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Confused · 02-08-2008, 06:38 AM

Hi all

In the latest edition of Amateur Photographer Magazine (9th February 2008) I was studying Angela Nicholson's impressions of the forthcoming K20D and read this worrying comment:

Quote:

The magnified view (of the rear LCD) provided to assist manual focus is fairly low quality

We shall have to wait and see what early adopters of the K20D actually make of the new camera , but I generally tend to trust the objective reviews I find in Amateur Photographer Magazine.
There are a number of publications competing for shelf space in the UK that masquerade as photographic magazines, but which are in reality nothing more than glorified glossy advertising brochures sucking-up to the big manufacturers.
Your comments are welcome......

Best regards
Richard

Last edited by Confused; 02-08-2008 at 07:05 AM.

Finn · 02-08-2008, 06:59 AM

Well sure, but that's no different from any APS-C camera. The sensor is small, so the viewfinder is small, thus making manual focusing more difficult. The viewfinder magnification is fairly high for its class, so I would they'd have the same criticism of most DSLR's.

Finn · 02-08-2008, 07:01 AM

Wait -- are they talking about the live view? That's what "magnified view" makes it sound like. No comment then.

Confused · 02-08-2008, 07:04 AM

Hi Finn

Sorry about that....yes, they were referring to the rear LCD. I've just amended the OP,

Best regards
Richard

Adam · 02-08-2008, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by Confused

Hi all

In the latest edition of Amateur Photographer Magazine (9th February 2008) I was studying Angela Nicholson's impressions of the forthcoming K20D and read this worrying comment:

We shall have to wait and see what early adopters of the K20D actually make of the new camera , but I generally tend to trust the objective reviews I find in Amateur Photographer Magazine.
There are a number of publications competing for shelf space in the UK that masquerade as photographic magazines, but which are in reality nothing more than glorified glossy advertising brochures sucking-up to the big manufacturers.
Your comments are welcome......

Best regards
Richard

Very interesting- I'd personally discard that comment since nothing's better than the viewfinder when it comes to MF. IMO, if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen.

WMBP · 02-08-2008, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Very interesting- I'd personally discard that comment since nothing's better than the viewfinder when it comes to MF. IMO, if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen.

What I was thinking, too. Now that I've got a Katz Eye on my K10D, I'm wondering how I managed for a year without it. Pentax ought to order a few thousand Katz Eye screens and offer them as an option in the K20D for an extra $50. (I'm assuming Katz Eye Optics would give Pentax a good deal on a bulk purchase.)

Anyway, this raises an interesting question: I wonder how live view will work with a Katz Eye focusing screen? Does live view somehow bypass the optical focusing screen?

Will

roscot · 02-08-2008, 10:47 AM

Hey Will, how is spot metering mode in the K20D with the Katz Eye screen?

WMBP · 02-08-2008, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by roscot

Hey Will, how is spot metering mode in the K20D with the Katz Eye screen?

It's okay. I commented on it in the thread that I started a while ago named something like "Which focusing screen?"

Will

benjikan · 02-08-2008, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Very interesting- I'd personally discard that comment since nothing's better than the viewfinder when it comes to MF. IMO, if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen.

DITTO....Never use an LCD for fine focussing.

Ben

mattdm · 02-08-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

The magnified view (of the rear LCD) provided to assist manual focus is fairly low quality

I think that's probably a fair comment when compared to the high-res LCDs on some of the new (pricey) competition. It's clearly a place where they've opted to save on costs.

Gooshin · 02-08-2008, 01:37 PM

benjikan · 02-08-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by Gooshin

Welcome to the Club..It is considered an honor!!!

Gooshin · 02-08-2008, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by benjikan

Welcome to the Club..It is considered an honor!!!

what, running around with a burning paper bag on your head?

.... or getting banned from the dpreview forums?

falconeye · 02-08-2008, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by Adam

if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen.

Yes and no. Theoretically, LiveView at 10x and more magnification should give focus accuracy not available from any ViewFinder. LiewView at 1x of course is not useful for focussing.

So, how can the "magnified live view of K20D be of poor quality"? Esp. as there should be one magnification step where there is a 1:1 correspondence of pixels, so no speed issues involved.

falconeye · 02-08-2008, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by benjikan

Never use an LCD for fine focussing.

Ok, so I fear you have not tried the magnified live view mode. What a pitty!

And you also never cross-check focus in magnified view after the shot, e.g., with a 21mm Limited having back-focus problems?

02-08-2008, 06:38 AM	#1
Confused Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,067	K20D adverse comment in latest AP magazine !! Hi all In the latest edition of Amateur Photographer Magazine (9th February 2008) I was studying Angela Nicholson's impressions of the forthcoming K20D and read this worrying comment: Quote: The magnified view (of the rear LCD) provided to assist manual focus is fairly low quality We shall have to wait and see what early adopters of the K20D actually make of the new camera , but I generally tend to trust the objective reviews I find in Amateur Photographer Magazine. There are a number of publications competing for shelf space in the UK that masquerade as photographic magazines, but which are in reality nothing more than glorified glossy advertising brochures sucking-up to the big manufacturers. Your comments are welcome...... Best regards Richard Last edited by Confused; 02-08-2008 at 07:05 AM.

02-08-2008, 09:15 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by Confused Hi all In the latest edition of Amateur Photographer Magazine (9th February 2008) I was studying Angela Nicholson's impressions of the forthcoming K20D and read this worrying comment: We shall have to wait and see what early adopters of the K20D actually make of the new camera , but I generally tend to trust the objective reviews I find in Amateur Photographer Magazine. There are a number of publications competing for shelf space in the UK that masquerade as photographic magazines, but which are in reality nothing more than glorified glossy advertising brochures sucking-up to the big manufacturers. Your comments are welcome...... Best regards Richard Very interesting- I'd personally discard that comment since nothing's better than the viewfinder when it comes to MF. IMO, if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-08-2008, 06:59 AM	#2
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	Well sure, but that's no different from any APS-C camera. The sensor is small, so the viewfinder is small, thus making manual focusing more difficult. The viewfinder magnification is fairly high for its class, so I would they'd have the same criticism of most DSLR's.

02-08-2008, 07:01 AM	#3
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	Wait -- are they talking about the live view? That's what "magnified view" makes it sound like. No comment then.

02-08-2008, 07:04 AM	#4
Confused Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,067 Original Poster	Hi Finn Sorry about that....yes, they were referring to the rear LCD. I've just amended the OP, Best regards Richard

02-08-2008, 10:15 AM	#6
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	Originally posted by Adam Very interesting- I'd personally discard that comment since nothing's better than the viewfinder when it comes to MF. IMO, if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen. What I was thinking, too. Now that I've got a Katz Eye on my K10D, I'm wondering how I managed for a year without it. Pentax ought to order a few thousand Katz Eye screens and offer them as an option in the K20D for an extra $50. (I'm assuming Katz Eye Optics would give Pentax a good deal on a bulk purchase.) Anyway, this raises an interesting question: I wonder how live view will work with a Katz Eye focusing screen? Does live view somehow bypass the optical focusing screen? Will

02-08-2008, 10:47 AM	#7
roscot Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Beach VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,363	Hey Will, how is spot metering mode in the K20D with the Katz Eye screen?

02-08-2008, 11:15 AM	#8
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	Originally posted by roscot Hey Will, how is spot metering mode in the K20D with the Katz Eye screen? It's okay. I commented on it in the thread that I started a while ago named something like "Which focusing screen?" Will

02-08-2008, 01:19 PM	#9
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Originally posted by Adam Very interesting- I'd personally discard that comment since nothing's better than the viewfinder when it comes to MF. IMO, if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen. DITTO....Never use an LCD for fine focussing. Ben

02-08-2008, 01:31 PM	#10
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Quote: The magnified view (of the rear LCD) provided to assist manual focus is fairly low quality I think that's probably a fair comment when compared to the high-res LCDs on some of the new (pricey) competition. It's clearly a place where they've opted to save on costs.

02-08-2008, 01:37 PM	#11
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610

02-08-2008, 01:41 PM	#12
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Originally posted by Gooshin Welcome to the Club..It is considered an honor!!!

02-08-2008, 01:43 PM	#13
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by benjikan Welcome to the Club..It is considered an honor!!! what, running around with a burning paper bag on your head? .... or getting banned from the dpreview forums?

02-08-2008, 01:47 PM	#14
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by Adam if you're that desperate to focus accurately, I would just buy a KatzEye focusing screen. Yes and no. Theoretically, LiveView at 10x and more magnification should give focus accuracy not available from any ViewFinder. LiewView at 1x of course is not useful for focussing. So, how can the "magnified live view of K20D be of poor quality"? Esp. as there should be one magnification step where there is a 1:1 correspondence of pixels, so no speed issues involved.

02-08-2008, 01:52 PM	#15
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by benjikan Never use an LCD for fine focussing. Ok, so I fear you have not tried the magnified live view mode. What a pitty! And you also never cross-check focus in magnified view after the shot, e.g., with a 21mm Limited having back-focus problems?

K20D adverse comment in latest AP magazine !!

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