Mirror lock-up

[Chris Hammond]

I've just read Tobyh's comments about shutter noise on the 'Foxes/Badgers at night' thread. I think the Nikons generally have quite a loud shutter release noise, both my F100 and D200 are considerably louder than my mate's Canon cameras.

Something I can never get my head around is the 'Mirror lock-up' facility. I can understand the benefits of locking up the mirror for absolute stability and to decrease camera shake, but why have this as a seperate specialised facility? Would it not always be appropriate to lock the mirror up for tripod shots? Or is there a trade off somehow? I know that even on my rock solid Manfrotto, using the self-timer facility I can still see a slight pitch in the camera as the shutter is fired. Presumably MLU alleviates this potential problem?

And finally would this function make for quieter shooting?

I'd appreciate any advice or explanations on the subject.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Chris

The MLU is on a custom function ( i use canon) because you don't want it on all the time.
If I'm shooting flowers or fungi for example I'll always use it with tripod and cable release to reduce camera shake from the mirror slap.The self timer function may not have a long enough time between pressing shutter (mirror goes up) button and shutter going off. It takes 2 or 3 seconds for everything to fully settle sometimes.
If I'm say shooting birds with a tripod mounted tele unless the bird is stood still MLU is of no use as the viewfinder goes black and you can't follow the bird so I don't use it.
Yes with MLU it probably sounds as if it is a bit quieter because the mirror slap(which makes the most noise) and shutter are seperated, but the Fox/Badger will probably gone out of frame between you locking up the mirror and firing the shutter.

neil

[Chris Hammond]

Excellent, thanks for the input Neil.

So MLU is really only suited to completely static subjects then I guess?

Regards Chris

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

yep

I tell you what it is brilliant for and that is photographing flowers on a windy day. You lock the mirror up and wait for the breeze to subside , flower to stop swaying and fire shutter - no mirror to cause shake!

neil

[Tobyh]

A good question there.

I would use Mirror Lock Up if the D50 had it, it's something that I will ensure I have for my next body especiall for those low light slow shutter speed shots where minimal shake / vibration is crucial.

If the D50 had the function I would try it for the Fox and Badger night shots to quieten things down - the major trade off being that whilst the lock is in place I cannot see through the viewfinder - doable if I prefocus and manage to perfectly time my shot.

With the mirror locked up does that not also expose the sensor thus allowing more time to get dust on it? The dust would already need to be inside already of course.

TobyH

[Leif]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

yep

I tell you what it is brilliant for and that is photographing flowers on a windy day. You lock the mirror up and wait for the breeze to subside , flower to stop swaying and fire shutter - no mirror to cause shake!

neil

Except that Nikon automatically trigger the shutter after 30 seconds. Damn damn damn!

[Leif]

Originally Posted by Tobyh

With the mirror locked up does that not also expose the sensor thus allowing more time to get dust on it? The dust would already need to be inside already of course.

No because the shutter is covering the sensor.

MLU is mainly used to avoid the vibrations that occur when the mirror is raised. It is near essential for exposures at ~1/15", and in fact even at 1/100" with some lenses.

[wildlifesnapper]

Originally Posted by Leif

Except that Nikon automatically trigger the shutter after 30 seconds. Damn damn damn!

and that will be just when that breeze blows

neil