Anyone else miss it....?

Steve.Ledger · 05-31-2014, 06:28 PM

The top LCD?

I recently bought the K-50 as prices were right and I wanted the K-01 IQ in an SLR body as the K-01 is rubbish out in the Australian sun..
Coming from a K-7 I knew that I might miss the top LCD, but man - I actually miss it a lot!
I'm almost to the point of considering selling off the K-50 (at a loss) and buying a K-5II.
Am I mad, or have others had a similar experience?

ElJamoquio · 05-31-2014, 07:09 PM

Some people like it a great deal.

I'm not one of them. I almost never use it, I'd shade the eyepiece / etc. instead of looking at the top LCD.

I think you're perfectly sane though... although it's not in my workflow, it could be easily valuable in yours.

One particular use case, to me, would be a not-quite-eye-level tripod setup that you know has been focused correctly.

Tako Kichi · 05-31-2014, 07:15 PM

I suppose it's what you get used to but I've never had a camera with a top LCD so I don't miss it on my K-30 and I still seem able to shoot OK.

But then again my first film SLR didn't even have a hot shoe and it's most advanced electronic feature was a moving needle light meter!

dcBear78 · 05-31-2014, 07:17 PM

Never even look at the one on my K3.

Kozlok · 05-31-2014, 07:22 PM

I think I'd miss focus peaking more. I shoot a lot of MF glass, though.

**patrick9** · 05-31-2014, 07:26 PM

I was afraid that I would miss it coming from an istDL to the k-30. I don't . I have found that I don't look at it on my DL any longer other than to check battery level. But that is me .

Adam · 05-31-2014, 07:37 PM

Its nice to have, but I'd much rather not have a top lcd than be stuck without 2 control wheels

Adam
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Steve.Ledger · 05-31-2014, 07:38 PM

Wow! I must be a bit weird then.. I've come to realise that I use the top LCD for 90% of my shot settings, only using the OVF settings for confirmation or tweaking if needed.
Was thinking I might get over it after using my mirrorless cams for a while now, but nope - when it comes to a DSLR I feel lost without the top LCD.
I'm no fan of focus peaking actually, I don't find it that accurate, besides FP means using the rear LCD which is useless in bright sun and the whole point of the K-50 purchase in the first place.. So yeh, I'm definitely odd

---------- Post added 06-01-14 at 12:39 PM ----------

Originally posted by Adam

Its nice to have, but I'd much rather not have a top lcd than be stuck without 2 control wheels

What do you mean!?

SpecialK · 05-31-2014, 09:02 PM

I use the top LCD all the time for settings - viewfinder pretty much only for composition.

Steve.Ledger · 05-31-2014, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

I use the top LCD all the time for settings - viewfinder pretty much only for composition.

Exactly !

Adam · 05-31-2014, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

What do you mean!?

Previous entry-level Pentax cameras, as well as Canon and Nikon entry-level cameras, only have 1 control wheel. So it's already nice that Pentax is putting all these advanced features into theirs.

Steve.Ledger · 05-31-2014, 10:54 PM

Right - but I'm talking about Pentax now rather than yesteryear (or Canikons)

Besides, I bought the K-50 with the full knowledge of it's attributes, controls and layout. I just thought I'd get over it, but it seems I ain't..
I'm curious now though, why those who buy the flagship model don't actually use the top LCD? I mean, it's insanely useful!?

Jonathan Mac · 05-31-2014, 11:31 PM

Lack of a top LCD on lower-tier Pentax cameras is 50% of the reason why I haven't yet upgraded from my K200D yet. The other 50% is the lack of a grip.

Most people say that they quickly get used to not having one though.

Steve.Ledger · 05-31-2014, 11:38 PM

Battery grip isn't a biggie for me personally, I'd rather have a spare battery in my pocket than the bulk of a grip screwed to the base of my camera.

Andy123 · 05-31-2014, 11:55 PM

I have a K-5 and a k-01. I use the top LCD alot when shooting with the K-5. I obviously don't use it on K-01. But I carry the K-01 more due to its size (can easily keep it in my briefcase or pocket. With it I get used to evf on the back and reading settings there. As a result, I am frequently looking there when I go on a shoot with the K-5. However, too save battery power, I keep it off on the k-5 So it takes a few shoots to get comfortable with the top LCD again. Then when I do my film camera, I have neither.

My point to all that is that if you keep with it, i think you will get comfortable without the top LCD. That is if you otherwise like the camera.

05-31-2014, 06:28 PM	#1
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Anyone else miss it....? The top LCD? I recently bought the K-50 as prices were right and I wanted the K-01 IQ in an SLR body as the K-01 is rubbish out in the Australian sun.. Coming from a K-7 I knew that I might miss the top LCD, but man - I actually miss it a lot! I'm almost to the point of considering selling off the K-50 (at a loss) and buying a K-5II. Am I mad, or have others had a similar experience?

05-31-2014, 10:17 PM	#11
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger What do you mean!? Previous entry-level Pentax cameras, as well as Canon and Nikon entry-level cameras, only have 1 control wheel. So it's already nice that Pentax is putting all these advanced features into theirs. 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:

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05-31-2014, 07:09 PM	#2
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Some people like it a great deal. I'm not one of them. I almost never use it, I'd shade the eyepiece / etc. instead of looking at the top LCD. I think you're perfectly sane though... although it's not in my workflow, it could be easily valuable in yours. One particular use case, to me, would be a not-quite-eye-level tripod setup that you know has been focused correctly.

05-31-2014, 07:15 PM	#3
Tako Kichi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: SW Ontario, Canada (ex-pat Brit) Posts: 1,296	I suppose it's what you get used to but I've never had a camera with a top LCD so I don't miss it on my K-30 and I still seem able to shoot OK. But then again my first film SLR didn't even have a hot shoe and it's most advanced electronic feature was a moving needle light meter!

05-31-2014, 07:17 PM	#4
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823	Never even look at the one on my K3.

05-31-2014, 07:22 PM	#5
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	I think I'd miss focus peaking more. I shoot a lot of MF glass, though.

05-31-2014, 07:26 PM	#6
patrick9 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,458	I was afraid that I would miss it coming from an istDL to the k-30. I don't . I have found that I don't look at it on my DL any longer other than to check battery level. But that is me .

05-31-2014, 07:37 PM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Its nice to have, but I'd much rather not have a top lcd than be stuck without 2 control wheels 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:

05-31-2014, 07:38 PM	#8
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301 Original Poster	Wow! I must be a bit weird then.. I've come to realise that I use the top LCD for 90% of my shot settings, only using the OVF settings for confirmation or tweaking if needed. Was thinking I might get over it after using my mirrorless cams for a while now, but nope - when it comes to a DSLR I feel lost without the top LCD. I'm no fan of focus peaking actually, I don't find it that accurate, besides FP means using the rear LCD which is useless in bright sun and the whole point of the K-50 purchase in the first place.. So yeh, I'm definitely odd ---------- Post added 06-01-14 at 12:39 PM ---------- Originally posted by Adam Its nice to have, but I'd much rather not have a top lcd than be stuck without 2 control wheels What do you mean!?

05-31-2014, 09:02 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	I use the top LCD all the time for settings - viewfinder pretty much only for composition.

05-31-2014, 09:04 PM	#10
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK I use the top LCD all the time for settings - viewfinder pretty much only for composition. Exactly !

05-31-2014, 10:54 PM	#12
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301 Original Poster	Right - but I'm talking about Pentax now rather than yesteryear (or Canikons) Besides, I bought the K-50 with the full knowledge of it's attributes, controls and layout. I just thought I'd get over it, but it seems I ain't.. I'm curious now though, why those who buy the flagship model don't actually use the top LCD? I mean, it's insanely useful!?

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05-31-2014, 11:31 PM	#13
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	Lack of a top LCD on lower-tier Pentax cameras is 50% of the reason why I haven't yet upgraded from my K200D yet. The other 50% is the lack of a grip. Most people say that they quickly get used to not having one though.

05-31-2014, 11:38 PM	#14
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301 Original Poster	Battery grip isn't a biggie for me personally, I'd rather have a spare battery in my pocket than the bulk of a grip screwed to the base of my camera.

05-31-2014, 11:55 PM	#15
Andy123 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 128	I have a K-5 and a k-01. I use the top LCD alot when shooting with the K-5. I obviously don't use it on K-01. But I carry the K-01 more due to its size (can easily keep it in my briefcase or pocket. With it I get used to evf on the back and reading settings there. As a result, I am frequently looking there when I go on a shoot with the K-5. However, too save battery power, I keep it off on the k-5 So it takes a few shoots to get comfortable with the top LCD again. Then when I do my film camera, I have neither. My point to all that is that if you keep with it, i think you will get comfortable without the top LCD. That is if you otherwise like the camera.