jim_service

<p>in the past it was 100% of the time, and i would prefer it were still so, with a couple exceptions (eg. auto racing, birds in flight etc.). but i feel that my 5d2 viewfinder is its major shortcoming and it is very difficult to do critical focusing with it.<br>

yes, live view is a solution but it is awkward, hard to see in the sun, and too slow for quick action and grab shots.<br>

for an example of a good viewfinder, find a nikon n90s and look through it. it's like standing at a picture window.</p>

<p>i'm in agreement with the previous examples and add that for me, i always use it whenever i am in spot metering.<br>

meter the critical item in the image, set your f and s, and blast away without regard to changes to background brightness, the subjects position in the frame, or the subjects changing size relative to the frame.<br>

and, wow, do i ever love the user settings (c1, c2, c3). i have been yearning for this for many years. c1 is set for Av with evaluative metering and c2 is set for M with spot metering. that's all i ever shoot, and sometimes i'm back and forth with every other shot. i don't even need c3. it's for sale if anyone is interested.</p>

<p>this has been an intresting thread and i am pleased it hasn't turned into a flame war. our choises and reasons are informative. if the guy next to me wants to use his camera differently, then except for my own curiosity, it is no business of mine to tell him to change.<br>

i would be intrested in a P-composition mode, where it analyses the image i'm trying to take and if it is ugly and stupid, a little door opens and a hand comes out and slaps me.</p>

<p>90% AV with evaluative metering<br>

10% M with spot for tricky lighting situations<br>

I cannot remember ever having taken a shot in P mode, even out of curiosity.<br>

My first SLR was a shiny new Spotmatic, with the Asahi scratched out. It did not have P. When P showed up on my next camera, I never felt the need to use it.<br>

In my opinion, getting what I want in an image is determined by whether my priority is either* the freezing/blurring of action or control over depth of field. It's just that straightforward a decision, then lighten or darken to taste.<br>

To me it seems that using the Program modes entails these same decisions, then re-interpreting that choice-set into which program mode (little icon of jagged mountain? girl with windblown hair?) would, or might, get that effect. It is a step removed from my control of the camera, and a very abstract step at that. Ymmv.<br>

*And now, with a shot by shot adjustment of the DIN, we can have both, or a continuum of choice of how much of either. It's a brave new world.</p>

<p>I just put it in with the rest of the wash. Except for jeans, because of the metal zippers. Then, if i need it right away, I'll wrap it in a thick sock and put it in the dryer. Seriously. The first time you use it after this, you won't believe the difference.</p>

<p>update and resolution (for me at least)<br>

after again going over the specs, i find that this item supports mp4 h.264 1920x1080p only up to 24 fps, not 30. 1080i will go to 30.<br>

also, after looking through the wd community bulletin board..<br>

http://community.wdc.com/t5/General-Discussions/bd-p/tv_live<br>

i get the feeling this product is a real dog. as they say on the street, "next!"<br>

i'm hoping a few out there found this informative.</p>

<p>bill<br>

of course i am aware of that, but using my camera to play videos on a tv, both at my home and away, doesn't strike me as the best way to go.<br>

yes, my laptop has an hdmi output, but placement and control also makes that setup awkward, imho, especially if i'm bringing the setup to a friends home.<br>

i'm intrigued with the tv live because it is an appliance, there's no booting up and logging on, it's not delicate, if you drop it, it probably would not break - there's no hard drive or delicate mechanicals or optics inside, and it has a remote control. it and a big thumb drive and you're good to go. it's simple, rugged, compact and portable.<br>

and, again, the $2 question is, will it play the files from a 5dII?</p>

<p>greetings all.<br>

i have a 5dII and would like to get the hd video to an HD TV in an uncomplicated and portable way, both for my home and bringing it to friends homes.<br>

the western digital tv live seems to be ideal for this.<br>

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=735<br>

this is a newish item in the digital marketplace and doesn't even have a generic name for it yet. it is sometimes referred to as a "media player" or a "media streamer" or "video streamer". several other manufacturers also make them.<br>

the tv live supports both .mov and h.264, but often times the fine print also has invisible ink. i hate to throw money at this and not have it work. does someone else have this item and use it with the native files from the 5dII?<br>

by the way, i brought this camera to bonneville speedweek last august and had a great time.<br>

thanks.</p>