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Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Started May 17, 2017 | Discussions
Marc dbr
Marc dbr Regular Member • Posts: 365
Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Today I updated my AFMA values of the 5D3 + 70-200 f4 L IS, and to calibrate it I took a first picture with live view, then through the viewfinder with different AFMA values. I noticed on a monitor that the closest sharp AFMA value (+2) at the tele end was quite soft compared to the image I took using live view. Since shooting with live view locks the mirror up, I am guessing that this is the reason the live view image is quite sharper... What do you guys think? do you use mirror lockup yourself either when you're shooting with live view and through the viewfinder?

Marc

Live view shot - so with mirror lockup. focussed near the little green branch/leaf

Focused through the viewfinder without mirror lock up turned on, AFMA value of +2

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dave_bass5
dave_bass5 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,342
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!
1

Live view uses a different type of AF so that will explain the difference. Cant remember the two terms used off hand but there are loads of threads about it.

Mirror lock up can make a difference if using long shutter speeds, but i doubt this is the case for you.

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beagle1 Forum Pro • Posts: 11,742
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Marc dbr wrote:

Today I updated my AFMA values of the 5D3 + 70-200 f4 L IS, and to calibrate it I took a first picture with live view, then through the viewfinder with different AFMA values. I noticed on a monitor that the closest sharp AFMA value (+2) at the tele end was quite soft compared to the image I took using live view. Since shooting with live view locks the mirror up, I am guessing that this is the reason the live view image is quite sharper... What do you guys think? do you use mirror lockup yourself either when you're shooting with live view and through the viewfinder?

Marc

Live view shot - so with mirror lockup. focussed near the little green branch/leaf

Focused through the viewfinder without mirror lock up turned on, AFMA value of +2

I never use mirror lockup

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

Dan_168 Forum Pro • Posts: 11,055
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

MLU has been around for long long time, i use it all the time when i shoot landscape picture, which is 99.9% on tripod no matter day or night, i normally use LV which is practically in MLU all the time, for manual focus, i shoot my landscape picture almost 100% in Manual focus whether i am using  AF or MF lenses.

Marc dbr
OP Marc dbr Regular Member • Posts: 365
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Thanks for your reply, I think that live view uses contrast AF, it is accurate but slow, that is why I calibrate my lenses for AFMA, with the +2 adjustment it was very similar, and I do think that Mirror lock up is handy whatever the shutter speed is: the vibration caused by the mirror equally affects the IQ whatever your settings. I could be wrong but it does seem logical to me...

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Rodger in Edmonton
Rodger in Edmonton Veteran Member • Posts: 4,601
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

... always Live View and 10 X focus, plus LV makes me think more and seeing the grid helps me along,

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dave_bass5
dave_bass5 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,342
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Marc dbr wrote:

Thanks for your reply, I think that live view uses contrast AF, it is accurate but slow, that is why I calibrate my lenses for AFMA, with the +2 adjustment it was very similar, and I do think that Mirror lock up is handy whatever the shutter speed is: the vibration caused by the mirror equally affects the IQ whatever your settings. I could be wrong but it does seem logical to me...

Did you take the same shot with and without mirror lock up?

Agree about LV being slow on the mkiii, but its very fast on the newer cameras. A pleasure to use even for moving targets.

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jvc1 Senior Member • Posts: 2,202
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Marc dbr wrote:

What do you guys think? do you use mirror lockup yourself either when you're shooting with live view and through the viewfinder?

Marc

You can't use mirror lockup then use the viewfinder. If I use a tripod, I always use live view so the mirror is always locked up.

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ed rader Veteran Member • Posts: 9,068
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

I ALWAYS use MLU for long exposures, which is a very common practice

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Marc dbr
OP Marc dbr Regular Member • Posts: 365
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Yes you can by pressing twice the shutter button. The view finder gets black but you'll have to get your composition right beforehand

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jvc1 Senior Member • Posts: 2,202
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Marc dbr wrote:

Yes you can by pressing twice the shutter button. The view finder gets black but you'll have to get your composition right beforehand

My point is that with the mirror up you can't see through the viewfinder. I've never tried pressing the shutter button twice though.

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dave_bass5
dave_bass5 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,342
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

jvceac wrote:

Marc dbr wrote:

Yes you can by pressing twice the shutter button. The view finder gets black but you'll have to get your composition right beforehand

My point is that with the mirror up you can't see through the viewfinder. I've never tried pressing the shutter button twice though.

You press once to raise the mirror, and a second press brings it back down after the shot has been taken.

I still cant see how having the mirror lock up can make a shot taken at 1/125 on a tripod sharper. Think its a case of emperors new clothes although happy to be proven wrong.

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beagle1 Forum Pro • Posts: 11,742
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

ed rader wrote:

I ALWAYS use MLU for long exposures, which is a very common practice

I never ever use MLU for long exposures  ............. which is a very common practice

(in the current era)

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

dave_bass5
dave_bass5 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,342
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

beagle1 wrote:

ed rader wrote:

I ALWAYS use MLU for long exposures, which is a very common practice

I never ever use MLU for long exposures ............. which is a very common practice

(in the current era)

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

I think these days its very common to use Live view when using a tripod, so no need for ML for those that do.

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beagle1 Forum Pro • Posts: 11,742
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

dave_bass5 wrote:

beagle1 wrote:

ed rader wrote:

I ALWAYS use MLU for long exposures, which is a very common practice

I never ever use MLU for long exposures ............. which is a very common practice

(in the current era)

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

I think these days its very common to use Live view when using a tripod, so no need for ML for those that do.

correct, my view is always "live"

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

Blake Cook
Blake Cook Veteran Member • Posts: 3,129
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

dave_bass5 wrote:

jvceac wrote:

Marc dbr wrote:

Yes you can by pressing twice the shutter button. The view finder gets black but you'll have to get your composition right beforehand

My point is that with the mirror up you can't see through the viewfinder. I've never tried pressing the shutter button twice though.

You press once to raise the mirror, and a second press brings it back down after the shot has been taken.

I still cant see how having the mirror lock up can make a shot taken at 1/125 on a tripod sharper. Think its a case of emperors new clothes although happy to be proven wrong.

I think you will find that around 1/125 on a tripod is probably the best point to begin MLU.

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dave_bass5
dave_bass5 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,342
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

Blake Cook wrote:

dave_bass5 wrote:

jvceac wrote:

Marc dbr wrote:

Yes you can by pressing twice the shutter button. The view finder gets black but you'll have to get your composition right beforehand

My point is that with the mirror up you can't see through the viewfinder. I've never tried pressing the shutter button twice though.

You press once to raise the mirror, and a second press brings it back down after the shot has been taken.

I still cant see how having the mirror lock up can make a shot taken at 1/125 on a tripod sharper. Think its a case of emperors new clothes although happy to be proven wrong.

I think you will find that around 1/125 on a tripod is probably the best point to begin MLU.

I dont agree, but thats just based on my opinion. What i really dont agree with is at this speed it will make a huge difference when mounted on a tripod, as per the OP's images.

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Marc dbr
OP Marc dbr Regular Member • Posts: 365
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

I shot the two example images from a tripod

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ed rader Veteran Member • Posts: 9,068
Re: Mirror Lock Up is Amazing!

I assure you if you're using live view the mirror is up

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