Actually that's not completely true Perardi. Most badly implemented Live View systems do use contrast detection, and do suck. But the good ones (D300 and D3 to my knowledge, probably others) have a settable option to pause the live view when the shutter release is half-pressed for the mirror to come down, focus using the traditional sensor, take the shot, and restore the live view. This takes only a split second (similar to the blackouts during a high speed series with 'confirm focus before shutter release' set) - not long!
Personally, I have no use for such a feature since I only shoot in the field, but I see how some people might have a use for it.
Also, we're talking about a Nikon here. Nikon finders are pretty much the best in the business; I'm not sure where you are going with that comment, but throughout each D-series of digital SLRs the finders have only improved. I fully expect the eventual D90's finder to be equal or better than the D80's.
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Actually that's not completely true Perardi. Most badly implemented Live View systems do use contrast detection, and do suck. But the good ones (D300 and D3 to my knowledge, probably others) have a settable option to pause the live view when the shutter release is half-pressed for the mirror to come down, focus using the traditional sensor, take the shot, and restore the live view. This takes only a split second (similar to the blackouts during a high speed series with 'confirm focus before shutter release' set) - not long!
Personally, I have no use for such a feature since I only shoot in the field, but I see how some people might have a use for it.
Also, we're talking about a Nikon here. Nikon finders are pretty much the best in the business; I'm not sure where you are going with that comment, but throughout each D-series of digital SLRs the finders have only improved. I fully expect the eventual D90's finder to be equal or better than the D80's.