Focusing screen reviews

Blue · 05-26-2010, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by cps_goodbuy

I have bought a hand made ground glass plain screen for my k10d online.

I have not tested it other than installing it, but the focus transition is amazingly clear and it is fairly bright.

I feel I should write a review and let others know of this option.

Actual glass?

stevewig · 05-26-2010, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by cps_goodbuy

I feel I should write a review and let others know of this option.

It may be helpful to provide more details:

Where from?
How much?
Shimming requirements - if any?

etc.

cps_goodbuy · 05-26-2010, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by Blue

Actual glass?

Will be testing... shims are dependent on the camera tolerances I think?
Info so far:
Hand Ground Glass
Roughly between 25 and 30 dollars
American Sourced

Edit/Update: does not seem to affect metering.
Will be testing the screen over this weekend, and I have spoken with the manufacturer and may be able to setup a group buy if the screen performs well and there is interest.

Edit:Update: Slightly overexposes I think?
Attaching a photo crop focusing on the tip of the front prong.
Needed to remove a shim and add a plastic shim to solve a front focusing problem with current shim.
Pretty good. Screen represents an accurate depth of field imho

I will contact a member of pentaxforums to write a review.

chrish · 05-31-2010, 06:47 AM

Any update?

omega leader · 05-31-2010, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

btw, how many of you didnt use the shims on your focus screen?

I started by making shims out of stickynotes. However after about a year the focus screen fell out (on my wife who had taken the camera on a business trip).

I've since bought the first four thicknesses from Pentax Canada and got it focusing perfectly. It makes a world of difference.

NeverSatisfied · 05-31-2010, 09:02 PM

Yea it was really tedious, screen out, shim out, shim in, screen in, trial and error over and over, constantly battling dust- next thing ya know there's some kind of grunge on my sensor...

But now it's perfect, definitely worth the trouble.

cps_goodbuy · 06-01-2010, 02:42 AM

Originally posted by chrish

Any update?

Will be testing... shims are dependent on the camera tolerances I think?
Info so far:
Hand Ground Glass
Roughly between 25 and 30 dollars
American Sourced

Edit/Update: does not seem to affect metering.
Will be testing the screen over this weekend, and I have spoken with the manufacturer and may be able to setup a group buy if the screen performs well and there is interest.

Edit:Update: Slightly overexposes I think?
Attaching a photo crop focusing on the tip of the front prong.
Needed to remove a shim and add a plastic shim to solve a front focusing problem with current shim.
Pretty good. Screen represents an accurate depth of field imho

I will contact a member of pentaxforums to write a review.

stevewig · 06-08-2010, 04:54 PM

Many thanks to WheresWaldo for this excellent review and thread which led me to install the focusingscreen.com K3 screen in my K10D. Previously, I had tried the jinfinance screen and the LL-60.

I've had it installed for a week now and it is excellent, comparing very well to the Katz-eye (with Optibrite) that I have installed in my Nikon D80. No more exposure problems and blackouts and I find the horizontal split very easy to use.

I recommend to anybody still thinking about this.

gybp · 06-28-2010, 10:15 AM

ok, im using the k20d mostly with manual focus lenses, but many of my shots are out of focus, wich of theses focusing screen will help me to perfect my focusing? wich one is better value for money? thanks...

Adam · 06-28-2010, 10:28 AM

FYI- we feature a database for the purpose of reviewing focusing screens (and other accessories) found here: PentaxForums.com Photo Software and Pentax Accessory Review Database - Focusing Screens - Third-Party

Adding your reviews/screens there would make browsing much easier for others.

Transit · 07-05-2010, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

A friend found a discarded Spotmatic F. It has the two ring microprism focusing aids. I just tried focusing with the Tak 55/1.8 at f/4 using the matte surround and compared the screen to my M100/4 on the k10d with the LL-60 screen. The brightness is within a stop. ....

This is weird, when I look through an ME viewfinder the view is much brighter than through the Spotmatic . Has the ME got a brighter sight path for other reasons ?

very interesting thread thanks
Pete

He of the resized MG screen to K100D...
next project, resize ME screen with half twist

whataberk · 07-15-2010, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by cps_goodbuy

Will be testing... shims are dependent on the camera tolerances I think?
Info so far:
Hand Ground Glass
Roughly between 25 and 30 dollars
American Sourced

Edit/Update: does not seem to affect metering.
Will be testing the screen over this weekend, and I have spoken with the manufacturer and may be able to setup a group buy if the screen performs well and there is interest.

Edit:Update: Slightly overexposes I think?
Attaching a photo crop focusing on the tip of the front prong.
Needed to remove a shim and add a plastic shim to solve a front focusing problem with current shim.
Pretty good. Screen represents an accurate depth of field imho

I will contact a member of pentaxforums to write a review.

Very much interested in where you got this... Can you name the source? Honestly, for 25 bucks I'd almost be willing to jump for it even without reviews. A matte glass screen with accurate DoF is hard to come by these days...

Belcik · 03-30-2011, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by Adam

FYI- we feature a database for the purpose of reviewing focusing screens (and other accessories) found here: PentaxForums.com Photo Software and Pentax Accessory Review Database - Focusing Screens - Third-Party

Adding your reviews/screens there would make browsing much easier for others.

I posted my feelings about Katzeye and added one more: LinkDelight.

To be honest, for 200 bucks I was expecting more from KatzEye.

JohnBee · 03-30-2011, 06:09 AM

Originally posted by Belcik

I posted my feelings about Katzeye and added one more: LinkDelight.

To be honest, for 200 bucks I was expecting more from KatzEye.

What do you think of the Katzeye screen?
And more importantly... what were your expectations?

I've tried many screens in the past, but always ended-up settling with the Kaztzeye screens. They seem better made(QC) and the optibright seems unmatched by anything else on the market.

kheldour · 04-22-2011, 03:10 AM

really great thread. Thank you so much WheresWaldo. Great job.

05-26-2010, 10:30 AM	#93
cps_goodbuy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 291	Originally posted by Blue Actual glass? Will be testing... shims are dependent on the camera tolerances I think? Info so far: Hand Ground Glass Roughly between 25 and 30 dollars American Sourced Edit/Update: does not seem to affect metering. Will be testing the screen over this weekend, and I have spoken with the manufacturer and may be able to setup a group buy if the screen performs well and there is interest. Edit:Update: Slightly overexposes I think? Attaching a photo crop focusing on the tip of the front prong. Needed to remove a shim and add a plastic shim to solve a front focusing problem with current shim. Pretty good. Screen represents an accurate depth of field imho I will contact a member of pentaxforums to write a review. Attached Images Last edited by cps_goodbuy; 06-01-2010 at 02:42 AM.

06-28-2010, 10:28 AM	#100
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	FYI- we feature a database for the purpose of reviewing focusing screens (and other accessories) found here: PentaxForums.com Photo Software and Pentax Accessory Review Database - Focusing Screens - Third-Party Adding your reviews/screens there would make browsing much easier for others. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-26-2010, 09:34 AM	#91
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by cps_goodbuy I have bought a hand made ground glass plain screen for my k10d online. I have not tested it other than installing it, but the focus transition is amazingly clear and it is fairly bright. I feel I should write a review and let others know of this option. Actual glass?

05-26-2010, 10:21 AM	#92
stevewig Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 773	Originally posted by cps_goodbuy I feel I should write a review and let others know of this option. It may be helpful to provide more details: Where from? How much? Shimming requirements - if any? etc.

05-31-2010, 06:47 AM	#94
chrish Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: buffalo Posts: 42	Any update?

05-31-2010, 04:50 PM	#95
omega leader Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	Originally posted by Pentaxor btw, how many of you didnt use the shims on your focus screen? I started by making shims out of stickynotes. However after about a year the focus screen fell out (on my wife who had taken the camera on a business trip). I've since bought the first four thicknesses from Pentax Canada and got it focusing perfectly. It makes a world of difference.

05-31-2010, 09:02 PM	#96
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Yea it was really tedious, screen out, shim out, shim in, screen in, trial and error over and over, constantly battling dust- next thing ya know there's some kind of grunge on my sensor... But now it's perfect, definitely worth the trouble.

06-01-2010, 02:42 AM	#97
cps_goodbuy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 291	Originally posted by chrish Any update? Will be testing... shims are dependent on the camera tolerances I think? Info so far: Hand Ground Glass Roughly between 25 and 30 dollars American Sourced Edit/Update: does not seem to affect metering. Will be testing the screen over this weekend, and I have spoken with the manufacturer and may be able to setup a group buy if the screen performs well and there is interest. Edit:Update: Slightly overexposes I think? Attaching a photo crop focusing on the tip of the front prong. Needed to remove a shim and add a plastic shim to solve a front focusing problem with current shim. Pretty good. Screen represents an accurate depth of field imho I will contact a member of pentaxforums to write a review.

06-08-2010, 04:54 PM	#98
stevewig Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 773	Many thanks to WheresWaldo for this excellent review and thread which led me to install the focusingscreen.com K3 screen in my K10D. Previously, I had tried the jinfinance screen and the LL-60. I've had it installed for a week now and it is excellent, comparing very well to the Katz-eye (with Optibrite) that I have installed in my Nikon D80. No more exposure problems and blackouts and I find the horizontal split very easy to use. I recommend to anybody still thinking about this.

06-28-2010, 10:15 AM	#99
gybp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 165	ok, im using the k20d mostly with manual focus lenses, but many of my shots are out of focus, wich of theses focusing screen will help me to perfect my focusing? wich one is better value for money? thanks...

07-05-2010, 03:59 PM	#101
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies A friend found a discarded Spotmatic F. It has the two ring microprism focusing aids. I just tried focusing with the Tak 55/1.8 at f/4 using the matte surround and compared the screen to my M100/4 on the k10d with the LL-60 screen. The brightness is within a stop. .... This is weird, when I look through an ME viewfinder the view is much brighter than through the Spotmatic . Has the ME got a brighter sight path for other reasons ? very interesting thread thanks Pete He of the resized MG screen to K100D... next project, resize ME screen with half twist

07-15-2010, 08:02 PM	#102
whataberk New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mississippi Posts: 3	Originally posted by cps_goodbuy Will be testing... shims are dependent on the camera tolerances I think? Info so far: Hand Ground Glass Roughly between 25 and 30 dollars American Sourced Edit/Update: does not seem to affect metering. Will be testing the screen over this weekend, and I have spoken with the manufacturer and may be able to setup a group buy if the screen performs well and there is interest. Edit:Update: Slightly overexposes I think? Attaching a photo crop focusing on the tip of the front prong. Needed to remove a shim and add a plastic shim to solve a front focusing problem with current shim. Pretty good. Screen represents an accurate depth of field imho I will contact a member of pentaxforums to write a review. Very much interested in where you got this... Can you name the source? Honestly, for 25 bucks I'd almost be willing to jump for it even without reviews. A matte glass screen with accurate DoF is hard to come by these days...

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03-30-2011, 05:55 AM	#103
Belcik Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russia,Moscow Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377	Originally posted by Adam FYI- we feature a database for the purpose of reviewing focusing screens (and other accessories) found here: PentaxForums.com Photo Software and Pentax Accessory Review Database - Focusing Screens - Third-Party Adding your reviews/screens there would make browsing much easier for others. I posted my feelings about Katzeye and added one more: LinkDelight. To be honest, for 200 bucks I was expecting more from KatzEye.

03-30-2011, 06:09 AM	#104
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by Belcik I posted my feelings about Katzeye and added one more: LinkDelight. To be honest, for 200 bucks I was expecting more from KatzEye. What do you think of the Katzeye screen? And more importantly... what were your expectations? I've tried many screens in the past, but always ended-up settling with the Kaztzeye screens. They seem better made(QC) and the optibright seems unmatched by anything else on the market.

04-22-2011, 03:10 AM	#105
kheldour Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cologne Photos: Gallery Posts: 306	really great thread. Thank you so much WheresWaldo. Great job.