Viewfinder clear vs Liveview not?

[poider (Peter)]

Hello, I have a Nikon D7000 and several different lenses, When I use my Nikon 50mm F/1.8 or the Tamron 90mm F/2.8 to view the moon I get vastly different views through the view finder vs the live view.
I can look through the view finder and see features of the moon and try to get a good focus, then I switch on live view to zoom in on the screen but the view Is just a bright washed out disk that is too bright to even see features.

What can I do to see better with the live view?

Peter

[doppler (Rick)]

Live view shows the actual exposure as the sensor "sees it", you are over exposed so you need to increase the shutter speed. The view finder shows the image as the eye sees it.

[poider (Peter)]

Now I am suspicious that sounds too logical
Thank you. Rick

[PhilTas (Phil)]

Peter,

I'm not sure how the Nikon handles it, but my Canon 5D MkII has a menu setting where -

Stills Display - live view is displayed at standard brightness to make it easier to see
Exposure Simulation - the live view image will closely reflect the brightness level of the target . Adjust camera settings as needed.

Maybe your Nikon has a similar function.

Hope this helps.
Phil

[poider (Peter)]

Thanks Phil I will check it out

[sil (Steve)]

Originally Posted by poider

Now I am suspicious that sounds too logical
Thank you. Rick

Viewfinders are usually optical and not a small screen, that is you are looking through the lens so you see what the lens sees. The Live view isn't actually "live" its, as doppler said, what the sensor sees, so there is a delay in time between what happens and it appearing on the live view screen.

The purpose of the live view screen is ONLY to help you frame a shot, its not for getting the exposure correct. You should always take a test photo first and adjust exposure from there if you are over/under exposed. For astrophotography never rely on Auto(Anything), you need to learn to take full control so you have consistent shots to integrate.