So how does this work? ND Filters, mirrorless cameras - seeing "through" the filter

Jake

Jake

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Jake
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Hello all,

I apologise in advance for what could be some really dumb questions but I would rather ask and get it right instead of second guess and get it wrong.

Recently I've purchased and have been using a 10 stop filters with my photography. Now, I expected when I got this that after fitting the filter I would get a pretty blank/very dark image on the EVF/Screen and only be able to see the shot after its taken when hitting the button to review.

However, to my shock, the image on the EVF/Screen at best can be described as "dim" when the filter is fitted, and even AF is still working?!

I have to ask....how is it doing this? How is it seeing through such a dark (10 stop differential) filter and still showing me an almost seemingly unaffected image?

TIA
Jake
 
It applies gain and you effectively see in the dark. This is one advantage mirrorless cameras have over OVF cameras. In low light with an optical view finder you can only ever see slightly worse than you can by eye because there are some losses in all of those optics and mirrors but with mirrorless you can see detail which is not visible by unaided eye but at the cost of night vision as you have a bright image shining into your eye.
 
woof woof said:
It applies gain and you effectively see in the dark. This is one advantage mirrorless cameras have over OVF cameras. In low light with an optical view finder you can only ever see slightly worse than you can by eye because there are some losses in all of those optics and mirrors but with mirrorless you can see detail which is not visible by unaided eye but at the cost of night vision as you have a bright image shining into your eye.
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So its an after processing effect applied by the cameras internal electronics?
 
and it can focus by contrast detect
 
woof woof said:
It applies gain and you effectively see in the dark. This is one advantage mirrorless cameras have over OVF cameras. In low light with an optical view finder you can only ever see slightly worse than you can by eye because there are some losses in all of those optics and mirrors but with mirrorless you can see detail which is not visible by unaided eye but at the cost of night vision as you have a bright image shining into your eye.
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If I put my 5D4 (and indeed with my old 6D) in to Live view. I can also see the image through a 10 stop filter. You do have to enable Exposure simulation in the settings.
 
ecoleman said:
If I put my 5D4 (and indeed with my old 6D) in to Live view. I can also see the image through a 10 stop filter. You do have to enable Exposure simulation in the settings.
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That's because in Live View, your 5D and 6D become 'mirrorless' too, as the mirror is flipped up (blocking the EVF) and the image on the rear screen is taken direct from the sensor and 'gained up' so you can compose the scene. This is exactly what happens on any mirrorless system.
 
One of the many reasons mirrorless is superior to OVFs (in my view - and Canon's and Nikon's or they wouldn't be making them)
 
stevelmx5 said:
That's because in Live View, your 5D and 6D become 'mirrorless' too, as the mirror is flipped up (blocking the EVF) and the image on the rear screen is taken direct from the sensor and 'gained up' so you can compose the scene. This is exactly what happens on any mirrorless system.
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Well, yes I realise that.
I was just pointing out that it is also possible with a DSLR, as it was made out to be an advantage of mirrorless cameras.
 
ecoleman said:
Well, yes I realise that.
I was just pointing out that it is also possible with a DSLR, as it was made out to be an advantage of mirrorless cameras.
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Sorry, wasn't criticising your post, I was just agreeing that your 5D/6D are able to be used as 'mirrorless' bodies too.
 
ecoleman said:
Well, yes I realise that.
I was just pointing out that it is also possible with a DSLR, as it was made out to be an advantage of mirrorless cameras.
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It's possible with DSLR's if they have live view and can be operated as mirrorless cameras and in that case there's no difference. Most (all?) DSLR's can do it on the back screen these days but go back a few years and they couldn't because they didn't have live view. In my post above I don't think I actually mentioned DSLR's and instead mentioned optical view cameras as of course there are other types of optical cameras than SLR's/DSLR's.

The focusing ability of my Panasonic cameras is pretty much science fiction as they'll focus in just about total darkness, they may take a long time to do it but they often eventually do do it.
 
I tried using a polarizing filter on my EOS M50. The only way I could think of making it work was to rotate the polarizer to work out which way to set it off camera. Then put it back on the camera and then set it. A bit long winded but it worked.
 
If you open up the aperture, the image should become even brighter too. Just remember to switch it back to f/9 or whatever before firing the shutter ;)

You should be able to see the effects of a CPL through any camera.....??
 
GreenNinja67 said:
One of the many reasons mirrorless is superior to OVFs (in my view - and Canon's and Nikon's or they wouldn't be making them)
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Both Canon and Nikon see a growing market for mirrorless cameras and want a piece of the pie - that's why thet are making them. It has nothing to do with superiority or they wouldn't be making low-end "inferior" P&S cameras.
 
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