K3 focusing screen

I'm just wondering if any of you had any experiences using the K3 focus screen from focusingscreen.com. I'm specifically wondering about the K-r.

I will probably order one as soon as they restock (god knows when that will be) since Katzeye is a bit too rich for my blood.

I was initially deciding between the Ec-B one and the K3, but decided on the latter due to the K3 having microprisms as well. From what I've read they help focusing when the subject doesn't really have any clear lines where split image excells? Am I correct in thinking this?

They won't help the AF system much, but are an aid for manual focusing. It's a personal choice whether your eyes suit split image or microprism aids, or indeed no aids at all, so having a look at some film cameras from the 1970s or 1980s might be a good idea.

Microprisms appear to shimmer when not in focus, but personally I find a plain screen better.

I do have quite a few manual lenses, which is the reason I'm contemplating the purchase of such a screen. The stock screen seems not to be enough for me even with the O-ME53 magnifier.

The reason why I would go with K3 is that is has both the microprism and the split-image while the Ec-B only has the split image aid.

Split screens are a love/hate thing. I love mine. You might want to try a cheap Chinese ebay one first, to make sure you like it before splurging on an expensive focusingscreen or katzeye one.

I've used both the dirt cheap (£10-ish) ebay ones and the slightly more upmarket (£15-ish ) Travor ones (also from China). They both work fine, the Travor one has a double split which is occasionally useful, and the etching seems to be slightly cleaner. The Travor ones come better packaged (better instructions, two sets of tweezers as well as finger condoms). My cheapo one just came with finger condoms.

I have a K-r with the basic screen and the O-ME53.

I've now taken the O-ME53 off and find the image through the viewfinder to be much clearer. It certainly takes me less time now (and less eyestrain, I feel) to decide when to press the shutter than it did with the magnifying eyepiece. Not sure though as to whether the shots are any better focused now.

If you haven't already done so, I'd suggest trying out the camera without the O-ME53, just in case.

@andrew_c: I'll try it without the magnifier. I actually bought it in the first 2 weeks from when I bought the body so I haven't really tried it on my manual lenses without the magnifier.

@thoughton: I guess in some way it makes sense to try a cheap focus screen first, but on the other hand it might discourage me if the quality turns out to be less than expected. I take it you are happy with your chinese made screen? (not that focusingscreen isn't chinese). Does it feel any darker than the stock screen? How about AF? Any changes there?

Thanks for all the help guys.

Another vote here for the Travor screen.

Really well packaged considering the price, easy to fit, no effect on metering (provided you don't use spot - this is the same for all split prism screens), and whilst as John Riley says, they don't help the AF system much, they don't do it any harm either. Found the split prism area avoided black-out right up until F8 or so in low light conditions (but you wouldn't be shooting at that aperture in low light anyway.

Highly recommended.

Sorry to breathe life into a dead thread....

My K10D / K20D had a KatzEye split-screen fitted. I didn't bother with my K-3. I was thinking to get one when I found that KatzEye are no longer in business. Has anybody had any experience with the focusingscreen.com ones?

Thanks, Kris.