Originally posted by vonBaloney How is it harder? The big difference from the old days seems to me to be the digital post-processing vs the darkroom, not the shooting.
The smaller viewfinder (smaller frame size) makes manual focusing much harder. Changing to a matte screen helps some, but you can't see the fine detail nearly as well as with the larger LX or MX finder. (That's the main advantage of FF dSLRs, but they are too big & heavy.) Want to stop down to evaluate DOF? For one thing the new bright screens don't accurately show DOF, and on the K-5 you have to
pull this tiny hard-to-move lever with your forefinger, which should be able to remain on the release button. Doesn't take long and your fingertip gets sore from the poorly designed (but pretty-styled) control. Try stopping down an MX or LX. The preview lever is right under your second fingertip - just
push towards the lens. Much easier.
Exposure compensation on an old SLR? Just meter the area you want and then click the aperture ring a stop or so with your free left finger.
The dSLRs cram too many touchy, tiny controls scattered around your right fingers.
Just give me an MX, or even original Spotmatic. Left fingers operate the silky-smooth focus ring and aperture ring, while the palm supports the camera. Right index finger trips the shutter (or flips the speed dial) while that hand helps steady the body, and the thumb advances the frame. Elegant simplicity where controls are large and separated, but easily located and simple. As Honeywell used to advertize, "Just hold a Pentax." You have a great view and full control over aperture, shutter speed, and focus. Why do we need anything more?