Another split focusing screen Question

campdog · 11-18-2009, 10:24 PM

Im sure someone can answer this for me.I want to buy a katzeye split focusing screen for my K10D. I do a lot of early morning long exposure shots as well as a lot of ND filter work using a ND 400. Hour would the split focus screen go under these conditions.Especially as the ND filters are pretty dark to start with.

wildlifephotog · 11-19-2009, 05:37 AM

Let's see. It is 7:30am, raining and hazy.
The split screen, ( ME SUPER ), in my DS is not blacked out at 5.6. I just put the ND4 on it, darkest I have,and it still was not blacking out at 5.6.

A 10 stop ND is bound to black out the prism. Unless it is pointed at or close to the sun.

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-19-2009, 06:01 AM

in the case here I doubt af would work either as it is almost pitch black.

you might be better off with the stock screen in this case because at least you can (maybe) see something to focus manually with

Wheatfield · 11-19-2009, 06:22 AM

Why not focus first, and then put the ND filter on? The Katz-Eye will make your manual focusing life easier, but it won't work miracles if you cut down the light hitting it so much that you can't see it.

wildlifephotog · 11-19-2009, 06:32 AM

Just did a little calculating. It's 5 stops from f8 to f256. There is no way you will focus looking through the filter. The exposure times will be huge.

campdog · 11-20-2009, 02:17 AM

Thanks for that. I should have realises that as I normally cant see through the ND 400 anyway. Putting the filter on after focusing would be the way to go.

raider · 11-20-2009, 04:14 AM

I have a 9 stop Hoya filter which I use from time to time, mostly pairing with my DA14. AF while not fast, is still possible with the filter.

11-18-2009, 10:24 PM	#1
campdog Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bonny Hills, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 202	Another split focusing screen Question Im sure someone can answer this for me.I want to buy a katzeye split focusing screen for my K10D. I do a lot of early morning long exposure shots as well as a lot of ND filter work using a ND 400. Hour would the split focus screen go under these conditions.Especially as the ND filters are pretty dark to start with.

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11-19-2009, 05:37 AM	#2
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	Let's see. It is 7:30am, raining and hazy. The split screen, ( ME SUPER ), in my DS is not blacked out at 5.6. I just put the ND4 on it, darkest I have,and it still was not blacking out at 5.6. A 10 stop ND is bound to black out the prism. Unless it is pointed at or close to the sun.

11-19-2009, 06:01 AM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	in the case here I doubt af would work either as it is almost pitch black. you might be better off with the stock screen in this case because at least you can (maybe) see something to focus manually with

11-19-2009, 06:22 AM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,975	Why not focus first, and then put the ND filter on? The Katz-Eye will make your manual focusing life easier, but it won't work miracles if you cut down the light hitting it so much that you can't see it.

11-19-2009, 06:32 AM	#5
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	Just did a little calculating. It's 5 stops from f8 to f256. There is no way you will focus looking through the filter. The exposure times will be huge.

11-20-2009, 02:17 AM	#6
campdog Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bonny Hills, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 202 Original Poster	Thanks for that. I should have realises that as I normally cant see through the ND 400 anyway. Putting the filter on after focusing would be the way to go.

11-20-2009, 04:14 AM	#7
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	I have a 9 stop Hoya filter which I use from time to time, mostly pairing with my DA14. AF while not fast, is still possible with the filter.

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