Can I use the Viewfinder for Video on KS2 Camera?

Q6photos · 12-07-2019, 02:08 AM

I do not use video normally but went to recently ,

I found I could only use the screen , not viewfinder .
Cannot find anything in Start Guide book , so showing off my ignorance of Video by appealing for help.
I normally for stills Always use viewfinder as I cannot see screen clearly, when I can see it at all in sunlight.

Thanks in hopes of Help being here soon.
Cheers

Derek

robiles · 12-07-2019, 02:36 AM

That is sadly not possible, because the mirror needs to be in the up position, and hence blocking the viewfinder.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-07-2019, 04:39 AM

I’ll just say welcome to the forum, as your question has already been answered.

Kozlok · 12-07-2019, 06:53 AM

There is no DSLR that can do that. The mirror has to move in order for the sensor to see anything, blocking the viewfinder. Same reason the viewfinder blacks out momentarily when taking a photo.

photolady95 · 12-07-2019, 07:16 AM

I'll just say Welcome to the only good Pentax forum.

However, I too wish we could use the viewfinder for movies. I can't seem to focus with those screens.

**Mikesul** · 12-07-2019, 07:30 AM

Welcome to the forum. You might enjoy reading through the video sections.

Jim Dandy · 12-07-2019, 09:14 AM

Greetings and welcome to the forum. I have a hard time seeing the LCD in bright light also. Since I mostly use the LCD to "chimp" - look at pics after taking them - it has not been as important as trying to shoot video. Some solutions I found are:

1) turning up the brightness on the LCD. Uses battery faster but if your camera can do this, is much easier to see in daylight.

2) Using a Hoodman loupe to cover the LCD - HoodLoupes I found one used at the Adorama used store in like new condition for a good price.

3) if you really get into video, lots of people attach a small monitor to the camera or a rig that holds the camera. Has a separate battery and can be set to make viewing much easier. BH Photo, Adorama and others sell a range of these monitors (check to see if they work with your camera's HDMI out port for real-time shooting).

Whichever way you go, I highly recommend the ebooks specific to your model that are available through this site. They have lots of very helpful information. Good luck with your projects!

reh321 · 12-07-2019, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by Jim Dandy

Greetings and welcome to the forum. I have a hard time seeing the LCD in bright light also. Since I mostly use the LCD to "chimp" - look at pics after taking them - it has not been as important as trying to shoot video.

The first guy I met who admited to feeling comfortable using the LCD was someone who was a professional videographer, so he is used to looking at a picture through a screen.

Vmax911 · 12-08-2019, 09:45 AM

Don't worry, Pentax doesn't do video.

But you could look into attaching a screen shade if you use video often.

And welcome to the forum!

12-07-2019, 02:08 AM	#1
Q6photos New Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 1	Can I use the Viewfinder for Video on KS2 Camera? I do not use video normally but went to recently , I found I could only use the screen , not viewfinder . Cannot find anything in Start Guide book , so showing off my ignorance of Video by appealing for help. I normally for stills Always use viewfinder as I cannot see screen clearly, when I can see it at all in sunlight. Thanks in hopes of Help being here soon. Cheers Derek

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12-07-2019, 02:36 AM	#2
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	That is sadly not possible, because the mirror needs to be in the up position, and hence blocking the viewfinder.

12-07-2019, 04:39 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,833	I’ll just say welcome to the forum, as your question has already been answered.

12-07-2019, 06:53 AM	#4
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	There is no DSLR that can do that. The mirror has to move in order for the sensor to see anything, blocking the viewfinder. Same reason the viewfinder blacks out momentarily when taking a photo.

12-07-2019, 07:16 AM	#5
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I'll just say Welcome to the only good Pentax forum. However, I too wish we could use the viewfinder for movies. I can't seem to focus with those screens.

12-07-2019, 07:30 AM	#6
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Welcome to the forum. You might enjoy reading through the video sections.

12-07-2019, 09:14 AM	#7
Jim Dandy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Central Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 137	Greetings and welcome to the forum. I have a hard time seeing the LCD in bright light also. Since I mostly use the LCD to "chimp" - look at pics after taking them - it has not been as important as trying to shoot video. Some solutions I found are: 1) turning up the brightness on the LCD. Uses battery faster but if your camera can do this, is much easier to see in daylight. 2) Using a Hoodman loupe to cover the LCD - HoodLoupes I found one used at the Adorama used store in like new condition for a good price. 3) if you really get into video, lots of people attach a small monitor to the camera or a rig that holds the camera. Has a separate battery and can be set to make viewing much easier. BH Photo, Adorama and others sell a range of these monitors (check to see if they work with your camera's HDMI out port for real-time shooting). Whichever way you go, I highly recommend the ebooks specific to your model that are available through this site. They have lots of very helpful information. Good luck with your projects!

12-07-2019, 10:38 AM	#8
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,181	Originally posted by Jim Dandy Greetings and welcome to the forum. I have a hard time seeing the LCD in bright light also. Since I mostly use the LCD to "chimp" - look at pics after taking them - it has not been as important as trying to shoot video. The first guy I met who admited to feeling comfortable using the LCD was someone who was a professional videographer, so he is used to looking at a picture through a screen.

12-08-2019, 09:45 AM	#9
Vmax911 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Photos: Gallery Posts: 826	Don't worry, Pentax doesn't do video. But you could look into attaching a screen shade if you use video often. And welcome to the forum!