 Jordan |
MLU I've heard alot about the importance of using mirror lock-up for macro photography. My camera (Canon GII) does not have this option and I am interested in getting some good macro shots (1:1). Could someone maybe show an example of when MLU was used and then when it wasn't so I could see the difference between the two and how important it is? Any response is greatly appreciated. Jordan
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Bob Cammarata |
Camera movement caused by "mirror slap", is most prevalent at @ 1/15 sec. Many experts agree that at that speed, the camera "moves" during the entire exposure. If you don't have mirror lock-up capability,..(or a self-timer), shoot around this shutter speed as much as you can. A faster speed will minimize the effect, but will cost you depth of field. By using longer shutter speeds, the effective vibration is also minimized, as it allows time for the movement to dissipate,...literally "painting" the image onto the film. The good news is that,...unless you're really fussy, you probably won't notice much difference if you have a sturdy tripod and sharp lenses.
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Jordan |
Hi Bob Thank you very much for the quick and helpful response. When you said "If you don't have mirror lock-up capability,..(or a self-timer), shoot around this shutter speed as much as you can" did you mean that if you use a self-timer, there is no problem of the vibration? Does that mode slap the mirror before the exposure?
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Bob Cammarata |
A self-timer flips up the mirror before the shutter trips. (I didn't think your camera had a timer.)
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Jordan |
My camera has a self-timer, but not a MLU. Are you just referring to the MLU as a timer? If they are different features then since I have the self-timer, couldn't I just use that and get the same results as if I had a MLU? Thanks again Jordan
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Jon Close |
On the Rebel G II the self-timer works no differently than normally pressing the shutter button. The mirror flips up an instant before the shutter opens. When taking macro and extreme telephoto and you don't have a remote shutter release (cable or wireless) then the use of the self-timer would be preferred over pressing the shutter button on the camera to avoid camera shake. But it is not the same as MLU. In Canon EOS bodies that have it, the MLU feature uses the self-timer, but flips the mirror up 2-3 seconds before opening the shutter to allow time for the vibrations to dissipate. As already noted, the effect of the "mirror slap" is limited to a small range of shutter speeds in combination with extreme macro/telephoto lens, and will probably not be apparent unless you are making very very large prints or slide projections. It is also less of a problem in modern SLRs since the mirrors are smaller, lighter, and better damped. Because of that most Nikons don't even bother offering MLU, and MLU originally appeared not to mitigate "mirror slap" but simply to flip the mirror out of the way so as to allow mounting extreme wide-angle and fisheye lenses that extended back into the camera body.
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Jon Close |
P.S. My statement about Canon EOS bodies and MLU being combined with the self-timer is correct only for the consumer bodies (eg. Elan). On the pro-level bodies (EOS 1v or 3) the feature is manual and the first press of the shutter button locks the mirror up, and the shutter doesn't open until the user presses the shutter (on body or remote) a second time.
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Jordan |
Thanks very much Jon and Bob. Your responses were very helpful! Jordan
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