ME Super focus question

NRV Shooter · 03-03-2010, 12:41 PM

What is happening when the bottom half of the "split image circle" in the center of the focusing screen turns darker and even almost black? I see no mention of this in the owner's manual but I assume it has to do with proper exposure. I was shooting today with a 70-200mm zoom under an overcast sky and noticed it. The "split image circle" assumed the proper clarity once the camera told me all settings were in place for a properly exposed shot in Auto mode.

Nesster · 03-03-2010, 02:15 PM

It's just the prism on the vf screen going dark due to the slow aperture zoom you are using. The focus aid works by splitting light and not enough of it makes it to your eye. This is a down-side to split image focusing screens (and to an extent, micro prisms). Move your eye around the view finder, you may get a spot where the two halves are equally lit - you'll note that if the bottom one is dark, by moving your eye you can make the top one go dark instead.

NRV Shooter · 03-04-2010, 09:51 AM

Tanks Man!

03-03-2010, 12:41 PM	#1
NRV Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New River Valley, Va. Posts: 116	ME Super focus question What is happening when the bottom half of the "split image circle" in the center of the focusing screen turns darker and even almost black? I see no mention of this in the owner's manual but I assume it has to do with proper exposure. I was shooting today with a 70-200mm zoom under an overcast sky and noticed it. The "split image circle" assumed the proper clarity once the camera told me all settings were in place for a properly exposed shot in Auto mode.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K100D Super - Focus point locked to center in Manual Focus ?	JGabr	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	01-25-2010 09:41 PM
Focus screens for ME Super	mer	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	6	10-06-2009 12:14 PM
K100d Super Focus Screen	shifter	Pentax DSLR Discussion	11	10-01-2009 08:23 AM
K100D Super focus issues	shesweet59	Pentax DSLR Discussion	11	01-10-2009 03:06 PM
focus screen from ME Super to MZ-S	Gooshin	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	2	12-15-2008 08:51 PM

03-03-2010, 02:15 PM	#2
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	It's just the prism on the vf screen going dark due to the slow aperture zoom you are using. The focus aid works by splitting light and not enough of it makes it to your eye. This is a down-side to split image focusing screens (and to an extent, micro prisms). Move your eye around the view finder, you may get a spot where the two halves are equally lit - you'll note that if the bottom one is dark, by moving your eye you can make the top one go dark instead.

03-04-2010, 09:51 AM	#3
NRV Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New River Valley, Va. Posts: 116 Original Poster	Tanks Man!