shooting with mirror up

[devilnev]

somthing i heard was that shooting with a tripod and with with the mirror locked up will increase the quality of the image with better focus as there no vibration from when mirror flicks up ..
I have a canon 7D and the only thing i can find is i should set it up in the adjustable settings on the dial ...also would shooting in live mode be the same as i am sure the mirror is locked up in live mode

 

[TCR4x4]

In live view the mirror is up, but then flips down and back up again when shooting, so defeating the object. In mirror lock up, one press of the shutter opens the mirror, then the next press open the shutter. The aim is to leave the mirror up for a few seconds before opening the shutter for any hint of vibration to have dissipated. This should be used in conjunction with a stable tripod and remote release.
It's mainly used in landscapes where ultimate sharpness is critical, but can be used for other things like macro and portraits too.

 

[devilnev]

ok i have that ,but is the best way to use it to set up one of the programble settings on the dial on the camera ,obviously i need to get a cable /wirless shutter release to gain out of it

 

[Calzor Suzay]

There's several ways you can set it up depending on how often you want to use it really.

1. Just go into the custom function menu (2nd from the right) in MENU, 3rd section down, number 13 and enable it. You'll need to remember to turn it off.
2. Add it to your "My menu settings" (Last on right) in MENU, this is effectively a shortcut of above
3. Set it up under one of your custom functions, maybe along with other settings you might use at the same time, ISO 100, Bracketed shots, who knows the world is your oyster

BTW you don't 'need' a shutter release cable, you could always use the 10 second timer maybe as part of the C1 custom function

 

[devilnev]

thank you for that info i will print it out thurs as no time tonight ,will have a go at using it at weekend as out and about in brighton

 

[HoppyUK]

Live view is an effective short-cut to mirror lock up, and if I'm using a tripod, chances are I'll be in live view anyway. The mirror stays permanently up in live view with Canon, but even if/when it flips down it doesn't matter as the picture has already been taken.

 

[ohara]

The problem with using live view is that because the mirror is up, it can't use phase detection AF (which requires the mirror to be down), it uses contrast detection instead which is HORRENDOUSLY slow. This is fine if you're shooting an inanimate object but it's total fail if you're trying to capture something moving. There is an option to use phase detection AF in live view but as soon as you half press the shutter (or use BBAF button) the mirror flips down, focusing locks ALMOST IMMEDIATELY depending on how good the light is, then the mirror comes back up and you can shoot.

For some reason the mirror flips down AFTER you shoot in live view, but immediately goes back up afterwards.