Changing viewfinder timeout - Canon SL1

While I generally have no reason to change cameras, there are a couple of aspects to the SL1 that every year get me looking at other gear.   One of the main annoyances for me, is how fast the viewfinder times out (3 sec?).   I know I can keep it active by fiddling with knobs and buttons, but, I just find it very annoying to have to keep the shutter half pressed while i look through the viewfinder and mess with the ISO adjustment.

I know the LCD timeout is adjustable.  Is there any way to adjust the Viewfinder time out longer than the factory ~3 seconds?

I understand Magic Lantern would allow me to do this, but, that seems like using a hammer to solve a minor problem.  I'm 100% stills shooter and not sure I'd get anything else out of ML other than more complexity.

Thanks

GregR MT wrote:

I know the LCD timeout is adjustable. Is there any way to adjust the Viewfinder time out longer than the factory ~3 seconds?

Thanks

Greg,

I looked at the Canon site and read the same complaints with the T3i, T5i, and I have a T8i, and they all work the same way. The timeout apparently factory set and is not adjustable.

Steve Thomas

Digirame wrote:

I don't understand what you both mean. When I use my Canon T7i (800D) camera the LCD screen and viewfinder are on continuously. They never time out. But my Canon M50 has a sensor that won't let us use the viewfinder and LCD screen at the same time (if I get too close). As a workaround, I pull the LCD screen away from the body far enough from that sensor. Then I can look at the LCD screen on the left side very closely and the viewfinder at the same time. I don't have any of that timing out of the viewfinder with the Canon T7i (800D) camera if that is what you all are referring to. I don't remember that happening with my Canon T3i (600D) camera either. That would be annoying if the viewfinder timed out. Is there a YouTube video that explains that? It would be interesting to see. Maybe that would clarify it.

Dig,

I think that you are looking at two different issues here.

1) Are you saying that the scene in front of you is present  on both your LCD screen and in your viewfinder at the same time? On my camera, I have to choose one or the other by pressing the Live View button on the back.

2) I think that Greg's problem is that the exposure settings line at the bottom of his viewfinder disappears after a few seconds, unless he contiunously holds down some other  button, and he doesn't want to do that.

I have found that, while your exposure settings line is displayed at the bottom of your viewfinder, you can lock those exposure settings by hitting the exposure lock button; however, that lock only lasts for approximately six seconds. If you don't hit that lock button, the settings line disappears after about three seconds.

To lock and hold those settings, you can hit the exposure lock  button  and then hold down either the AF button, or the Depth of Field Preview button on the side of your camera with your left hand. The settings line will stay on as long as you continuously hold down that second button. If you let go, they will disappear.

Greg, if you want to make changes after you compose your shot, you might be better off switching over to Live View and hitting your Q button. Then you can see the effect of making changes in real time.

Steve Thomas

I have the same problem with my 600d/t3i. If I don't hold down the shutter button the display at the bottom of the VF blacks out (that means I can't see the Iso, SS, Aperture, EB, etc.).

It's quite annoying.

I think some of the higher level canons (eg. 7d, 50d) have a permanent display of at least the ISO in the VF.

-

On a different note, mirrorless cameras (such as Digramme's M50) use Electronic VFs. With an EVF the whole picture can turn off, as it's actually a small screen.

It's kind of interesting...

When looking through the viewfinder, if I am in AV mode with Auto ISO let's say, while the exposure setting are displayed at the bottom, I can turn the big wheel, and watch the shutter speed and ISO numbers change, but the picture display does not change. It does not get darker or lighter.

If I change to Live View, and hit the Info button three times (until the histogram is displayed), as I change the aperture, or shutter speed, the picture will get darker or lighter - but only if I am in manual mode. The picture will not get lighter or darker if I am in AV or TV mode.

Interesting.

Steve Thomas

stevet1 wrote:

It's kind of interesting...

When looking through the viewfinder, if I am in AV mode with Auto ISO let's say, while the exposure setting are displayed at the bottom, I can turn the big wheel, and watch the shutter speed and ISO numbers change, but the picture display does not change. It does not get darker or lighter.

The VF is an Optical Viewfinder, A mirror. It's a real life display of what's through the lens.

It can't change.

If I change to Live View, and hit the Info button three times (until the histogram is displayed), as I change the aperture, or shutter speed, the picture will get darker or lighter - but only if I am in manual mode. The picture will not get lighter or darker if I am in AV or TV mode.

Really?

It changes in all creative modes on my 600d.

Interesting.

Steve Thomas