Potential capability of articulated screens

The thread which discussed the benefits or otherwise of articulated screens, for example for the K-New, is full.

So I've started this thread to illustrate the potential capability of an articulated screen.

I've used the K-1-series from launch, and I make a lot of use of its articulated screen.
However, it's screen is both bulky and limited in its range of orientations.

The KP (which I've never used) has an articulated screen.
But it appears to be limited to a tilt.

Here are some (low quality!) snapshots of what one of my cameras can achieve with an articulated screen occupying about 7 millimetres of thickness.
(A non-articulated screen occupies perhaps 5 millimetres of thickness).

There are intermediate positions; these are just a few of the positions.

We differ massively in what we expect from our cameras.

For my action shooting (and when not using the camera) I use the protective position.
There are positions of this screen that I can't think of a use for.
But I'll bet that someone can!

These degrees of rotation are achieved via two separate axes of rotation.

A useful and protective position when a screen is not needed.

A position similar to a non-articulated screen.

This works, but it probably isn't very useful by itself. It is a starting position for lots of other options.

This position can be useful for shooting with the camera near the ground.

This is "selfie mode"! The camera rotates the image so that it is the right way up. (Hm!)

This position allows the screen to be viewed from the left of the camera.

This position allow the screen to be viewed from the right of the camera.

This position allows the screen to be viewed from underneath the camera! (Uh?)

However with regards to K New it is the ovf that is it’s main composition tool and it is the camera from Pentax that is most suited to action shooting of stills. The K1 is best suited to landscape shooting where it’s articulating screen is a must for many landscape compositions that often include focus stacking using lv.

If the K New however has much improved video then an articulating screen would be a good asset... as of course video can only be seen in lv. If the screen is as good as I hope then not enhancing lv with an articulating screen will be a mistake imo.

Conjure wrote:

I completely agree with you, but I don't see the point in presenting the benefits of a Canon solution that seems to be unavailable on the K-New anyway.

I'm challenging some of the mis-conceptions about articulated screens.
I'm suggesting that not including one in the K-New may be a blunder by Ricoh/Pentax.

I shoot all sorts of photography.
I don't use an articulated screen for action, but I do for other photography.
Even for photography done at the same event between shooting action.

Here are photos where I used the K-1-series articulated screen at airshows that I attended primarily to shoot aircraft in flight.
An articulated screen is very useful when using the camera near the ground.

I wouldn't now buy a camera that didn't have an articulated screen even if my main use for it was action photography.

brett nz wrote:

However with regards to K New it is the ovf that is it’s main composition tool and it is the camera from Pentax that is most suited to action shooting of stills. The K1 is best suited to landscape shooting where it’s articulating screen is a must for many landscape compositions that often include focus stacking using lv.

I use my K-1-series for action photography:

Aircraft in flight.
Racing Cars.
Racing bikes.
Birds in flight.

(I wouldn't use an articulated screen for those)

Some photos of racing bikes

Some photos of racing cars

Photos from Royal International Air Tattoo

I also use my K-1-series for:

Landscapes.
Architecture and interiors.
Portraits.

I typically use eye-piece viewing for interiors, especially when there are lots of people around.
For portraiture I typically shoot using the eye-piece, then use the screen to discuss the photos with the subject.

If the K New however has much improved video then an articulating screen would be a good asset... as of course video can only be seen in lv. If the screen is as good as I hope then not enhancing lv with an articulating screen will be a mistake imo.

I can't comment because I don't shoot video much.

K0d wrote:

How many threads are there asking for the features already on the K-70. It has only one shortcoming - it is not made with a metal exterior and so cannot possibly be used on tent pegs or pitons. Ricoh should have made a magnesium version doubled the price and called it a K4. For the solenoid snobs on this forum they could also change the colour of the aperture solenoid.

I confess I didn't know much about the K-70.
(Except that I think my Ricoh GRIII borrowed the entire sensor from the K-70?)

The articulated screen sounds impressive!
Does it have two-axis rotation similar to the image below?

If so, Ricoh/Pentax knew all they needed to know about articulated screens 4 years ago!

Which was the first, I wonder? Pentax Optio 230, perhaps? That camera was introduced in 2002.

Currently, Pentax has more or less all types of articulated LCDs:

- a fully articulated LCD in the K-70

- a tilt up/down LCD on the 645z and KP

- the K-1's "moon lander", very fast to use, very rugged

- remote control through WiFi

Alex

Is this correct?

2015: Pentax K-S2

2016: Pentax K-70 ; Pentax K-1

2017: Pentax KP

2018: Pentax K-1 Mark II

I don't think Pentax has released a camera since 2015 without an articulated screen.

Barry Pearson wrote:

Is this correct?

2015: Pentax K-S2

2016: Pentax K-70 ; Pentax K-1

2017: Pentax KP

2018: Pentax K-1 Mark II

I don't think Pentax has released a camera since 2015 without an articulated screen.

Ricoh Imaging did:

- several Theta models (because there's no way you'd have a screen on such a camera)

- the GR III (because they prioritised compactness)

and will soon announce the K-new.

Other brands also launched IL cameras with fixed screens after 2015; the EOS 1Dx Mark II/Mark III and D5/D6, of course, but also the 5DS series, the 5D Mark IV, tons of compacts...

Alex

I guess I'm a luddite, or maybe its because I live in the "sunshine state", but I find LCD screens almost useless outdoors (and I'm not just talking my Pentax camera's, I've owned/own some from the competition). If I crank up the brightness to where I can see it in bright sun, the battery life is abysmal and I still need a free hand to shade the screen from glare. Phooey.

I look forward to the K-New, with its enhanced viewfinder, and I may even add an old fashioned Eye-Cup for good measure and even more shading and better fit to my eye. By the time I would add a LCD viewing hood with or without magnification to an LCD, it would have to be in its stationary position and not need to tilt anyway. The only time I use the tilt LCD on my K-1 is for low macro shots to save my back and neck, but it's pretty rare, and I don't think that will be the main purpose in life for the K-New.

MrB1 wrote:

Barry Pearson wrote:

Is this correct?

2015: Pentax K-S2

2016: Pentax K-70 ; Pentax K-1

2017: Pentax KP

2018: Pentax K-1 Mark II

I don't think Pentax has released a camera since 2015 without an articulated screen.

Yes Barry. I think the last Pentax fixed screen DSLR was the K-3ii in 2015, and that was almost the same body design as the original K-3 of 2013.

Thanks!

So there are plenty of people using Pentax APSC cameras with articulated screens who haven't seen a new APSC camera for years.

Has Ricoh/Pentax taken them into account? Do they even care about them?

What are those users going to do?

Barry Pearson wrote:

MrB1 wrote:

Barry Pearson wrote:

Is this correct?

2015: Pentax K-S2

2016: Pentax K-70 ; Pentax K-1

2017: Pentax KP

2018: Pentax K-1 Mark II

I don't think Pentax has released a camera since 2015 without an articulated screen.

Yes Barry. I think the last Pentax fixed screen DSLR was the K-3ii in 2015, and that was almost the same body design as the original K-3 of 2013.

Thanks!

So there are plenty of people using Pentax APSC cameras with articulated screens who haven't seen a new APSC camera for years.

Has Ricoh/Pentax taken them into account? Do they even care about them?

What are those users going to do?

Get a KP or a K-70?

Alex

If memory serves me correctly I believe the reason Canon gave for not putting an articulating screen on the 7D II was for a higher degree of weather sealing, supposedly the same as the 1 series cameras. I believe the Canon R5 claims to have the same degree of weather sealing as the 5DIV that according to the Canon rep I talked to is not to the same degree as the 1 series cameras. If the K-new is released without an articulating screen it might be attributed to a higher degree of weather sealing.

So do I. That is not my point. The K New will be Pentaxs best action camera and the k1 is Pentaxs best landscape camera.

brett nz wrote:

So do I. That is not my point. The K New will be Pentaxs best action camera and the k1 is Pentaxs best landscape camera.

I won't argue with that.

My point is that neither camera should be or will be confined to those roles by users.

Just as I use my K-1-series camera for action as well, many users will want to use their K-New for portraiture and landscapes and architecture and interiors, etc.

Those users shouldn't be told:

"Sorry, the K-New is for action.
If you want a Pentax camera for all those other purposes, and want an articulated screen, either buy a K-1-series or a Pentax S2 or Pentax K-70 or Pentax KP.
Then carry both cameras around".

The release rate of Pentax cameras dictates that Ricoh/Pentax can't afford to release fairly specialised cameras. Their cameras may be biased in a particular direction, but need to provide respectable (if not perfect) options for other uses.

Otherwise, what can photographers do?

Rahto wrote:

If memory serves me correctly I believe the reason Canon gave for not putting an articulating screen on the 7D II was for a higher degree of weather sealing, supposedly the same as the 1 series cameras. I believe the Canon R5 claims to have the same degree of weather sealing as the 5DIV that according to the Canon rep I talked to is not to the same degree as the 1 series cameras. If the K-new is released without an articulating screen it might be attributed to a higher degree of weather sealing.

I've used my K-1-series FF cameras in pouring rain.
They have articulated screens. Pentax know how to do this!

The APSC Pentax K-S2, Pentax D-70, and Pentax KP, have articulated screens.
They all claim weather resistance.
I have no personal experience with those cameras and I can't verify those claims.

My Canon R is not weather resistant. I may sometimes use a protective cover in future.

I don't know how good the weather resistance of my per-ordered Canon R5 will be.
If (unfortunately) necessary I'll use a protective cover.

From where I'm shooting an articulated screen isn't of real importance.

The first camera body I bought with such a feature was the K1, and you know, I have hardly ever used it.

I guess you can put this down to the fact that I had lived 45 years with SLRs or other bodies that didn't have moving rear screens,  and yet I have managed to take the pictures I wanted to.

Now I can appreciate that many here or elsewhere swear by their Art screens, but give me anyday a smaller, lighter more robust body. And since those are the reasons I bought my first SLR and then a Pentax SLR, I ll be quite happy if the new body hasn't got an articulating rear screen.

But that's me. Each to his/her own.

What is important is the actual quality of the image caught and if the new Pentax Knew provides then we will all be happy to a degree....

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