you can turn on focus peaking which is what I use for macros, works great. I use yellow highlighting.

Thanks, that was what I wanted to know.

How about EVF/screen brightness at 5x with the MP-E, I assume you turn off exposure sim with macro and flash as the main light source.

thomas-b wrote in post #19406582
Sorry that was more in response to Lester's comment on how they prefer the stability of being pressed up against the view finder. I didn't make that very clear. With the image stabilization (which I never had on my old camera) I have found it more than makes up for any stabilization lost from not using the EVF.

Is this just the IBIS and no lens IS, I too don't have a macro lens with IS.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #19407058
Is this just the IBIS and no lens IS, I too don't have a macro lens with IS.

There is a benefit to having the camera pressed to the eye, as it reduces motion of the rig and steadies the view through the viewfinder. This helps whether the lens has IS or not.

I am practicing a new way of shooting, in anticipation of one day having the R7. I locate the subject in the electronic viewfinder and shoot away. Then in cases where I need to reach a subject in a difficult-to-reach place, I move the rig away from my face. This causes the EVF to turn off and the LCD to come on. I follow on the LCD. I'm focusing using BBF, so can easily mix AF and MF.

In this mode, focus peaking is not active, because the lens is switched to AF. Hopefully it will be possible to get sharp focus in some of the shots this way.

Lester, I also have the MPE-65 but no longer use it in the field. My previous experience was that the MPE was practically impossible to use in the field at much greater than 2x, mostly because it was so hard to find the subject. I might get better with more practice, but the EF 100mm + 20 mm tube gets me to 1.2x, and cropping gets me the rest of the way to an effective 2x or higher, with much less difficulty.

At these magnifications we usually use flash, so I don't think IS is an issue except for steadying the image in the viewfinder.

Archibald wrote in post #19407129
There is a benefit to having the camera pressed to the eye, as it reduces motion of the rig and steadies the view through the viewfinder. This helps whether the lens has IS or not.

I am practicing a new way of shooting, in anticipation of one day having the R7. I locate the subject in the electronic viewfinder and shoot away. Then in cases where I need to reach a subject in a difficult-to-reach place, I move the rig away from my face. This causes the EVF to turn off and the LCD to come on. I follow on the LCD. I'm focusing using BBF, so can easily mix AF and MF.

In this mode, focus peaking is not active, because the lens is switched to AF. Hopefully it will be possible to get sharp focus in some of the shots this way.

Lester, I also have the MPE-65 but no longer use it in the field. My previous experience was that the MPE was practically impossible to use in the field at much greater than 2x, mostly because it was so hard to find the subject. I might get better with more practice, but the EF 100mm + 20 mm tube gets me to 1.2x, and cropping gets me the rest of the way to an effective 2x or higher, with much less difficulty.

At these magnifications we usually use flash, so I don't think IS is an issue except for steadying the image in the viewfinder.

It depends on the subject but i have used it quite a lot at 2:1 or 3:1.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2k7b​CnE

This is just IBIS. For magnification info I've been using a 2X lens, often with a Raynox DCR-250 attached while using the LCD as my main screen. This is on an Olympus body with a 2X crop factor.