Should I expect the viewfinder on the K20D to be better then my D40?

Abstract · 01-04-2011, 08:18 PM

I felt like it was harder to focus on things with my Nikon D40 because of the small viewfinder, I used a K-5 which was great but returned it because of the stain problem. Reason I got a K20D instead of another K-5 is because I recently ran into money issues. How does the viewfinder compare to the K-5 on the K20D? I know its not 100% but does that make a big impact?

orly_andico · 01-04-2011, 09:52 PM

Yes.

Here's a comparison I made. Canon 350D (comparable to Nikon D40), K20D, and K20D with the Nikon DK-21M eyepiece magnifier:

orly going thirty: Nikon DK-21M

Incidentally, the K20D viewfinder is also marginally larger than that on the Canon 40D.

Abstract · 01-04-2011, 10:04 PM

I was actually just checking out the eyepiece magnifiers, not sure which is best. I use mostly manual lenses and have always struggled with my D40. Not sure I like the vintaging on the corners with the eye piece though, might be hard to frame stuff.

Good to know its still better then the D40 though, does it compare well to the K7 or K5?

Also I found this thread: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photography-equipment-products-news-revie...entaprism.html This makes sense to me now...

orly_andico · 01-04-2011, 11:39 PM

I've never seen a K-7 or K-5 but I expect the K20D is similar although not 100% coverage.

The vignetting is due to the point-and-shoot camera I used, it doesn't vignette at all "in reality."

But definitely with the magnifier, you can't see the whole frame if you wear glasses.

I got to try a 5D for a while.. the viewfinder was almost exactly like that on my old film EOS Elan II. In other words, fantastic if you're used to an APS-C DSLR, but pathetic compared to a Spotmatic! (or even to my Pentax P3N).

That said, the K20D has the best APS-C viewfinder I've tried.

But I've only tried the K10D, K20D, Nikon D40x, Canon 350D, 400D, 40D.

Last edited by orly_andico; 01-04-2011 at 11:44 PM.

Abstract · 01-04-2011, 11:50 PM

The Nikon DK-21M works perfectly then? I wear contacts so thats not a worry, Would the KPS 1.3X eyepiece be better? I heard many people use that with Pentax Cameras but if the DK-21M has no issues...I might go with that...its cheaper...

Found it here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/407315-REG/Nikon_25339_DK_21M_Magnifying_Eyepiece.html Does it just slip right on?

orly_andico · 01-05-2011, 12:04 AM

I wanted to try the KPS.. but the DK-21M is so much cheaper, so.. it's not an "exact' fit on the K20D, so you have to wiggle it a bit into place. And getting it off after a year was.. a bit challenging. Thought I'd break off the little plastic bit on the DK-21M.

Maybe I'll get the KPS for my Canon 40D at some point (DK-21M doesn't fit). There's also the Pentax O-ME 53 which is quite similar to the Nikon (price-wise as well).

Abstract · 01-05-2011, 12:06 AM

That one had an odd review: "As the instructions shipped with the viewfinder make clear, this eyecup is intended for use with the K10-D and earlier cameras. On the K-7 and the K-20, it cuts the viewfinder area by approximately 30-50% and, though what you see is magnified, you can no longer see the entire frame. On the K-7 in particular, which makes a point of 100% frame coverage in the viewfinder, the eyecup is much more of a hindrance than a help."

Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying Eyecup 30150 B&H Photo Video

O_O...Strange.

orly_andico · 01-05-2011, 12:08 AM

I never tried the O-ME 53 but I don't believe it would not work on the K20D (which is pretty much identical to the K10D). Maybe on the K-7 or K-5 it would result in a lot of vignetting since these last two have a different VF system than the K10D / K20D.

Abstract · 01-05-2011, 12:40 AM

Hmm maybe I will try it, if anything I can return it I suppose.

elho_cid · 01-05-2011, 03:42 AM

I'm using the O-ME53 on K-5 without any problem. I believe the viewfinder size is the same on all the Pentax pentaprism DSLR. K-7 and K-5 do have slightly better coverage, but smaller magnification. But in my experience that is the only difference between K10D and K-5.

eljaco · 01-05-2011, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by Abstract

That one had an odd review: "As the instructions shipped with the viewfinder make clear, this eyecup is intended for use with the K10-D and earlier cameras. On the K-7 and the K-20, it cuts the viewfinder area by approximately 30-50% and, though what you see is magnified, you can no longer see the entire frame. On the K-7 in particular, which makes a point of 100% frame coverage in the viewfinder, the eyecup is much more of a hindrance than a help."

Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying Eyecup 30150 B&H Photo Video

O_O...Strange.

Yes, indeed - I have a K-7 & O-ME53. It's basically a magnifying glass, it helps seeing better the center, but you lose a bit on the sides, especially the viewer finder info at the bottom of the screen. But it's not unworkable, need to move your eye around if you need to see everything (it slows down a bit phototaking...)... I'm used to it, but I was considering removing it. Will try and report one of these days...

Abstract · 01-05-2011, 11:10 AM

That's odd...other guy said you don't lose any on the side, maybe its better on the K20D?

orly_andico · 01-05-2011, 12:27 PM

On the K20D with DK-21M you can see the entire VF and the displays so long as your eye is right up against the DK-21M rubber. If you have glasses, no go.

Abstract · 01-05-2011, 12:53 PM

Maybe I should go with the DK-21M instead, it fits nicely anyways from what you said, only problem is taking it off which I would not do if its nice anyways...

01-04-2011, 08:18 PM	#1
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388	Should I expect the viewfinder on the K20D to be better then my D40? I felt like it was harder to focus on things with my Nikon D40 because of the small viewfinder, I used a K-5 which was great but returned it because of the stain problem. Reason I got a K20D instead of another K-5 is because I recently ran into money issues. How does the viewfinder compare to the K-5 on the K20D? I know its not 100% but does that make a big impact?

01-04-2011, 10:04 PM	#3
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388 Original Poster	I was actually just checking out the eyepiece magnifiers, not sure which is best. I use mostly manual lenses and have always struggled with my D40. Not sure I like the vintaging on the corners with the eye piece though, might be hard to frame stuff. Good to know its still better then the D40 though, does it compare well to the K7 or K5? Also I found this thread: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photography-equipment-products-news-revie...entaprism.html This makes sense to me now... Last edited by Abstract; 01-04-2011 at 11:06 PM.

01-04-2011, 11:50 PM	#5
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388 Original Poster	The Nikon DK-21M works perfectly then? I wear contacts so thats not a worry, Would the KPS 1.3X eyepiece be better? I heard many people use that with Pentax Cameras but if the DK-21M has no issues...I might go with that...its cheaper... Found it here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/407315-REG/Nikon_25339_DK_21M_Magnifying_Eyepiece.html Does it just slip right on? Last edited by Abstract; 01-04-2011 at 11:59 PM.

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01-04-2011, 09:52 PM	#2
orly_andico Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 97	Yes. Here's a comparison I made. Canon 350D (comparable to Nikon D40), K20D, and K20D with the Nikon DK-21M eyepiece magnifier: orly going thirty: Nikon DK-21M Incidentally, the K20D viewfinder is also marginally larger than that on the Canon 40D.

01-04-2011, 11:39 PM	#4
orly_andico Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 97	I've never seen a K-7 or K-5 but I expect the K20D is similar although not 100% coverage. The vignetting is due to the point-and-shoot camera I used, it doesn't vignette at all "in reality." But definitely with the magnifier, you can't see the whole frame if you wear glasses. I got to try a 5D for a while.. the viewfinder was almost exactly like that on my old film EOS Elan II. In other words, fantastic if you're used to an APS-C DSLR, but pathetic compared to a Spotmatic! (or even to my Pentax P3N). That said, the K20D has the best APS-C viewfinder I've tried. But I've only tried the K10D, K20D, Nikon D40x, Canon 350D, 400D, 40D. Last edited by orly_andico; 01-04-2011 at 11:44 PM.

01-05-2011, 12:04 AM	#6
orly_andico Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 97	I wanted to try the KPS.. but the DK-21M is so much cheaper, so.. it's not an "exact' fit on the K20D, so you have to wiggle it a bit into place. And getting it off after a year was.. a bit challenging. Thought I'd break off the little plastic bit on the DK-21M. Maybe I'll get the KPS for my Canon 40D at some point (DK-21M doesn't fit). There's also the Pentax O-ME 53 which is quite similar to the Nikon (price-wise as well).

01-05-2011, 12:06 AM	#7
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388 Original Poster	That one had an odd review: "As the instructions shipped with the viewfinder make clear, this eyecup is intended for use with the K10-D and earlier cameras. On the K-7 and the K-20, it cuts the viewfinder area by approximately 30-50% and, though what you see is magnified, you can no longer see the entire frame. On the K-7 in particular, which makes a point of 100% frame coverage in the viewfinder, the eyecup is much more of a hindrance than a help." Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying Eyecup 30150 B&H Photo Video O_O...Strange.

01-05-2011, 12:08 AM	#8
orly_andico Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 97	I never tried the O-ME 53 but I don't believe it would not work on the K20D (which is pretty much identical to the K10D). Maybe on the K-7 or K-5 it would result in a lot of vignetting since these last two have a different VF system than the K10D / K20D.

01-05-2011, 12:40 AM	#9
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388 Original Poster	Hmm maybe I will try it, if anything I can return it I suppose.

01-05-2011, 03:42 AM	#10
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	I'm using the O-ME53 on K-5 without any problem. I believe the viewfinder size is the same on all the Pentax pentaprism DSLR. K-7 and K-5 do have slightly better coverage, but smaller magnification. But in my experience that is the only difference between K10D and K-5.

01-05-2011, 04:54 AM	#11
eljaco Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Courbevoie Posts: 72	Originally posted by Abstract That one had an odd review: "As the instructions shipped with the viewfinder make clear, this eyecup is intended for use with the K10-D and earlier cameras. On the K-7 and the K-20, it cuts the viewfinder area by approximately 30-50% and, though what you see is magnified, you can no longer see the entire frame. On the K-7 in particular, which makes a point of 100% frame coverage in the viewfinder, the eyecup is much more of a hindrance than a help." Pentax O-ME53 Magnifying Eyecup 30150 B&H Photo Video O_O...Strange. Yes, indeed - I have a K-7 & O-ME53. It's basically a magnifying glass, it helps seeing better the center, but you lose a bit on the sides, especially the viewer finder info at the bottom of the screen. But it's not unworkable, need to move your eye around if you need to see everything (it slows down a bit phototaking...)... I'm used to it, but I was considering removing it. Will try and report one of these days...

01-05-2011, 11:10 AM	#12
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388 Original Poster	That's odd...other guy said you don't lose any on the side, maybe its better on the K20D?

01-05-2011, 12:27 PM	#13
orly_andico Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 97	On the K20D with DK-21M you can see the entire VF and the displays so long as your eye is right up against the DK-21M rubber. If you have glasses, no go.

01-05-2011, 12:53 PM	#14
Abstract Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 388 Original Poster	Maybe I should go with the DK-21M instead, it fits nicely anyways from what you said, only problem is taking it off which I would not do if its nice anyways...