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gatorguy · 10-05-2019, 03:40 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Snapppy

Yep, this sums up exactly my response, so I guess I'll just use yours

Except I didn't know what a bahtinov mask was...

I had not heard of one either. Surprised me it was from astrophotography. Years ago I spent nearly every Saturday night (weather permitting) at a fairly remote spot in Kissimmee State Park with my 16" telescope along with 6-12 others and their gear, some reflectors and a few refractors. I don't ever recall hearing the term.

Yup, learning new stuff every day.

**MossyRocks** · 10-05-2019, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by Snapppy

Except I didn't know what a bahtinov mask was, so now I am researching that and am fascinated - learn something new every day!

They are a godsend for getting that perfect focus and for doing quick checks to see that the focus hasn't changed as things cool down.

Fenwoodian · 10-05-2019, 05:31 PM

.
On my Pentax K-1 I use a Zacuto viewfinder over the camera's LCD screen for both focusing and composition 100% of the time. In fact, my optical viewfinder is permanently covered up by a Pentax viewfinder cap.

Given that, one might wonder why don't I shoot mirrorless? Two reasons: I love Pentax's pixel shift, and I feel Pentax camera's have the best ergomonics (buttons/menus/grips)

Vmax911 · 10-05-2019, 05:40 PM

I always use the OVF, unless the angle is awkward enough I need to use the flippy screen.

**monochrome** · 10-05-2019, 06:31 PM

The following applies to K-1. I use AF lenses on KP.

I use MF lenses more often than AF lenses with K-1. I use OVF to focus them most of the time. The K-1 OVF is that good. I don’t pay attention to the Focus Confirmation icon. When OVF focusing isn’t possible or when I need narrow DoF I use LV hand held with Focus Peaking. I flip out the screen and hold the camera close to my chest supported on the base with my left hand. The technique is quite similar to focusing a TLR through the waist level finder. I sometimes will put a Hoodman loupe on the flipped up LCD.

lotech · 10-05-2019, 06:36 PM

There are few reasons I prefer OVF over LV and EVF.

1st. LV does not work well under bright day light, of course I can put a hood on it to make it works like EVF.

2nd. LV and EVF eat more battery.
3rd. Modern EVF are super hi-res but still not comparable with real optical image.

4th. I got farsighted vision can't focus close enough on the LCD, where OVF/EVF has correction built in.
5th. I was started shooting with film so I very used to OVF.

There is also problem with OVF in rare occasion. I got a used LX which the OVF is off can't get infinity focus, there was mis-alignment on the prism or the mirror so that the viewing image is not in exact focus as the focal plane one, I believe this problem also on other made of the same design like the Nikon Fs and the Canon F1..etc.

totsmuyco · 10-05-2019, 07:46 PM

I use live view when it's necessary as in a difficult situation to look into the OVF. Other than that no.

**Ranchwagon** · 10-05-2019, 08:05 PM

KP user. OVF almost all of the time, LV only in situations where I can’t see through the OVF.

RichardJ · 10-06-2019, 02:52 AM

I nearly always use the OVF, unless I'm shooting really low down and the angle would be awkward. I use live view occasionally when manually focusing to check the focus.

**ehrwien** · 10-06-2019, 04:28 AM

I only ever use Live View when it would be inconvenient or impossible to frame my shots through the viewfinder, or when I really want to nail focus wide open, close-by, with a manual or macro lens.

**beachgardener** · 10-06-2019, 04:58 AM

viewfinder 100%

**clickclick** · 10-07-2019, 06:13 PM

Having to put reading glasses on really cuts down the appeal of live view to me. Top LCD screens are hard to use too.

zahnski · 10-07-2019, 08:16 PM

K1/KP: Mostly viewfinder, LV when taking shots from unusual positions like from the floor/above my head and when using a tripod.

08amczb · 10-11-2019, 03:46 PM

I use live view only for high and low shots. The AF is better with viewfinder and it drains less battery.

hongman · 10-12-2019, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by STARHUNTER94

This is more my style too. I find myself using LV mainly when I'm trying to get high or low shots handheld where I can't physically get my eye to the VF. Not the best tactic, but happens a lot while traveling.

Yeah... My primary or only use of Live View on Pentax dslr is occasionally while traveling as a tourist in crowded situations.. my usual daily use is 100% viewfinder, mainly because my ancient K-7's Live View implementation is clunky at best..!

10-05-2019, 06:31 PM	#50
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	The following applies to K-1. I use AF lenses on KP. I use MF lenses more often than AF lenses with K-1. I use OVF to focus them most of the time. The K-1 OVF is that good. I don’t pay attention to the Focus Confirmation icon. When OVF focusing isn’t possible or when I need narrow DoF I use LV hand held with Focus Peaking. I flip out the screen and hold the camera close to my chest supported on the base with my left hand. The technique is quite similar to focusing a TLR through the waist level finder. I sometimes will put a Hoodman loupe on the flipped up LCD. Last edited by monochrome; 10-05-2019 at 08:24 PM.

10-05-2019, 06:36 PM	#51
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312	There are few reasons I prefer OVF over LV and EVF. 1st. LV does not work well under bright day light, of course I can put a hood on it to make it works like EVF. 2nd. LV and EVF eat more battery. 3rd. Modern EVF are super hi-res but still not comparable with real optical image. 4th. I got farsighted vision can't focus close enough on the LCD, where OVF/EVF has correction built in. 5th. I was started shooting with film so I very used to OVF. There is also problem with OVF in rare occasion. I got a used LX which the OVF is off can't get infinity focus, there was mis-alignment on the prism or the mirror so that the viewing image is not in exact focus as the focal plane one, I believe this problem also on other made of the same design like the Nikon Fs and the Canon F1..etc. Last edited by lotech; 10-05-2019 at 06:56 PM.

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10-05-2019, 03:40 PM - 1 Like	#46
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by Snapppy Yep, this sums up exactly my response, so I guess I'll just use yours Except I didn't know what a bahtinov mask was... I had not heard of one either. Surprised me it was from astrophotography. Years ago I spent nearly every Saturday night (weather permitting) at a fairly remote spot in Kissimmee State Park with my 16" telescope along with 6-12 others and their gear, some reflectors and a few refractors. I don't ever recall hearing the term. Yup, learning new stuff every day.

10-05-2019, 04:40 PM	#47
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by Snapppy Except I didn't know what a bahtinov mask was, so now I am researching that and am fascinated - learn something new every day! They are a godsend for getting that perfect focus and for doing quick checks to see that the focus hasn't changed as things cool down.

10-05-2019, 05:31 PM	#48
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,875	. On my Pentax K-1 I use a Zacuto viewfinder over the camera's LCD screen for both focusing and composition 100% of the time. In fact, my optical viewfinder is permanently covered up by a Pentax viewfinder cap. Given that, one might wonder why don't I shoot mirrorless? Two reasons: I love Pentax's pixel shift, and I feel Pentax camera's have the best ergomonics (buttons/menus/grips)

10-05-2019, 05:40 PM	#49
Vmax911 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Photos: Gallery Posts: 826	I always use the OVF, unless the angle is awkward enough I need to use the flippy screen.

10-05-2019, 07:46 PM	#52
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I use live view when it's necessary as in a difficult situation to look into the OVF. Other than that no.

10-05-2019, 08:05 PM	#53
Ranchwagon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kansas Posts: 34	KP user. OVF almost all of the time, LV only in situations where I can’t see through the OVF.

10-06-2019, 02:52 AM	#54
RichardJ Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 72	I nearly always use the OVF, unless I'm shooting really low down and the angle would be awkward. I use live view occasionally when manually focusing to check the focus.

10-06-2019, 04:28 AM	#55
ehrwien Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2,784	I only ever use Live View when it would be inconvenient or impossible to frame my shots through the viewfinder, or when I really want to nail focus wide open, close-by, with a manual or macro lens.

10-06-2019, 04:58 AM	#56
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	viewfinder 100%

10-07-2019, 06:13 PM	#57
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Having to put reading glasses on really cuts down the appeal of live view to me. Top LCD screens are hard to use too.

10-07-2019, 08:16 PM	#58
zahnski Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 81	K1/KP: Mostly viewfinder, LV when taking shots from unusual positions like from the floor/above my head and when using a tripod.

10-11-2019, 03:46 PM	#59
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	I use live view only for high and low shots. The AF is better with viewfinder and it drains less battery.

10-12-2019, 10:39 AM	#60
hongman Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 300	Originally posted by STARHUNTER94 This is more my style too. I find myself using LV mainly when I'm trying to get high or low shots handheld where I can't physically get my eye to the VF. Not the best tactic, but happens a lot while traveling. Yeah... My primary or only use of Live View on Pentax dslr is occasionally while traveling as a tourist in crowded situations.. my usual daily use is 100% viewfinder, mainly because my ancient K-7's Live View implementation is clunky at best..!

Do you use Live View or Viewfinder

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