Focusing Screen Woes...

frstep · 12-18-2012, 10:08 AM

How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4).

F.

**klkitchens** · 12-18-2012, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by frstep

How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4).

F.

Per the reviews on this site: https://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/canon-ee-s-precision-focus-screen.html

It handles those pretty darn well...

ducdao · 12-18-2012, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by frstep

How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4).

F.

Which DSLR did you use the cut down screen from your old MX?

Was the cut down process complicated? I have a few dead MX laying in my basement so might try re-use those screens.

Noam · 12-18-2012, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by frstep

How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4).

F.

frstep,
From my experience, the S-type screen is much better than a split-prism (a cheap eBay "double 45deg diagonal" type). The latter cluttered the view terribly and was not giving enough definition with a 85mm 1.4, i.e., when trying to focus, the image did not "break" apart enough to judge the focusing accurately enough. I ended with too many OOF shots. The S-type screen, in contrast, gives a beautiful clean view (I opted for one without any etching) and the image "pops" when in focus.

frstep · 12-18-2012, 11:52 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ducdao

Which DSLR did you use the cut down screen from your old MX? Was the cut down process complicated? I have a few dead MX laying in my basement so might try re-use those screens.

For a K5. Cut down process is simple - you can do the "score&snap" method or saw&sand method. Getting everything square and the right size takes a bit of care of course. I didn't find the screen got any scratches, although I did take care to grip it between clean paper towels and not get any grit on the surface. I washed it carefully in warm water and detergent before fitting. As mentioned elsewhere, careful shimming is required to ensure the actual focus point is the same as the indicated point. The shims are £3 each from Pentax in the UK.

F.

PS - I didn't make the little tab on the screen... mine is a simple rectangle. As long as you are careful dropping it into place you should be fine.

lammie200 · 12-19-2012, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by Mareket

Can you still AF with an S-type screen installed? I've been looking at replacing the stock one with a clear one for a while, but I dunno if I can be bothered switching the two out all the time if I'll lose AF in the process of replacing it :/

That website seems to imply the S-type loses AF, but the A-type keeps it. Not sure what the difference is.

I think that someone answered this but you can still AF with the S-type. In fact, I used AF'ing to make sure that the shim adjustment was correct. Manual focus then shoot. Same set up - AF then shoot. When the camera doesn't adjust the lens focus then you know that you are spot on with the shim adjustment.

**klkitchens** · 12-27-2012, 08:49 PM

Just got my S-Type screen in for the K-5...

How do I know if I need to use the shims that came with it? I removed the old screen and put in the new 1:1 swap and it went in fine. Do I need to remove the copper shim and replace with the others they provided?

elliott · 12-27-2012, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by klkitchens

Just got my S-Type screen in for the K-5...

How do I know if I need to use the shims that came with it? I removed the old screen and put in the new 1:1 swap and it went in fine. Do I need to remove the copper shim and replace with the others they provided?

Read this about testing and calibrating the screen:
Focusing Screen--How to adjust focusing screen--

**klkitchens** · 12-27-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally posted by elliott

Read this about testing and calibrating the screen:
Focusing Screen--How to adjust focusing screen--

Thanks... I will try to make understanding of the written text displayed on that page of the web.

**subidoc** · 01-02-2013, 09:51 PM

Just installed the EES type screen into my K-5. I managed to put a thin linear scratch in te lower right corner. What a difference, when compared to the original screen... Its very satisfying to use a manual lens now again. I have a split prism screen in my *ist DS, and it seems to work well. I am glad, though, that I chose a "blank" unmarked screen for the K-5.

Nick Siebers · 02-06-2013, 08:58 PM

I just put an S screen in my *ist DS, and can definitely see the differences. Fast lenses are much easier to focus, even my almost impossible Vivitar 85/1.8. Put the 500mm f/8 mirror on and it is a different story - so dark! But even in the darkness, focus does seem to pop better. We'll see. Interested to check out the metering in sunlight.

**derekkite** · 02-08-2013, 04:57 AM

This is the one I got. There is a clear one without markings as well.

Focusing Screen

Metering is very close to the stock screen. I use it with my f4 300. If you use slower lenses, it works, but don't buy it for that purpose. The stock screen darkens and gets blotchy in low light, this one just darkens.

It really shines with fast lenses. You can actually see whether it is in focus or not. I find it helps with autofocus lenses as well since I can see where the af mechanism is focussing to.

Focussingscreen.com sends a collection of shims. It isn't hard to change, a bit fussy and small, and it is worth the time to test it and get it right.

12-18-2012, 11:52 AM - 1 Like	#20
frstep New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South Wales Posts: 23	Originally posted by ducdao Which DSLR did you use the cut down screen from your old MX? Was the cut down process complicated? I have a few dead MX laying in my basement so might try re-use those screens. For a K5. Cut down process is simple - you can do the "score&snap" method or saw&sand method. Getting everything square and the right size takes a bit of care of course. I didn't find the screen got any scratches, although I did take care to grip it between clean paper towels and not get any grit on the surface. I washed it carefully in warm water and detergent before fitting. As mentioned elsewhere, careful shimming is required to ensure the actual focus point is the same as the indicated point. The shims are £3 each from Pentax in the UK. F. PS - I didn't make the little tab on the screen... mine is a simple rectangle. As long as you are careful dropping it into place you should be fine. Last edited by frstep; 12-18-2012 at 11:53 AM. Reason: added PS

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12-18-2012, 10:08 AM	#16
frstep New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South Wales Posts: 23	How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4). F.

12-18-2012, 10:15 AM	#17
klkitchens Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Allanta, GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 449 Original Poster	Originally posted by frstep How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4). F. Per the reviews on this site: https://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/canon-ee-s-precision-focus-screen.html It handles those pretty darn well...

12-18-2012, 10:34 AM	#18
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Originally posted by frstep How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4). F. Which DSLR did you use the cut down screen from your old MX? Was the cut down process complicated? I have a few dead MX laying in my basement so might try re-use those screens.

12-18-2012, 10:46 AM	#19
Noam Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Haifa, Israel Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	Originally posted by frstep How does manual focussing with the S (EE-S) screen compare to using a split screen? I'm enjoying the split screen I cut down from a dead MX, but I do like the idea of composing without having any clutter in the viewfinder - a point made by many people. In the opinion of people who have experienced both, does the S screen enable as accurate focusing as a good split screen + micro prism? (I generally use a f1.7 lens, although occasionally use a 1.4). F. frstep, From my experience, the S-type screen is much better than a split-prism (a cheap eBay "double 45deg diagonal" type). The latter cluttered the view terribly and was not giving enough definition with a 85mm 1.4, i.e., when trying to focus, the image did not "break" apart enough to judge the focusing accurately enough. I ended with too many OOF shots. The S-type screen, in contrast, gives a beautiful clean view (I opted for one without any etching) and the image "pops" when in focus.

12-19-2012, 05:52 AM	#21
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,028	Originally posted by Mareket Can you still AF with an S-type screen installed? I've been looking at replacing the stock one with a clear one for a while, but I dunno if I can be bothered switching the two out all the time if I'll lose AF in the process of replacing it :/ That website seems to imply the S-type loses AF, but the A-type keeps it. Not sure what the difference is. I think that someone answered this but you can still AF with the S-type. In fact, I used AF'ing to make sure that the shim adjustment was correct. Manual focus then shoot. Same set up - AF then shoot. When the camera doesn't adjust the lens focus then you know that you are spot on with the shim adjustment.

12-27-2012, 08:49 PM	#22
klkitchens Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Allanta, GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 449 Original Poster	Just got my S-Type screen in for the K-5... How do I know if I need to use the shims that came with it? I removed the old screen and put in the new 1:1 swap and it went in fine. Do I need to remove the copper shim and replace with the others they provided?

12-27-2012, 09:08 PM	#23
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by klkitchens Just got my S-Type screen in for the K-5... How do I know if I need to use the shims that came with it? I removed the old screen and put in the new 1:1 swap and it went in fine. Do I need to remove the copper shim and replace with the others they provided? Read this about testing and calibrating the screen: Focusing Screen--How to adjust focusing screen--

12-27-2012, 09:49 PM	#24
klkitchens Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Allanta, GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 449 Original Poster	Originally posted by elliott Read this about testing and calibrating the screen: Focusing Screen--How to adjust focusing screen-- Thanks... I will try to make understanding of the written text displayed on that page of the web.

01-02-2013, 09:51 PM	#25
subidoc Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Somewhere near the middle... Posts: 295	Just installed the EES type screen into my K-5. I managed to put a thin linear scratch in te lower right corner. What a difference, when compared to the original screen... Its very satisfying to use a manual lens now again. I have a split prism screen in my *ist DS, and it seems to work well. I am glad, though, that I chose a "blank" unmarked screen for the K-5.

02-06-2013, 08:58 PM	#26
Nick Siebers Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,159	I just put an S screen in my *ist DS, and can definitely see the differences. Fast lenses are much easier to focus, even my almost impossible Vivitar 85/1.8. Put the 500mm f/8 mirror on and it is a different story - so dark! But even in the darkness, focus does seem to pop better. We'll see. Interested to check out the metering in sunlight.

02-08-2013, 04:57 AM	#27
derekkite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,612	This is the one I got. There is a clear one without markings as well. Focusing Screen Metering is very close to the stock screen. I use it with my f4 300. If you use slower lenses, it works, but don't buy it for that purpose. The stock screen darkens and gets blotchy in low light, this one just darkens. It really shines with fast lenses. You can actually see whether it is in focus or not. I find it helps with autofocus lenses as well since I can see where the af mechanism is focussing to. Focussingscreen.com sends a collection of shims. It isn't hard to change, a bit fussy and small, and it is worth the time to test it and get it right.