55mm f/1.2: Katzeye or Canon ee-S?

Boris_Akunin · 07-28-2013, 04:16 PM - **1 Like**

Hi,

I've had the ee-S in my sights since I put a manual prime on my K-5 for the first time but I've always had a number of slow lenses. Now however all my lenses (apart from two stopgap lenses that will be replaced soon) are f/2.8 or faster, so it's time for a better focusing screen. I may still get the DA21/3.2 at some point but the only lens on my wishlist that's really slow is the Sigma 8-16/4.5-5.6.

I also bought a Revuenon/Tomioka 55mm f/1.2 (M42) and I'm wondering if the ee-S screen is acurate enough to focus at f/1.2 or if I should get a Katzeye instead.
I frequently use spot metering and I could use the ee-S's linear brightness (how does the Katzeye compare there?) but the 55/1.2 is the main reason to buy a new focusing screen.

Here are my current lenses (the underscored ones will be sold of soon):
Tokina SL 17mm f/3.5
Kiron MC 24mm f/2
DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited
Revuenon/Tomioka 55mm f/1.2 (M42)
DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited
Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 (M42)
DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR
F 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5

And here is my current wishlist:
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6
DFA 100mm f/2.8 WR
DA* 55mm f/1.4

Has any of you experience with f/1.2 lenses and the Canon ee-S screen?

regards
Jan

**Deimos** · 07-28-2013, 04:39 PM

I liked using liveview for f1.2 with magnification

Boris_Akunin · 07-28-2013, 04:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Deimos

I liked using liveview for f1.2 with magnification

That is always an option of course but I'd like to have a faster way to focus since 55/1.2 (equiv. 84/1.8) is perfect for portraits on APS-C and those damn humans keep moving without being told (those bastards!).
My question is if the ee-S screen is acurate enough to focus at f/1.2 or if I would need a split-prism (which would interfere with spot-metering and composition).

carrrlangas · 07-28-2013, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by Boris_Akunin

've had the ee-S in my sights since I put a manual prime on my K-5 for the first time but I've always had a number of slow lenses. Now however all my lenses (apart from two stopgap lenses that will be replaced soon) are f/2.8 or faster, so it's time for a better focusing screen. I may still get the DA21/3.2 at some point but the only lens on my wishlist that's really slow is the Sigma 8-16/4.5-5.6.

My situation is very similar! From what I´ve been able to learn, The EE screen seems to be a better option because it´s cheaper, doesn´t mess with metering, allows to focus anywhere, not only the center.
About the EE-S screen:
Renders "real" DoF from f/1.4 onwards vs f/2.8 for the K-5 stock screen.
Starts getting dark after f/4. This shows much when light is bright and our eyes get used to it. If light isn´t too brigt you won´t notice that much difference when looking though the VF.
VF darkens fast as you mount lenses with f/4.5 - f/5.6 maximum aperture.

My fastest lenses are f/2.8, except for the F50/1.7 so my main question is if I will see a benefit from the EE-S screen over the stock screen.

topace · 07-29-2013, 01:31 AM

Having used both, I'd recommend the EE-S. Even if it doesn't quite show real DOF at f/1.2, it helps a lot with managing that narrow string of sharpness. KatzEye is nice too, but its strengths lie elsewhere.

steve1307 · 07-31-2013, 05:33 AM

I have the EE-S in my K-7 ( the pre-cut version from Deki at focussingscreen.com )

It works great as long as you get the shims correct between the screen and prism.
Image at f1.2 snaps quickly into focus over a much narrower range.

I found that the metering with my DA15 and 18-135 (both slow lenses) was slightly affected by the EE-S sligtly underexposing.
I had to dial in +0.3 to sometimes +0.5 EV.
Oddly my 55-300 generally didnt require any EV adjustment and it's f4.5 -5.8

Faster lenses like f2.8 primes or my FA43 didnt seem to need any exp comp.

Never tired the Katzeye or other split screen as they can affect the centre spot metering which I do use occasionally.

Boris_Akunin · 07-31-2013, 10:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by steve1307

I have the EE-S in my K-7 ( the pre-cut version from Deki at focussingscreen.com )

It works great as long as you get the shims correct between the screen and prism.
Image at f1.2 snaps quickly into focus over a much narrower range.

I'll have the installation and shim-adjustment done by the company that does Pentax' free "base-check" while they're at it.
If they don't f**k it up, I should get a correctly adjusted and clean focusing screen.

Quote:

I found that the metering with my DA15 and 18-135 (both slow lenses) was slightly affected by the EE-S sligtly underexposing.
I had to dial in +0.3 to sometimes +0.5 EV.
Oddly my 55-300 generally didnt require any EV adjustment and it's f4.5 -5.8

I have no plans to buy another slow lens apart from the Sigma 8-16, so that'll be fine.

Quote:

Never tired the Katzeye or other split screen as they can affect the centre spot metering which I do use occasionally.

And it looks like I won't try it either.

Thanks, guys!

regards
Jan

Iksobarg · 11-07-2013, 03:53 AM

Sorry for late arrival on this topic but I have a question:
I have a 1.2 manual focus and I soon realized I had to use liveview on this K30 to get proper focus.
After reading some of the comments/inquiries about lacking DOF does this Ee-s help significantly with quicker/sharper focusing over LV?
Thanks!

topace · 11-07-2013, 03:56 AM

Originally posted by Iksobarg

Sorry for late arrival on this topic but I have a question:
I have a 1.2 manual focus and I soon realized I had to use liveview on this K30 to get proper focus.
After reading some of the comments/inquiries about lacking DOF does this Ee-s help significantly with quicker/sharper focusing over LV?
Thanks!

It doesn't reproduce f/1.2 perfectly. There's always going to be some guesswork involved. But you have to guess a lot less with the EE-s than with the stock or the KatzEye.

07-28-2013, 04:16 PM - 1 Like	#1
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	55mm f/1.2: Katzeye or Canon ee-S? Hi, I've had the ee-S in my sights since I put a manual prime on my K-5 for the first time but I've always had a number of slow lenses. Now however all my lenses (apart from two stopgap lenses that will be replaced soon) are f/2.8 or faster, so it's time for a better focusing screen. I may still get the DA21/3.2 at some point but the only lens on my wishlist that's really slow is the Sigma 8-16/4.5-5.6. I also bought a Revuenon/Tomioka 55mm f/1.2 (M42) and I'm wondering if the ee-S screen is acurate enough to focus at f/1.2 or if I should get a Katzeye instead. I frequently use spot metering and I could use the ee-S's linear brightness (how does the Katzeye compare there?) but the 55/1.2 is the main reason to buy a new focusing screen. Here are my current lenses (the underscored ones will be sold of soon): Tokina SL 17mm f/3.5 Kiron MC 24mm f/2 DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Revuenon/Tomioka 55mm f/1.2 (M42) DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Vivitar Series 1 135mm f/2.3 (M42) DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR F 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 And here is my current wishlist: Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DFA 100mm f/2.8 WR DA* 55mm f/1.4 Has any of you experience with f/1.2 lenses and the Canon ee-S screen? regards Jan

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07-28-2013, 04:39 PM	#2
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	I liked using liveview for f1.2 with magnification

07-28-2013, 04:48 PM - 1 Like	#3
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674 Original Poster	Originally posted by Deimos I liked using liveview for f1.2 with magnification That is always an option of course but I'd like to have a faster way to focus since 55/1.2 (equiv. 84/1.8) is perfect for portraits on APS-C and those damn humans keep moving without being told (those bastards!). My question is if the ee-S screen is acurate enough to focus at f/1.2 or if I would need a split-prism (which would interfere with spot-metering and composition).

07-28-2013, 08:28 PM	#4
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by Boris_Akunin 've had the ee-S in my sights since I put a manual prime on my K-5 for the first time but I've always had a number of slow lenses. Now however all my lenses (apart from two stopgap lenses that will be replaced soon) are f/2.8 or faster, so it's time for a better focusing screen. I may still get the DA21/3.2 at some point but the only lens on my wishlist that's really slow is the Sigma 8-16/4.5-5.6. My situation is very similar! From what I´ve been able to learn, The EE screen seems to be a better option because it´s cheaper, doesn´t mess with metering, allows to focus anywhere, not only the center. About the EE-S screen: Renders "real" DoF from f/1.4 onwards vs f/2.8 for the K-5 stock screen. Starts getting dark after f/4. This shows much when light is bright and our eyes get used to it. If light isn´t too brigt you won´t notice that much difference when looking though the VF. VF darkens fast as you mount lenses with f/4.5 - f/5.6 maximum aperture. My fastest lenses are f/2.8, except for the F50/1.7 so my main question is if I will see a benefit from the EE-S screen over the stock screen.

07-29-2013, 01:31 AM	#5
topace Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Stockholm Posts: 198	Having used both, I'd recommend the EE-S. Even if it doesn't quite show real DOF at f/1.2, it helps a lot with managing that narrow string of sharpness. KatzEye is nice too, but its strengths lie elsewhere.

07-31-2013, 05:33 AM	#6
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	I have the EE-S in my K-7 ( the pre-cut version from Deki at focussingscreen.com ) It works great as long as you get the shims correct between the screen and prism. Image at f1.2 snaps quickly into focus over a much narrower range. I found that the metering with my DA15 and 18-135 (both slow lenses) was slightly affected by the EE-S sligtly underexposing. I had to dial in +0.3 to sometimes +0.5 EV. Oddly my 55-300 generally didnt require any EV adjustment and it's f4.5 -5.8 Faster lenses like f2.8 primes or my FA43 didnt seem to need any exp comp. Never tired the Katzeye or other split screen as they can affect the centre spot metering which I do use occasionally.

07-31-2013, 10:51 PM - 1 Like	#7
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674 Original Poster	Originally posted by steve1307 I have the EE-S in my K-7 ( the pre-cut version from Deki at focussingscreen.com ) It works great as long as you get the shims correct between the screen and prism. Image at f1.2 snaps quickly into focus over a much narrower range. I'll have the installation and shim-adjustment done by the company that does Pentax' free "base-check" while they're at it. If they don't f**k it up, I should get a correctly adjusted and clean focusing screen. Quote: I found that the metering with my DA15 and 18-135 (both slow lenses) was slightly affected by the EE-S sligtly underexposing. I had to dial in +0.3 to sometimes +0.5 EV. Oddly my 55-300 generally didnt require any EV adjustment and it's f4.5 -5.8 I have no plans to buy another slow lens apart from the Sigma 8-16, so that'll be fine. Quote: Never tired the Katzeye or other split screen as they can affect the centre spot metering which I do use occasionally. And it looks like I won't try it either. Thanks, guys! regards Jan

11-07-2013, 03:53 AM	#8
Iksobarg Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 208	Sorry for late arrival on this topic but I have a question: I have a 1.2 manual focus and I soon realized I had to use liveview on this K30 to get proper focus. After reading some of the comments/inquiries about lacking DOF does this Ee-s help significantly with quicker/sharper focusing over LV? Thanks!

11-07-2013, 03:56 AM	#9
topace Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Stockholm Posts: 198	Originally posted by Iksobarg Sorry for late arrival on this topic but I have a question: I have a 1.2 manual focus and I soon realized I had to use liveview on this K30 to get proper focus. After reading some of the comments/inquiries about lacking DOF does this Ee-s help significantly with quicker/sharper focusing over LV? Thanks! It doesn't reproduce f/1.2 perfectly. There's always going to be some guesswork involved. But you have to guess a lot less with the EE-s than with the stock or the KatzEye.