12 replies to this topic

[fdormoy]

I acquired recently a D850.  A great camera.

One of my test was to take a picture in Speed priority mode, Auto ISO. Using a Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8

Setting for Speed 1/160 with F2.8 aperture.

When taking this picture using the viewfinder, it came up with an ISO of 320

When taking this picture using the Live View, using the same speed and aperture, the ISO came up to 900 and the picture was much better exposed than in the first case.

So why such difference whether using Viewfinder or Liveview ?

[Adam]

Live view uses a different metering system.  Depending on the nature of the scene and the viewfinder metering mode, it has the potential to better calculate the correct exposure.

[fdormoy]

Thanks for your reply.  Therefore if the liveview uses a different metering system than vewfinder, the settings made in the custom setting menu regarding metering/exposure that we choose, do they relate to the viewfinder or the liveview screen?

[Merco_61]

What metering mode were you in when using the viewfinder? Was the camera on a tripod or did you reframe slightly between shots? Matrix sometimes misidentifies the situation and applies the wrong correction. The custom settings apply to both as far as I know.

[dcbear78]

What metering mode were you in when using the viewfinder? Was the camera on a tripod or did you reframe slightly between shots? Matrix sometimes misidentifies the situation and applies the wrong correction. The custom settings apply to both as far as I know.

 

Additionally to this spot metering only requires the smallest of movements and you are reading from a different point which could be vastly different.

[fdormoy]

I dont understand what d you mean.  Highly confusing.  Can you develop your point?

[Merco_61]

If you use Matrix metering, even a slight reframing can make the meter identify the scene differently and apply another correction. This can change the exposure significantly. I think that Liveview always uses matrix metering off the sensor. If the camera is set to one of the non-evaluative metering modes, you have to apply correction for light or dark backgrounds yourself as the meter "thinks" everything is neutral grey.

[dcbear78]

I actually find matrix metering the most forgiving and the one least likely to give variable results. The only thing that could possibly change that is if you happen to include a major new light source in your frame when re-framing. Otherwise when taking a photo with a subject, left, right or centre of frame the reading will be the near enough to the same each time.

[TBonz]

The point being that if the camera was not perfectly still on a tripod with no change in available light and no change other than switching to live view between the tests, they may both have been correct.  This is because you may have been metering a different light even though very little visibly changed.  I have had similar happen with AutoISO with multiple images through the viewfinder because of a fairly minor shift in light or direction, causing the meter to read a different part of the frame.  

[fdormoy]

What metering mode were you in when using the viewfinder? Was the camera on a tripod or did you reframe slightly between shots? Matrix sometimes misidentifies the situation and applies the wrong correction. The custom settings apply to both as far as I know.

I was in Speed priority mode with no tripod.

In both cases same speed and aperture between using vewfider and unsing liveview.  The only thing which changed was the ISO setting which was in mode Auto

[TBonz]

The other thing which changed was that the camera moved.  Thus, the camera's light meter was pointing at a different part of the "scene".  Even a very small change that you might not even recognize as "different" could cause that change.  

[Roundabout]

I have had the same experience. This is an issue with a few full frame Nikon dslr’s ive owned. It’s always off a bit, between live view and viewfinder metering.
I’m not sure if that is also an issue with Canon.
On tripod static lighting. No new light sources. No movement, not even an ant crawling across the frame. I’m sure someone will try to make it seem like the camera has no faults. Or mention something obtuse.

[Nikon Shooter]

When using LV, I make sure to close the eye piece. HTH!