40D live view!

I am a bit disappointed with the 40D live view.
It seems, when I played with one in Jessops, the D300 live view actually works in AF mode (in a manner).

AF works in 40D's Live View mode too.
There is a short blackout while the mirror's being flipped down, but it works fine, no problems at all.

D300 uses contrast detection for AF, something that Nikon themselves said was slower than on their P&S cameras. So yes, the D300 does have AF during live view, its just not very good.

Nikon D300 "Liveview" operation:

Liveview

In this mode you activate through-the-lens live view on the LCD monitor by first pressing the shutter release button (it's a bit counterintuitive) the mirror will raise (blanking the viewfinder) and the LCD will activate.To focus either use manual focus (press the magnify buttons to provide a larger magnified view) or press the AF-ON button to use contrast detect AF (slow but maintains live view) or phase detect AF (quicker but requires the mirror to drop first). The camera does not return to live view after a shutter release, you have to press the shutter release button once more.

That sounds more complicated than on 40D..

Face it, Nikon put a better implementation for Live View than Canon. Canon chose to only let you 1) Manual Focus or 2) Raise the mirror to AF. Nikon does that an more. They can AF without raising the mirror by looking at contrast, and I believe colors. With Nikon's 900K pixel resolution 3" LCD, it ought to be much clearer looking at than using Canon 233K pixel LCD.

Now having said all of that, I still like Canon 40D Live View implementation. I played with a 40D for 30 minutes in a store, and it was simple to use and worked great.

lets not forget who delievered the technology first.

Those who release an idea will always fall victim to competition adding to their base idea.

fstop11.net,

You do know that Canon was not the first to release Live View, right? Olympus had Live View in their DSLR's long before Canon did.

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #4521088
Face it, Nikon put a better implementation for Live View than Canon. Canon chose to only let you 1) Manual Focus or 2) Raise the mirror to AF. Nikon does that an more.

AFAIK Canon does that and more as well. It has exposure simulation and shows live histograms. I don't believe Nikon has this in their cameras.

Also, Canon goes back to live view after taking the shot and has two 'silent modes' available, allowing you to keep shooting without the mirror slap if you focus manually (or use AF for the first shot but then keep the focus point the same). I don't believe Nikon does this either.

And I think it allows timed photos - certainly it does in tethered mode in live view - including interval timed shots. I think you can use the timer just with the camera.

Overall, it's generally acknowledged in the reviews I've seen that Canon has a better live view implementation.

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #4521192
fstop11.net,

You do know that Canon was not the first to release Live View, right? Olympus had Live View in their DSLR's long before Canon did.

If you're referring to the Olympus E-330, take a look at when the Canon EOS 20Da was announced.

PacAce wrote in post #4522128
If you're referring to the Olympus E-330, take a look at when the Canon EOS 20Da was announced.

Does the 20Da have liveview then? I thought the only difference was no IR cut filter. I could well be wrong.

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #4521192
fstop11.net,

You do know that Canon was not the first to release Live View, right? Olympus had Live View in their DSLR's long before Canon did.

The Live View in the Olympus E330 works great. Infact it works just like a PnS, And you have a tiltable screen with it too.

I find on the Canon 40D if i move after it has AF'd the focus is off.