which camera with tilt screen

adwb · 11-14-2013, 07:19 AM

I have used Pentax bodies to the exclusion of every thing else since the 80's and now find that I might have to look else where.

I am finding it harder and harder to squat down which is something I have to do to get the camera down to about 2 foot off the floor which I need to do for my work.

I currently use 2 K5 bodies and was rather hoping that the k5 replacement would have tilt screen as do some of the other brands top or nearly top end units that are on offer.on offer

I think there is or was a Pentax bridge camera with tilt screen but the image quality was poor and lousey iso at anything above 400

my other half has a old canon gG11 which is ideal and image quality is brilliant but I really want the slr functionality of controls menus, buttons , with two dials and so on but with out having to swop lenses

give the above what choices do i have that would hopefully avoid having to buy extra lenses in any brand?

**maxfield_photo** · 11-14-2013, 09:37 AM

This may not be the answer you're looking for, but have you considered a reflex waist level finder? This Varavon Uni is a little bulky, but it's pretty versatile. It can function as an LCD shade, a loupe for video, or a waist level finder. Maybe not as elegant as an articulated screen, but it looks like it can be installed on just about any camera with an LCD.

**TER-OR** · 11-14-2013, 09:38 AM

I think I've seen aftermarket mirrors you can attach to the camera - with a top LCD giving you info and the mirror allowing you to check focus it may work well.

I also have a right-angle finder which you attach to the optical viewfinder which is nice.

I wouldn't count on Pentax providing a tilt screen on anything above a K-500 type camera. The rugged flagship cameras almost certainly won't. I can say I think one drop my K-5 suffered would have sheared a tilt-screen right off.

My Dad has a Sony Alpha he bought because of the tilt-screen. It's nice.

PS. That Varavon is a nice piece of engineering...

stormtech · 11-14-2013, 09:42 AM

I am with you on this. I also can no longer kneel or squat, and I like to take most of my pics from a lower perspective.

The only camera I tried was the Fujifil X-S1 which had a tilt screen. The IQ was OK, but am spoiled by my Pentax APS-C sensor. A few years ago I also tried a Panasonic GH2 which had an articulating screen which I just loved, but again the IQ wasn't what I wanted.

From some of the comments I've read, some people feel that articulating screens don't belong on higher end cameras - that I don't understand.

I need a screen like this so badly that I came close to buying a 7" field monitor for my K-5IIs, but that would add so much bulk. Then the K-3 promised wireless teathering which would work for me, but that hasn't materialized yet either.

Tanzer · 11-14-2013, 09:46 AM

Well one obvious alternative to the G11 is the MX-1, it doesn't have twin control dials but otherwise has full manual control. I'm liking the image quality, better than the (original) Q, and certainly better than the X90 bridge camera.

No viewfinder but the G11 doesn't really have an effective viewfinder, either.

No hotshoe either, if that is important. I use my Q or K-5 when it matters to me.

normhead · 11-14-2013, 09:51 AM

Once I get my FLUcard, my iPad will be my off camera screen viewfinder… I'll just bypass tilt screen altogether.

stormtech · 11-14-2013, 10:12 AM

I'm still waiting to see the Flu card materialize - looks like it is at least 3 months away yet.

I'll have to do some research on it as I don't have any Apple products.

adwb · 11-14-2013, 10:17 AM

thanks every one,

Maxfield, the Varavon look interesting but to change a battery looks like you have to remove the whole thing which might be a problem since it looks like you are in LV as the original finder can't be seen and lv eats battery power,

Ter-or the 90 degree finder might work if i bend over i guess i have a feeling my back might object to that as much as my knees to squatting!

Stormtech i also looked at monitors on the hdmi cable but it not practical in the field.

and Tanzer thank you i had forgotten the MX-1 as you say the x 90 was awful IQ

perhaps I should also look for a cheap used unit with a tilt screen from one of the other mfg which would also have a view finder as well.?

Flu card is not a option as I have no intention of buying a K3

normhead · 11-14-2013, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by stormtech

I'm still waiting to see the Flu card materialize - looks like it is at least 3 months away yet.

I'll have to do some research on it as I don't have any Apple products.

Not to recommend this to anyone as of course it's completely illegal, but when I got my first tablet, I found a torrent for 100 great photography books, and downloaded 100 books in PDFform, which I've slowly been working through… I take them with me where ever I go, and read when I have a chance… it would be impossible to take 100 real books with me, it's like walking around with a Library.

stormtech · 11-14-2013, 10:50 AM

@adwb - I really have no intention of updating to the K-3 either as I just love what my K-5IIs does for me. As I said above, I have tried a couple small sensor cameras for the main reason of having the tilting or articulated screen, but always felt wanting for the IQ of my then K-5 and now K-5IIs. So now I am trying to find a solution that will work for me in APS-C format at least.

Here is a typical setup of mine. In years past I would just get down on the ground and shoot using live view. Now my situation has changed, so this is how I need to shoot:

Sorry if I am taking your thread off topic here........

adwb · 11-14-2013, 11:16 AM

not off topic and a solution for some. my problem is that I am doing commercial photography on a tight budget and have to work fast to make money, tripods and setting up is just not a option, as I said squatting did and still painfully works and i tried the G11 and it was OK and thats what gave me the idea. for a tilt screen..

SpecialK · 11-14-2013, 12:10 PM

I believe there are a couple threads mentioning using a 7"+/- LCD that works off the HDMI port.

http://www.amazon.com/Lilliput-monitor-interface-dedicated-high-definition/d...d_sim_sbs_pc_1

stormtech · 11-14-2013, 02:41 PM

@adwb - I took a look at your website - I see your need to getting down low quickly is a lot different than mine.

By the way - great website and I really like your wedding work.

adwb · 11-15-2013, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by stormtech

@adwb - I took a look at your website - I see your need to getting down low quickly is a lot different than mine.

By the way - great website and I really like your wedding work.

thank you for the kind complement, the real knee breaker are these Hyundai used cars | Simonstone Bristol | Hyundai to get the angle right as dictated by the car mfg for images you have to be about 2 ft of the deck with the lens. click on any car to see the set of images.

more non knee hurting work here Al Barclay, a Bristol, City of Bristol BS1, UK based Photographer. / Portfolio hosting and networking for models, photographers and related creatives / PurplePort

or here Alistair at Country Studio's photosets on Flickr

i contacted veravon one of the products will fit a K5 but its pricy and if fitted then the camera is in LV all the time, I have not tried LV for any length of time but I have the impression it sucks batteries flat very quickly, but I might be wrong, I know the battery indicator is a bit inaccurate when in LV to say the least.

11-14-2013, 07:19 AM	#1
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	which camera with tilt screen I have used Pentax bodies to the exclusion of every thing else since the 80's and now find that I might have to look else where. I am finding it harder and harder to squat down which is something I have to do to get the camera down to about 2 foot off the floor which I need to do for my work. I currently use 2 K5 bodies and was rather hoping that the k5 replacement would have tilt screen as do some of the other brands top or nearly top end units that are on offer.on offer I think there is or was a Pentax bridge camera with tilt screen but the image quality was poor and lousey iso at anything above 400 my other half has a old canon gG11 which is ideal and image quality is brilliant but I really want the slr functionality of controls menus, buttons , with two dials and so on but with out having to swop lenses give the above what choices do i have that would hopefully avoid having to buy extra lenses in any brand?

11-14-2013, 09:38 AM	#3
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I think I've seen aftermarket mirrors you can attach to the camera - with a top LCD giving you info and the mirror allowing you to check focus it may work well. I also have a right-angle finder which you attach to the optical viewfinder which is nice. I wouldn't count on Pentax providing a tilt screen on anything above a K-500 type camera. The rugged flagship cameras almost certainly won't. I can say I think one drop my K-5 suffered would have sheared a tilt-screen right off. My Dad has a Sony Alpha he bought because of the tilt-screen. It's nice. PS. That Varavon is a nice piece of engineering... Last edited by TER-OR; 11-14-2013 at 09:47 AM.

11-14-2013, 12:10 PM	#12
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	I believe there are a couple threads mentioning using a 7"+/- LCD that works off the HDMI port. http://www.amazon.com/Lilliput-monitor-interface-dedicated-high-definition/d...d_sim_sbs_pc_1 Last edited by SpecialK; 11-14-2013 at 01:07 PM.

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11-14-2013, 09:37 AM	#2
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	This may not be the answer you're looking for, but have you considered a reflex waist level finder? This Varavon Uni is a little bulky, but it's pretty versatile. It can function as an LCD shade, a loupe for video, or a waist level finder. Maybe not as elegant as an articulated screen, but it looks like it can be installed on just about any camera with an LCD.

11-14-2013, 09:42 AM	#4
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	I am with you on this. I also can no longer kneel or squat, and I like to take most of my pics from a lower perspective. The only camera I tried was the Fujifil X-S1 which had a tilt screen. The IQ was OK, but am spoiled by my Pentax APS-C sensor. A few years ago I also tried a Panasonic GH2 which had an articulating screen which I just loved, but again the IQ wasn't what I wanted. From some of the comments I've read, some people feel that articulating screens don't belong on higher end cameras - that I don't understand. I need a screen like this so badly that I came close to buying a 7" field monitor for my K-5IIs, but that would add so much bulk. Then the K-3 promised wireless teathering which would work for me, but that hasn't materialized yet either.

11-14-2013, 09:46 AM	#5
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Well one obvious alternative to the G11 is the MX-1, it doesn't have twin control dials but otherwise has full manual control. I'm liking the image quality, better than the (original) Q, and certainly better than the X90 bridge camera. No viewfinder but the G11 doesn't really have an effective viewfinder, either. No hotshoe either, if that is important. I use my Q or K-5 when it matters to me.

11-14-2013, 09:51 AM	#6
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Once I get my FLUcard, my iPad will be my off camera screen viewfinder… I'll just bypass tilt screen altogether.

11-14-2013, 10:12 AM	#7
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	I'm still waiting to see the Flu card materialize - looks like it is at least 3 months away yet. I'll have to do some research on it as I don't have any Apple products.

11-14-2013, 10:17 AM	#8
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636 Original Poster	thanks every one, Maxfield, the Varavon look interesting but to change a battery looks like you have to remove the whole thing which might be a problem since it looks like you are in LV as the original finder can't be seen and lv eats battery power, Ter-or the 90 degree finder might work if i bend over i guess i have a feeling my back might object to that as much as my knees to squatting! Stormtech i also looked at monitors on the hdmi cable but it not practical in the field. and Tanzer thank you i had forgotten the MX-1 as you say the x 90 was awful IQ perhaps I should also look for a cheap used unit with a tilt screen from one of the other mfg which would also have a view finder as well.? Flu card is not a option as I have no intention of buying a K3

11-14-2013, 10:17 AM	#9
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by stormtech I'm still waiting to see the Flu card materialize - looks like it is at least 3 months away yet. I'll have to do some research on it as I don't have any Apple products. Not to recommend this to anyone as of course it's completely illegal, but when I got my first tablet, I found a torrent for 100 great photography books, and downloaded 100 books in PDFform, which I've slowly been working through… I take them with me where ever I go, and read when I have a chance… it would be impossible to take 100 real books with me, it's like walking around with a Library.

11-14-2013, 10:50 AM	#10
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	@adwb - I really have no intention of updating to the K-3 either as I just love what my K-5IIs does for me. As I said above, I have tried a couple small sensor cameras for the main reason of having the tilting or articulated screen, but always felt wanting for the IQ of my then K-5 and now K-5IIs. So now I am trying to find a solution that will work for me in APS-C format at least. Here is a typical setup of mine. In years past I would just get down on the ground and shoot using live view. Now my situation has changed, so this is how I need to shoot: Sorry if I am taking your thread off topic here........

11-14-2013, 11:16 AM	#11
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636 Original Poster	not off topic and a solution for some. my problem is that I am doing commercial photography on a tight budget and have to work fast to make money, tripods and setting up is just not a option, as I said squatting did and still painfully works and i tried the G11 and it was OK and thats what gave me the idea. for a tilt screen..

11-14-2013, 02:41 PM	#13
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	@adwb - I took a look at your website - I see your need to getting down low quickly is a lot different than mine. By the way - great website and I really like your wedding work.

11-15-2013, 02:47 AM	#14
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636 Original Poster	Originally posted by stormtech @adwb - I took a look at your website - I see your need to getting down low quickly is a lot different than mine. By the way - great website and I really like your wedding work. thank you for the kind complement, the real knee breaker are these Hyundai used cars \| Simonstone Bristol \| Hyundai to get the angle right as dictated by the car mfg for images you have to be about 2 ft of the deck with the lens. click on any car to see the set of images. more non knee hurting work here Al Barclay, a Bristol, City of Bristol BS1, UK based Photographer. / Portfolio hosting and networking for models, photographers and related creatives / PurplePort or here Alistair at Country Studio's photosets on Flickr i contacted veravon one of the products will fit a K5 but its pricy and if fitted then the camera is in LV all the time, I have not tried LV for any length of time but I have the impression it sucks batteries flat very quickly, but I might be wrong, I know the battery indicator is a bit inaccurate when in LV to say the least.