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Not a Number · 09-01-2014, 06:33 PM

Since all I have is a K10D the viewfinder is the only choice for me. I do use an Eyepiece Magnifier M or a Refconverter A when using magnifications greater than 1x for critical focusing.

photolady95 · 09-01-2014, 06:40 PM

Well, that is strange. I thought all Pentax DSLR's had LV. Even my K100 had LV. I learn something new every day!

BrianR · 09-01-2014, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by photolady95

Well, that is strange. I thought all Pentax DSLR's had LV. Even my K100 had LV. I learn something new every day!

I may be misunderstanding something

, but the k100d does not have Live View.

I've found Live View (on a k5iis) useful for macro on a tripod indoors with stuff that isn't going anywhere, the ability to check focus more accurately is great and I've also found the composition adjust feature to be handy (it's only available in LV). For living stuff like insects, I'm still favouring the viewfinder (sometimes on a tripod, sometimes handheld

).

Doundounba · 09-01-2014, 07:29 PM

Magnified liveview with peaking works well for me on K-01 - and there's no other choice.

Not sure if this is true (since I don't have a viewfinder), but I've read that the viewfinder gets dark real quick when you shoot a closed-down reversed lens for high magnification macro work, and that liveview is somewhat better. Even there, things get pretty tough when your reversed lens hits F/16...

photolady95 · 09-01-2014, 07:43 PM

You are right Brian, I just assumed the K100D had LV because it had an LCD. I never tried to use it as LV as a previous film user I always used the view finder. Sorry for not checking that to start with before saying it did.

Doundounba, that's what I found when trying to use a lens reversed and the reason I have two dedicated 1:1 macro lenses.

Not a Number · 09-01-2014, 07:55 PM

I think the K20D was the first to have Live View.

photolady95 · 09-01-2014, 08:10 PM

The only camera I ever had with live view was a point and hope I bought in Texas to bring with me when I moved back down here. I hated it. So after buying two used Pentax film cameras, I bought the K100D, from then to the K-x, I still have and now the K-30. But I just can't make myself use LV on the DSLRs.

siamthai · 09-02-2014, 12:24 AM

I'm a little bit surprised so few use live view when doing macro. I think the magnified LV where one can seE the small details is very good. But of course only when the subject isn't moving.

**baro-nite** · 09-02-2014, 03:46 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

I think the K20D was the first to have Live View.

You need a CMOS sensor for live view (and video), which is why the earlier bodies don't have it.

bdery · 09-02-2014, 05:27 AM

I use live view most of the time, with the K-3 it's fantastic. Focus peak, high res screen, no need to bend down in awkward angles.

photolady95 · 09-02-2014, 05:37 AM

Originally posted by bdery

no need to bend down in awkward angles.

To me that's the fun of macro photography, when it gets harder to find that bug under the leaf. Some times I have to lay down on the ground to shoot the bugs I do.

**baro-nite** · 09-02-2014, 05:50 AM

Well, I do use a right angle finder (refconverter) when the camera is very close to the ground.

photolady95 · 09-02-2014, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by baro-nite

Well, I do use a right angle finder (refconverter) when the camera is very close to the ground.

Are you using LV or VF with that refconverters, seems it would be VF not LV, right?

With myself trying to use LV I could never find the subject in the LCD, it was like AF hunting. With the VF, I had no problem, I could see the bug and knew where he was without the camera up to my eye, so when using the VF, I could easily see him through it too.

**baro-nite** · 09-02-2014, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by photolady95

Are you using LV or VF with that refconverters, seems it would be VF not LV, right?

Correct, it's a VF attachment. A bit hard to find the correct one for Pentax DSLRs at a good price; it's the Refconverter-A. There are some older models that don't fit.

**jacamar** · 09-02-2014, 11:56 AM

I use live view a good deal on my K-r for macro shots, both tripod and hand held. It's often difficult for me to contort myself to use the viewfinder for insects and flowers (and if that bee is going to come and sting me I want some prior warning!), and the magnification feature is useful as well. I sometimes wish I had a tilting LCD screen to make it easier. It seems strange though that when I use LV with a tripod and rail for moths the focus still doesn't seem as sharp as it could be. LV is hard on my batteries, though.

09-01-2014, 07:09 PM	#18
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by photolady95 Well, that is strange. I thought all Pentax DSLR's had LV. Even my K100 had LV. I learn something new every day! I may be misunderstanding something, but the k100d does not have Live View. I've found Live View (on a k5iis) useful for macro on a tripod indoors with stuff that isn't going anywhere, the ability to check focus more accurately is great and I've also found the composition adjust feature to be handy (it's only available in LV). For living stuff like insects, I'm still favouring the viewfinder (sometimes on a tripod, sometimes handheld).

09-01-2014, 07:43 PM	#20
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	You are right Brian, I just assumed the K100D had LV because it had an LCD. I never tried to use it as LV as a previous film user I always used the view finder. Sorry for not checking that to start with before saying it did. Doundounba, that's what I found when trying to use a lens reversed and the reason I have two dedicated 1:1 macro lenses. Last edited by photolady95; 09-01-2014 at 08:07 PM.

09-02-2014, 12:24 AM	#23
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	I'm a little bit surprised so few use live view when doing macro. I think the magnified LV where one can seE the small details is very good. But of course only when the subject isn't moving. Last edited by siamthai; 09-02-2014 at 02:33 AM.

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09-01-2014, 06:33 PM	#16
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Since all I have is a K10D the viewfinder is the only choice for me. I do use an Eyepiece Magnifier M or a Refconverter A when using magnifications greater than 1x for critical focusing.

09-01-2014, 06:40 PM	#17
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Well, that is strange. I thought all Pentax DSLR's had LV. Even my K100 had LV. I learn something new every day!

09-01-2014, 07:29 PM	#19
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	Magnified liveview with peaking works well for me on K-01 - and there's no other choice. Not sure if this is true (since I don't have a viewfinder), but I've read that the viewfinder gets dark real quick when you shoot a closed-down reversed lens for high magnification macro work, and that liveview is somewhat better. Even there, things get pretty tough when your reversed lens hits F/16...

09-01-2014, 07:55 PM	#21
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	I think the K20D was the first to have Live View.

09-01-2014, 08:10 PM	#22
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	The only camera I ever had with live view was a point and hope I bought in Texas to bring with me when I moved back down here. I hated it. So after buying two used Pentax film cameras, I bought the K100D, from then to the K-x, I still have and now the K-30. But I just can't make myself use LV on the DSLRs.

09-02-2014, 03:46 AM	#24
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Originally posted by Not a Number I think the K20D was the first to have Live View. You need a CMOS sensor for live view (and video), which is why the earlier bodies don't have it.

09-02-2014, 05:27 AM	#25
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	I use live view most of the time, with the K-3 it's fantastic. Focus peak, high res screen, no need to bend down in awkward angles.

09-02-2014, 05:37 AM	#26
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Originally posted by bdery no need to bend down in awkward angles. To me that's the fun of macro photography, when it gets harder to find that bug under the leaf. Some times I have to lay down on the ground to shoot the bugs I do.

09-02-2014, 05:50 AM	#27
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Well, I do use a right angle finder (refconverter) when the camera is very close to the ground.

09-02-2014, 05:54 AM	#28
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Originally posted by baro-nite Well, I do use a right angle finder (refconverter) when the camera is very close to the ground. Are you using LV or VF with that refconverters, seems it would be VF not LV, right? With myself trying to use LV I could never find the subject in the LCD, it was like AF hunting. With the VF, I had no problem, I could see the bug and knew where he was without the camera up to my eye, so when using the VF, I could easily see him through it too.

09-02-2014, 07:14 AM	#29
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Originally posted by photolady95 Are you using LV or VF with that refconverters, seems it would be VF not LV, right? Correct, it's a VF attachment. A bit hard to find the correct one for Pentax DSLRs at a good price; it's the Refconverter-A. There are some older models that don't fit.

09-02-2014, 11:56 AM	#30
jacamar Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 3,443	I use live view a good deal on my K-r for macro shots, both tripod and hand held. It's often difficult for me to contort myself to use the viewfinder for insects and flowers (and if that bee is going to come and sting me I want some prior warning!), and the magnification feature is useful as well. I sometimes wish I had a tilting LCD screen to make it easier. It seems strange though that when I use LV with a tripod and rail for moths the focus still doesn't seem as sharp as it could be. LV is hard on my batteries, though.

Macro How many of you macro shooters

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