Best screen ever for manual focus : Canon ee-S!!!

Masta' C · 09-05-2012, 03:37 PM

There is a LOT to read through here, so I'm hoping someone with experience can offer me some advice...

I currently have a K-30 paired with a Tamron 17-50/2.8 and a DA* 50-135/2.8

My intention is to photograph belly dancers, often at indoor stage events and occassionally in poorly lit restaurants. Unfortunately, flash isn't permitted in many of the venues and it's too much of an annoyance to use in restaurants, so I invested in the fastest zooms I could get (yes, I need zooms for these events, especially the restaurants). Obviously, I'm shooting wide open much of the time and I rely on AF heavily because of the constant movement.

Is there any advantage to the S-type focusing screen over stock for these types of situations? Would it be too dark at 2.8? Is there another type of focusing screen that might serve me better?

Complicating this...when not doing action, I like to do portraits and candids, but I've had trouble discerning exactly where the focus is from time to time, especially when it comes to pinpointing the eyes or judging where the AF is hitting in busy shots. I have seriously considered getting a viewfinder magnifier, but I'm not sure that would solve my problem. My eyes are fine. Would a new focusing screen be a better investment?

VisualDarkness · 09-05-2012, 03:45 PM

I mostly use a 2.8 lens and find this focusing screen to be way better than the stock one with that lens. I got my brother's standard screen to compare with and but he and I get annoyed over how grainy it looks in low light compared to mine.

Masta' C · 09-05-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

I mostly use a 2.8 lens and find this focusing screen to be way better than the stock one with that lens. I got my brother's standard screen to compare with and but he and I get annoyed over how grainy it looks in low light compared to mine.

Interesting. Have you tried any other screens, by chance?

VisualDarkness · 09-05-2012, 04:36 PM

Sadly no, so I can't answer that.

**K6-III** · 09-05-2012, 09:48 PM

With a 2.8 lens, brightness should be comparable, but view of actual DOF should be better.

**felixkh** · 09-06-2012, 03:19 AM

Received my S type screen on 28th August 2012 and installed it 2 days later. What a difference it made to the viewfinder. At F4 to F8, it was still bright in a school hall with minimum lighting.

paulusje · 09-07-2012, 03:05 AM

Originally posted by felixkh

Received my S type screen on 28th August 2012 and installed it 2 days later. What a difference it made to the viewfinder. At F4 to F8, it was still bright in a school hall with minimum lighting.

I knew you'd like it! Congrats and have fun with that fast glass you will be buying more and more and more of

**felixkh** · 09-07-2012, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by paulusje

I knew you'd like it! Congrats and have fun with that fast glass you will be buying more and more and more of

Thanks, I have the fast lenses I need for now.

KHatfull · 09-07-2012, 08:38 AM

My EE-S just shipped today from focusingscreen.com as well. Unfortunately yesterday I sent my Tamron 70-200 and the K-5 body to Tamron for adjustment of the lens. They quoted me three day turnaround for the in-warranty adjustment so hopefully the camera will get back to me shortly after the screen arrives.

Once I try the installation of the screen...if you hear yelling from up north in Minnesota you'll know it's not going well

However, there's so much good info here about it I can't imagine it's a problem? Sounds to me like trying the provided red shim first seems to be the thing to do.

VisualDarkness · 09-07-2012, 09:38 AM

Just be careful not to scratch it and avoid dust (some will come there in time so a little is not a disaster) etc. If something looks like it is in the wrong place, don't force it!

KHatfull · 09-08-2012, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Just be careful not to scratch it and avoid dust (some will come there in time so a little is not a disaster) etc. If something looks like it is in the wrong place, don't force it!

10-4.

Is the general consensus that the provided red shim is the one that works for most and the place to start?

vonBaloney · 09-08-2012, 03:00 PM

So here's a question:

I've been using this screen for a while, and when I put it in originally I used one of the accompanying shims to replace stock shim, and it has been spot-on for MF. But my screen had gotten some specks on it that were started to bug me so last week I ended taking it out momentarily, rocket blower, etc, and putting back -- same shim. Then I noticed it was back focusing with I manual focus. I figured I just messed the shim or something so today I redid it but same result -- back focus. I ended up replacing the shim I've been using for months with a thicker shim and now it is spot-on again.

How is this possible? What could change that I needed a thicker shim now?

**felixkh** · 09-08-2012, 08:43 PM

I did not change to the supplied Red shim but used the original and the focus is still spot on. So it seems not necessary to change to supplied shim most of the time.

DogLover · 09-09-2012, 08:06 AM

It's really just trial and error. I had to change the shim, but not to the red one. I had some official Pentax shims that I just started trying until I got one that worked. It wasn't the stock one or even the same one I used with my Katzeye. I've had mine in so long I honestly don't remember which one it was. Not really a big deal, though, as long as you don't get in a hurry. And once it's done, you can consider it a fairly permanent modification, so the results are easily worth the hassle.

vonBaloney · 09-09-2012, 09:09 AM

Hey, which one is the stock shim? I have to send in my K-5 for repair, so I want to put back the stock screen and shim first. Is it the metal one?

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09-05-2012, 03:37 PM	#481
Masta' C Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 33	There is a LOT to read through here, so I'm hoping someone with experience can offer me some advice... I currently have a K-30 paired with a Tamron 17-50/2.8 and a DA* 50-135/2.8 My intention is to photograph belly dancers, often at indoor stage events and occassionally in poorly lit restaurants. Unfortunately, flash isn't permitted in many of the venues and it's too much of an annoyance to use in restaurants, so I invested in the fastest zooms I could get (yes, I need zooms for these events, especially the restaurants). Obviously, I'm shooting wide open much of the time and I rely on AF heavily because of the constant movement. Is there any advantage to the S-type focusing screen over stock for these types of situations? Would it be too dark at 2.8? Is there another type of focusing screen that might serve me better? Complicating this...when not doing action, I like to do portraits and candids, but I've had trouble discerning exactly where the focus is from time to time, especially when it comes to pinpointing the eyes or judging where the AF is hitting in busy shots. I have seriously considered getting a viewfinder magnifier, but I'm not sure that would solve my problem. My eyes are fine. Would a new focusing screen be a better investment?

09-05-2012, 03:45 PM	#482
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	I mostly use a 2.8 lens and find this focusing screen to be way better than the stock one with that lens. I got my brother's standard screen to compare with and but he and I get annoyed over how grainy it looks in low light compared to mine.

09-05-2012, 04:33 PM	#483
Masta' C Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 33	Originally posted by VisualDarkness I mostly use a 2.8 lens and find this focusing screen to be way better than the stock one with that lens. I got my brother's standard screen to compare with and but he and I get annoyed over how grainy it looks in low light compared to mine. Interesting. Have you tried any other screens, by chance?

09-05-2012, 04:36 PM	#484
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Sadly no, so I can't answer that.

09-05-2012, 09:48 PM	#485
K6-III Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 222	With a 2.8 lens, brightness should be comparable, but view of actual DOF should be better.

09-06-2012, 03:19 AM	#486
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Received my S type screen on 28th August 2012 and installed it 2 days later. What a difference it made to the viewfinder. At F4 to F8, it was still bright in a school hall with minimum lighting.

09-07-2012, 03:05 AM	#487
paulusje Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 134	Originally posted by felixkh Received my S type screen on 28th August 2012 and installed it 2 days later. What a difference it made to the viewfinder. At F4 to F8, it was still bright in a school hall with minimum lighting. I knew you'd like it! Congrats and have fun with that fast glass you will be buying more and more and more of

09-07-2012, 06:25 AM	#488
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Originally posted by paulusje I knew you'd like it! Congrats and have fun with that fast glass you will be buying more and more and more of Thanks, I have the fast lenses I need for now.

09-07-2012, 08:38 AM	#489
KHatfull Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 98	My EE-S just shipped today from focusingscreen.com as well. Unfortunately yesterday I sent my Tamron 70-200 and the K-5 body to Tamron for adjustment of the lens. They quoted me three day turnaround for the in-warranty adjustment so hopefully the camera will get back to me shortly after the screen arrives. Once I try the installation of the screen...if you hear yelling from up north in Minnesota you'll know it's not going well However, there's so much good info here about it I can't imagine it's a problem? Sounds to me like trying the provided red shim first seems to be the thing to do.

09-07-2012, 09:38 AM	#490
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Just be careful not to scratch it and avoid dust (some will come there in time so a little is not a disaster) etc. If something looks like it is in the wrong place, don't force it!

09-08-2012, 01:54 PM	#491
KHatfull Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 98	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Just be careful not to scratch it and avoid dust (some will come there in time so a little is not a disaster) etc. If something looks like it is in the wrong place, don't force it! 10-4. Is the general consensus that the provided red shim is the one that works for most and the place to start?

09-08-2012, 03:00 PM	#492
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	So here's a question: I've been using this screen for a while, and when I put it in originally I used one of the accompanying shims to replace stock shim, and it has been spot-on for MF. But my screen had gotten some specks on it that were started to bug me so last week I ended taking it out momentarily, rocket blower, etc, and putting back -- same shim. Then I noticed it was back focusing with I manual focus. I figured I just messed the shim or something so today I redid it but same result -- back focus. I ended up replacing the shim I've been using for months with a thicker shim and now it is spot-on again. How is this possible? What could change that I needed a thicker shim now?

09-08-2012, 08:43 PM	#493
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	I did not change to the supplied Red shim but used the original and the focus is still spot on. So it seems not necessary to change to supplied shim most of the time.

09-09-2012, 08:06 AM	#494
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	It's really just trial and error. I had to change the shim, but not to the red one. I had some official Pentax shims that I just started trying until I got one that worked. It wasn't the stock one or even the same one I used with my Katzeye. I've had mine in so long I honestly don't remember which one it was. Not really a big deal, though, as long as you don't get in a hurry. And once it's done, you can consider it a fairly permanent modification, so the results are easily worth the hassle.

09-09-2012, 09:09 AM	#495
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Hey, which one is the stock shim? I have to send in my K-5 for repair, so I want to put back the stock screen and shim first. Is it the metal one?