Live view on D90

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

The overwhelming advantages of L.V. over a R.A. magnifier are that the image can be magnified up to 10x (far greater than a magnifier), the image is electronically brightened in dim lighting conditions, and you don't have to kneel down and screw your eye to an eyepiece - a great boon when the camera is at water level in a bog!

Perhaps so, but considering that you left out the continuation of my post: -

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

However, I do appreciate that live view has the advantage of being more "immediate", especially when combined with articulating screens.

The DR-6 would certainly be less expensive than a complete body upgrade though, if it will do what you need - (recommended price just under £200.00).

....You are quoting me somewhat out of context.

Especially so as my reply was specifically to Peter, having read his remark that most of his insect photography was indoors on captive specimens.

Under which circumstances I don't suppose he would require to kneel down in a bog very often - and a £200 outlay is far more sensible than a £600 outlay if the item does the required job adequately!!

Regards,
Mike.

[peterbolson]

Thanks for your suggestion Mike.
I take my photos with the camera pointing vertically down so would the RA magnifier not then be horizontal, which would be very awkward !
Peter

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by peterbolson

Thanks for your suggestion Mike.
I take my photos with the camera pointing vertically down so would the RA magnifier not then be horizontal, which would be very awkward !
Peter

Hi Peter, I suppose it would depend upon the height of the camera. If it was anywhere near head height, I would have thought an angle finder might improve things, as you would be looking forwards, instead of having to get above the camera to see the screen. (Assuming alternative of D90 with none articulating liveview screen).

My Fuji S9600 has live view & articulating screen, so I have had the benefit of using both that and the D80/Angle finder option.

For my photography (mainly flowers/fungi) I personally find the angle finder better, as the eyecup avoids extraneous light, there is no problem with sun glare as there can be on a live view screen, no extra battery drain, and I do think that the angle finder does provide for better critical focussing.

I take on board what Jim said, but at the end of the day, (and purely my own opinion) looking through an optical system to me, gives a better critical focussing ability, (especially at 1:1 macro end of things with associated shallow DOF), than looking at an LCD screen where resolution is only as good as the pixel matrix - more so when looking at the screen at an angle from a couple of feet away. (As would be the case with a non articulating screen at ground level unless you were lying down).

As I say, horses for courses really. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and obviously it will come down to which option that you personally think would be of most benefit for your specific photographic interests and in your particular circumstances.

I just thought it worth mentioning as an option you may not have considered. (Along with the magnifying viewer mentioned by jaybie). As if either of those would work well for you, there would be a considerable saving over having to buy a D90 body purely for the liveview.

Best of luck with whichever option becomes your final choice.

Regards,
Mike.