QuickGuide to EOS Live View Features
This QuickGuide will review all of the features available for Canon EOS cameras when used in their Live View mode. When the camera is in this mode the reflex mirror is in the up position, blocking the normal pentaprism viewfinder. Instead, the image is projected through the lens and directly onto the sensor, which in turn displays the image on the rear LCD panel. Live View is the only viewing option available when your camera is Movie mode. The benefits of Live View include the ability to:
• preview the exact focus and depth-of-field at the working aperture
• magnify specific portions of the image at 5X or 10X for critical focusing
• easy viewing and composing when cameria is tripod mounted, even with Tilt-Shift lenses
• preview the effects of exposure compensation, white balance and Picture Style changes

Because the mirror is in the up position, it is no longer a potential source of noise and vibration. This is an important benefit for photographers who use long telephoto lenses or macro lenses at high image magnifications. There are two potential limitations to keep in mind. The first is that AF during Live View is slower than viewfinderbased AF and is therefore not practical for action or video photography. The second is that Live View draws more energy and generates more heat. It is therefore best suited for situations where you will either be using it for only a few minutes at a time or you are using a camera powered by an AC adapter and working in a way that prevents the sensor from overheating

HOW TO ENABLE LIVE VIEW
EOS Rebel T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, 50D, 60D, 7D
Simply press the Live View button on the back of the camera. (The Rebel T1i must be in P, Tv, Av, or M mode.) Press the Live View button a second time to return to the standard viewing mode.

EOS 40D, 5D Mark II, EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1Ds Mark III, EOS-1D Mark IV
You must first enable Live View in your camera’s Set-up Menu #2. To enable Live View:

1. Select Live View/Movie func. Set
2. Select LV func. Setting
3. Select whether you want Live View for Stills Only, Movie, or Stills + Movie. (The EOS 50D and 1D/1Ds Mark III do not offer movie options.) You must select Stills + Movie mode if you want access to video recording. Press [Set].

Additional EOS 5D Mark II settings
1. If you select Stills Only, a Screen Settings menu will appear. This menu allows you to choose between the standard Stills Display, which automatically adjusts to produce a fixed screen brightness, or Exposure Simulation (see below.) Select the option of your
choice, then press [Set].

2. If you select Stills + Movie, a Screen Settings menu will appear. This menu allows you to choose between the standard Stills Display, Exposure Simulation, or Movie Display. Movie Display shows grayed-out cropping indicators, before actual recording begins.

It also allows access to some of the newly-added features made available with updated firmware, such as manual sound levels control. Select the option of your choice, then press [Set]. Once you have enabled Live View, simply press the Live View button (SET button on EOS-1D Mark IV) on the back of the camera to switch to Live View. Press the button a second time to return to the standard viewing mode.

LIVE VIEW OPTIONS FOR STILL IMAGES

Grid display
This feature superimposes a grid over the image during Live View operation. To enable this feature:
1. Select Grid Display, then press [Set].
2. Select a grid option, then press [Set]. There are three options: Disable, 3 x 3 Grid,and 4 x 6 Grid.

Exposure Simulation
This feature simulates the effects that changes to exposure settings will have on the image. For example, if you reduce the exposure the Live View image will get darker and if you increase the exposure the image will get brighter. 


Magnified view
This feature, which is available on all EOS cameras with Live View, allows you to magnify specific portions of the image for critical focusing. The focus area is defined by a white frame. Use the [Control key] buttons (EOS Rebels) or [Multi-controller] (other EOS Models) to move the frame up, down, or side-to-side. To magnify the area within the frame, press the rear [AF Point Select] Button.

AF OPTIONS—STILL AND MOVIE
Autofocus is not available during Live View with the EOS1D and 1Ds Mark III. With the EOS 40D, only “Quick Mode AF” is available via C.Fn. III-6-1. 


Live Mode
Focus is centered within a movable white rectangle. The frame lights green when the area within the frame is in focus.

Face Detect Live Mode
The camera automatically detects human faces and focuses on whichever face is closest. The frame lights green when the face in the frame is in focus. The AF Frame can be moved to a different face either by using the [Multicontroller] or [Control-key] buttons.

Quick Mode
As soon as you activate AF, this mode switches the camera to standard viewfinder AF mode to focus the image, then immediately switches back to Live View. You must preselect the AF point or Auto AF point selection before selecting Quick Mode (QM). QM is  best suited for situations where both the camera and subject maintain a fixed distance from each other.

SILENT MODE SHOOTING
EOS 40D, 50D, 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II
As previously noted, Live View produces less sound and vibration than with standard viewing because the mirror is in its locked-up position. You have the option of further  reducing noise even by pre-activating the first and/or second shutter curtain. Your options are:
Disable
This is the default mode. It provides full shutter operation and allows for continuous shooting.
Mode 1
This mode allows quieter operation by eliminating first shutter curtain activation from the exposure sequence. Continuous shooting is possible in this mode.
Mode 2
This mode allows the quietest possible operation by delaying the second shutter curtain “advance” noise until you remove your finger from the shutter button. Continuous shooting is not possible in this mode—it allows for single-frame shooting only.

CONSERVING BATTERY POWER
Live View consumes more battery power than using the standard pentaprism viewfinder. Depending on the camera, a fully charged battery can provide roughly two hours of continuous Live View operation at 23°C/73°F. To conserve battery power you may want to consider reducing your settings for the following camera menu options:
Auto Power Off
This is available the camera’s Set-up Menu #1. It automatically turns off Live View after the camera has been inactive for a pre-set period of time. Time options are 1 min., 2 min., 4 min., 8 min., 15 min, 30 min, and Off. You can instantly turn the camera on again by pressing the shutter button or any other control button. Even if you set the timer to Off, the LCD will automatically shut off after 30 minutes to conserve power; however, the camera itself will stay on.

Metering Timer
This setting is available in the camera’s Set-up Menu #1, under Live View/Movie func. Set. Use it to set the amount of time the metering system will stay active after you lift your finger from the shutter button. The available options are 4 seconds, 16 seconds, 30  seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, and 30 minutes.