Mirror lock up (MLU) on digital cameras

[Stuart R]

Hi

Was trying some shots the other day using Mirror Lock Up (MLU) on my Nikon which I know is supposed to reduce vibrations and therefore give a sharper final images but I'm not sure: -
A) Why I should use it?
and
B) It what circumstances I should use it and why would find it useful

Hopefully somebody will answer the questions and we can discuss within the Forum

To be honest, I never noticed any difference when I was using it but perhaps it was not the right (correct) time to be using it. How many use MLU when taking shots and does it make a difference

DISCUSS!!

Cheers

Stuart

[bus7er10]

I can't lock my mirror up on the D90 only for sensor cleaning but I met a guy in Glen Coe who locks up the mirror everytime for doing landscapes. I'm assuming your doing this on your new D700.

[Fred]

Hi Every one

Normal operation in an SLR camera involves flipping the mirror up out of the light-path just before the shutter opens, and then returning it when the shutter closes (although very early SLR's required the shutter to be cocked for the mirror to return). This causes vibration of the camera, particularly when the mirror slaps into the top of the mirror box. This vibration quickly dies away so the most motion blur is actually seen with short shutter times that capture multiple 'swings' of the vibration. While longer exposures will capture all of the vibrations, the exposure will be dominated by light captured when the camera is vibration-free (assuming a steady mount).

Mirror lock-up involves flipping the mirror up well before the shutter opens, allowing the vibrations to die down before exposing the film. On some cameras MLU may be operated by an extra push of the shutter button, the second push resulting in the actual opening of the shutter. Other arrangements may involve an extra lever or button that flips the mirror up before using the shutter release button normally. On some cameras MLU is not a separate feature, but operated as part of the self timer.

Note that when the mirror is in the up and locked position, the subject is no longer visible through the viewfinder. Therefore, the photographer must compose the photograph prior to activating mirror lock-up and keep the camera from moving. Use of a tripod helps prevent movement of the camera during this operation.

Combined with a remote or cable release, this greatly reduces the potential for vibration of the camera.

Lenses requiring mirror lock-up
Some lenses are designed such that they extend into the mirror box when properly mounted on an SLR. These may include early wide-angle lenses for SLR's, certain lenses designed for rangefinder cameras, and certain other non-SLR lenses adapted for SLR use. Mirror lock-up must be activated prior to mounting such lenses, and kept in place in order to prevent damage to the lens and/or camera. This method of operation prevents any use of the SLR viewfinder with the lens. Prior to the development of lenses utilizing the Angénieux retrofocus concept, mirror lock-up was essential to wide-angle SLR photography.

I hope this helps..

 
 

[Fred]

Nikon D90 Mirror Lock -Up?


Mirror Lock up (MLU) what is it and does the D90 have it?

What: Mirror lock-up (often abbreviated to MLU) is a feature employed in many Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras. It allows the operator to reduce vibration-induced motion blur during exposure. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Does the Nikon D90 have it? Unfortunately no but it does have a pretty darn good alternative. This is called Exposure Delay Mode, Page 183 of your manual. It's says, "In situations where the slightest camera movement can blur pictures, Exposure Delay Mode On can be selected to delay shutter release until about 1 second after the shutter release button is pressed and the mirror is raised".

D90 setting for Exposure Delay Mode: Custom Settings (Pencil) OK: d Shooting/display OK: d10 Exposure Delay Mode OK: On OK
You read mostly good things about how this isn't "True MLU" like some camera's have but those who have tried both say the D90's Exposure Delay Mode is a pretty good alternative to the "True MLU".
Fred

[bus7er10]

Thanks Fred for the d90 tip, i'll have to try it, don't know how you find these things and understand them.
 Fred, i'm bus7er10. George R

[Dougie]

From a Canon perspective, I use the MLU when I'm shooting landscapes with a small aperture. Also disabling the Image Stabilizer, those two factors not just reduce the risk of vibrations but reduces the amount of operations the camera carries out when you press the shutter.