Is Live View a significant development or a flash in the pan?

[digiguy]

Seems to be that Oly has this unique ability to provide something different (dust shaker, 'true' telecentric lenses for the sensor etc). This Liveview thing looks like another but I'm thinking that a lot of dyed in the wool shooters will dismiss it as a trumped up digicam. Especially if it affects the light into the viewfinder. Maybe oly are positioning themselves as the rebel DSLR maker? Aimed at those who don't like to follow trends (and probably use a Mac and other less popular tools ).

[Raist3d]

Live view is here to stay. It will come to others sooner or later. Either at least in "mode B" form which is immensely usefull for manual focusing, macro shooting.

The reason is because "Mode B" doesn't afffect the viewfinder in any shape or form.

- Raist

[digiguy]

Raist yes I agree with using mode B. Even then though I understand that there's a slight delay as the mirror needs to drop down to (I guess) take exposure readings. Still seems like it's a bit of a compromise until we get a non-mirror solution - ie digital viewfinder and all. Just like the bottom feeder digicams .

[Paul Shields]

To me it's a thing that is useful - though I did let go of my E-330. I do miss the usefulness when doing macro or any type of shot where it's pre-planned. Without sounding like a scratched record - just give me mode B (or somehow - mode A without viewfinder limitations) and I'll be a happy bunny.

[Mr. Pickles]

With the supposed addition of LiveView ot the current E-400 and E-500, I'd say Olympus at least thinks it is a good thing. Others may follow suit later on, same as they did with the shake sensor. When it came out, everybody kind of laughed at it, but now, more and more are getting it or their idea of it.

[Paul Shields]

I agree - sometimes it's hard in the very conservative world of on-line photography geeks to accept new ways of doing things. I think there's still a risk that they'll not get enough market penetration to sustain themselves but at least Olympus are trying to do something different and to highlight the benefits of certain approaches.

[kylejones]

I like the idea of Live View but the E-330 implementation seems half-baked to me. What you ought to get with Live View is DSLR like performance while framing using the LCD. Instead you get DSLR focusing speed in one mode, a big clumsy AF kludge in the other mode, reduced shooting frame rate in both modes, less than 100% viewfinder in one mode, mirror and shutter slap in both modes, no white balance corrected view in either mode. In other words you get all the warts you'd expect from a naive first-implementation of live view on a DSLR.

I think I'd be excited beyond belief if I did macro work or copy-stand work or use manual focus long lenses a lot. But for the main use I put Live View, shooting waist level in quiet situations, the camera is too noisy.
I'd be better off with a point and shoot with an articulated screen and an electronic shutter. I took pictures with such a camera during a wedding and my wife was standing right next to me and she didn't know I was taking pictures. That's what I want Live View to make possible and it just ain't happening with the E-330. I think Live View will be better received when it feels less bolted on and more like an integral part of the camera design.

Interestingly, the Panasonic L1 Live View implementation is different. Anyone here have that camera?

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by kylejones

I like the idea of Live View but the E-330 implementation seems half-baked to me. What you ought to get with Live View is DSLR like performance while framing using the LCD. Instead you get DSLR focusing speed in one mode, a big clumsy AF kludge in the other mode, reduced shooting frame rate in both modes, less than 100% viewfinder in one mode, mirror and shutter slap in both modes, no white balance corrected view in either mode. In other words you get all the warts you'd expect from a naive first-implementation of live view on a DSLR.

I think I'd be excited beyond belief if I did macro work or copy-stand work or use manual focus long lenses a lot. But for the main use I put Live View, shooting waist level in quiet situations, the camera is too noisy.
I'd be better off with a point and shoot with an articulated screen and an electronic shutter. I took pictures with such a camera during a wedding and my wife was standing right next to me and she didn't know I was taking pictures. That's what I want Live View to make possible and it just ain't happening with the E-330. I think Live View will be better received when it feels less bolted on and more like an integral part of the camera design.

Interestingly, the Panasonic L1 Live View implementation is different. Anyone here have that camera?

The Panasonic implementation is worse than the e-330. It's just mode B and they don't even have the Oly trick where you can use the mode A sensor briefly while autofocusing in live mode B (this feature requires the latest firmware upgrade).

I think that liveview on e-330 is reasonably worked out enough that it's very useful even as it is.

- Raist

[Paul Shields]

I'd be happy enough with just mode B - perfect for tripod shots where you have the time to get the perfect framing and focus. The main problem I see with the L1 is that the LCD can't be articulated. Kind of defeats the object of being able to take shots from hard to get at angles, though maybe that's tied in with only offering mode B.

[digiguy]

Seems that mode B would be a bit limiting in spontaneous shots though? I can see mode A being cool when just wandering around and taking grab shots at funny angles or when just wanting to be discreet.

[LJBD]

Better than you might think.

I was using it for wave shots the other day - .5s (which is how long it takes to get a shot) is actually rarely a problem. No good for sport, but fine for nrmal use.

Biggest problem I have with mode B is forgetting to focus (duh).

I'd never buy another camera without LV. It has got me shot after shot, and makes any other camera old hat.