Reviewing images outdoors

I had a little problem this morning while out shooting. I couldnt review the images on the rear screen of my K5ii. As there was some bright thing in the sky. We dont see too often in Manchester. So with the sun being so bright. I was struggling to check if the exposures I had,were correct. More so the depth of field was at the amount I needed in my portrait shots. Anyone any suggestions how to overcome this ? or should I just put a blanket over my head....lol

I wanted to shoot my lens wide open. f2.8. to obtain maximum Depth of field. Darken the exposuer back to something Normal using a variable ND filter. As I needed to keep the shutter speed at 1/180th to use a fill in flash...

Try a hand over the screen or just turn away from the direct sunlight, F2.8 will give you minimum DOF not maximium.

A natural density filter is a good way to reduce ghetto shutter speed in order to get to the flash sync speed when they are as low as they are with our kit, An alternative is a circular polariser.

Which flash do you use? I recently discovered some sync faster than that (thanks Nigel!) To achieve this the flash needs HSS (high speed sync.)

I always think that ND filters sound so ..... booooriiiing!! HSS is much more exciting


We've got 1/180th (aps-c) and 1/200th (K1) max sync speeds. Most flash books I read refer to 1/200 - 1/250th as the common example, so we are only a very little 'slower'. I think even the top Pro models from Canikon have a max figure of 1/300th. I admit that would be handy, but in a real situation then I'm not sure the difference between 1/180th and 1/250th would be too critical? Ok, so it would allow a half stop wider aperture, or half stop darker background.

But in any case, there have been a number of members here over the years who have been wanting a shorter max sync time.

By the way Chris, yes, I think a Polariser is a good idea .... it should add depth and colour to the backgrounds in many situations, as well as drop the exposure by a stop (or two?).

A quick look online showed me that the 5D Mk IV (£2600) has max of 1/200th, and the 1D X (£3800) 1/250th ....

My Mistake.... yes, I meant to say I'm looking for very shallow depth of field.. I have a Pentax AF540FGZ or the Shanny SN540FGZ Both are equally capable of HSS... But not too well off camera. Which is why I was using the ND filter.. As an on camera flash, I find doesnt work that well coupled with a 70-200mm lens. Personally I've never had a problem with Pentax's sync speed. So that isnt a concern at all..

Also HSS isnt that great when your trying to overpower the sun I find...
Never actually tried a polorizer. I'll give that a go..Thanks for the tip. Chris....