Originally posted by peterjcb ....sorry for all the questions but when you use live view for macro or astrophotography, do you also use some sort of remote/wireless shutter activation as to not disturb the camera?
You can. I use Liveview for macro, or more often in the studio for food or product shots on a tripod. Lets you look at the scene and move elements around. On the k-5 I felt the Liveview AF was more accurate, on the k-3 I don't know that there is a lot of difference. But Liveview allows you to zoom in and see which part of a bowl of soup is in focus, which I cannot always tell through the viewfinder with my eyes.
I never use it hand held or when the subject is moving, but that's just me. If the camera did not have it I doubt I would complain but it does have uses and it is very good at what it does. Focus peaking is often a real help with manual focus.
Edit: to avoid the mirror moving to take the shot I often focus in Liveview, then turn off Liveview and shoot using the viewfinder. Lets me use the more accurate Liveview focusing but avoids the extra mirror movement.