K100D and focus screen

Most of my lenses are manual focus. Out of interest I took a look through an old film camera I have and realised how much easier it was to focus (and how much brighter the view finder is!). So maybe it is time to do something about the focus screen on my K100D.

The Katzeye screens are $105 + shipping, so I guess that'll be roughly £70 which I could use to buy a nice old manual focus lens to play with.

I looked on ebay and found I can get a cheap split screen from China for a tenner (plus a fiver for shipping), and I thought, for fifteen quid, why not?

So can anyone give me a reason why not?

Richard

I have a couple of split screens I bought from China.
You're welcome to buy them if you want... but they are much darker than the supplied micro fine screens supplied in the Pentax DSLRs.

One of them has a positively huge split screen - roughly hacked up from a Minolta I believe. Works pretty well actually, but I preferred the original screen.

Anyhow, PM me if you're interested in buying & trying them out
Matt

You ask: Why Not. Thats simple to answer. Buy the Katz-eye and you know why not There are several users of the Katz-eye here on the forum.
Just use the search function and you find a lot of info.
The main reason to buy the right stuff and swallow the bitter pill price wise, is the fact the screen won't black-out until F11. And it is bright, even in the dimmest conditions. Buy it, you won't regret it.
Martin.

Because it may not be well made and will black-out at around F5.6.

You will value and appreciate a Katzeye screen as much as a lens, and will keep it for the life of the camera. It's good to use with AF lenses as well - to confirm whether AF has worked properly.

Somehow I knew you would answer his question
Martin.

Thanks everyone. After reading the other threads I think I might delay this mod for a while - I am due for a cataract op soon, and I guess if it is a fiddly task I would better do it with my new eyes!

Richard