Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Split image focusing screen for a K3

davidwozhere
Posted 30/12/2019 - 01:16 Link
I saw a comment on the Pentax Forum where a user mentioned the failure of a K3 to 'catch in focus' at 28mm when he had an old 28-135 zoom mounted. However, he said, there was no problem as he was using a NIKON split image focusing screen. My poor old eyes would love a split screen in the K3ii. (There is a Chinese one on E bay now and then but it has lousy reviews). Does anyone know about this purported Nikon focusing screen?
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 30/12/2019 - 09:13 Link
I have a Katzeye screen in my K200D and it's fantastic, much more accurate than the K-3's stock screen or even live view magnified with focus peaking. Alas, Katzeye are no more, so the options are cheap Chinese ones of questionable quality or cutting down a Nikon or Canon one, but that's certainly not something I'd attempt myself.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
bforbes
Posted 30/12/2019 - 10:44 Link
Like Jonathan I have a Katzeye in a K20, It is good and a straight replacement for the Pentax screen. But I'm sure I read that after the K20 body generation you had to use shims to position a new screen, so never bothered any more.
LongTimeLurker
Posted 30/12/2019 - 12:17 Link
I have a Katzeye focussing screen in my K5 and it has made a world of difference when using manual focus lenses. I will miss it whenever I next purchase a camera body.

Not had to use any shims and focus accuracy does not seem to have been affected. Perhaps I should check the manual to make sure
Nigel.

Getting older and grumpier. Taking longer to decide which lens to use today.

K5 with auto-everything lenses
A collection of manual primes to keep me in touch with the pleasures of doing it old-school.
bforbes
Posted 30/12/2019 - 12:40 Link
LongTimeLurker wrote:
I have a Katzeye focussing screen in my K5 and it has made a world of difference when using manual focus lenses. I will miss it whenever I next purchase a camera body.

Not had to use any shims and focus accuracy does not seem to have been affected. Perhaps I should check the manual to make sure

link DPreview about fitting Katzeye to a K7
LongTimeLurker
Posted 30/12/2019 - 13:01 Link
Thank you Barrie. The link has some useful information.

I've not noticed any focus inaccuracy but this may be due to me usually using f/2.8 or smaller with "fast" lenses, so the depth of field may mask any slight focus issue.

I'll check the size of the shim fitted to the camera. There is a post in the above link that suggests that different sizes were fitted by the factory and it may be that the one in my camera is correct for the Katzeye screen.
Nigel.

Getting older and grumpier. Taking longer to decide which lens to use today.

K5 with auto-everything lenses
A collection of manual primes to keep me in touch with the pleasures of doing it old-school.
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 31/12/2019 - 09:29 Link
I had to use shims to get focus spot-on in the K200D with the Katzeye screen. I remember I had to wait around a month and pay about 30 quid for a full set of shims from one of the authorised repair places.

Shims are always a possibility regardless of the model. They make up for small differences from unavoidable manufacturing tolerances.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
womble
Posted 01/01/2020 - 11:09 Link
I loved the Katzeye screen in my K20D but have stuck with the stock screen in the K-3. Great shame Katzeye is no more, they did a great range of screens.

One of the things that is great about the LX/MX is the ease with which one can swap out the screen for one appropriate to the job at hand. I use a gridded screen with my shift lens.

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.
davidwozhere
Posted 02/01/2020 - 00:43 Link
My MX has got a split screen. I was thinking of trying it in the K3. Any thoughts before I bust something?
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 02/01/2020 - 09:15 Link
davidwozhere wrote:
My MX has got a split screen. I was thinking of trying it in the K3. Any thoughts before I bust something?

I think it'll be too big and need to be cut down and you will likely need shims to get focus spot-on.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.