Top-down LCD viewer - Shoot from the hip

Plainfaced · 11-24-2013, 04:20 AM

Hi.

I'm finding I'm shooting from the hip a lot. Capturing life as it passes by on the street.

Is there some sort of attachment for LCD screens, that allows a top-down view. Much like the old Hasselblads and the like. I understand that it would have to have some king of glass and mirror structure..

My google search hasn't come up with anything.

Anyone know of something similar?

**RobA_Oz** · 11-24-2013, 04:41 AM

There was something like that available on eBay a year or so back. It was an open frame stuck around the LCD, with a bottom-hinged mirror that locked up flat to cover the LCD screen when not in use. It wasn't expensive.

aoeu · 11-24-2013, 04:59 AM

The prism from a 6x7 might work. I use one on a copystand.

Plainfaced · 11-24-2013, 01:58 PM

The only thing I can find is this - Flipbac Angle Viewer

Not 100% what I was looking at. But for the price it's worth a shot.

Last edited by Plainfaced; 11-24-2013 at 07:24 PM.

ChrisJowett · 11-24-2013, 07:12 PM

The Flipbac works fine, but being a mirror everything at waist-level is upside down; not a problem for focusing, but composition is tricky.
They also make stick-on grips which the K-01 could use.

Plainfaced · 11-24-2013, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by ChrisJowett

The Flipbac works fine, but being a mirror everything at waist-level is upside down; not a problem for focusing, but composition is tricky.
They also make stick-on grips which the K-01 could use.

hmm.. thanks for the info. Im not worried about focus. I tend to go full auto when I shoot from the hip..Composing may be a problem though.

Good to know that it will work though.

johnyates · 11-24-2013, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by Plainfaced

Composing may be a problem though.

You might want to re-think that. A well composed image upside down will be a well composed image right side up. Don't believe me? Ask Ansel Adams . . . .

Michi Joel · 11-25-2013, 05:17 AM

Tnx guys! i'll try one

**RobA_Oz** · 11-25-2013, 01:12 PM

There is also this, which might be more what you're looking for.

Plainfaced · 11-27-2013, 04:09 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

There is also this, which might be more what you're looking for.

Wow. Nice find.. Great product.

I've seen the LCD viewers before. But this also has the top down viewer of which I'm looking for.

Pricey and bulky. But it's certainly worth consideration.

ChrisJowett · 12-01-2013, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by johnyates

You might want to re-think that. A well composed image upside down will be a well composed image right side up. Don't believe me? Ask Ansel Adams . . . .

I am as competent as Ansell Adams.......in my dreams!
I agree in principle, but in practice it is difficult to pan right instead of left, up instead of down, tell when the subject is smiling etc etc. It's easier for some subjects than others, but I find it difficult sometimes and certainly harder than if they'd just used the LCD from the MX-1.

yorik · 12-02-2013, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by Plainfaced

Pricey and bulky. But it's certainly worth consideration.

And heavy - at 800 gms, it more than doubles the weight of the K-01.

But still intriguing. I've said this before, and I'll say it again - a flip-down screen would improve the K-01 tremendously (for me).

Michi Joel · 12-18-2013, 06:46 AM

An example of flipbac

Caver · 12-18-2013, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by towa

An example of flipbac

How do you find the build quality of the flipbac viewfinder? I just placed an order on the black one!

Also what's your experience in the usage? It's more a new "gadget" or it is really useful on the field? I imagine it takes some time to get used to the upside down view but beside this?

Michi Joel · 12-18-2013, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by Caver

How do you find the build quality of the flipbac viewfinder? I just placed an order on the black one!

Also what's your experience in the usage? It's more a new "gadget" or it is really useful on the field? I imagine it takes some time to get used to the upside down view but beside this?

I arrived today, but I can say that the price quality ratio is good.
The truth is that it helps to make a shot too high or low with the disadvantage of the inverted image and the angle of reflection.

11-24-2013, 04:20 AM	#1
Plainfaced Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	Top-down LCD viewer - Shoot from the hip Hi. I'm finding I'm shooting from the hip a lot. Capturing life as it passes by on the street. Is there some sort of attachment for LCD screens, that allows a top-down view. Much like the old Hasselblads and the like. I understand that it would have to have some king of glass and mirror structure.. My google search hasn't come up with anything. Anyone know of something similar?

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11-24-2013, 04:41 AM	#2
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	There was something like that available on eBay a year or so back. It was an open frame stuck around the LCD, with a bottom-hinged mirror that locked up flat to cover the LCD screen when not in use. It wasn't expensive.

11-24-2013, 04:59 AM	#3
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	The prism from a 6x7 might work. I use one on a copystand.

11-24-2013, 01:58 PM	#4
Plainfaced Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78 Original Poster	The only thing I can find is this - Flipbac Angle Viewer Not 100% what I was looking at. But for the price it's worth a shot. Last edited by Plainfaced; 11-24-2013 at 07:24 PM.

11-24-2013, 07:12 PM	#5
ChrisJowett Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 79	The Flipbac works fine, but being a mirror everything at waist-level is upside down; not a problem for focusing, but composition is tricky. They also make stick-on grips which the K-01 could use.

11-24-2013, 07:35 PM	#6
Plainfaced Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChrisJowett The Flipbac works fine, but being a mirror everything at waist-level is upside down; not a problem for focusing, but composition is tricky. They also make stick-on grips which the K-01 could use. hmm.. thanks for the info. Im not worried about focus. I tend to go full auto when I shoot from the hip..Composing may be a problem though. Good to know that it will work though.

11-24-2013, 10:45 PM	#7
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Originally posted by Plainfaced Composing may be a problem though. You might want to re-think that. A well composed image upside down will be a well composed image right side up. Don't believe me? Ask Ansel Adams . . . .

11-25-2013, 05:17 AM	#8
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441	Tnx guys! i'll try one

11-25-2013, 01:12 PM	#9
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	There is also this, which might be more what you're looking for.

11-27-2013, 04:09 AM	#10
Plainfaced Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78 Original Poster	Originally posted by RobA_Oz There is also this, which might be more what you're looking for. Wow. Nice find.. Great product. I've seen the LCD viewers before. But this also has the top down viewer of which I'm looking for. Pricey and bulky. But it's certainly worth consideration.

12-01-2013, 04:38 PM	#11
ChrisJowett Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 79	Originally posted by johnyates You might want to re-think that. A well composed image upside down will be a well composed image right side up. Don't believe me? Ask Ansel Adams . . . . I am as competent as Ansell Adams.......in my dreams! I agree in principle, but in practice it is difficult to pan right instead of left, up instead of down, tell when the subject is smiling etc etc. It's easier for some subjects than others, but I find it difficult sometimes and certainly harder than if they'd just used the LCD from the MX-1.

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12-02-2013, 08:19 PM	#12
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Originally posted by Plainfaced Pricey and bulky. But it's certainly worth consideration. And heavy - at 800 gms, it more than doubles the weight of the K-01. But still intriguing. I've said this before, and I'll say it again - a flip-down screen would improve the K-01 tremendously (for me).

12-18-2013, 06:46 AM	#13
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441	An example of flipbac

12-18-2013, 10:51 AM	#14
Caver Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hungary (ex-pat from Transylvania, Romania) Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by towa An example of flipbac How do you find the build quality of the flipbac viewfinder? I just placed an order on the black one! Also what's your experience in the usage? It's more a new "gadget" or it is really useful on the field? I imagine it takes some time to get used to the upside down view but beside this?

12-18-2013, 11:16 AM	#15
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441	Originally posted by Caver How do you find the build quality of the flipbac viewfinder? I just placed an order on the black one! Also what's your experience in the usage? It's more a new "gadget" or it is really useful on the field? I imagine it takes some time to get used to the upside down view but beside this? I arrived today, but I can say that the price quality ratio is good. The truth is that it helps to make a shot too high or low with the disadvantage of the inverted image and the angle of reflection.