Fixed focusing screen

John Shriver · 02-19-2016, 02:01 PM

The specs say that the K-1 has a fixed focusing screen. Somewhat of a disappointment for those of us with "interesting" manual focusing lenses. I suppose with the mirror sliding up and back, there just isn't room for the opening frame. I hope the Natural Bright Matte III screen is good for manual focus, particularly at only 0.7x magnification. I'm used to 0.9x (and crazy bright) on my Pentax LX.

There's always focus assist as well.

The lenses I'll have to test manual focus with:

Pentax-A 15/3.5
Pentax-A 16/2.8
Pentax-A 20/2.8
Samyang 135/1.8
Tamron SP 300/5.6

The last two will really test its mettle.

Last edited by John Shriver; 02-19-2016 at 02:06 PM.

bertwert · 02-19-2016, 02:02 PM

It looks like it is interchangeable because you can see the tab for changing it...

But if there is another screen that'll fit is the question.

stevebrot · 02-19-2016, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by John Shriver

The specs say that the K-1 has a fixed focusing screen.

This is the second place I have read this assertion, though I have not been able to find any published spec where this is stated. As bertwert noted, the retention clip (or something that looks very much like one) is clearly visible in body-only photos of the camera. Do you have a reference link?

Steve

**jatrax** · 02-19-2016, 02:17 PM

Note that on the other forum Asahi man reported that the 'tabs' in the picture of the mount was in fact the retainer clip for the focusing screen. I guess we will have to wait and see but I'm not sure at this point that anything has changed from previous models. Pentax may not offer a replacement screen though. And they may not recommend users changing the screen but I think the jury is still out as whether it is possible to change it.

stevebrot · 02-19-2016, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Do you have a reference link?

Found it (Ricoh Japan). The text clearly calls out that the screen is not interchangeable which brings to question the purpose of the clip.

Features4 | PENTAX K-1 | RICOH IMAGING

Steve

bertwert · 02-19-2016, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Found it (Ricoh Japan). The text clearly calls out that the screen is not interchangeable which brings to question the purpose of the clip.

Features4 | PENTAX K-1 | RICOH IMAGING

Steve

Does the K-3 etc.. say that the screen is interchangeable?

stevebrot · 02-19-2016, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

which brings to question the purpose of the clip

Clearly visible in this image lifted from imaging-resource.com...

Originally posted by bertwert

Does the K-3 etc.. say that the screen is interchangeable?

Yes it is explicit in the spec table for the K-3/K-3ii and all other flagship models back to the K10D and perhaps further as well as the K-30/K-50, K-S1, and K-S2.

Steve

bertwert · 02-19-2016, 02:40 PM

I guess it is still interchangeable they just don't want to market it as interchangeable?

kh1234567890 · 02-19-2016, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by John Shriver

I hope the Natural Bright Matte III screen is good for manual focus,

That is the Pentax stock focus screen finish (K-7,5,3 etc.). Even if it turns out to be removable, the chances of finding an alternative that could be cut to the right size are probably nil.

Not a Number · 02-19-2016, 04:04 PM

Or there was a last minute change and the photos are of pre-production models that don't reflect the change. Or the frame can still be there but the screen is fixed.

jcdoss · 02-19-2016, 05:03 PM

Maybe it's not interchangeable because they don't have any screens to sell us right now?

FWIW: The K-x literature said that screen was also not interchangeable, yet I put a split-prism screen in mine a few weeks ago no problemo.

Interspieder · 02-19-2016, 05:08 PM

Well, my Pentax K-x does not have an interchangeable focusing screen either, but i managed to change it. Bought a cheap focusing screen online from china and it was no problem to change it.
I guess they just won't sell any focusing screens on their official pentax homepage. Back then they even offered to change the focusing screen themselves (for the K7, K5 and so on) if you are to afraid to do it yourself.

stevebrot · 02-19-2016, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

Even if it turns out to be removable, the chances of finding an alternative that could be cut to the right size are probably nil.

I was of that opinion as well until I found D810 screens (cut from both Canon and Nikon donors) at focusingscreen.com and posts online from happy customers claiming great fit. It is obviously pure speculation, but I would expect that if at all possible (say 50/50?), 3rd party options will be available.

Steve

**grahame** · 02-19-2016, 06:33 PM

There is an LED panel that project the information in viewfinder right under (in front of) the focus screen, therefore the focusing screen itself is not easily changeable.

It is said the screen shows more accurate DOV in OVF than before. so maybe it is not necessary to change it for MF lenses.

02-19-2016, 02:01 PM	#1
John Shriver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 160	Fixed focusing screen The specs say that the K-1 has a fixed focusing screen. Somewhat of a disappointment for those of us with "interesting" manual focusing lenses. I suppose with the mirror sliding up and back, there just isn't room for the opening frame. I hope the Natural Bright Matte III screen is good for manual focus, particularly at only 0.7x magnification. I'm used to 0.9x (and crazy bright) on my Pentax LX. There's always focus assist as well. The lenses I'll have to test manual focus with: Pentax-A 15/3.5 Pentax-A 16/2.8 Pentax-A 20/2.8 Samyang 135/1.8 Tamron SP 300/5.6 The last two will really test its mettle. Last edited by John Shriver; 02-19-2016 at 02:06 PM.

02-19-2016, 02:12 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by John Shriver The specs say that the K-1 has a fixed focusing screen. This is the second place I have read this assertion, though I have not been able to find any published spec where this is stated. As bertwert noted, the retention clip (or something that looks very much like one) is clearly visible in body-only photos of the camera. Do you have a reference link? Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 02-19-2016 at 02:18 PM.

02-19-2016, 05:03 PM	#11
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,769	Maybe it's not interchangeable because they don't have any screens to sell us right now? FWIW: The K-x literature said that screen was also not interchangeable, yet I put a split-prism screen in mine a few weeks ago no problemo. Last edited by jcdoss; 02-19-2016 at 06:44 PM.

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02-19-2016, 02:02 PM	#2
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	It looks like it is interchangeable because you can see the tab for changing it... But if there is another screen that'll fit is the question.

02-19-2016, 02:17 PM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Note that on the other forum Asahi man reported that the 'tabs' in the picture of the mount was in fact the retainer clip for the focusing screen. I guess we will have to wait and see but I'm not sure at this point that anything has changed from previous models. Pentax may not offer a replacement screen though. And they may not recommend users changing the screen but I think the jury is still out as whether it is possible to change it.

02-19-2016, 02:25 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stevebrot Do you have a reference link? Found it (Ricoh Japan). The text clearly calls out that the screen is not interchangeable which brings to question the purpose of the clip. Features4 \| PENTAX K-1 \| RICOH IMAGING Steve

02-19-2016, 02:28 PM	#6
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by stevebrot Found it (Ricoh Japan). The text clearly calls out that the screen is not interchangeable which brings to question the purpose of the clip. Features4 \| PENTAX K-1 \| RICOH IMAGING Steve Does the K-3 etc.. say that the screen is interchangeable?

02-19-2016, 02:39 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stevebrot which brings to question the purpose of the clip Clearly visible in this image lifted from imaging-resource.com... Originally posted by bertwert Does the K-3 etc.. say that the screen is interchangeable? Yes it is explicit in the spec table for the K-3/K-3ii and all other flagship models back to the K10D and perhaps further as well as the K-30/K-50, K-S1, and K-S2. Steve

02-19-2016, 02:40 PM	#8
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	I guess it is still interchangeable they just don't want to market it as interchangeable?

02-19-2016, 04:03 PM	#9
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by John Shriver I hope the Natural Bright Matte III screen is good for manual focus, That is the Pentax stock focus screen finish (K-7,5,3 etc.). Even if it turns out to be removable, the chances of finding an alternative that could be cut to the right size are probably nil.

02-19-2016, 04:04 PM	#10
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Or there was a last minute change and the photos are of pre-production models that don't reflect the change. Or the frame can still be there but the screen is fixed.

02-19-2016, 05:08 PM	#12
Interspieder Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 76	Well, my Pentax K-x does not have an interchangeable focusing screen either, but i managed to change it. Bought a cheap focusing screen online from china and it was no problem to change it. I guess they just won't sell any focusing screens on their official pentax homepage. Back then they even offered to change the focusing screen themselves (for the K7, K5 and so on) if you are to afraid to do it yourself.

02-19-2016, 05:41 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kh1234567890 Even if it turns out to be removable, the chances of finding an alternative that could be cut to the right size are probably nil. I was of that opinion as well until I found D810 screens (cut from both Canon and Nikon donors) at focusingscreen.com and posts online from happy customers claiming great fit. It is obviously pure speculation, but I would expect that if at all possible (say 50/50?), 3rd party options will be available. Steve

02-19-2016, 06:33 PM	#14
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	There is an LED panel that project the information in viewfinder right under (in front of) the focus screen, therefore the focusing screen itself is not easily changeable. It is said the screen shows more accurate DOV in OVF than before. so maybe it is not necessary to change it for MF lenses.