What is the use of the top LCD with setting values display ?

photoleet · 09-25-2011, 08:04 PM

I don't have this camera but this is something I'm interested in. When do people actually use it ? and not see the settings on the back LCD screen ?

adr1an · 09-25-2011, 08:13 PM

Don't own the K-5 , but have used the K-7 which has the same feature where it displays all the current Settings in blue on the rear LCD...

In short I'd say when using Live View or when just wanting to check the settings quickly and its on the tripod.. when wanting to glance down at it around your neck without lifting the camera up to see the rear... It also uses far less battery...

legacyb4 · 09-25-2011, 08:14 PM

You mean when would the user look at the info on the LCD?

Pretty much every time I pick up the camera as I'm putting it to my eye. The back screen only pops up with a 3 second review (wish I could do shorter) after taking a shot.

adr1an · 09-25-2011, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by legacyb4

You mean when would the user look at the info on the LCD?

Pretty much every time I pick up the camera as I'm putting it to my eye. The back screen only pops up with a 3 second review (wish I could do shorter) after taking a shot.

His referring I believe to the "Settings Display" that appear on the >= K-7 cameras... it displays all the same info as the K20D does on teh Top-LCD in 'realtime' on the rear LCD

Adam · 09-25-2011, 08:34 PM

I have the rear LCD disabled to save power. The top LCD provides a much handier reference anyway, IMO.

hcc · 09-25-2011, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by Adam

I have the rear LCD disabled to save power. The top LCD provides a much handier reference anyway, IMO.

+1 Idem,
I disable also the rear LCD and I use all the time to top LCD.

Pauld · 09-25-2011, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by StDevious

When do people actually use it ?

Every time I use my camera. I shoot a lot at night and having the illuminated screen is priceless since I don't have constantly look through the viewfinder to see my settings. I would never use a camera that doesn't have a top LCD display.

derekkite · 09-25-2011, 09:25 PM

When the back lcd is on it shines in your eyes when you look in the viewfinder, especially if you wear glasses. The small one is unobtrusive but gives you the information you need.

mikeSF · 09-26-2011, 08:10 PM

my top display is the most useful one by far. i have the rear LCD turned off because i dont want auto preview of images nor do i want that bright status screen when shooting night pics. i use the top display to peek and tweak just as it is coming up to my eye. once at my eye and i've composed and focused, i use the viewfinder display for green button tweaking or to change shutter and aperture. i guess everyone does things differently so it is great to have options.

mikeSF · 09-26-2011, 08:11 PM

i should add that when shooting with live view, the settings display incorporated into live view is excellent for making tweaks.

GlennG · 09-26-2011, 08:16 PM

Whenever I want to do a quick check of the setting prior to bringing the cam up to my head. Sometimes, the top LCD is the easiest place to read settings also. I'm not even sure that my K100dS will even display settings on the back LCD, since they are visible in the view finder and on top.

octavmandru · 09-27-2011, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4

You mean when would the user look at the info on the LCD?

Pretty much every time I pick up the camera as I'm putting it to my eye. The back screen only pops up with a 3 second review (wish I could do shorter) after taking a shot.

The instant review can be set to 1,3,5 seconds or can be completely turned off.
Neat feature, especially in places where is not allowed to take pictures.

The top LCD is extremely useful, but it takes time to get used to actually use it.

Octav

ronpyke · 09-27-2011, 02:17 PM

I am also in the turn off the back display camp - the top display gives me everything I need for shooting.

mtansley · 09-27-2011, 04:42 PM

The top display is also visible in direct sun without shading it. In fact, the brighter the sun the clearer the top display.

Plus, it has a very nice green-yellow back light for night use that lets me read it with my 51 year old eyes without needing my glasses.

SpecialK · 09-27-2011, 05:53 PM

I carry the camera with my left hand under the lens. Easy to look down and see the "big three" plus mode dial on top. Can't really tilt the camera forward to see the back very easily. I shoot mostly in P and rarely use the viewfinder for any information as I wear glasses (and clip-on sunglasses outside) so I can't see much of anything there because I can't get close enough to the VF.

09-25-2011, 08:04 PM	#1
photoleet Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DMV Photos: Albums Posts: 431	What is the use of the top LCD with setting values display ? I don't have this camera but this is something I'm interested in. When do people actually use it ? and not see the settings on the back LCD screen ?

09-25-2011, 08:34 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	I have the rear LCD disabled to save power. The top LCD provides a much handier reference anyway, IMO. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

09-27-2011, 04:42 PM	#14
mtansley Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,139	The top display is also visible in direct sun without shading it. In fact, the brighter the sun the clearer the top display. Plus, it has a very nice green-yellow back light for night use that lets me read it with my 51 year old eyes without needing my glasses. Last edited by mtansley; 09-27-2011 at 05:59 PM. Reason: Stupid typo - face instead of fact.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-X LCD Problem - Will not display	auburntigrs_1	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	08-04-2011 07:29 AM
K5 top display problem?	Clavius	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	5	04-04-2011 03:23 AM
LCD Display issue	velingara	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	7	03-27-2011 07:25 PM
top screen display	purri	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	08-08-2010 10:39 PM
LCD display to liveview K-7	jaitas	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	11-18-2009 03:22 AM

09-25-2011, 08:13 PM	#2
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	Don't own the K-5 , but have used the K-7 which has the same feature where it displays all the current Settings in blue on the rear LCD... In short I'd say when using Live View or when just wanting to check the settings quickly and its on the tripod.. when wanting to glance down at it around your neck without lifting the camera up to see the rear... It also uses far less battery...

09-25-2011, 08:14 PM	#3
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	You mean when would the user look at the info on the LCD? Pretty much every time I pick up the camera as I'm putting it to my eye. The back screen only pops up with a 3 second review (wish I could do shorter) after taking a shot.

09-25-2011, 08:15 PM	#4
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	Originally posted by legacyb4 You mean when would the user look at the info on the LCD? Pretty much every time I pick up the camera as I'm putting it to my eye. The back screen only pops up with a 3 second review (wish I could do shorter) after taking a shot. His referring I believe to the "Settings Display" that appear on the >= K-7 cameras... it displays all the same info as the K20D does on teh Top-LCD in 'realtime' on the rear LCD

09-25-2011, 08:58 PM	#6
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	Originally posted by Adam I have the rear LCD disabled to save power. The top LCD provides a much handier reference anyway, IMO. +1 Idem, I disable also the rear LCD and I use all the time to top LCD.

09-25-2011, 09:03 PM	#7
Pauld Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 507	Originally posted by StDevious When do people actually use it ? Every time I use my camera. I shoot a lot at night and having the illuminated screen is priceless since I don't have constantly look through the viewfinder to see my settings. I would never use a camera that doesn't have a top LCD display.

09-25-2011, 09:25 PM	#8
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	When the back lcd is on it shines in your eyes when you look in the viewfinder, especially if you wear glasses. The small one is unobtrusive but gives you the information you need.

09-26-2011, 08:10 PM	#9
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	my top display is the most useful one by far. i have the rear LCD turned off because i dont want auto preview of images nor do i want that bright status screen when shooting night pics. i use the top display to peek and tweak just as it is coming up to my eye. once at my eye and i've composed and focused, i use the viewfinder display for green button tweaking or to change shutter and aperture. i guess everyone does things differently so it is great to have options.

09-26-2011, 08:11 PM	#10
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	i should add that when shooting with live view, the settings display incorporated into live view is excellent for making tweaks.

09-26-2011, 08:16 PM	#11
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824	Whenever I want to do a quick check of the setting prior to bringing the cam up to my head. Sometimes, the top LCD is the easiest place to read settings also. I'm not even sure that my K100dS will even display settings on the back LCD, since they are visible in the view finder and on top.

09-27-2011, 11:44 AM	#12
octavmandru Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: somewhere around Posts: 615	Originally posted by legacyb4 You mean when would the user look at the info on the LCD? Pretty much every time I pick up the camera as I'm putting it to my eye. The back screen only pops up with a 3 second review (wish I could do shorter) after taking a shot. The instant review can be set to 1,3,5 seconds or can be completely turned off. Neat feature, especially in places where is not allowed to take pictures. The top LCD is extremely useful, but it takes time to get used to actually use it. Octav

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-27-2011, 02:17 PM	#13
ronpyke Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Örebro (Orebro) Posts: 32	I am also in the turn off the back display camp - the top display gives me everything I need for shooting.

09-27-2011, 05:53 PM	#15
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	I carry the camera with my left hand under the lens. Easy to look down and see the "big three" plus mode dial on top. Can't really tilt the camera forward to see the back very easily. I shoot mostly in P and rarely use the viewfinder for any information as I wear glasses (and clip-on sunglasses outside) so I can't see much of anything there because I can't get close enough to the VF.