DS focusing screen
360 posts
Link
Posted 01/01/2006 - 22:29
Flink wrote:
That brings me to my questions: is there any focusing screen like the AC3's for my DS? If so, where can I get it?
That brings me to my questions: is there any focusing screen like the AC3's for my DS? If so, where can I get it?
Katz Eye Optics have just released a split prism screen for the Pentax *istD Series:
http://www.katzeyeoptics.com
It's a bit expensive at $100 + postage, but I ordered one of these and am waiting for it to arrive. I'll post a report when I've had a decent play with it!
A cheaper alternative might be to get one from the Chinese seller on eBay who's making them from Minolta screens (searching for "Split Image Focus Screen Pentax *IST D" should find the item).
There was also a German company making them from Pentax MX screens, but last I heard they were only supplying them if you bought the camera as well:
http://www.tekade.de/
Cheers,
Mike
Link
Posted 02/01/2006 - 09:55
There are some SLRs with superb screens, but mostly manual focus models.
The effects described such as the "pixellation" (not a word used when screens like that were standard) are the microprism spot, very familiar to Spotmatic users.
The split image screen was widely use from the ME Super series onwards, but was avaialable earlier if requested. In the M cameras and others of that period the split image was usually surrounded by a microprism collar, giving the best of both worlds.
If you want a mind blowing screen for clarity try the 1959 Bessamatic from Voigtlander, which will astonish modern SLR users for its brilliance. The downside is that only the centre portion can be used for focusing as the main screen is an aerial image.
The *istDS screen is actually pretty good for a DSLR, much better than Nikon and Canon IMHO. Using the sliding switch above the eyepiece will enable you to adjust the viewfinder optics for your individual eyesight.
Best regards, John
The effects described such as the "pixellation" (not a word used when screens like that were standard) are the microprism spot, very familiar to Spotmatic users.
The split image screen was widely use from the ME Super series onwards, but was avaialable earlier if requested. In the M cameras and others of that period the split image was usually surrounded by a microprism collar, giving the best of both worlds.
If you want a mind blowing screen for clarity try the 1959 Bessamatic from Voigtlander, which will astonish modern SLR users for its brilliance. The downside is that only the centre portion can be used for focusing as the main screen is an aerial image.
The *istDS screen is actually pretty good for a DSLR, much better than Nikon and Canon IMHO. Using the sliding switch above the eyepiece will enable you to adjust the viewfinder optics for your individual eyesight.
Best regards, John
Link
Posted 02/01/2006 - 19:46
John and Mike, thanks for the info! And Mike, please report back! The Katz screen seems very nice, with both the microprism collar and split-screen aids. Will you install it yourself?
Although I would really like to have such a screen, I'm a bit afraid of what it might do to the autofocus and metering systems. And installing it does not seem to be a trivial exercise...
I have never seen a focusing screen... the prism stays in place, right? Is the focusing screen is a rectangular, "flat" optical device that stays under the prism? Please forgive my ignorance!
Having peeked through Canons and Nikons, I also prefer my DS's viewfinder.
Although I would really like to have such a screen, I'm a bit afraid of what it might do to the autofocus and metering systems. And installing it does not seem to be a trivial exercise...
I have never seen a focusing screen... the prism stays in place, right? Is the focusing screen is a rectangular, "flat" optical device that stays under the prism? Please forgive my ignorance!
Having peeked through Canons and Nikons, I also prefer my DS's viewfinder.
Link
Posted 02/01/2006 - 19:51
A focusing screen is a pice of optically flat ground glass onto which the lens projects its image.
In more modern terms, it is a pice of plastic doing the same job, but shaped on the underside with concentric lines that are called a fresnel lens that makes the illumination much more even. Then focusing aids can be cut into the screen to aid manual focus, but as you know these are usually omitted from autofocus cameras.
Best regards, John
In more modern terms, it is a pice of plastic doing the same job, but shaped on the underside with concentric lines that are called a fresnel lens that makes the illumination much more even. Then focusing aids can be cut into the screen to aid manual focus, but as you know these are usually omitted from autofocus cameras.
Best regards, John
Link
Posted 02/01/2006 - 20:35
Many thanks John!
Has anyone else changed their D/DS/DL focusing screen sucessfully?
Has anyone else changed their D/DS/DL focusing screen sucessfully?
Link
Posted 02/01/2006 - 21:28
Hi,
More info on Pentax screens in general here complete with picture.
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/focusing/screens/index.html
Kim
More info on Pentax screens in general here complete with picture.
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/focusing/screens/index.html
Kim
Link
Posted 04/01/2006 - 12:59
Flink wrote:
And Mike, please report back! The Katz screen seems very nice, with both the microprism collar and split-screen aids. Will you install it yourself?
Although I would really like to have such a screen, I'm a bit afraid of what it might do to the autofocus and metering systems. And installing it does not seem to be a trivial exercise...
Having peeked through Canons and Nikons, I also prefer my DS's viewfinder.
And Mike, please report back! The Katz screen seems very nice, with both the microprism collar and split-screen aids. Will you install it yourself?
Although I would really like to have such a screen, I'm a bit afraid of what it might do to the autofocus and metering systems. And installing it does not seem to be a trivial exercise...
Having peeked through Canons and Nikons, I also prefer my DS's viewfinder.
The screen is apparently on it's way now and should take about a week to arrive. I'll report back once I've had a chance to test it. Installation looks very similar to changing screens on the MX and LX, which I have done in the past and hopefully means it should be pretty straightforward.
From other comments I've read, the new screen should have no effect on AF and minimal effect on exposure, but I'm going to check it over thoroughly. Particularly as I recall people saying that the Tekade screen screwed up spot metering!
I know what you mean about other DSLR viewfinders. I was going to buy a D70 until I looked through the eyepiece and all I could see was the image at the end of a long tunnel surrounded by hundreds of flashing numbers!
Cheers,
Mike
Link
Posted 11/01/2006 - 11:32
The screen has arrived now 
Unfortunately I had to pay VAT and a "customs clearance charge", so the whole thing has worked out to be quite expensive. Last night my wife was giving me grief over the cost of this small piece of plastic ("What is it for anyway?"), particularly as she had to pay the extra charge to the courier!
The new screen is easy to install, exactly the same process as the MX or LX. Unfortunately, I managed to get a couple of dust specs on screen, but as this doesn't affect the picture I'm not too bothered about cleaning them off.
The good news is that it really does make manual focussing quick and easy Before I had trouble gettting reliable focus from my fast primes (eg the A35/2, A28/2, A50/1.4) when used at f2.8 or wider. With the new screen it is quick, easy and accurate. AF works the same as it did before.
I haven't done a thorough test of the metering accuracy with the new screen yet, but it looks fairly unaffacted in centre-weighted and matrix modes in the few simple tests I did. The spot metering is definitely affected however. I was getting an increasing over exposure in spot mode when used with lenses of slower and slower maximum aperture. I estimate it was at least 1/3 stop at F3.5.
The microprism ring became unusable about F4 in the dim night time inside light of my lounge. The split prism was still usable at F5.6. I didn't have time to test any slower apertures.
In conclusion, I would say that the screen works very well, but is pretty expensive for UK users taking into account postage, VAT etc.
Cheers,
Mike
Unfortunately I had to pay VAT and a "customs clearance charge", so the whole thing has worked out to be quite expensive. Last night my wife was giving me grief over the cost of this small piece of plastic ("What is it for anyway?"), particularly as she had to pay the extra charge to the courier!
The new screen is easy to install, exactly the same process as the MX or LX. Unfortunately, I managed to get a couple of dust specs on screen, but as this doesn't affect the picture I'm not too bothered about cleaning them off.
The good news is that it really does make manual focussing quick and easy
Before I had trouble gettting reliable focus from my fast primes (eg the A35/2, A28/2, A50/1.4) when used at f2.8 or wider. With the new screen it is quick, easy and accurate. AF works the same as it did before.I haven't done a thorough test of the metering accuracy with the new screen yet, but it looks fairly unaffacted in centre-weighted and matrix modes in the few simple tests I did. The spot metering is definitely affected however. I was getting an increasing over exposure in spot mode when used with lenses of slower and slower maximum aperture. I estimate it was at least 1/3 stop at F3.5.
The microprism ring became unusable about F4 in the dim night time inside light of my lounge. The split prism was still usable at F5.6. I didn't have time to test any slower apertures.
In conclusion, I would say that the screen works very well, but is pretty expensive for UK users taking into account postage, VAT etc.
Cheers,
Mike
Link
Posted 07/02/2006 - 22:52
I have taken the "risk" of trying out the focusing screen from that nice chinese seller on eBay, who makes them from Minolta screens.
The screen has arrived, and I am actually quite happy with it! It is very easy to change, has a split screen and a microprism collar, and... well... it works! I can tell it has been worked on (sanded) by the seller, but it doesn't impact anything, really.
I have made a few tests with my Pentax 50 1.7 and my Revuenon 135 2.8, and the screen is spot on. Autofocus works as before. I haven't had a chance to test metering yet... but from the shots I took it doesn't seem to be too bad. It might be ever so slightly darker than the stock one, but the difference is very small.
My manual lenses have a new lease of life! And it's great to see the autofocus working; now I feel confident to use the "Quick Shift" of my 18-55! Pentax should really offer such a screen as an option to the *ist D series, since we can use so much good old glass!
The screen has arrived, and I am actually quite happy with it!
It is very easy to change, has a split screen and a microprism collar, and... well... it works! I can tell it has been worked on (sanded) by the seller, but it doesn't impact anything, really.I have made a few tests with my Pentax 50 1.7 and my Revuenon 135 2.8, and the screen is spot on. Autofocus works as before. I haven't had a chance to test metering yet... but from the shots I took it doesn't seem to be too bad. It might be ever so slightly darker than the stock one, but the difference is very small.
My manual lenses have a new lease of life! And it's great to see the autofocus working; now I feel confident to use the "Quick Shift" of my 18-55! Pentax should really offer such a screen as an option to the *ist D series, since we can use so much good old glass!
Link
Posted 08/02/2006 - 09:11
That's very useful to know as I've been considering one of those myself.
Link
Posted 09/02/2006 - 08:27
niblue:
So that you woun't be disappointed when/if you receive yours, my screen has a very, very small crack in one side, and the split circle/microprism collar is not perfectly centered on the screen.
Since it is handmade, your milliage may (and most certainly will) vary.
In the end, it works well, and I can't see the crack or anything through the viewfinder.
It is interesting because it proves this is not something too far fetched to try to do oneself, probably based on old Pentax screens. Glancing quickly through the PDML, someone has apparently done that already with sucess. I might try that in the future with a different screen!
--
Oscar
So that you woun't be disappointed when/if you receive yours, my screen has a very, very small crack in one side, and the split circle/microprism collar is not perfectly centered on the screen.
Since it is handmade, your milliage may (and most certainly will) vary.
In the end, it works well, and I can't see the crack or anything through the viewfinder.
It is interesting because it proves this is not something too far fetched to try to do oneself, probably based on old Pentax screens. Glancing quickly through the PDML, someone has apparently done that already with sucess. I might try that in the future with a different screen!
--
Oscar
14 posts
Link
Posted 29/04/2010 - 22:38
Hi All,
Does anyone know if the LX focusing screen will fit in the K10D?
Jeff.
Does anyone know if the LX focusing screen will fit in the K10D?
Jeff.
Link
Posted 30/04/2010 - 00:18
No, much too big. I just checked!
K.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
My website
K.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
My website
Link
Posted 30/04/2010 - 23:06
womble wrote:
No, much too big. I just checked!
K.
No, much too big. I just checked!
K.
Thanks Kris.
jeff
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Flink
Member
Vale de Cambra, PORTUGAL
Some of you may have read the thread about my new K-mount Revueflex AC3 body. What brings me here is it's focusing screen.
I have quite a significant number of manual focus lenses. All of my primes are manual focus, in fact. I love them, but I wear glasses, and focusing manually is not a simple task sometimes, so all the help I can get is welcome.
I was really blown away by the AC3's focusing screen; it can be seen at http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ce-4/ce-4.htm and it has a small circle in the middle to help in focusing. The outer corona is an area that gets noticiably "pixelated" when off-focus, just like my Zenit EM has, but it's the inner circle that got my attention, for it is divided vertically and the image "separates" when off-focus, and comes together when in focus.
I'm sure you know what I'm talking about for I have already read about this here in this forum, but I had never seen this working before my eyes... until today. And I so, SO wanted to have this in my DS...
I have seen (http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/en/35mm/ist-ds/accessory.html) the Focusing Screen LL-60 AF Devided Matte and the Focusing Screen LI-60 AF Scale Matte on the Pentax Japan site, but the only difference to the stock screen seems to be the divisions/scales engraved... no manual focusing aids I can see.
That brings me to my questions: is there any focusing screen like the AC3's for my DS? If so, where can I get it?
Thanks and forgive my photographic utter ignorance!