What To Know
- Live View, as its name suggests, allows you to see exactly what your camera lens is capturing on the LCD screen, eliminating the need to look through the viewfinder.
- The “DISP” button allows you to toggle between different display modes, including a full-screen view of the live image, a view with exposure information, and a view with the histogram.
- The D700’s Live View mode offers a zoom feature that magnifies the image on the LCD screen, allowing you to fine-tune focus and composition.
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your Nikon D700? Live View mode is a powerful tool that can enhance your photography, especially in situations where traditional viewfinder shooting falls short. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to use live view on Nikon D700, from the basics to advanced techniques.
Understanding Live View: A Revolution in Photography
Live View, as its name suggests, allows you to see exactly what your camera lens is capturing on the LCD screen, eliminating the need to look through the viewfinder. This feature revolutionized photography by offering several key advantages:
- Precise Composition: Live View provides a clear, magnified view of your subject, making it easier to fine-tune composition, especially for macro photography or when working with intricate details.
- Shooting from Unconventional Angles: With Live View, you can shoot from low angles, high angles, or even over crowds, opening up new creative possibilities.
- Enhanced Focus Control: Live View offers various focus modes, including manual focus, auto-focus, and even face detection, giving you greater control over your images.
- Live Histogram and Exposure Information: The LCD screen displays crucial information, such as the histogram and exposure settings, allowing you to make adjustments in real-time.
Activating Live View on Your Nikon D700
Activating Live View on your Nikon D700 is simple:
1. Switch the Camera to Live View Mode: Locate the “Live View” button on the back of your camera, usually near the LCD screen. Press it once to activate Live View mode. You’ll see the image from your lens appear on the LCD.
2. Adjust the LCD Brightness: Use the “DISP” button to adjust the LCD brightness to suit your shooting environment.
3. Choose Your Focus Mode: The D700 offers various focus modes in Live View. You can switch between them using the “AF-L” button or the multi-selector.
Navigating the Live View Interface
Once Live View is active, you’ll see a variety of information displayed on the LCD screen. Here’s a breakdown:
- Live Image: The main portion of the screen displays the live image from your lens.
- Exposure Information: This includes aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation.
- Histogram: A graphical representation of the brightness distribution in your image, helping you assess exposure.
- Focus Points: When using auto-focus, the active focus points will be highlighted on the screen.
- Menu Options: You can access various settings and features through the Live View menu, which is accessed by pressing the “MENU” button.
Focusing in Live View Mode
The D700 offers several focusing options in Live View:
- Contrast Detect Auto-Focus: This is the default focus mode in Live View. The camera analyzes the contrast in the image to determine the focus point. It’s generally slower than phase-detection autofocus, but it’s reliable in most situations.
- Manual Focus: For precise control over focus, you can switch to manual focus mode. Use the focus ring on your lens to adjust the focus. The camera’s LCD screen will display a magnified view of your subject to help you fine-tune focus.
- Face Detection: The D700’s face detection feature automatically detects faces in the scene and focuses on them. This is particularly helpful for portrait photography.
Shooting in Live View Mode
Once you’ve composed your shot and set your focus, you’re ready to capture the image. Here’s how to shoot in Live View:
1. Use the Shutter Release Button: Press the shutter button halfway to activate autofocus and lock the exposure. Press the shutter button fully to take the picture.
2. Use the “MENU” Button: You can access various shooting settings and features through the Live View menu, such as white balance, picture styles, and metering modes.
3. Use the “DISP” Button: The “DISP” button allows you to toggle between different display modes, including a full-screen view of the live image, a view with exposure information, and a view with the histogram.
Mastering Live View Techniques
Here are some advanced techniques to elevate your Live View photography:
- Using the Zoom Feature: The D700’s Live View mode offers a zoom feature that magnifies the image on the LCD screen, allowing you to fine-tune focus and composition.
- Using the “AF-L” Button: The “AF-L” button allows you to lock focus on a specific subject while recomposing your shot. This is useful for situations where you want to maintain focus on your subject even as you change the composition.
- Using the “MENU” Button: The Live View menu offers various settings and features, including:
- Live View Display Options: Customize the information displayed on the LCD screen.
- Focus Modes: Switch between different focus modes, including contrast detect autofocus, manual focus, and face detection.
- White Balance: Adjust the white balance to correct for different lighting conditions.
- Picture Styles: Apply different picture styles to your images, such as Vivid, Neutral, or Monochrome.
- Metering Modes: Choose the metering mode that best suits your shooting situation.
Beyond the Basics: Expanding Your Creative Horizons
Live View on your Nikon D700 isn’t just about convenience; it’s a powerful tool for creative exploration. Here are some ways to utilize Live View to enhance your photography:
- Time-Lapse Photography: Live View allows you to create stunning time-lapse videos by capturing a series of images at regular intervals. The D700’s intervalometer feature makes this process easier than ever.
- Bulb Photography: For long exposures, Live View allows you to monitor the image as it’s being captured, giving you greater control over the exposure.
- Macro Photography: Live View’s magnified view is ideal for macro photography, allowing you to precisely focus on tiny subjects and capture intricate details.
- Astrophotography: The D700’s Live View mode, combined with a long exposure, allows you to capture stunning images of the night sky, including the Milky Way.
The Future of Photography: Embracing Live View
As technology continues to evolve, Live View will play an increasingly important role in photography. With features like electronic viewfinders, advanced focus modes, and real-time image processing, Live View is transforming the way we capture images. By mastering Live View on your Nikon D700, you’re not just learning a new technique; you’re embracing the future of photography.
A New Era of Photography: Embracing the Future
Live View has revolutionized photography, offering a more intuitive and versatile way to capture images. By mastering Live View on your Nikon D700, you’re not just learning a new technique; you’re embracing the future of photography. It’s a tool that empowers you to explore new creative possibilities, capture stunning images, and push the boundaries of your photographic vision.
Basics You Wanted To Know
1. Is Live View better than using the viewfinder on the Nikon D700?
Live View is not necessarily better or worse than using the viewfinder. It depends on your shooting situation and personal preference. Live View is ideal for precise composition, shooting from unconventional angles, and utilizing advanced focusing options. The viewfinder is still preferred for fast action photography and situations where you need to react quickly.
2. How do I disable Live View on my Nikon D700?
To disable Live View, simply press the “Live View” button again. The camera will switch back to viewfinder mode.
3. Why is Live View sometimes slow on my Nikon D700?
Live View can be slower than using the viewfinder due to the way the camera processes the image. This is especially noticeable in low-light conditions or when using high ISO settings. To improve performance, try reducing the ISO setting or using a faster lens.
4. Can I use Live View with a remote shutter release?
Yes, you can use a remote shutter release with Live View. However, you’ll need to make sure that your remote shutter release is compatible with your Nikon D700.
5. What are the drawbacks of using Live View on the Nikon D700?
The main drawbacks of Live View are:
- Slower autofocus: Contrast detect autofocus in Live View is generally slower than phase-detection autofocus in viewfinder mode.
- Battery drain: Using Live View can drain the camera battery faster than using the viewfinder.
- Image lag: There can be a slight delay between what you see on the LCD screen and what the camera actually captures.
