How many K-01 owners here?

Bit unfair of Mike-P to only quote part of the review,
especially when the site concerned has also done a
page on the viewfinder.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA77/AA77A3.HTM

Also the same review states that on continuous shooting the
A77 is showing the previous frame captured and not the one
currently being captured Hardly an example of no lag

This site shows the A77 to have more shutter lag than
the K-5.... this will help the viewfinder to look a
bit more efficient.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Pentax_K-5-vs-Sony-A77

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So do you think that airshow photography with a K-01 at arms length and a 50-500 on the front would be practical?
Although I do think I know the answer, it's a genuine question - I can't imagine shooting aircraft with a K-01, especially if the LCD has the sun on it.

The 50-500 is heavy enough to hand hold at the best of times, let alone at arms length [/quote]Did I say that (or even suggest it) anywhere?

The fact is I was speaking from my own experience which covers the sort of pictures I take. I don't do airshow photography, so that bears absolutely no relevance to me whatsoever.

What I did say was that it's horses for courses. The guys taking shots trackside weren't likely using a K-01 or Q, in just the same way a FF DSLR with giant telephoto wouldn't really suit me.

Did I say that (or even suggest it) anywhere?[/quote]Sorry if I've misunderstood - when you said to Algi that he was speaking from his experience not yours, it suggested to me that you had experience of action photography with the K-01.

Did I say that (or even suggest it) anywhere?[/quote]Sorry if I've misunderstood - when you said to Algi that he was speaking from his experience not yours, it suggested to me that you had experience of action photography with the K-01.[/quote]I was saying that I have experience of taking photographs and using a screen (rather than viewfinder) to compose.

'Live action' covers a whole lot more than airshows, at least in my mind.

Apparently I'm wrong though. And nothing without a viewfinder will do.

When it comes down to it if you're familiar with the equipment you're using and can use it well, you can get good results out of something most would consider 'unsuitable'.

Using a Samsung Galaxy S2 and Instagram, I've captured some cracking shots of my 18 month old son going down the slide in the park, on the swings, running around the garden, etc. It's not easy at first, but the thing with any lag is that it is generally consistent. This means once you've got used to it you can easily compensate for it.

Take the Q for example, in certain conditions the screen can be a little choppy, which can make shooting lice action a challenge. My work around is generally to pre-focus where possible and use continuous shooting (and start shooting a little earlier than you think is necessary).

One of the best ideas for a viewfinder never caught on

It was the Voigtlander Kontur Finder seen and described here:
http://www.eyescoffee.com/collectcamera/voigtlanderbessar2/index.php

I have the 6x6 version. You keep both eyes open and see the
scene as normal, but with a white frame superimposed in your
brain

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You could use that with the Q or K-01 Algi. I think I would find it disturbing, but no doubt there are plenty of us who would find it useful.

I like the look of that...

Just had a quick look on the K-5 with the Pentax-F 24-50mm
zoom and the left-right 6x6 frames cover about 37mm. So
35mm should be OK.

The upper-lower lines also have parallax lines so the
upper parallax line is probably about right. There's
also a very prominent centre dot.

There was also a 35mm version marked for 50mm lens
and a 6x9

You use it with your eye about an inch away. Works
well in normal roomlight as well as sunlight.

Anything that messes around with your brain is good with me.

Just a thought...if you used the finder at different distances from your eye(s) would that simulate the effect of different focal lengths (albeit a rough approximation)?

It only works at about 0.5" to 1.5"
Should work with spectacles as well

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