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Confused · 07-21-2008, 11:16 AM

Hi creampuff

Sorry it's taken a while to get back to you, due to a prior engagement. However, I think that Nick summed up the problem perfectly, when he said:

My main complaint about Live View on the K20D is where it's activated from. I use DoF preview a lot and lose this functionality if I also want to use Live View, or have to muck about in the custom settings every time I want to switch. Why can't it be assigned to another button or in the Fn menu? It's not exactly something you'd want to use with your eye to the viewfinder after all.

Pentax K20D DSLR Digital SLR Review

My only gripe about this feature is that to focus, the AF button must be held down. The mirror then clunks up, blocking the Live view and the camera focuses. Adding to the gripe is that the camera will focus whilst the AF button is depressed. It wont automatically stop or let you know it's focused. Likewise, if you only press the button briefly, the camera wont perform a full AF.

....and from another source:

Most dSLR models have very poor live view implementations compared to a typical point and shoot model.**

For example, look at the display refresh rate while comparing cameras (which can cause delays and smearing when moving the camera to point at something different), as well as how the Autofocus works (most will have to flip the mirror out of the way to focus with the camera's main AF sensors, then return to live view, slowing down the AF process and making it difficult to follow a moving subject* Some models also allow the use of Contrast Detection AF via the main sensor which slows Autofocus down.

Admittedly, due to the nature of P&S designs, such cameras obviously don't have internal mirror mechanisms to contend with, but the poor implementation of Live View in the current K20D was one of the main reasons why I decided to hang onto my K10D's for the time being.

IMHO to be genuinely useful, Live View needs to be provided with a fully-articulating screen in the same manner that numerous P&S cameras do, cutting diametrically across the weather-sealed design ethos present in the current K10D/K20D bodies. If that particular problem could be successfully addressed, then I'd probably buy such a new Pentax camera without a moment's hesitation.

Best regards
Richard

07-21-2008, 11:16 AM	#29
Confused Loyal Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Gallery Photos: 0 Posts: 925	Hi creampuff Sorry it's taken a while to get back to you, due to a prior engagement. However, I think that Nick summed up the problem perfectly, when he said: My main complaint about Live View on the K20D is where it's activated from. I use DoF preview a lot and lose this functionality if I also want to use Live View, or have to muck about in the custom settings every time I want to switch. Why can't it be assigned to another button or in the Fn menu? It's not exactly something you'd want to use with your eye to the viewfinder after all. Pentax K20D DSLR Digital SLR Review My only gripe about this feature is that to focus, the AF button must be held down. The mirror then clunks up, blocking the Live view and the camera focuses. Adding to the gripe is that the camera will focus whilst the AF button is depressed. It wont automatically stop or let you know it's focused. Likewise, if you only press the button briefly, the camera wont perform a full AF. ....and from another source: Most dSLR models have very poor live view implementations compared to a typical point and shoot model.** For example, look at the display refresh rate while comparing cameras (which can cause delays and smearing when moving the camera to point at something different), as well as how the Autofocus works (most will have to flip the mirror out of the way to focus with the camera's main AF sensors, then return to live view, slowing down the AF process and making it difficult to follow a moving subject* Some models also allow the use of Contrast Detection AF via the main sensor which slows Autofocus down. Admittedly, due to the nature of P&S designs, such cameras obviously don't have internal mirror mechanisms to contend with, but the poor implementation of Live View in the current K20D was one of the main reasons why I decided to hang onto my K10D's for the time being. IMHO to be genuinely useful, Live View needs to be provided with a fully-articulating screen in the same manner that numerous P&S cameras do, cutting diametrically across the weather-sealed design ethos present in the current K10D/K20D bodies. If *that* particular problem could be successfully addressed, then I'd probably buy such a new Pentax camera without a moment's hesitation. Best regards Richard __________________ K10D x 2 & D BG-2 Grip, Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD IF Macro W/A Zoom Lens, Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens, Giottos MTL9351B Tripod, Metz 48 AF-1 Flashgun, Lowepro Nova 3 AW Bag Last edited by Confused; 07-21-2008 at 11:40 AM..