If you're going to buy a tablet just for this, another option is to buy a field monitor instead. These do exactly what you want, they take HDMI input direct from camera and show the image on a screen. Cheaper, but of course you don't get any of the computing functions of a tablet, so no browsing Pentax User (or watching Netflix) during a break from taking pictures!

Steve

I do it via a USB connection and an 'HDMI video capture card'. The 'card' takes HDMI input and converts it to USB, costs about £20 from Amazon. So the chain from camera to tablet is HDMI cable from camera to video capture card (micro-HDMI plug at camera end, standard HDMI at the other), video capture card has standard USB plug that goes into socket on tablet.

Suitable software is needed to view the image. Basically, the camera is just like a webcam as far as the tablet is concerned, so any software for viewing webcams should be OK (may already have it on the tablet). I use OBS Studio (free, runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux) but only because I already had it for other purposes.

One thing to be aware of. If the tablet has an HDMI socket, it is probably only for outputting an HDMI signal to another device, not for HDMI input. Hence input via USB.

Be sure to get the right cables - there are many different species of HDMI and USB sockets and plugs. Anyone going down the road of joining electronics together by cable ends up with a drawer full of cables and adapters, all of them different!

Hope that helps.

Steve

Rob - I think the issue here is the speed of focus with a Flucard, it is a bit slow. OK for static subjects but not for wildlife etc.

Steve

Generally very nice. But a few niggles.

1. It took me a while to find Pentax lenses via Pentax Shop. Big squares for DSLR and Medium Format cameras, 5 smaller squares underneath as 'Pentax Departments', then 'Our latest 10 items'. By that time, I was confused, it shouldn't be so difficult to find lenses. Eventually found lenses in the small print... And then I checked the Olympus Shop. Cameras and lenses on an equal footing. Now I'm even more confused.

2. A minor niggle when I did find the lenses. Scrolled down quickly, looked at a lens and saw it was out of stock. It took a minute or two to realise that in/out of stock referred to the lens above, not below. As it stands, the stock status is closer to the lens below in many instances so that's the lens the eye (and brain) associates with it. Adjusting the spacing would sort it out. (Yes, I know that clicking on the little square or the lens itself gives full details, but if you think it's out of stock you might not bother...).

3. Looking for Irix lenses just gave Error 404. A website bug or no Irix lenses in stock? If the latter, a 'Sorry nothing in stock at the moment' message would be a lot better.

4. A long standing niggle - DSLR lenses to fit full frame also fit APS-C. Those of us who hang around PF know that and would look at FF lenses even if we only have an APS-C camera. But some people don't know it so wouldn't necessarily look. Just a note and link on the APS-C page would be enough.

Very nearly there though. But just like when I decorate a room, there's always something I missed and someone else notices...!

Steve

What a great, fun set.

Top of the list for me is the duck looking through the slot (last but one). That duck has character!

Steve

Mrs Lubbyman complains that her hair is now far too long, but won't let me get near it if I've got a sharp object in my hand. I don't understand it...

Steve

It worked OK for me, no sweating and cursing needed. But you do need to read the user manual carefully. Make sure your camera battery is fully charged and have a spare handy if you'll be having a long session, the wifi in the Flucard is an extra drain on it. Controlling the camera via a Flucard is a bit slow and clunky (definitely not suitable for action shots!), but it can be done and has enabled me to get some ground-level shots with the K3 that would have been difficult any other way.

It happens all the time, usually because something better has come along. My keyboard (the musical sort) uses a proprietary wifi connection that is no longer supported, it's all Bluetooth now. And it's impossible to get a new lens for Pentax Q cameras now, the Q line has been discontinued. But thankfully, you only need one Flucard. Treat it nicely and it should last a long time. And pre-owned ones seem to come up regularly.

Good luck. And if you have any problems, just ask.

Steve

See http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/o-fc1/ . Scroll to the bottom to download the user manual.

The Flucard is accessed via a web browser on the tablet or phone, an app is not used.

If you just want to see what the camera is seeing and not control it remotely, an alternative is via HDMI cable. I do this for table-top macro, with a K3 attached to a Windows tablet. Aperture etc. set via the camera, shutter fired by wireless trigger.

Steve

Gwyn sends best wishes to all on the Pointless thread.

Steve

Gone missing on a plate of chips???

Steve