Anyone got advise on how to use "Mirror-lock" feature in Canon DSLR?

[tecko75]

Hi,

Was chatting with one friend and discussed about using Mirror-Lock feature on Canon DSLR to eliminate microvibration caused by flipping of mirror in the body that may cause blurr images, esp during night shoot.:think:

Anyone got experience to share? I tried a couple of times and doesn't seems to get the hang on how to correctly use it.:dunno:

Hope that bros/sistas out there can share.

 

[Octarine]

Found your manual? What is stated there?

 

[Anson]

It is used to reduce vibration & "noise" (good for macro shooting).

 

[ronnyminhtike]

I usually use this function with 2 seconds timer at night shoot. if you don't use cable release you should use with timer.Do correct if i was worng?[/I]

 

[epalite]

Guess you have to put your cam into manual focus, flip the mirror, either use the timer or a cable release to shoot. Then release the mirror.

If you have a very firm tripod, the vibration should be minimal.

 

[Octarine]

Guess you have to put your cam into manual focus, [...]

Not necessary. AF will work es well.

 

[denniskee]

Anyone got experience to share? I tried a couple of times and doesn't seems to get the hang on how to correctly use it.:dunno:

i dont understand what do u mean.

1) r u saying u dont know how to activate the MLU function in ur camera, if this is the case, pls rtfm.

2) if it is not (1), than pls elaborate on the problem u faced, best with photos to show us what u mean.

 

[tecko75]

Thanks for all the replies and advise.

Sorry to those who feels that my qn sounds too shallow. I am a new user DSLR so still trying out many stuff.

To dennis,

Specifics to my problem is more of ur point 2: I know how to activate MLU, but not sure how it will react. Cos seems like need to depress twice so that mirror will flip back. If I just depress once, mirror will remain flipped up, and shutter will expose (with a little delay). but will it remain exposed for as long as the mirror is flipped (i.e. if I do not depress a 2nd time to flip mirror down)?

As for more elaboration, attached 2 sample image taken without ML and with ML (but not familiar with it tat's Y blurred the whole image).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413060923/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413062213/in/photostream/

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413060923/" title="IMG_1796 by &#38463;&#21191;&#33285;&#33285;, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3413060923_b10784559e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_1796" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413062213/" title="IMG_1799 by &#38463;&#21191;&#33285;&#33285;, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3413062213_684f582d51.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_1799" /></a>

 

[Octarine]

Specifics to my problem is more of ur point 2: I know how to activate MLU, but not sure how it will react. Cos seems like need to depress twice so that mirror will flip back. If I just depress once, mirror will remain flipped up, and shutter will expose (with a little delay). but will it remain exposed for as long as the mirror is flipped (i.e. if I do not depress a 2nd time to flip mirror down)?

Again: what is stated in your manual? We can guess till the cow comes home but first: which camera are you using? Which point of the explanation in the manual you don't understand?
Example for Canon 450D (manual, page 94): Enable MLU feature in CFn, press shutter once to flip up the mirror. Then press a second time to expose. Exposure time depends on camera settings. After the exposure is finished the mirror flips down again.
It is highly recommended to use remote shutter triggers (wired, Infrared) since your pressing on the shutter button will cause camera movement. And tripod is compulsory. No point discussing vibrations from a flip up mirror if the camera is not mounted on a tripod.

 

[denniskee]

Thanks for all the replies and advise.

Sorry to those who feels that my qn sounds too shallow. I am a new user DSLR so still trying out many stuff.

To dennis,

Specifics to my problem is more of ur point 2: I know how to activate MLU, but not sure how it will react. Cos seems like need to depress twice so that mirror will flip back. If I just depress once, mirror will remain flipped up, and shutter will expose (with a little delay). but will it remain exposed for as long as the mirror is flipped (i.e. if I do not depress a 2nd time to flip mirror down)?

As for more elaboration, attached 2 sample image taken without ML and with ML (but not familiar with it tat's Y blurred the whole image).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413060923/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413062213/in/photostream/

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413060923/" title="IMG_1796 by &#38463;&#21191;&#33285;&#33285;, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3413060923_b10784559e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_1796" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubba_gump_dinner/3413062213/" title="IMG_1799 by &#38463;&#21191;&#33285;&#33285;, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3413062213_684f582d51.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_1799" /></a>

using MLU with timer
1) set drive mode to timer mode
2) activate MLU
3) fire the shutter
4) MLU
5) after pre-set timer (some camera can set 2sec or 10sec iirc, some fix 2sec), shutter curtain opens
6) after the set shutter speed, curtain auto closes, mirror returns and shot taken

using MLU w/o timer, best use with cable release or wireless remote
1) activate MLU
2) press shutter button once, MLU
3) press button 2nd time, curtain opens
4) after the set shutter speed, curtain auto closes, mirror returns and shot taken.

for above 2 cases, best gear mounted on tripod (correctly sized tripod and correct use of it is very important) and the view finder capped with the cap supplied on ur camera sling.