Same picture - different shutter speeds live view vs. viewfinder?

Joyce Keay · 07-22-2017, 11:58 AM

Hi, Silly question probably. I was having some focus issues but I think I've got them straightened out. I went out in the back yard to do some test shots and discovered something weird. I don't know if this is typical. I'm using a K-70 with an 18-135 lens. I took two pictures from the same spot. Shooting live view the meter showed that 1/25 at f/5.6 was correct. When I switched to viewfinder the meter showed that I should be shooting at 1/60 at f5.6. When I looked at them in Bridge they looked identical. I never noticed this difference before. Is that normal? Thanks. Joyce Keay

**BigMackCam** · 07-22-2017, 12:02 PM

Was the camera mounted on a tripod, and do you know for sure that the lighting remained absolutely constant? Just a slight movement of the camera between the two shots could result in the metering reading from different areas of the scene, and a very slight change in light (the slightest wisp of a cloud passing over the sun, for example) could be more than enough to account for the difference in shutter speed...

**pentageek** · 07-22-2017, 12:32 PM

I agree with BigMackCam - you need controlled environment to determine whether something is wrong with light meter in your camera. The difference of 1,3 EV you mentioned is pretty small, so it could have been caused by change in natural light and/or slight change of position of the camera.

stevebrot · 07-22-2017, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by Joyce Keay

Shooting live view the meter showed that 1/25 at f/5.6 was correct. When I switched to viewfinder the meter showed that I should be shooting at 1/60 at f5.6.

That is not unusual. The two views use two different metering systems. Both are evaluative, but the scene interpretations do not always result in the same numbers. In your case, the two are a full stop different for that photo. Normally, a full stop difference should result in obvious difference in brightness (2x). I am not familiar enough with Bridge to know whether or not there is a setting to optimize (shift histogram) on import, though something like that might explain the identical appearance.

Steve

Joyce Keay · 07-22-2017, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Was the camera mounted on a tripod, and do you know for sure that the lighting remained absolutely constant? Just a slight movement of the camera between the two shots could result in the metering reading from different areas of the scene, and a very slight change in light (the slightest wisp of a cloud passing over the sun, for example) could be more than enough to account for the difference in shutter speed...

Hi, Thanks for your replies Pentageek and BigMackCam. The camera was not on a tripod. The two shots were taken probably within 30 seconds of each other. I took a bunch of other shots the same way with basically the same results. The sky is kind of overcast and I don't think it changed between shots. Maybe I should get into the habit of taking two shots of each subject - one in LV and one from the viewfinder. Joyce Keay

stevebrot · 07-22-2017, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by pentageek

The difference of 1,3 EV you mentioned is pretty small

1.3 EV is more than twice as much light to the sensor and a significant difference, though not particularly unusual for live view vs. viewfinder measurements. I don't believe there is reason to believe there is a problem with the camera.

Steve

stevebrot · 07-22-2017, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by Joyce Keay

Maybe I should get into the habit of taking two shots of each subject - one in LV and one from the viewfinder. Joyce Keay

If you wish to put your mind at ease, you can do comparison readings of a evenly-lit blank wall (suggest indirect daylight) in Av mode. The two systems should return the same or very similar shutter speeds.

Steve

**BigMackCam** · 07-22-2017, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by Joyce Keay

Hi, Thanks for your replies Pentageek and BigMackCam. The camera was not on a tripod. The two shots were taken probably within 30 seconds of each other. I took a bunch of other shots the same way with basically the same results. The sky is kind of overcast and I don't think it changed between shots. Maybe I should get into the habit of taking two shots of each subject - one in LV and one from the viewfinder. Joyce Keay

A sure-fire test, Joyce, would be to take a shot indoors in a room with the curtains closed and the lights on, with the camera on a tripod so that it's fixed on the same point. That way, you can keep the lighting and metering constant - and you'll know for sure if there's a difference in metering between the two modes

**pentageek** · 07-22-2017, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

1.3 EV is more than twice as much light

You are absolutely right, and I should have made myself clearer. I meant that in high-contrast scene even minimal movement of the camera can significantly affect readout of light meter.

MrB1 · 07-22-2017, 03:46 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Joyce Keay

Shooting live view the meter showed that 1/25 at f/5.6 was correct. When I switched to viewfinder the meter showed that I should be shooting at 1/60 at f5.6. When I looked at them in Bridge they looked identical.

It seems odd that the images looked identical, unless the scene brightness had actually changed between shots - similarly to a camera's auto exposure, our vision adjusts for changes in brightness so we might not notice the change. Or perhaps the ISO value changed - was the camera set to Auto ISO? Changing focal length (i.e. zooming in or out) can also change shutter speed in an auto mode.

Philip

pschlute · 07-22-2017, 03:51 PM - **1 Like**

Did you have your eye pressed to the viewfinder when taking the shot/looking at the exposure? Strong light from behind you , if it shines on the viewfinder can affect the meter reading in non-live view exposures.

**mattt** · 07-22-2017, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Did you have your eye pressed to the viewfinder when taking the shot/looking at the exposure? Strong light from behind you , if it shines on the viewfinder can affect the meter reading in non-live view exposures.

This - especially noticable doing daytime long exposures.

**RKKS08** · 07-23-2017, 01:21 AM

Originally posted by mattt

This - especially noticable doing daytime long exposures.

And it would fit to the fact that the camera suggested a shorter exposure time for the metering without LV.

**pentageek** · 07-23-2017, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

if it shines on the viewfinder can affect the meter reading in non-live view exposures.

I do not think this was the case - with the light coming through viewfinder (and fooling the light meter), the exposure at 1/60 would be too short. Yet both pictures are identical what suggests change in lighting conditions / position of the camera / ISO.

normhead · 07-23-2017, 05:55 AM

I have tried doing controlled tests in the backyard before with various lenses. The light changes, minute to minute can be significant, even on a bright day, Whether or not a gradual 1.3 EV change over say a minute would be discernible to the eye is debatable. I doubt it would be.

07-22-2017, 11:58 AM	#1
Joyce Keay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 123	Same picture - different shutter speeds live view vs. viewfinder? Hi, Silly question probably. I was having some focus issues but I think I've got them straightened out. I went out in the back yard to do some test shots and discovered something weird. I don't know if this is typical. I'm using a K-70 with an 18-135 lens. I took two pictures from the same spot. Shooting live view the meter showed that 1/25 at f/5.6 was correct. When I switched to viewfinder the meter showed that I should be shooting at 1/60 at f5.6. When I looked at them in Bridge they looked identical. I never noticed this difference before. Is that normal? Thanks. Joyce Keay

07-22-2017, 03:46 PM - 1 Like	#10
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	Originally posted by Joyce Keay Shooting live view the meter showed that 1/25 at f/5.6 was correct. When I switched to viewfinder the meter showed that I should be shooting at 1/60 at f5.6. When I looked at them in Bridge they looked identical. It seems odd that the images looked identical, unless the scene brightness had actually changed between shots - similarly to a camera's auto exposure, our vision adjusts for changes in brightness so we might not notice the change. Or perhaps the ISO value changed - was the camera set to Auto ISO? Changing focal length (i.e. zooming in or out) can also change shutter speed in an auto mode. Philip Last edited by MrB1; 07-22-2017 at 03:55 PM.

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07-22-2017, 12:02 PM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,701	Was the camera mounted on a tripod, and do you know for sure that the lighting remained absolutely constant? Just a slight movement of the camera between the two shots could result in the metering reading from different areas of the scene, and a very slight change in light (the slightest wisp of a cloud passing over the sun, for example) could be more than enough to account for the difference in shutter speed...

07-22-2017, 12:32 PM	#3
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	I agree with BigMackCam - you need controlled environment to determine whether something is wrong with light meter in your camera. The difference of 1,3 EV you mentioned is pretty small, so it could have been caused by change in natural light and/or slight change of position of the camera.

07-22-2017, 12:50 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Joyce Keay Shooting live view the meter showed that 1/25 at f/5.6 was correct. When I switched to viewfinder the meter showed that I should be shooting at 1/60 at f5.6. That is not unusual. The two views use two different metering systems. Both are evaluative, but the scene interpretations do not always result in the same numbers. In your case, the two are a full stop different for that photo. Normally, a full stop difference should result in obvious difference in brightness (2x). I am not familiar enough with Bridge to know whether or not there is a setting to optimize (shift histogram) on import, though something like that might explain the identical appearance. Steve

07-22-2017, 12:54 PM	#5
Joyce Keay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 123 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam Was the camera mounted on a tripod, and do you know for sure that the lighting remained absolutely constant? Just a slight movement of the camera between the two shots could result in the metering reading from different areas of the scene, and a very slight change in light (the slightest wisp of a cloud passing over the sun, for example) could be more than enough to account for the difference in shutter speed... Hi, Thanks for your replies Pentageek and BigMackCam. The camera was not on a tripod. The two shots were taken probably within 30 seconds of each other. I took a bunch of other shots the same way with basically the same results. The sky is kind of overcast and I don't think it changed between shots. Maybe I should get into the habit of taking two shots of each subject - one in LV and one from the viewfinder. Joyce Keay

07-22-2017, 12:55 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pentageek The difference of 1,3 EV you mentioned is pretty small 1.3 EV is more than twice as much light to the sensor and a significant difference, though not particularly unusual for live view vs. viewfinder measurements. I don't believe there is reason to believe there is a problem with the camera. Steve

07-22-2017, 01:03 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Joyce Keay Maybe I should get into the habit of taking two shots of each subject - one in LV and one from the viewfinder. Joyce Keay If you wish to put your mind at ease, you can do comparison readings of a evenly-lit blank wall (suggest indirect daylight) in Av mode. The two systems should return the same or very similar shutter speeds. Steve

07-22-2017, 01:04 PM	#8
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,701	Originally posted by Joyce Keay Hi, Thanks for your replies Pentageek and BigMackCam. The camera was not on a tripod. The two shots were taken probably within 30 seconds of each other. I took a bunch of other shots the same way with basically the same results. The sky is kind of overcast and I don't think it changed between shots. Maybe I should get into the habit of taking two shots of each subject - one in LV and one from the viewfinder. Joyce Keay A sure-fire test, Joyce, would be to take a shot indoors in a room with the curtains closed and the lights on, with the camera on a tripod so that it's fixed on the same point. That way, you can keep the lighting and metering constant - and you'll know for sure if there's a difference in metering between the two modes

07-22-2017, 01:20 PM	#9
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Originally posted by stevebrot 1.3 EV is more than twice as much light You are absolutely right, and I should have made myself clearer. I meant that in high-contrast scene even minimal movement of the camera can significantly affect readout of light meter.

07-22-2017, 03:51 PM - 1 Like	#11
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,218	Did you have your eye pressed to the viewfinder when taking the shot/looking at the exposure? Strong light from behind you , if it shines on the viewfinder can affect the meter reading in non-live view exposures.

07-22-2017, 05:28 PM	#12
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	Originally posted by pschlute Did you have your eye pressed to the viewfinder when taking the shot/looking at the exposure? Strong light from behind you , if it shines on the viewfinder can affect the meter reading in non-live view exposures. This - especially noticable doing daytime long exposures.

07-23-2017, 01:21 AM	#13
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Originally posted by mattt This - especially noticable doing daytime long exposures. And it would fit to the fact that the camera suggested a shorter exposure time for the metering without LV.

07-23-2017, 05:15 AM	#14
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Originally posted by pschlute if it shines on the viewfinder can affect the meter reading in non-live view exposures. I do not think this was the case - with the light coming through viewfinder (and fooling the light meter), the exposure at 1/60 would be too short. Yet both pictures are identical what suggests change in lighting conditions / position of the camera / ISO.

07-23-2017, 05:55 AM	#15
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I have tried doing controlled tests in the backyard before with various lenses. The light changes, minute to minute can be significant, even on a bright day, Whether or not a gradual 1.3 EV change over say a minute would be discernible to the eye is debatable. I doubt it would be.