K30 with Katzeye

strangeboy · 11-13-2014, 04:33 PM

So, I installed the Katzeye on my K30. It would appear that I now require what has become The Holy Grail and Bane of Pentaxian Focus Screen Existence, a shim. Through exhaustive reading, it seems that there is no way of laying my hands on one of these things. Later today I will remove and install it again just in case it's misaligned in some way.

What I get in Viewfinder:

Actual Image:

Two things:
1. Anyone else got a Katzeye on a K30? If so, did you need a shim?
2. Anyone using the screens from FocusScreen.com on a K30? I understand they include shims.

Thanks in advance!

Last edited by strangeboy; 11-13-2014 at 04:36 PM. Reason: adding keywords

**clackers** · 11-13-2014, 05:30 PM

Yes, that's been my setup since last year, Strangeboy.

Got a professional to put the Katzeye in, didn't need a shim, everything is terrific.

Fast lenses focus more accurately, especially in low light.

strangeboy · 11-13-2014, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Yes, that's been my setup since last year, Strangeboy.

Got a professional to put the Katzeye in, didn't need a shim, everything is terrific.

Fast lenses focus more accurately, especially in low light.

Hmmm. Ok, I'm gonna give it another try... perhaps I should have gone the pro route.

Thanks.

---------- Post added 11-13-14 at 06:43 PM ----------

Originally posted by clackers

Yes, that's been my setup since last year, Strangeboy.

Got a professional to put the Katzeye in, didn't need a shim, everything is terrific.

Fast lenses focus more accurately, especially in low light.

Hmmm. Ok, I'm gonna give it another try... perhaps I should have gone the pro route.

Thanks.

**Just1MoreDave** · 11-13-2014, 06:20 PM

I had to shim my K-7, and made my own shim out of paper and Scotch Tape. When I nailed the thickness, I knew the exact measurement. I thought "I'll use this paper thing until I get a piece of brass and make a real one." Well, that never happened. I have to do something eventually; my Katzeye is in the K-7 and I'm using the K-5 IIs all the time.

stevebrot · 11-13-2014, 07:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by strangeboy

Through exhaustive reading, it seems that there is no way of laying my hands on one of these things.

Contact KatzEye. Assuming they still have stock, they will sell you a genuine Pentax metal shim. You will need to figure out before hand whether you need a thinner or thicker shim. Rachel Katz may be of some help in determining which shim to use.

But, before doing that, be sure the screen is properly seated in the frame. That means making sure that it is fully back in the frame and centered side-to-side before clipping it all shut. Also confirm that the shim retainer clip is properly latched.

Steve

---------- Post added 11-13-14 at 06:40 PM ----------

BTW...in case you have been working blind without benefit of the excellent KatzEye instructions, here is a link to the pdf installation guide:

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/files/install_11.pdf

Click on the photos to view a higher resolution version.

Steve

Na Horuk · 11-15-2014, 07:39 AM

i thought third party shims can be bought online? Even id you contact a rival screen sellee

stevebrot · 11-15-2014, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

i thought third party shims can be bought online?

That would be nice, though I have never heard of such. Could you do the research and post a new thread when you find them?

Steve

strangeboy · 11-20-2014, 06:59 PM - **1 Like**

I finally got around to reseating my focusing screen.
And would now like to say: "Weeeee!"
No shims necessary.
As you were, Pentaxians.

stevebrot · 11-20-2014, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by strangeboy

I finally got around to reseating my focusing screen.
And would now like to say: "Weeeee!"
No shims necessary.
As you were, Pentaxians.

This is super good news. I am glad it turned out. You are really going to like the screen.

Steve

11-13-2014, 04:33 PM	#1
strangeboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 126	K30 with Katzeye So, I installed the Katzeye on my K30. It would appear that I now require what has become The Holy Grail and Bane of Pentaxian Focus Screen Existence, a shim. Through exhaustive reading, it seems that there is no way of laying my hands on one of these things. Later today I will remove and install it again just in case it's misaligned in some way. What I get in Viewfinder: Actual Image: Two things: 1. Anyone else got a Katzeye on a K30? If so, did you need a shim? 2. Anyone using the screens from FocusScreen.com on a K30? I understand they include shims. Thanks in advance! Last edited by strangeboy; 11-13-2014 at 04:36 PM. Reason: adding keywords

11-13-2014, 07:34 PM - 1 Like	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by strangeboy Through exhaustive reading, it seems that there is no way of laying my hands on one of these things. Contact KatzEye. Assuming they still have stock, they will sell you a genuine Pentax metal shim. You will need to figure out before hand whether you need a thinner or thicker shim. Rachel Katz may be of some help in determining which shim to use. But, before doing that, be sure the screen is properly seated in the frame. That means making sure that it is fully back in the frame and centered side-to-side before clipping it all shut. Also confirm that the shim retainer clip is properly latched. Steve ---------- Post added 11-13-14 at 06:40 PM ---------- BTW...in case you have been working blind without benefit of the excellent KatzEye instructions, here is a link to the pdf installation guide: http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/files/install_11.pdf Click on the photos to view a higher resolution version. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 11-13-2014 at 07:43 PM.

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11-13-2014, 05:30 PM	#2
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Yes, that's been my setup since last year, Strangeboy. Got a professional to put the Katzeye in, didn't need a shim, everything is terrific. Fast lenses focus more accurately, especially in low light.

11-13-2014, 05:43 PM	#3
strangeboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 126 Original Poster	Originally posted by clackers Yes, that's been my setup since last year, Strangeboy. Got a professional to put the Katzeye in, didn't need a shim, everything is terrific. Fast lenses focus more accurately, especially in low light. Hmmm. Ok, I'm gonna give it another try... perhaps I should have gone the pro route. Thanks. ---------- Post added 11-13-14 at 06:43 PM ---------- Originally posted by clackers Yes, that's been my setup since last year, Strangeboy. Got a professional to put the Katzeye in, didn't need a shim, everything is terrific. Fast lenses focus more accurately, especially in low light. Hmmm. Ok, I'm gonna give it another try... perhaps I should have gone the pro route. Thanks.

11-13-2014, 06:20 PM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I had to shim my K-7, and made my own shim out of paper and Scotch Tape. When I nailed the thickness, I knew the exact measurement. I thought "I'll use this paper thing until I get a piece of brass and make a real one." Well, that never happened. I have to do something eventually; my Katzeye is in the K-7 and I'm using the K-5 IIs all the time.

11-15-2014, 07:39 AM	#6
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	i thought third party shims can be bought online? Even id you contact a rival screen sellee

11-15-2014, 09:31 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Na Horuk i thought third party shims can be bought online? That would be nice, though I have never heard of such. Could you do the research and post a new thread when you find them? Steve

11-20-2014, 06:59 PM - 1 Like	#8
strangeboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 126 Original Poster	I finally got around to reseating my focusing screen. And would now like to say: "Weeeee!" No shims necessary. As you were, Pentaxians.

11-20-2014, 08:10 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by strangeboy I finally got around to reseating my focusing screen. And would now like to say: "Weeeee!" No shims necessary. As you were, Pentaxians. This is super good news. I am glad it turned out. You are really going to like the screen. Steve