Can you record what you see through a DSLR optical viewfinder while shooting?
Asked 4/10/2013
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I want to make an instructional wedding-shooting video and capture exactly what I see through the optical viewfinder on a Canon or Nikon full-frame DSLR, ideally including exposure settings, meter, and focus points. I do not want to compose using the rear LCD. Is there any practical way to record the optical viewfinder itself while shooting, or is Live View/HDMI the only realistic option?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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If you are using the viewfinder rather than the LCD, I'm not sure what you could possibly do. A DSLR uses a mirror to redirect light from the lens to the viewfinder and away from the sensor. I guess it might be possible to use a very small macro camera that could be mounted to the viewfinder itself, but I'd think the quality would be marginal compared to showing the LiveView output and working from that.
Many cameras have the ability to show the controls you are talking about on the HDMI output from LiveView (in fact, many lack the ability not to). To use that, it would only take an HDMI record deck like the Black Magic HyperDeck Shuttle. Is there a particular reason you are opposed to using the LiveView output? It's probably going to give the best overall result that you can achieve even if it isn't 100% spot on.
You could also consider using a clean recording from the camera and then adding the interface on virtually in post, though this would take a fair bit of work on your part to emulate the interface.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
13y ago
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On a DSLR, recording the optical viewfinder directly is generally not practical. When you shoot through the finder, the mirror sends light to the viewfinder instead of the imaging sensor, so there isn’t a clean built-in video feed of the optical view.
The most practical solution is to use Live View and record the HDMI output, since many cameras can output the on-screen shooting info there. That gives much better quality than trying to film through the eyepiece.
If you specifically want the optical finder view, the only workaround mentioned is to mount a tiny secondary camera over the eyepiece—such as a phone, small point-and-shoot, or action camera—using a custom bracket. An iPhone-through-the-viewfinder approach can work to some extent, but it’s likely to be awkward and lower quality.
So in short: there’s no common accessory that replaces the optical finder with a recordable digital passthrough on a DSLR. For usable instructional footage, Live View plus HDMI recording is the realistic option; filming through the eyepiece is a DIY compromise.
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