Is Liveview esential and how useful is it? I intend on getting the Nikon D80?

Question

I wish to get the Nikon D80, but wonder if Liveview is essential, and where it differs image quality. If it is essential then are there alternatives to the D80 in the same sort of price range and with the same sort of spec.?
thanks in advance

Answer 1

Live view is certainly not essential. It's just new to DSLR's. Actually, live view is not used in practical photography beyond point and shoot or studio work because of the type of focusing used by the camera. It requires lots of light with no movement of the subject, or the camera. With live view, the camera uses a focusing technique called contrast detection, where the camera uses the image sensor to define areas that contrast to focus them - which is slow. The main reason for using an SLR is to use the far quicker and more reliable method of focusing called phase detection using a separate sensor that measures the distance to the subject, through the lens, from opposite points of the lens, through a set of prisms like a rangefinder. The image is split when it is out of focus, the sensor looks for one image, then it locks. This is much faster than contrast detection, and more accurate.



Personally, I see live view functionality in DSLR's more of a fad for people used to less advanced point and shoot cameras. There is no real benefit, unless you're bothered by looking through the viewfinder - which is what people did years before digital cameras came along. I shoot with a D80, and I don't miss what I don't use. But, when considering a camera like the D90, live view is not a feature I look for as a reason to upgrade from my D80. If I do, it will be for the two stop increase in ISO sensitivity, small increase in resolution to better benefit cropping, and better image quality through an upgraded image processor from the D80. It's good that live view is an option, so if I don't want to use it, it doesn't have to be on. Between the D80 and D90, the price difference is barely a couple hundred bucks. From what I have heard, the image quality of the D90 is better than the already great image quality the D80 has - which would make the better purchase if you don't already have a DSLR. If you do, I see little reason to upgrade now. In a couple of years, it too will be obsolete. But if you want to know what I would buy if given the choice, it would be the D90 - and NOT because it does or does not have live view. If that couple of hundred bucks is important to you, the D80 works well.

Answer 2

The Nikon D80 doesn't have live view!



Nor does the Nikon d40, d40x, Or Nikon D60, if you desire such an unnecessary feature, you'll have to go with the Nikon D90, or a model from Olympus, or Sony- for a cheaper price. Imagine, holding the Heavy Nikon D80 at arm's length, and using live view ( if it was possible ) like a point and shoot camera- it's just not logical. The digital View finder is just fine! In my opinion anyway.



In general, live view is not important, or necessary. You should be just fine using the view finder. Really, live view isn't special. The Nikon D80 is a great semi professional model, not getting it because it doesn't have live view is preposterous- Get the D80, good camera. You don't need like view, i think you'll find the Viewfinder Satisfactory.



Also, live view with a DSLR isn't like the screen on a point and shoot, there's a second disruption to focus, to view it, and then to flip the mirror down to take the picture, the whole process can take a few seconds, which would make the process not Worth it- you don't need it



Nathan

Answer 3

The live view is on 2 of my cameras already. I never use it in normal daily shooting, it just isn't that handy..



One of my cameras is a Infrared model, a Fuji S-3 IRUV Forensic model. Here, yes, almost every shot is set up with the live view to see the world in Infrared before taking the shot. The camera can also see in UV the same way. Of course, for each end of the spectrum I need the proper filters.



My Fuji S-5 also has Live View and I have hardly EVER used it other than attached to the telescope and checking things out with it for focus.



Do not use - Live View - as a buying feature unless your going to be using the camera with telescopes, microscopes, extreme close up equipment, bellows and things like this. It has almost no worth in normal day time photography, IMHO..!



Now, for the D-SLR cameras with video these days, I guess it could be a worth while feature..



Bob - Tucson

Answer 4

Have you ever tried to hold several pounds of digital camera and lens steady at arms length while you look at an LCD screen. It not at all the same as holding a few ounces of point and shoot camera steady in the same position. One of the things we preach to new photogrpahers is to learn to hold the camera properly so the body mechanics give you a steady shot. You can't really do that looking at the LCD. So liveview is really something that will have very limited applications in a DSLR. Usually only when its on a tripod. I have liveview on my D300 and have never used it.