10D's lack of live preview--opinions?

Bobby Burgess · Nov 9, 2003

are any of you really put off by the 10D's lack of a live preview when composing shots? i'm going to buy a 10D anyway, but i've been spoiled by my nikon 5000's swivel LCD to the point where i never, ever used the optical viewfinder.

Bobby

auroraproject · Nov 9, 2003

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Godfrey · Nov 9, 2003

The Canon 10D SLR is simply a completely different kind of camera from your Nikon 5000. I very much liked my Sony F717 with its all electronic viewfinder, but I've been an SLR user for over 30 years and the Canon 10D is completely natural to me as well.

Godfrey

danny de dios · Nov 9, 2003

I've used Oly e-10 before and have never use the LCD screen to compose my shots. I've always use the optical viewfinder just like film SLR.

KennyG · Nov 9, 2003

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Kenny

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nchopp · Nov 9, 2003

This is kind of silly... No SLR can have an LCD preview; it's just impossible.

Jeff in NC · Nov 9, 2003

You will get used to it, I might recomend the EP-EX15 eyepiece extender, its cheap and I find it more comfortable.
jeff in NC

Jace Mouse28973 · Nov 9, 2003

This is a common concern from people looking to make the switch to a true SLR.

I used the LCD preview occasionally on my Oly e10. But since the 10D is a true SLR, it's just not reasonable from an engineering perspective. It's not as simple as you and me would think. There's a mirror in the way (which is what allows you to see through the viewfinder).

In the future, I suspect we might see some manufacturer create a D-SLR that uses an LCD based viewfinder (instead of mirror/optics) -- similar to some video cams. That would make an LCD preview feature feasible. It would also open the door to providing more information before taking the shot, such as a histogram or warning for blown highlights. But I don't personally want to be one of the first to test this new approach. Even if there aren't engineering issues, it's bound to use more batteries and make the CCD/CMOS work harder.

Enjoy your new 10D.

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Peter Wagner · Nov 9, 2003

The live preview's advantages are (compared to a pure mechanical / optical viewfinder):
(1) ability to swivel the eyepiece to accomodate awkward shooting positions
(2) on-screen live histogram to show you your exposure

Viewfinder advantages:
(1) awesome image quality
(2) good image quality in low-light conditions
(3) no lag when you are tracking a moving target
(4) doesn't drain the battery (the sensor isn't engaged)

Mark B. · Nov 9, 2003

Not in the least. I started out with film SLRs, so I guess that's an advantage for me and many others here. Honestly, though, I don't think I'd ever feel comforartable holding the 10D with a 70-200 f/2.8 away from me, it would be too cumbersome to hold steady. I have the BG-Ed grip attached 99% of the time, so even with a 28-105 it wouldn't be easy. Besides, I like looking through the glass and seeing exactly what's getting sent to the sensor.

I have a Canon G1 and have never used the optical finder either. Aside from not being WYSIWYG, the optical quality is terrible. The G1 is light enough that it's pretty easy to hold away from me and get a steady shot.

Mark

Mark B. · Nov 9, 2003

Ditto! Just got it for my 10D, wish I had discovered it for my D30!

Mark

Alan Graves · Nov 9, 2003

buy a P & S compact,

use you body to swivel

Xed40952 · Nov 9, 2003

Why do you need a live preview when what you see is what you get inside the viewfinder?

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hamfam · Nov 9, 2003

Am I missing the point here? I thought the whole point of an SLR was what you see is what you get (within limits) Owning an olympus 3020 and a 10D i have to say there is NO comparing the two.

The only time i used the view finder on the oly was when i couldn't see the image on the display, but that doesn't mean the display was good, It just was not as bad as the viewfinder. The image on an lcd display is terrible at best, even on the 10D the display has to be magnified up to 10 times in order to judge focus.

Don't fafh about, buy the 10D, the question of viewfinder Vs display will not arrise.

Vern Stevens · Nov 9, 2003

and I have yet to miss live preview. I re-adapted to the viewfinder VERY quickly. Now I wouldn't shoot any other way.

VES

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RichW · Nov 9, 2003

The real viefinder is so much better.

Rich

David Kieltyka · Nov 9, 2003

Uh...the 10D has real live preview through the viewfinder . I'd rather look at a mirror/pentaprism image than an electronic one any day.

-Dave-

Don Schultz43010 · Nov 9, 2003

Jeff Peterman · Nov 9, 2003

I loved the swivel live LCD on my 5700. I could aim it down and hold the camera up above crowds to get shots that otherwise would have been guess work. I could aim it up and put the camera close to the ground where that was usefull. And it was great for candids, because people didn't know I was looking at them.

It would be possible to have a live LCD with the mirror locked up.

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Jeff Peterman

Jimmy Drew20683 · Nov 9, 2003

10D's lack of live preview--opinions?

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