If you’re using a DSLR camera you aren’t photographing what you’re seeing through the viewfinder. Two days ago that phenomenon was responsible for me photographing a magpie that I had no clue I’d photographed.
Here’s the deal.
A magpie with a twig in its beak that was intended as nesting material had just landed on a bush near the nest. Immediately after landing it dropped the twig onto the dense bush in order to get a better hold on it before flying with it to the nest. I took a single photo (not part of a burst) as it was picking the twig back up.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This is that photo. When I took this shot I didn’t even see the photobombing magpie in flight in the foreground (who also has nesting material in its bill) through my viewfinder. I had no idea I’d photographed the photobomber until I got home and looked at my images on my computer.
So, why couldn’t I see that rascal?
With DSLR’s we’re actually looking through the lens when we’re looking through the viewfinder. Most of the time an angled mirror reflects the image upward to the viewfinder so we can see what we’re about to photograph. But for an instant when we push the shutter button the mirror must be moved out of the way to allow the light to pass through the shutter and onto the image sensor. While the mirror is in that “taking position” the viewfinder is dark creating a brief phenomenon called “viewfinder blackout”.
So we can’t actually see what we’re photographing at the instant the photo is taken.
That’s what happened here. In the instant the photo was taken my mirror had moved out of the way so the light could pass through the shutter and reach the image sensor so my viewfinder was blacked out and I couldn’t see the photobomber. By the time my mirror returned to its normal position the fast-flying magpie was out of my field of view.
One of the most famous acronyms in the digital world is WYSIWYG (pronounced “wiz-ee-wig”), standing for “what you see is what you get”.
But in DSLR photography what you see is what you don’t get because that damn mirror has to move out of position while the photo is being taken.
Ron
Notes:
- I actually knew the photobombing magpie was in the area because I’d seen it flying in my direction with my naked eye. But I had no clue I’d taken its picture.
- Canon engineers have significantly reduced viewfinder blackout on their recently released 1Dx Mark III which is one of many reasons I’m lusting after that gobsmackingly expensive camera.
- In the new 1Dx Mark III for example the burst rate in DSLR mode (rather than “mirrorless” mode) is 16 frames per second. Imagine the engineering involved to get all those intricate parts moving that fast and functioning properly in a coordinated fashion.
When I got my new Canon DSLR, I bought a book to go with it. When I came across the two pages devoted to ‘mirror lockup’ I had no idea what the author was talking about. As soon as I read this post, I had my “Ah, ha!” moment. Your explanation’s so perfectly clear — thanks for including it.
Out of curiosity, what is it about the mirrorless cameras that doesn’t appeal to you, or that doesn’t suit your needs? I have several friends and acquaintances who’ve moved to mirrorless, and I haven’t been able to figure out the advantages.
Shoreacres, If I was just starting out in bird photography I might go with mirrorless. But at this point I’m far too deeply invested financially in lenses that I love to switch. And I absolutely refuse to use adapters for a variety of reasons.
That makes sense. Appreciate the reply.
And I appreciate the first part of your comment that I didn’t mention in my reply. I should have. Explaining things well is important to me so I love knowing when I’ve succeeded (I don’t always). That’s something I can’t judge – only readers can, so thank you.
You give such clear explanations. I learn so much from your posts. Thank you.
“You give such clear explanations”
That means a lot to this old teacher, Phoebe.
I work hard at trying to explain clearly and logically but even so when I’m blogging it’s hard for me to tell if I’ve done a good job of it. In the classroom it was usually instantly obvious if I wasn’t making any sense, just from the feedback from the kids. Here, not so much…
Sony A9, Mirrorless camera.
Gloat gloat.
Mirrorless isn’t for me…
No camera commentary from me, but I am chuckling because that is SUCH a Magpie thing to do! 😀
I hadn’t thought about it but you’re absolutely right, Marty!
Echoing Marty. And Phoebe.
Thanks, EC.
I’ve used “mirror lockup” and the timer on my Nikon when taking macro’s of stationary flowers to avoid the shake when the mirror flips up. Never occurred to me the mirror could be an issue with moving objects. I guess mirrorless solves both problems despite its other limitations. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
On another note, the save my name, email option works on my Mac laptop but not the iPhone. No biggie, just thought you might want to know.
“Damned if you do and damned if you don’t”
That’s it exactly, Lyle. Can’t win for losing.
Just saying Ron, lack of mirror blackout is one of the nice features of the Sony a9. There is none. I am sure there are other mirrorless cameras that also have the same feature.
Yup, that’s one of the advantages of mirrorless but mirrorless isn’t for me, at least not now. The 1Dx Mark III actually has a “mirrorless” mode with a burst rate of 20 frames/sec but you have to be using the screen rather than the viewfinder (which I would hate). Compromises…
That is really interesting Ron. I use a Canon SX70 “bridge camera” and of course have never experienced that. While out seeking photo ops I have a number of birding friends who use equipment similar to yours – I will have to ask them if they have often experienced this. Probably would have been a good photo had that not happened.
Thanks, Everett. Glad you found it interesting even if it doesn’t affect you.
“Intellectually” I’ve known about the mirror but never would have imagined possible consequences of that! :O That would have been a “huh!??” for me! Always something new to learn…… 🙂 Interesting effect in the photo tho…… 😉
Judy, because birds are so damned fast shutter blackout is particularly frustrating for bird photographers, especially when shooting a burst.
Very interesting. I have had a few photos as such but never realized what happened. I just thought I was ‘slow on the draw’ so to say. Thanks for the explanation…reason I’m here everyday…lessons from the teacher! 🙂
And I’m glad you’re here, Kathy. Thanks.