Originally posted by Jerra Hello, may anyone help me out?
I own a K200D and want to buy a focusing screen, but since i never used one, i don't know which to purchase.
These are the candidates
1. EC-B
2. FSB
3. K-3
From what i can see on these pictures:
Focusing Screen
the K-3 and FSB are better, because you can use split-image and microprism.
But what's up with the:
Hexagon Matte/Traditional Matte? Difference?
And what's the big black circle on the K3 screen:
The FSB hasn't got this.
I want to buy the optimal focusing screen, even if i use lower aperture or have inoptimal light conditions.
Thanks for your help!
I will try to answer what I know.
The Split image and microprism are both focusing aids and are not necessary to focus correctly. There are fans of both types of aids. Where you have straight edges that are at an angle to the split image it may be easier to see precise focus. For most other subjects the microprism enhances the contrast and will allow easier focus.
With respect to the K3 vs FSB. I believe I have read here that the FSB is a much lower quality generic screen according to the people at focusingscreens.com. The K3 is a genuine Nikon screen cut down to the dimensions of the screen it is replacing, in your case a K200D.
Hexagon vs. Traditional matte, is most likely marketing hype. It is how the outer area that is not microprism or split screen is frosted.
The big black circle is not really that big or that black and is a compositional aid. on a full-frame Nikon it also happens to correspond to the area covered by the center weighted exposure sensors. On an APS-C camera is just about covers the middle third of the screen and can be sort of used to set rule-of-thirds composition.
All focusing aids have one drawback, with small apertures and in very low light a part of the aid will remain dark. It is what it is and you get used to it. That is just one of the reasons that most new cameras only use matte screens.