Opinions on using Live View for concert/play photography

I've been shooting quite a number of plays recently and now that I have the luxury of live view (I recently upgraded to a 40D), I've noticed that I can often get a much clearer image in low light environments using live view than if I were to use the view finder. I kind of feel like I am cheating myself though, and was wondering what the rest of you thought. Keep in mind that I am only using it when there is almost zero stage light and the subjects are completely dark.

Do you think it's cheating?

If it works for you, use it. Its a function not a moral choice. That said, I cant imagine trying to use live view for anything with moving subject. I've had my 40D since they came out and its been in live view maybe twice.

That's what I was thinking. The digital zoom function in live view is really helpful because it allows you to see the subjects face/whatever in almost complete darkness and focus exactly on them. I don't know whether that's a sign that I should get better at focusing in the dark with the view finder or what, haha.

Superguitarbitch wrote in post #14862550
That's what I was thinking. The digital zoom function in live view is really helpful because it allows you to see the subjects face/whatever in almost complete darkness and focus exactly on them. I don't know whether that's a sign that I should get better at focusing in the dark with the view finder or what, haha.

It is a sign you need to learn how to focus better.

I have no problem using it occasionally. I find I use it most when I'm not in a pit; such as a pitless show, or a show where you can photograph anywhere else in the venue after being in the photo pit. It's easier to lift the camera above my head and angle my viewfinder down at me to see what I'm doing.

Cheating? Certainly not. This (photography) isn't a challenge, game or contest, but we're all using tools in the way we feel most comfortable with. If live view works well to you, consider it as a part of the learning curve to get the best out of what you have in front of you.

Just one thing to consider, you using live view might be very distracting to those next to and behind you. The 40D's screen can appear to be blindingly bright in a very dark crowd, so just make sure you're not distracting others from enjoying a performance.

TweakMDS wrote in post #14862583
Cheating? Certainly not. This (photography) isn't a challenge, game or contest, but we're all using tools in the way we feel most comfortable with. If live view works well to you, consider it as a part of the learning curve to get the best out of what you have in front of you.

Just one thing to consider, you using live view might be very distracting to those next to and behind you. The 40D's screen can appear to be blindingly bright in a very dark crowd, so just make sure you're not distracting others from enjoying a performance.

Yeah, I guess It really comes down to whether I'll get a better image with dark photos in live view compared to using the view finder. The bulk of the photographs I take at plays are at the dress rehearsals, so that I can avoid drawing focus away from the actors and so that I'm free to move around where I want. If I'm shooting the actual performance then I don't think I'd use live view at all.

TheAnt wrote in post #14862581
I have no problem using it occasionally. I find I use it most when I'm not in a pit; such as a pitless show, or a show where you can photograph anywhere else in the venue after being in the photo pit. It's easier to lift the camera above my head and angle my viewfinder down at me to see what I'm doing.

I've only used live view a few times at shows, for exactly that purpose. Much more convenient than having to guess where I'm aiming the camera.

Concert photography is all about timing, and unless your 40d has less shutter lag in Live View than my 7D does, I don't understand how anyone would rely on it for concert photography. You'll miss a ton of shots in Live View.

I use mine in emergency situations only.

i personally find the live view too slow focus wise, so i tend to stay away from it unless i'm somewhere where i need to hold my camera up high in order to get a shot

CosmoKid wrote in post #14863571
Concert photography is all about timing, and unless your 40d has less shutter lag in Live View than my 7D does, I don't understand how anyone would rely on it for concert photography. You'll miss a ton of shots in Live View.

I use mine in emergency situations only.

I've used my 40D's live view it for macro a lot, and the shutter lag is basically nonexistent. Maybe fiddle with some of the AF and silent shooting settings on your 7D, because it should in no way be slower than "regular" shooting. The mirror is already up too...

Macro is WAY different than concert shooting.

And live view is slower whether it is focusing with a 7d or just shutter lag, compared to standard shooting, on a 40d.

We all pay money to upgrade bodies to get faster ones. Idk why someone would use live view to slow them down, for concerts.

CosmoKid wrote in post #14863571
Concert photography is all about timing, and unless your 40d has less shutter lag in Live View than my 7D does, I don't understand how anyone would rely on it for concert photography. You'll miss a ton of shots in Live View.

don't you bracket exposures?


i use live view when i need to hoist the camera over my head and get a full stage shot, where timing of any particular member is doing isn't so critical. it's also useful for handheld off-camera flash, for framing mainly.

narlus wrote in post #14865728
don't you bracket exposures?


i use live view when i need to hoist the camera over my head and get a full stage shot, where timing of any particular member is doing isn't so critical. it's also useful for handheld off-camera flash, for framing mainly.

Yeah, but I almost ALWAYS use that first click And the 5D3 would take its third shot before a single Live View shot is taken.

I use Live View. Its an option in the arsenal. But its not a primary way of shooting which is what it sounded like the OP was getting at.

I was surprised to see the shutter lag with live view compared to "normal" manual focus (the way I use it: pre-focused with back button AF) to be so much slower. However, on the 40D it's not as bad as on the 7D (0.202 seconds). Quite disappointing.
However, since the 40D doesn't have contrast detect in live view, it's not as much of an issue which mode you use.

CosmoKid wrote in post #14865748
Yeah, but I almost ALWAYS use that first click And the 5D3 would take its third shot before a single Live View shot is taken.

it all depends on the shutter speed.

CosmoKid wrote in post #14865748
I use Live View. Its an option in the arsenal. But its not a primary way of shooting which is what it sounded like the OP was getting at.

totally. it's a very small percentage of how i shoot.