Do mirrorless lenses use automatic diaphragms, or do they stay stopped down for focusing?

Asked 12/10/2014

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2 answers

On mirrorless cameras, do lenses usually stay wide open for composing and focusing like DSLR lenses with automatic diaphragms, then stop down only for the exposure? Or, because mirrorless cameras use an electronic viewfinder, can they focus and display the scene at the working aperture instead?

depth-of-field lenses aperture mirrorless evf

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

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It varies. Even when using the same camera, the lense can affect this feature, so if it's important to you, you're going to need to do your research. On my camera for example, three of my lenses can do DOF preview, but one of them can't for some unknown reason. This is not a standard feature and may be available or unavailable depending on the camera body, lense, and other settings.

Originally by user15934. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15934

11y ago

AI Answer

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It depends on the specific camera body, lens, and sometimes the camera settings. This behavior is not fully standardized across all mirrorless systems.

Some mirrorless camera and lens combinations keep the lens wide open for a brighter view and easier focusing, then stop down to the selected aperture when taking the photo, similar to a DSLR’s automatic diaphragm behavior. Others can show a depth-of-field preview or otherwise operate closer to the working aperture.

Even on the same camera, different lenses may behave differently. If this matters to you, check the documentation or test the exact body-and-lens combination you plan to use.

Do mirrorless lenses use automatic diaphragms, or do they stay stopped down for focusing?

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