D800 Viewfinder shut down during recording?

[biginvegas]

When shooting does the Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder go black? Loupe like a Zacuto Z finder would be needed for eye level shooting then?

Yes it is to answer my question just read manual...

 

[eteam]

When shooting does the Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder go black?

Yes, because the mirror is up. The mirror allows either the optical viewfinder (the eyepiece) to see through the lens, or allows the sensor to see through the lens. During video record or live view, the sensor is active -- and the optical viewfinder has no optical path through the camera lens.

Here is a heads up for anyone using the D4/D800 for video: While shooting video, you should close the eyepiece shutter.
From the D800 user manual (applies to all cameras with eyepiece shutter):

"Close the Viewfinder Eyepiece Shutter
"When taking photos without your eye to the viewfinder, close the viewfinder eyepiece shutter to prevent light entering via the viewfinder from appearing in photographs or interfering with exposure."
​

For information on the eyepiece shutter, see D800 manual pages 5 and 106.

-- Bob Elkind

 

[Samuel H]

looking at the recent "light leak that actually didn't end up being an issue" saga with the 5D3, I guess that should apply to the Canons too: light entering through the ovf will affect the exposure readings - so I've been doing it wrong all this time - now, if I could just find where I put that small piece...