Shooting video on K-x

Is it just me or do other K-x owners find it really tricky recording video? I have achieved some nice video clips but I find the experience of trying to film video so awkward. The image on the camera screen seems so small and difficult to see on a sunny day. I have point and shoot cameras such as the casio exilim and kodak Z950. These seem really easy to use for video - with a nice bright screen. Perhaps I need to do some adjustments to my k-x?

I took the K-7 out today and tried some video for the first time. What a joke, couldn't see a thing on the screen .. makes manual focus (video) almost impossible outside imo.

You can brighten the screen, don't know if that will help

Doubt it very much, anyway I felt a bit of a plonker holding a gripped DSLR with the Bigma attached up at eye level to the screen trying to focus.

i hope this helps it did me i had the same till i got one of these Delkin Pop Up Shade Pro for Pentax

i tried video once (with the A 50/1.7) Was amusing doing the pull-focus thing for about 20 seconds, but after that I switched it off and have never bothered since. I borrowed an old DVCam when I needed to record some video for work, and took stills with the Kx at the same time. Much easier all round really!

Yes, I know you can shoot video with a DSLR, and people do all sorts of things with Canon 5DmkII's. Or for that matter,
iPhones). But the only trick of using a DSLR is the shallow DoF, apart from that a video camera does everything better. Ok, the 5D is cheaper than getting a Broadcast TV or 35mm Film camera, but its a compromise-solution and you are highly limited in the types of shots you can take.

With respect, the major advantage of using a DSLR for video is the ability to use superb lenses, from very wide-angle to telephoto, and with a nice wide aperture if the light is low.

G

To do pro video the camera is the least of your worries and the least of your expenses. You need a body mount, stabiliser, boom, mic and digital audio recorder, external monitor, pull-focus rig, lights, reflectors, etc. etc. Ever see a film crew out on location? You will never get the same results without some consideration of how they work.

I though about putting a disclaimer in, but don't want to be pretentious about it, or get pestered as a result. Lets just say, I've been working alongside pro cameras for the past 12 years, and get very depressed when people try to do things with consumer toys (yes, a 5D even with all the addons is still a toy), because their attitude that "if its cheap then good enough will do" has been slowly destroying the industry...

Thanks for all your comments/suggestions so far
Flossie, I understand where you are coming from re dslrs not comparing to pro gear.
In my case though I am just wanting to take nice video clips of my children etc.
Puma, thanks for the suggestion re the Delkin popup shade. I have looked on google and cannot find one specifically for the k-x. Can I ask which version did you buy?

You only come to that conclusion if you see Filming DSLR as a replacement for a real camera but I don't think you must do that.
For real video nothing is better then a real camera but surely a filming DSLR has his place to capture video but you must take another approach I think, more like taking a moving photo.
I only have very little experience with the K-X but I think I've make some fun clips with it that way, at least they are different then your standard video.

They have versions on size as well, simply look up your screen size of the K-X and get the one closest to it.

Yes, despite what I said in my last post one can certainly have fun with a DSLR and video... indeed I hope to soon! But still it is useful to look at what the pros do and apply a little ingenuity to doing something similar yourself. (For example, cheap stabiliser versus gyro.)

The most important thing is to have reasonable expectations.

Apparently the last episode of the US medical Drama 'House' was filmed entirely on 5Ds!

You can zoom the display in video mode on a K7 by pressing the Info button, the same as in Live view, this may help with focus. I always find focus a bit tricky, then I do through the lens too! Funny, I seemed to be better at it with my old film camera 20 years ago....

You weren't any better at it, but standards weren't as strict as they are now. If you look back even at classic gallery-worthy photos and practically all journalism shots... they were "out of focus!" as far as anyone today would say.

I suspect that Beaky's eyesight was better twenty years ago.

G