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focusingscreens.com f3

Reviews Views Date of last review
5 14,365 Thu April 15, 2021
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $97.93 9.60



Description:
Split-image
Microprism
Hexagon Matte
Nikon Made
Originally for FM3a
also available with rule of thirds Grid
Price History:



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New Member

Registered: November, 2014
Posts: 3
Review Date: April 15, 2021 Recommended | Price: $128.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: really nice with manual focus lens
Cons: way too simple to get dust everywhere during installation

The pack I got from focusingscreen is brilliant, and the end result is very nice to use with manual focus lens. With darker lens, like a 18-135mm, it's not making any difference.


However... everything that could possibly go wrong with the install process did go wrong for me, so, lessons:

  • vacuum your room, your desk, your everything in advance
  • on a K-5 IIs you need to remove the metal pad that is under the original screen, otherwise it's too thick
  • do this BEFORE you open the packaging of the new screen, otherwise the screen will almost certainly get dust on it and it's practically impossible to clean it without damaging it
  • if you get dust on the pentaprism DON'T try to wet clean it: it's impossible to get to the edges.
So yes, I got dust everywhere. Plus on first attempt, I forced closing a bit too much, which ended up scratching the screen.


Once I reached a point of "it can't be worse", I tried washing the screen under running water - that doesn't work. What did work, is using a high quality tape, which did remove every bit of speckle from both the screen and the pentaprism, but this was a desperate attempt, and I seriously don't recommend it.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: March, 2008
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 200
Review Date: September 21, 2011 Recommended | Price: $76.88 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Accurate, High Quality screen
Cons: Self Install

I have the K3 type of focusing screen from focusingscreen.com for my K-x.

Extremely pleased with this purchase. It fits perfectly, it's bright, it does not affect metering in matrix or centre weighted (but you lose spot metering), scenes 'snap' into focus... it seems the matte is very accurate in and of itself, the split screen is just the icing on the cake.

The only downfall is the self installation. Took me 30 minutes to install. Well, 3 minutes to install, test and find out it was not calibrated properly. So remove, add a shim, install test again. Still not enough. After the 2nd shim it was accurate, however the numerous installation allowed dust to get on the screen, so I had to remove it again, clean it, and then finally re-install.

Even though installation is very simple, you can see how this turns into a 30 minute job... just a little frustrating.

But since I'm rating the product, not the install experience, it is a clear 10.
   
Junior Member

Registered: January, 2011
Location: kuhmpawapi Thailand
Posts: 28
Review Date: August 18, 2011 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: easier to install than i anticipated
Cons: I had to use one of the shims so

It works great i have a lot of legacy lenses, and this makes them a joy to use again. it has not affected any of the cameras functions. (pentax kx)
   
Forum Member

Registered: March, 2009
Location: Cary
Posts: 59
Review Date: February 19, 2011 Recommended | Price: $90.29 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very easy to install, nice focusing aid
Cons: None noted to date

I have always missed the split image focusing feature of my film cameras. After checking out the other reviews on this forum and my budget, I decided to give focusingscreens a try. (www.focusingscreen.com). My camera is the K-7.

After looking at their options, I decided upon the K-7 Ec-L Auto Frame/Cross Grid, with the free option to add the grid lines for "rule of thirds".

I was notified the next day after ordering (with a 13 or so hour time difference, it was early in their next business day) of a Monday shipping date. The screen arrived Thursday via internal express mail service.

Upon opening the package, my heart sank. Everything carried the Canon logo and color scheme! Even the printed instructions were for a Canon! I did notice a handwritten label with K-7. Before going any further, I sent an email asking about it. Within hours I had a response explaining Canon made the screen, and it was revised for the K-7. Not to worry. All parts (screen, tweezers, etc) were included.

The big moment was really a big let down. I had their online instructions up, and followed them closely. The viewfinder lock released easily, I was able to remove it and install the new one with no problem A gentle pressure on the screen lock and it clicked into place.

I followed the instructions for ensuring the screen was installed correctly by checking it against the AF and using a ruler. Perfect! Overall, less than 5 minutes from the time I had the material ready until I was done verifying the installation. Like I said - a bit of a let down!

I have not verified the loss of spot metering. I will confirm that upon successful focusing half of the circle becomes dark. Neither are a problem. The gain of the grids and split focusing FAR outweigh those items.

The biggest difficulty I had in the entire process was understanding the broken English that appeared to come from a translation program. Ex: "There are a few methods making reference to (Adjust screen to only influence is MF accuracy , AF focus and focusing screen is extraneous!!)"
Which essentially means the adjustments will apply to manual focusing as the screen does not affect autofocusing.

You should not be put off by attempting this modification. However, that being said - YOU need to determine how comfortable you are working around delicate parts of your camera. Go with what you are comfortable with.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: August, 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 13,666
Review Date: December 23, 2010 Recommended | Price: $96.56 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: easty to use, easy instal, comes with excellent tools,
Cons: a little dimmer than my k7 matt, spot metering lost

I waited until I upgraded to my k7 to get a screen, and am kicking myself for not having done it earlier.
I use a lot of manual focus lenses and though the focus confirm is pretty good I can get to the proper focus zone faster with this than i could with the original matte screen on either my k10 or the k7
You do lose Spot metering when using this, however I rarely use it, and have a hand-held meter that does spot and incident that I'd use if needed.
From a use aspect the spit image is great when there is an edge to focus on, and the micro-prism works very well for situations other than that. combined with the focus confirm it has made me more accurate with the manual lenses
Installation was very easy on the k7 which is designed for interchangeable screens and only took a couple of minutes, there are detailed instructions on the focusing screens web site. I didn't need the shim, but it did come with a small one if needed.
I find it a joy to use, and this is an excellent screen at half the price of a similar katzeye.
the only thing i would have liked would be for it to be a diagonal split, but that really is just a personal preference.
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