Will a ground glass/split focusing screen affect autofocus on a K-5?

mrNewt · 01-16-2013, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by elliott

Shimming the screen is the only way to do it, there are no other adjustments for the OVF.

I'm not talking about OVF, but rather the front/back focusing problem while manual focusing with split-screens.
Image will look in focus inside the OVF but actual picture might be front/back focused.

Fixing Front and Back Focus - The Remedy - PentaxForums.com.

It can be done/fixed from the menu on the K-5.
No need for shimming ... unless you really want to.

elliott · 01-16-2013, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by mrNewt

I'm not talking about OVF, but rather the front/back focusing problem while manual focusing with split-screens.
Image will look in focus inside the OVF but actual picture might be front/back focused.

Fixing Front and Back Focus - The Remedy - PentaxForums.com.

It can be done/fixed from the menu on the K-5.
No need for shimming ... unless you really want to.

That is for auto focus, it has absolutely nothing to do with the focusing screen. The adjustment of the focusing screen has to do with the distance between the screen and the mirror, there are no electronic adjustments, only shims.

mrNewt · 01-16-2013, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by elliott

That is for auto focus, it has absolutely nothing to do with the focusing screen. The adjustment of the focusing screen has to do with the distance between the screen and the mirror, there are no electronic adjustments, only shims.

OK ..

excanonfd · 01-18-2013, 09:38 PM

Originally posted by jbennett1971

Thanks for all the advice! Still a little confused as to which supplier could give me the best product, though. After some research, it looks like it'll be a snap to do...so not really an issue there. Thoughts?

If you are looking for a focus screen to use with your large aperture lenses only, the Canon EE-S screen is probably the best option. My understanding of this screen is that EE-S screen has very good micro contrast to discern differences in DOF close to f1.4 but at a cost of noticeably darker viewfinder as compared to the standard screen.

My lenses run the gamut from f1.4 to f8, with the Canon EE-S screen I wouldn't be able to focus with about 2/3 of them. I have opted for the KatzEye split prism focus screen with Optibrite treatment for the K-5 (on it's way). Even if the main split prism blackens out due to low light situations or slow lenses, with the aid of the micro prisms and the ground glass portion of the screen, I've not had much problems in focusing f8 lenses on my K20D with KatzEye split prism screen and I expect the Optibrite treatment will only make it better.

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01-16-2013, 12:35 PM	#16
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by elliott Shimming the screen is the only way to do it, there are no other adjustments for the OVF. I'm not talking about OVF, but rather the front/back focusing problem while manual focusing with split-screens. Image will look in focus inside the OVF but actual picture might be front/back focused. Fixing Front and Back Focus - The Remedy - PentaxForums.com. It can be done/fixed from the menu on the K-5. No need for shimming ... unless you really want to.

01-16-2013, 12:47 PM	#17
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by mrNewt I'm not talking about OVF, but rather the front/back focusing problem while manual focusing with split-screens. Image will look in focus inside the OVF but actual picture might be front/back focused. Fixing Front and Back Focus - The Remedy - PentaxForums.com. It can be done/fixed from the menu on the K-5. No need for shimming ... unless you really want to. That is for auto focus, it has absolutely nothing to do with the focusing screen. The adjustment of the focusing screen has to do with the distance between the screen and the mirror, there are no electronic adjustments, only shims.

01-16-2013, 12:48 PM	#18
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by elliott That is for auto focus, it has absolutely nothing to do with the focusing screen. The adjustment of the focusing screen has to do with the distance between the screen and the mirror, there are no electronic adjustments, only shims. OK ..

01-18-2013, 09:38 PM	#19
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	Originally posted by jbennett1971 Thanks for all the advice! Still a little confused as to which supplier could give me the best product, though. After some research, it looks like it'll be a snap to do...so not really an issue there. Thoughts? If you are looking for a focus screen to use with your large aperture lenses only, the Canon EE-S screen is probably the best option. My understanding of this screen is that EE-S screen has very good micro contrast to discern differences in DOF close to f1.4 but at a cost of noticeably darker viewfinder as compared to the standard screen. My lenses run the gamut from f1.4 to f8, with the Canon EE-S screen I wouldn't be able to focus with about 2/3 of them. I have opted for the KatzEye split prism focus screen with Optibrite treatment for the K-5 (on it's way). Even if the main split prism blackens out due to low light situations or slow lenses, with the aid of the micro prisms and the ground glass portion of the screen, I've not had much problems in focusing f8 lenses on my K20D with KatzEye split prism screen and I expect the Optibrite treatment will only make it better.

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