Split screen focuser

I am used to the slpit screenof my SuperME and must admit, I prefer it to the focus screen on my istDL.
So...I saw this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Split-Image-Focusing-Microprism-Screen-Pentax-ist-D-DL_W0Q...


What do you think? Are they necessary, or should I learn to love what Pentax fitted to the istD ?

I bought one because I do mainly macro with manual focus lenses and I have to say it was total rubbish. It stayed in my camera for about an hour before the pentax one went back in.
The problem with it is that beyond F/8 half the focus circle completely blacks out making it useless.

If you really want one then Katzeye are apparently the best .. although they cost around 3X as much as the Ebay one for just the basic model.

A split-screen is not necessary if you mostly auto-focus, and you may grow to love what your digital camera has now.

However, you may love a good quality split-image screen even more! I love my Katzeye! Note that the ones on eBay are not good quality and tend to black-out easily.

The Katzeye ones cost a lot of money, but you're unikely to regret a penny. See http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/

The only major disadvantage is that Spot Metering will not work with certain lenses or apertures.

A friend of mine put me onto this company.http://tinyurl.com/6kg6ee and i purchased this screen on his recommendation. (F6-A Focusing Screen) its basically a Nikon screen made for the Pentax K20.
I haven't been disappointed with it and find its great for macro (no blackouts).

Following on from Clarky's post, remember that split screens only work well in the middle range of focal lengths i.e. they may black out with w/a and t/p lenses. Hence in the good old bad old days Pentax focussing screens were ground glass, split image and microprism combined to cope with any glass you stuck on the front.

I don't think focal length is relevant, except that WAs and TPs tend to be slower than medium lenses, so you'll notice more blackout then.

The eBay and Katzeye screens have a microprism collar as well as a split circle in the middle.

I'm quoting from a Pentax focus screen instruction manuals