Always surprised- field vs. office

[tdtaylor]

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I have to say, after year and 4 months, I am still not use to the disparity between what I occasionally view in the field on the LCD and what I later see on my large computer screen.

 

Obviously I know it will turn out better than I see in the field. And I don't chimp the pictures frequently; rather, I do frequently check the exposure histogram.

 

While I am one who would expect a better quality LCD, even just matching my P & S, I can live with it. I just don't understand why I have trouble mentally getting by this disparity. This angst finally came to my immediate attention when I was doing candids at a rowing event this last weekend, the light was horrid and it was lightly raining (won't bring up weather protection ). While the histograms were solid, the image looked as horrid as the weather. Of course, when I got home, they were quite usable- not great, but in consideration of the conditions, did as well or better than my Nikon picts.

 

At times, reading this blog, I feel I am one of the only ones that is having issues getting by this disparity. Maybe therapy is in order......that would maker this a really, really expensive camera Am I alone?

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[pico]

I have to say, after year and 4 months, I am still not use to the disparity between what I occasionally view in the field on the LCD and what I later see on my large computer screen.]/QUOTE]

 

Give it four more months - or until you understand the concept of scale.

[tdtaylor]

I have to say, after year and 4 months, I am still not use to the disparity between what I occasionally view in the field on the LCD and what I later see on my large computer screen.]/QUOTE]

 

Give it four more months - or until you understand the concept of scale.

 

At this point, I may be hopeless. My mind knows better, but my heart..... I am an Architect and an Engineer (Masters in both), so scale is not an issue . My problem probably is I use my D3 and D700 in conjunction with using my M9 (I now use my M9 60+% of the time), and that Nikon screen is so sexy at 920k pixels....

[k-hawinkler]

Hi Terry,

 

I have the same observations and scale isn't an issue for me either.

 

I use mostly the Leica M9 and Nikon D3 with dual use older Leitz glass. As you stated, the D3 LCD is far superior.

The problem I have with the M9 screen is that in the field a lot of reflected light - no matter how I hold the M9 -

considerably lowers the contrast of the displayed images and sometimes makes them barely visible.

Of course, even when zooming in I miss a lot of details that I notice on my 30" computer display immediately.

 

Another for me interesting observation. During the last couple of days I was using an expertly cleaned and perfectly

adjusted Visoflex III with a 400/5.6 Telyt. The Visoflex III Viewfinder gives such an astonishingly clear view through

this old lens and certainly matches the view I get through the D3 Viewfinder in detail and clarity. Simply amazing!

Of course, the D3 has electronic focus confirmation, the M9 doesn't. A sort of important distinction.

 

Mounting the big lens on a tripod right at the bottom of the Televit grip results in an extremely well balanced weight

distribution that makes precise repositioning of the ball head so easy. There simply is no excessive weight pulling

down on one side or the other. I thought you as an architect might get a chuckle out of that.

 

Best, K-H.

[Jeff S]

Not sure what the issue is, Terry, if you really don't chimp. I don't pay any attention to the LCD when I'm out and about except for an occasional histogram check or to set ISO or, more rarely, white balance.

 

After many decades with film Ms and other film cameras, and doing my own darkroom work, the print is the only image I care about. By now, I trust what I see in the field, and find no joy, or use, in looking at an LCD image. And during my 2 years now dealing with an all digital workflow (with M8.2s), I don't put much value in the computer display either, except as a means to the end print.

 

Do yourself a favor and stop worrying about the LCD. The worse the LCD image is, the more easily you should be able to adopt this philosophy.

 

Jeff

[ho_co]

Think of the LCD as Leica's homage to the film camera, where we never knew what we had till we got the film processed: We still don't.

[menos I M6]

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Terry, you ought to have some film shooting time and quickly you will forget about the LCD entirely.

 

Believe me, even top of the line camera's LCDs are straight useless, to inspect image quality, colors, contrast, brightness, etc…

I am a believer in going backwards, implementing a simple 2" display, to navigate simple menus and settings + a well made RAW file histogram.

I don't need or want 3" + super highres LCDs on the back of a digital camera, taking control real estate and forcing designers, to implement microscopic rear controls in awkward places, as the LCD get's bigger than the camera body.

 

Of course, the image looks better printed, than on the tiny camera screen - that's supposed to be like that ;-)

[tdtaylor]

Terry, you ought to have some film shooting time and quickly you will forget about the LCD entirely.

 

Believe me, even top of the line camera's LCDs are straight useless, to inspect image quality, colors, contrast, brightness, etc…

I am a believer in going backwards, implementing a simple 2" display, to navigate simple menus and settings + a well made RAW file histogram.

I don't need or want 3" + super highres LCDs on the back of a digital camera, taking control real estate and forcing designers, to implement microscopic rear controls in awkward places, as the LCD get's bigger than the camera body.

 

Of course, the image looks better printed, than on the tiny camera screen - that's supposed to be like that ;-)

 

I believe you have a lot of truth in your statement. I shot a lot of film for many decades, and didn't worry about it (by the way, worry is a strong word for this situation- I actually find it amusing). Haven't shot film since the D200 came out.

 

While I don't chimp much, it is often with events with people moving, and I will check for composition. And that is when I get drawn into looking at the quality. You may have something with a smaller display- I wouldn't subconsciously expect more. As a famous Architect said, "less is more." It may just also apply to LCDs . And it would have the benefit of saving battery power.....

[menos I M6]

Terry, it is natural to us, that when there is some help, we will use it, no matter, if this "help" is actually helping us in all situations or distracting in some, more getting in the way, than fulfilling it's purpose.

 

If digital cameras do have a display, we will use it. A first step, to get yourself, not using it too much with a digital M, is to switch automatic image review off.

The M8 and M9 are so dog slow, to press buttons and display an image, that soon enough, you will be done with doing this on a regular basis ;-)

 

I still use the LCD on the back of my M8.2 … occasionally, that is. If I just go out and shoot, I treat the M8.2 like a film body - it feels soo much better … free than being nailed to that darn screen - battery life is also excellent without using it - I never can complain about.

[tdtaylor]

Terry, it is natural to us, that when there is some help, we will use it, no matter, if this "help" is actually helping us in all situations or distracting in some, more getting in the way, than fulfilling it's purpose.

 

If digital cameras do have a display, we will use it. A first step, to get yourself, not using it too much with a digital M, is to switch automatic image review off.

The M8 and M9 are so dog slow, to press buttons and display an image, that soon enough, you will be done with doing this on a regular basis ;-)

 

I still use the LCD on the back of my M8.2 … occasionally, that is. If I just go out and shoot, I treat the M8.2 like a film body - it feels soo much better … free than being nailed to that darn screen - battery life is also excellent without using it - I never can complain about.

 

You are quite correct. It is natural. I actually do have it switched off. In reality, I usually just check the LCD at the beginning of a sequence for exposure.

 

I have the preview set up so if I hold the shutter button, the picture comes up with the histogram overlaid. What I which is that it could come up with just the histogram, much like I can do with my Nikons. That way I would not get the photo and just info I am looking for.

 

Of course, this whole issue is relatively minor IMO. I find some irony in that many clamor for a better LCD- that was not really my intent on starting this thread. You hit it above- I find the situation interesting that when provided the information, in this case a picture on the LCD, it can be difficult to not utilize it, even when I consciously know it is not accurate. Architects study human nature and habits- guess that is why I am intrigued by it.