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p38arover · 10-19-2013, 12:06 AM

As the title asks, does it?

My secondhand K-7 doesn't and, when using manual focus lenses, the focus is well off.

The problem is, of course, where does one start with shims?

I'm reluctant to pull the screen from my K-5 to check it.

calsan · 10-19-2013, 12:31 AM

Hi.
Nope. It doesn't.

Things I can think of to check:
Tried the dioptre adjustment?
Is the screen installed back to front?- maybe previous owner installed a screen and then replaced the original before selling.
If you manual focus holding down the shutter button half way, do the red indicators show correct focus???

calsan · 10-19-2013, 12:47 AM

See picture for correct orientation. You should just be able to see the small plastic tab on the side nearest the red dot.

RobG · 10-19-2013, 12:54 AM

Have you tried catch-in focus to get an idea of the difference between what the camera thinks is correct and how it looks in the viewfinder?

Actually, looking at this makes me more curious about trying a different focussing screen.

Last edited by RobG; 10-19-2013 at 01:05 AM.

calsan · 10-19-2013, 02:58 AM

You can see that I have the Pentax architectural grid focus screen installed. (PENTAX ML-60 AF Divided Matte) The nice thing about buying this is that you get the little box and special backwards tweezers to replace screens. Also, wonky horizons are a thing of the past.

calsan · 10-19-2013, 03:02 AM

If you think there may be the wrong screen installed: open the little trap door - which you do by pushing the silver tab in the top middle. You can check the focus screen is original pentax as it will have M-60 or ML60 or whatever written on the tab. Might need glasses to see this... Try to be careful and don't scratch anything.... don't do this unless you have to and be careful the screen doesn't pop out like a piece of toast.
The fiddliness of this area is an argument in favour of mirrorless...

p38arover · 10-19-2013, 04:55 AM

Thanks everyone. What brought this to my attention was my fitting a split screen to use with manual lenses. I hadn't noticed any problems with the OEM screen but then, I hadn't been using it with manual lenses.

I just checked and I have the screen in correctly.

I use the dioptre adjustment a lot as I have to change it when I flip from left eye to right eye - I'm long-sighted in the left, short-sighted in the right. Oddly enough, when I put the camera to the left eye, it is naturally level. When I lift it to the right eye, the horizon is always wonky.

I'll double check tomorrow to see if the red indicators show up and when.

This image looked perfectly focussed in the viewfinder.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

David&karen · 10-19-2013, 06:12 AM

Yes, the K7 does use a shim and it is the same one as the K5. If your missing it that is the problem. Pentax USA did sell a complete kit of different sizes, as thats where I got mine but I don't remember which size I used as the final one.

David

David&karen · 10-19-2013, 06:12 AM

Rachel At KatzEye focussing screens stocks them I know.

David&karen · 10-19-2013, 06:15 AM

Looks like .35mm is the stock size for the K5 and if I remember correctly my K7 came with that also, but it was NOT correct and needed a thicker one.
David

**Ex Finn.** · 10-19-2013, 07:53 AM

Couple screen shots from k7 service parts manual, courtesy of Pentax hacks.

p38arover · 10-19-2013, 03:08 PM

Oh, excellent stuff.

My K-7 was second hand when bought and there were scratches around the clip so I assume the screen had been changed back and forth. The clip isn't very secure. I once dropped the camera a short distance onto the carpeted floor when the strap came off and the screen came unclipped.

p38arover · 10-19-2013, 04:34 PM

Where's the head bang emoticon?

It looks like the problem is the lens - or me. I haven't worked out what the problem is yet. The lens is the Bayonet Takumar 28mm f2.8 Takumar 28mm F2.8 Bayonet Reviews - Non-SMC Pentax Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I had been taking shots with the aperture set to f8 expecting it to be a reasonable compromise (based on my old film days!).

Images taken with an old F 35-105 f4-5.6 in manual mode are quite sharp. The same objects with the 28mm are noticeably soft. Through the view finder the objects seem to be sharply in focus. The camera beeps and flashes the red light, the split screen aligns, so I expected sharp(ish) images.

More experimentation required. I'll try the SMC Pentax 100mm F4 Macro next. We know it is a sharp lens.

Having said all that, I don't know why I'm bothering as I have a modern AF Sigma 30mm f1.4

- apart from the fact the lens is very compact and as a unit the camera/lens combo is small.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-19-2013, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by p38arover

Having said all that, I don't know why I'm bothering as I have a modern AF Sigma 30mm f1.4 - apart from the fact the lens is very compact and as a unit the camera/lens combo is small.

I would use any modern technology to help me in my shooting and if it failed, then blame it on modern electrons...

p38arover · 10-19-2013, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

I would use any modern technology to help me in my shooting and if it failed, then blame it on modern electrons...

Ahh, that's the problem. I studied electronics when electrons were still new.

10-19-2013, 12:06 AM	#1
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	Does the K-7 normally have a focussing screen shim? As the title asks, does it? My secondhand K-7 doesn't and, when using manual focus lenses, the focus is well off. The problem is, of course, where does one start with shims? I'm reluctant to pull the screen from my K-5 to check it.

10-19-2013, 07:53 AM	#11
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Couple screen shots from k7 service parts manual, courtesy of Pentax hacks. Last edited by Ex Finn.; 11-11-2014 at 05:45 PM.

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10-19-2013, 12:31 AM	#2
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,549	Hi. Nope. It doesn't. Things I can think of to check: Tried the dioptre adjustment? Is the screen installed back to front?- maybe previous owner installed a screen and then replaced the original before selling. If you manual focus holding down the shutter button half way, do the red indicators show correct focus???

10-19-2013, 12:54 AM	#4
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905	Have you tried catch-in focus to get an idea of the difference between what the camera thinks is correct and how it looks in the viewfinder? Actually, looking at this makes me more curious about trying a different focussing screen. Last edited by RobG; 10-19-2013 at 01:05 AM.

10-19-2013, 02:58 AM	#5
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,549	You can see that I have the Pentax architectural grid focus screen installed. (PENTAX ML-60 AF Divided Matte) The nice thing about buying this is that you get the little box and special backwards tweezers to replace screens. Also, wonky horizons are a thing of the past.

10-19-2013, 03:02 AM	#6
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,549	If you think there may be the wrong screen installed: open the little trap door - which you do by pushing the silver tab in the top middle. You can check the focus screen is original pentax as it will have M-60 or ML60 or whatever written on the tab. Might need glasses to see this... Try to be careful and don't scratch anything.... don't do this unless you have to and be careful the screen doesn't pop out like a piece of toast. The fiddliness of this area is an argument in favour of mirrorless...

10-19-2013, 06:12 AM	#8
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327	Yes, the K7 does use a shim and it is the same one as the K5. If your missing it that is the problem. Pentax USA did sell a complete kit of different sizes, as thats where I got mine but I don't remember which size I used as the final one. David

10-19-2013, 06:15 AM	#10
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327	Looks like .35mm is the stock size for the K5 and if I remember correctly my K7 came with that also, but it was NOT correct and needed a thicker one. David

10-19-2013, 03:08 PM	#12
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084 Original Poster	Oh, excellent stuff. My K-7 was second hand when bought and there were scratches around the clip so I assume the screen had been changed back and forth. The clip isn't very secure. I once dropped the camera a short distance onto the carpeted floor when the strap came off and the screen came unclipped.

10-19-2013, 04:34 PM	#13
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084 Original Poster	Where's the head bang emoticon? It looks like the problem is the lens - or me. I haven't worked out what the problem is yet. The lens is the Bayonet Takumar 28mm f2.8 Takumar 28mm F2.8 Bayonet Reviews - Non-SMC Pentax Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I had been taking shots with the aperture set to f8 expecting it to be a reasonable compromise (based on my old film days!). Images taken with an old F 35-105 f4-5.6 in manual mode are quite sharp. The same objects with the 28mm are noticeably soft. Through the view finder the objects seem to be sharply in focus. The camera beeps and flashes the red light, the split screen aligns, so I expected sharp(ish) images. More experimentation required. I'll try the SMC Pentax 100mm F4 Macro next. We know it is a sharp lens. Having said all that, I don't know why I'm bothering as I have a modern AF Sigma 30mm f1.4 - apart from the fact the lens is very compact and as a unit the camera/lens combo is small.

10-19-2013, 05:21 PM	#14
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by p38arover Having said all that, I don't know why I'm bothering as I have a modern AF Sigma 30mm f1.4 - apart from the fact the lens is very compact and as a unit the camera/lens combo is small. I would use any modern technology to help me in my shooting and if it failed, then blame it on modern electrons...

10-19-2013, 05:30 PM	#15
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ex Finn. I would use any modern technology to help me in my shooting and if it failed, then blame it on modern electrons... Ahh, that's the problem. I studied electronics when electrons were still new.

Does the K-7 normally have a focussing screen shim?

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