Live View on a 7D is it useable? or just a marketing tick-list feature? Or am I missi

hairy_moth wrote in post #14665819
I'm always amazed that, when shooting the moon, you can't just put it on ∞ and go -- I mean, if the moon is not ∞ what is?!

(It was a rhetorical question, your don's have to answer: the Omega Nebula)

Most lenses are able to focus just past infinity: the focus ring does not stop at the infinity mark. The reason is: due to temperature variations infinity focus may shift so some slack is needed.

In LV the focus model is contrast detection, precision is better than VF focusing

My most successful use of it was taking pictures of fireworks last month. Camera was on tripod, prefocussed and set to 2 seconds, f/8, ISO 100, with a remote to trip the shutter. I just sat back and when a shell entered the frame I opened the shutter. After the first few shells I could reposition if needed. I can't think of a more feasible way to make sure I got the maximum number of fireworks in the frame. Certainly looking through the VF for these shots would have been extremely awkward.

I've also used it for moon shots, dialing in the proper exposure and focus (using the 5X or 10X feature).

You can probably think of many more similar situations where it would come in handy.

Live view isn't too bad for some astrophotography shots like the one below of the Moon and as previously mentioned by Harry and Fred. Live View AF works in situations like this where Standard AF won't work because it is not restricted to any limitation of the full open aperture size. In this case, the aperture is f/16 (400/5.6 lens + 1.4X TC + 2X TC).

I also find it useful for macro photography.

Also, I believe that it was Will who mentioned that contrast detection AF is more accurate than phase detection. The reason for using phase detection is its speed. I read a Canon patent a few years ago that integrates the benefits of contrast and phase detection in order to gain both speed and precision. I've never seen it implemented in any of their DSLR cameras, so the slight benefit of precision probably didn't quite offset the slightly slower AF speed of the hybrid AF system.

Conclusion: The 7D is a viewfinder camera.

Sure, it has live view, but that's an addition for those moments when you for some reason have problems using the viewfinder.

va_rider wrote in post #14665626
Live view is great for composing landscapes... I use it a lot for product photography.... for shooting at night...

One common trend with all of those: The camera is on a tripod.

Live view is great for what it was designed for. However, if you think you're going to hand-hold your camera and use Live View, turning your camera into a $1300 point and shoot, you're going to be very disappointed.

This thread should have been over after the first reply! This is exactly how Live View should be used IMO.

skycolt wrote in post #14879012
In LV the focus model is contrast detection, precision is better than VF focusing

LV has 2 options for AF: Quick Mode and Live Mode. In order to take advantage of this better precision, you need to be in Live Mode (contrast detect).

Bill Boehme wrote in post #14880410
Also, I believe that it was Will who mentioned that contrast detection AF is more accurate than phase detection. The reason for using phase detection is its speed. I read a Canon patent a few years ago that integrates the benefits of contrast and phase detection in order to gain both speed and precision. I've never seen it implemented in any of their DSLR cameras, so the slight benefit of precision probably didn't quite offset the slightly slower AF speed of the hybrid AF system.

The new T4i/650D has the new Hybrid AF system, but AFAIK, it is only available in LV or Video.

One implementation that hasn't been mentioned is IR. I have an IR converted T2i and use LV in conjunction with a hood loupe for shooting. This way I can hold the camera up to my eye and use it like I would a standard DSLR (sans AF as MF is faster). Add the focus peaking of Magic Lantern and you're good to go.

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