Thoughts on cheap Ebay split image screen for K-m
Posted 29/03/2010 - 12:48
Link
Mongoose wrote:
in all fairness, f/8 before blackout is pretty darned good for an old/cheap screen, ME-F doesn't do any better than that.
Can't you focus wide open and just stop down to shoot?
I could but that's only good if you use a tripod which I don't, I'm sure the camera would move while I am stopping down. Personally I'm quite happy doing it with the bleep and KPS eyepiece.
in all fairness, f/8 before blackout is pretty darned good for an old/cheap screen, ME-F doesn't do any better than that.
Can't you focus wide open and just stop down to shoot?
Posted 30/03/2010 - 15:19
Link
Dangermouse wrote:
Just to double check before I buy, is this the right part?
It seems a bit odd that they claim it fits every Pentax DSLR - I realise that the viewfinders should all be the same size (as they're all APS-C) but I'm also aware that there have been differences in focussing screens before now - the ones in my MX and SFX would not be interchangeable, for example!
Sorry, just saw that this thread started up again.Just to double check before I buy, is this the right part?
It seems a bit odd that they claim it fits every Pentax DSLR - I realise that the viewfinders should all be the same size (as they're all APS-C) but I'm also aware that there have been differences in focussing screens before now - the ones in my MX and SFX would not be interchangeable, for example!
Matt, that is the correct screen, I hope you like it.
With regards black-out, it's really not as bad as I expected, if the light is good it's not a problem at all really, I take MikeP's point with regards Macro, but as Mongoose says there are ways around it.
I've just found a seller on Ebay that sells the genuine Pentax non split image screen (hard to get hold of in the UK) for about £12, I might grab one of those so I can change round if necessary (my original is scratched).
If you can't say something nice about Pentax, you won't say anything at all.
Apparently.
Apparently.
Posted 30/03/2010 - 18:19
Link
Mike-P wrote:
AHHH I see, I tend to use snap-in-focus for that situation, ie set camera to desired focus distance and AF, then hold down the shutter button and move closer/further away until the camera goes off.Mongoose wrote:
in all fairness, f/8 before blackout is pretty darned good for an old/cheap screen, ME-F doesn't do any better than that.
Can't you focus wide open and just stop down to shoot?
I could but that's only good if you use a tripod which I don't, I'm sure the camera would move while I am stopping down. Personally I'm quite happy doing it with the bleep and KPS eyepiece.in all fairness, f/8 before blackout is pretty darned good for an old/cheap screen, ME-F doesn't do any better than that.
Can't you focus wide open and just stop down to shoot?
Of course the AF is also only specified to f/5.6 so it doesn't always work but one more technique to keep in mind.
you don't have to be mad to post here
but it does help
but it does help
Posted 30/03/2010 - 19:47
Link
Had an email today that it's en route and confirming that it'll fit the Km. Hope it doesn't get tangled in the bank holiday weekend!
Matt
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
Posted 31/03/2010 - 17:01
Link
Mike-P wrote:
As far as I'm aware even the expensive ones (katzeye) black out above f8. The Chinese ones black out somewhere around one stop earlier.
Dangermouse wrote:
I'm guessing by "blacked out" you mean in DOF preview? The K-m doesn't have that so it won't be a problem - I use the DOF scale on the lens and then the digital preview/histogram to check if I'm taking closeups.
No, half the split screen through the viewfinder blacked out making it useless. It doesn't happen with the more expensive ones but does with the Ebay variety.I'm guessing by "blacked out" you mean in DOF preview? The K-m doesn't have that so it won't be a problem - I use the DOF scale on the lens and then the digital preview/histogram to check if I'm taking closeups.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 31/03/2010 - 17:03
Link
thoughton wrote:
As far as I'm aware even the expensive ones (katzeye) black out above f8. The Chinese ones black out somewhere around one stop earlier.
From reviews that I've read the opti-bright coating makes the katz-eye black out sooner, is this true?
As far as I'm aware even the expensive ones (katzeye) black out above f8. The Chinese ones black out somewhere around one stop earlier.
Stefan
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Posted 31/03/2010 - 17:22
Link
Not that I'm aware of! Seems kind of pointless if it's true. I have heard the optibrite can screw up the metering a bit more than usual though.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 31/03/2010 - 17:55
Link
This is taken from Katzeye's site (so not an independent source, I know...):
The Katz Eye™ “Plus” series of focusing screens has a unique split prism design which overcomes the "blackout" problem, without sacrificing large aperture sensitivity. In our testing, the split prism of the “Plus” screens remains useful until well past f11. In fact, with careful attention to eye position in the viewfinder, users have reported that it is possible to use the prism even at f22.
Also:
The OptiBrite treatment is a brightness enhancement for the matte portion of the screen (outside the prism) and is unrelated to the prism function. OptiBrite is not necessary for the “Plus” prism benefit of increased prism usefulness and the “Plus” prism does not affect the brightness of the screen.
The Katz Eye™ “Plus” series of focusing screens has a unique split prism design which overcomes the "blackout" problem, without sacrificing large aperture sensitivity. In our testing, the split prism of the “Plus” screens remains useful until well past f11. In fact, with careful attention to eye position in the viewfinder, users have reported that it is possible to use the prism even at f22.
Also:
The OptiBrite treatment is a brightness enhancement for the matte portion of the screen (outside the prism) and is unrelated to the prism function. OptiBrite is not necessary for the “Plus” prism benefit of increased prism usefulness and the “Plus” prism does not affect the brightness of the screen.
Posted 31/03/2010 - 18:27
Link
Mike-P wrote:
XDDangermouse wrote:
It has the bleep, I just turned that off as I found it annoying!
Ah ok .. ask Stefan, he may have a diagram showing how to make it less so.It has the bleep, I just turned that off as I found it annoying!
I once found the some diagrams of the K10D don't know if you can find KM diagrams on the net.
For a temporary solutions why not use ear-plugs?
You even have them with music now and it works perfect for me because the sound of the K10D mirror is quite loud so I if I don't hear it I'm less likely to buy the K7 soon with is very soft mirror sound
Stefan
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
3603 posts
16 years
Mid Wales
My slowest lens is an f5.6, and that's AF so providing the screen doesn't black out it'll be fine, I only need it for composition rather than focussing. My manual lenses are all f4.5 or faster.
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.