Interchangeable Focusing Screens

**maxfield_photo** · 02-27-2016, 09:31 AM

It's possible, perhaps even likely, that the transparent LCD is glued to the focusing screen with the same type of optical cement used to hold lens elements together in order to create an air free interface. It may be very difficult to separate the two. Who wants to be the first brave volunteer?

Kunzite · 02-27-2016, 11:13 AM

It's possible that you would not be able to change the focusing screen without damaging the camera. It's possible that you could change it very easily, but Ricoh Imaging simply doesn't offer any alternative (so far they offered different grid arrangements, useless now since the included screen can display all of them).
And anything in between

Jimfear · 02-28-2016, 01:18 PM

Wait a moment, did you say full frame pro DSLR and not interchangeable focus screens?(!) Bummer, I hope there is some easy hack for this, otherwise it is a dead stop deal breaker. I have not been collecting fine pentax glass for 15 years in order not to be able to focus them with a micro prism screen. I guess you can't project that with the LCD...

zapp · 03-03-2016, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

Detailed spec sheet for K-1 specifically says the focusing screen is not interchangeable.

Detailed spec sheet for K1 says that focusing screen can be interchanged - Pentax Germany:

"Mattscheibe Wechselbare "Natural-Bright III"-Mattscheibe mit AF-Rahmen."

Pentax USA just has a neutral statement:

Focusing screen: "Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen"

No interchangeable screen, no MF fun...

pete-tarmigan · 03-03-2016, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

I wonder if the Viewfinder Magnifier O-ME53 will fit on too.

Clicking on the "What's in the Box" tab on the Ricoh Imaging Canada site shows that "Finder Cap ME" is included. Since that cap came with the flagship APS-C DSLRs, which accept the O-ME53, the K-1's viewfinder should also accept the O-ME53.

PENTAX K-1?Cameras?RICOH IMAGING CANADA

Not a Number · 03-04-2016, 04:57 AM

So it seems the Canon 70D EOS has an LCD screen in the viewfinder as well as a "fixed" focus screen. It can be removed but you need to remove a couple of screws first. And the screen is a different size and design from Canon's other screens.

reh321 · 03-05-2016, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by fredralphfred

The other half of "accurate focusing" is focusing on what you want, rather than whatever the camera happens to "notice." Pentax's track record in that regard has not been great. Also, AF doesn't work well with manual lenses, as you noted.

I had hoped that one by-product of the full-frame camera would be the ability to take the traditional Pentax split-prism focusing screens.

I took several pictures today using a newly acquired Super-Takumar f/2 35mm lens nearly wide open and nearly at minimum focusing distance. That is the most difficult MF I've done in awhile, but with the aid of the "in focus symbol" I got it right. I'm now convinced that the "in focus symbol" is a more reliable help than split-screen ever was {my eyes are 68 years old and showing every year of it}.

**Kerrowdown** · 03-05-2016, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

shows that "Finder Cap ME" is included

Good catch, thanks for the heads up.

pete-tarmigan · 03-05-2016, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Good catch, thanks for the heads up.

Also, I just noticed that the O-ME53 is listed on the K-1's Accessory tab.

Rico · 03-10-2016, 06:07 PM

Is it possible to have the K-1 focusing screen be plain without any grids AF points etc.?

I have been using the ME-60 plain matte focusing screen for years. I find having anything on the screen a distraction. I can focus manually better. For me the plain matte screen allows me to focus even better than using a split image screen.

Not a Number · 03-10-2016, 06:31 PM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/316208-pentax-k-1-viewfinder-demo-video.html

You can turn the grid marking off to have a plain ground glass. If you turn off AF the point display too.

Rico · 03-10-2016, 06:38 PM

Thanks for that Not a Number.

John Shriver · 05-10-2016, 06:20 AM

Definitely not interchangeable on my K-1. Really too "bright" a screen to focus at all with super fast lenses (50/1.2, 100/1.8). The O-ME53 makes it possible, but not easy. Reality is focus confirmation or live view with focus peaking. Latter works really well with the large bright swiveling screen, but you're relying on IBIS when holding the camera away from your body.

Not a Number · 05-10-2016, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by John Shriver

Definitely not interchangeable on my K-1

Shots of the pre-production bodies seemed to indicate the usual retaining frame catch for the screen as on APS-C bodies. If you are willing to possibly damaging something can you confirm that the screen cannot be detached.

Perhaps a ND filter over the eyepiece or wearing sunglasses when using fast MF lenses would help?

John Shriver · 05-10-2016, 12:37 PM

What looked like a catch is definitely the mounting for an LED. The screen is totally surrounded by a rigid plastic frame. I think the hinged frame would not have cleared the much more complicated travel path of the mirror on the K-1.

03-10-2016, 06:31 PM	#26
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/316208-pentax-k-1-viewfinder-demo-video.html You can turn the grid marking off to have a plain ground glass. If you turn off AF the point display too. Last edited by Not a Number; 03-10-2016 at 07:34 PM.

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02-27-2016, 09:31 AM	#16
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	It's possible, perhaps even likely, that the transparent LCD is glued to the focusing screen with the same type of optical cement used to hold lens elements together in order to create an air free interface. It may be very difficult to separate the two. Who wants to be the first brave volunteer?

02-27-2016, 11:13 AM	#17
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	It's possible that you would not be able to change the focusing screen without damaging the camera. It's possible that you could change it very easily, but Ricoh Imaging simply doesn't offer any alternative (so far they offered different grid arrangements, useless now since the included screen can display all of them). And anything in between

02-28-2016, 01:18 PM	#18
Jimfear Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 576	Wait a moment, did you say full frame pro DSLR and not interchangeable focus screens?(!) Bummer, I hope there is some easy hack for this, otherwise it is a dead stop deal breaker. I have not been collecting fine pentax glass for 15 years in order not to be able to focus them with a micro prism screen. I guess you can't project that with the LCD...

03-03-2016, 06:42 AM	#19
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Originally posted by monochrome Detailed spec sheet for K-1 specifically says the focusing screen is not interchangeable. Detailed spec sheet for K1 says that focusing screen can be interchanged - Pentax Germany: "Mattscheibe Wechselbare "Natural-Bright III"-Mattscheibe mit AF-Rahmen." Pentax USA just has a neutral statement: Focusing screen: "Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen" No interchangeable screen, no MF fun...

03-03-2016, 06:58 AM	#20
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by Kerrowdown I wonder if the Viewfinder Magnifier O-ME53 will fit on too. Clicking on the "What's in the Box" tab on the Ricoh Imaging Canada site shows that "Finder Cap ME" is included. Since that cap came with the flagship APS-C DSLRs, which accept the O-ME53, the K-1's viewfinder should also accept the O-ME53. PENTAX K-1?Cameras?RICOH IMAGING CANADA

03-04-2016, 04:57 AM	#21
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	So it seems the Canon 70D EOS has an LCD screen in the viewfinder as well as a "fixed" focus screen. It can be removed but you need to remove a couple of screws first. And the screen is a different size and design from Canon's other screens.

03-05-2016, 02:21 PM	#22
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by fredralphfred The other half of "accurate focusing" is focusing on what you want, rather than whatever the camera happens to "notice." Pentax's track record in that regard has not been great. Also, AF doesn't work well with manual lenses, as you noted. I had hoped that one by-product of the full-frame camera would be the ability to take the traditional Pentax split-prism focusing screens. I took several pictures today using a newly acquired Super-Takumar f/2 35mm lens nearly wide open and nearly at minimum focusing distance. That is the most difficult MF I've done in awhile, but with the aid of the "in focus symbol" I got it right. I'm now convinced that the "in focus symbol" is a more reliable help than split-screen ever was {my eyes are 68 years old and showing every year of it}.

03-05-2016, 02:35 PM	#23
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819 Original Poster	Originally posted by pete-tarmigan shows that "Finder Cap ME" is included Good catch, thanks for the heads up.

03-05-2016, 04:42 PM	#24
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Good catch, thanks for the heads up. Also, I just noticed that the O-ME53 is listed on the K-1's Accessory tab.

03-10-2016, 06:07 PM	#25
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	Is it possible to have the K-1 focusing screen be plain without any grids AF points etc.? I have been using the ME-60 plain matte focusing screen for years. I find having anything on the screen a distraction. I can focus manually better. For me the plain matte screen allows me to focus even better than using a split image screen.

03-10-2016, 06:38 PM	#27
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	Thanks for that Not a Number.

05-10-2016, 06:20 AM	#28
John Shriver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 160	Definitely not interchangeable on my K-1. Really too "bright" a screen to focus at all with super fast lenses (50/1.2, 100/1.8). The O-ME53 makes it possible, but not easy. Reality is focus confirmation or live view with focus peaking. Latter works really well with the large bright swiveling screen, but you're relying on IBIS when holding the camera away from your body.

05-10-2016, 06:33 AM	#29
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by John Shriver Definitely not interchangeable on my K-1 Shots of the pre-production bodies seemed to indicate the usual retaining frame catch for the screen as on APS-C bodies. If you are willing to possibly damaging something can you confirm that the screen cannot be detached. Perhaps a ND filter over the eyepiece or wearing sunglasses when using fast MF lenses would help?

05-10-2016, 12:37 PM	#30
John Shriver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 160	What looked like a catch is definitely the mounting for an LED. The screen is totally surrounded by a rigid plastic frame. I think the hinged frame would not have cleared the much more complicated travel path of the mirror on the K-1.