Something growing dim

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208 posts

13 years
The Highlands of Scotland

Link Posted 12/07/2008 - 20:07

Hi all, I'm still having trouble getting fine focus with my Pentax manual lenses on the K10D, pictures not always as sharp as I would like, sort of bit hit and miss as to when, oh the joys of getting older.

I’ve been to the optician and yes, new glasses on the way, (had been 4 years since my last eyeball overhaul) this in itself will no doubt go a long way to fixing my problem.

But I still think I need a split prism with microprism ring, like in my old LX and having read the various threads on the forum here, Katzeye seems to be the way to go.
Just before I shell out the best part of $200 ($105 for screen plus Optibrite at $55 and UPS $38 ) and no doubt some additional charge on delivery for customs etc on arrival at my doorstep.

Are there any others that could be recommended, maybe already here in UK, there used to be a Beattie screen to name but one, back in the old days.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Kerrowdown... Aka Romantic Highlander.

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand... William Blake.

"Mistress" Pentax-A 15mm F3.5, "Good Lady" Pentax-A 20mm F2.8, "Friendly Lady" Pentax-A 24mm F2.8, "Deviate Lady" Pentax 28mm F3.5 Shift, "Street Lady" Pentax-A 28mm F2.8, "Retro Lady" SMC Pentax-M 40mm F2.8, "Special Lady" Pentax-A 50mm F1.2, "Femme Fatale" Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro, "Sweetheart" Pentax-A*85mm F1.4, "Lady Luck" Pentax-A*135mm F1.8, "Gorgeous Lady" Pentax-A*200mm F2.8 ED, "Duchess" Pentax-A*300mm F4.0, "HM The Queen" SMC Pentax 500mm F4.5

Malo1961

Member

2,397 posts

13 years
The Netherlands

Link Posted 12/07/2008 - 22:12

No others that I know off. Don't go the cheap china route (on evil bay)
Beattie doesn't make them for the K10D. ( not that I know off, that is.)
If manual focus is your thing. Go for the katzeye. After a slight sting in your wallet

, you won't regret it.

Martin.

Best regards,

Martin.

Curious about my photography?? Just Follow the Light.

pentaxian450

Member

1,542 posts

13 years
North of Montreal,Quebec, Canada

Link Posted 13/07/2008 - 00:29

You should try to have it shipped USPS (United States Postal Service). Carriers like UPS always find a way to put custom and brokerage fee, but with regular mail, you sometime avoid those fees. By the way, USPS gives a service that might rival (if not better) any company like UPS. Thrust me on that one, I tried UPS, USPS and a few others, and USPS came on top. Personally, I never had to pay brokerage fees with USPS.

rparmar

Member

1,088 posts

13 years
Ireland

Link Posted 13/07/2008 - 02:10

Not sure why the Ebay ones are warned against. I got one and it works just fine. Only problem is my ineptitude at installing it -- scratched the heck out of it. Many times cheaper than Katz Eye. Came with shim I did not need. $25 from jinfinance. Also got an installation kit of three items but if you have soft-tip tweezers that will do.

Listen to my albums free on BandCamp. Or visit my main website for links to photography, etc.

kerrowdown

Member

208 posts

13 years
The Highlands of Scotland

Link Posted 19/07/2008 - 21:37

Thanks guys, bite the bullet time, ordered today Katz Eye with Optibrite, I'll let you know in a couple of weeks time when it is due to arrive, how I get on.

Till then, jus gonna have sum fuzzy ones

kerrowdown

Member

208 posts

13 years
The Highlands of Scotland

Link Posted 04/08/2008 - 20:15

Ok folks update time, got the Katz Eye, installed first time no probs, viewfinder now just amazing bright etc. Focus easy and swift, if you manual focus, jus get one of these, truly mega.

Even though sent USPS, UK customs still caught me, I had to pay another 16.49 VAT & 13.50 Parcelforce Clearance fee.

But hey, well worth it for what I have onboard now.

A very happy bunny

Clarky

Member

3,125 posts

14 years
Sydney Australia

Link Posted 05/08/2008 - 03:47

kerrowdown wrote:
Ok folks update time, got the Katz Eye, installed first time no probs, viewfinder now just amazing bright etc. Focus easy and swift, if you manual focus, jus get one of these, truly mega.

Even though sent USPS, UK customs still caught me, I had to pay another 16.49 VAT & 13.50 Parcelforce Clearance fee.

But hey, well worth it for what I have onboard now.

A very happy bunny

Which one did you get

Can you post a link

Thanks

kerrowdown

Member

208 posts

13 years
The Highlands of Scotland

Link Posted 05/08/2008 - 19:15

Hi Clarky, got the standard Katz Eye focusing screen for the Pentax K10D & K20D.

Which is the prism type, Katz Eye plus split prism w/microprism collar, I paid for the extra for the optibrite treatment, I just want everything as bright as it can possible be, if not even brighter.

I didn't bother Pentax AF area brackets or grid/crop lines, as I'm mainly a manual man.

You can contact the manufacturer on http://www.katzeyeoptics.com

This is day two with Katz eye and still a very happy bunny.

Mike-P

Member

13,181 posts

13 years
Hampshire UK

Link Posted 05/08/2008 - 19:18

Clarky, didnt you get the Nikon one from focusscreens.com?
Just asking as I was about to order one from them but if you are not happy with it?

. My Flickr

ChrisA

Member

4,839 posts

14 years
South West London

Link Posted 05/08/2008 - 19:54

kerrowdown wrote:
This is day two with Katz eye and still a very happy bunny.

Any news on the spot metering issues they report on their web site?

.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.

kerrowdown

Member

208 posts

13 years
The Highlands of Scotland

Link Posted 05/08/2008 - 21:24

Hi ChrisA, I haven't had a problem yet because I'm lucky enough to have fast lenses; main three I use are f1.2, f1.4 & f1.8.

The other slow lenses I have of f2.8, they may seem to a little over, but nothing that a Raw PEF with CS3 can't sort if I forget to compensate exposure at the time.

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