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01-19-2012, 05:08 AM   #1
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focusing screen of MZ-5n / ZX-5n : can it be change ?

Hello everyone,

I didn't found a lot of information about this, so i ask the question :

is it possible to change the focusing screen of the MZ-5n ? because, it's not very accurate to focus with MF lenses.

If it is, which fosucing screen should i look for ?

01-19-2012, 05:48 AM   #2
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I don't know and there is no word of it in the manual, but it sure looks like it can be changed.
01-19-2012, 06:03 AM   #3
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i just got an answer from another forum !

the answer is YES WE CAN

the LX / MX focusing screen are exactly the same and thus, are changeable
01-21-2012, 12:02 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by aurele Quote
i just got an answer from another forum !

the answer is YES WE CAN

the LX / MX focusing screen are exactly the same and thus, are changeable

Well, you don't want an MX focusing screen for an MZ-5. What you *can* put in there is the split screen from (Correct me if I misremember?) the ZX-M: this was a manual-focus body built on the same frame.

(Also for manual focus help, I put my OME-53 magnifying eyepiece on there: it really seems to belong there, and you don't get vignetting: at least of what the finder itself covers. Very worthwhile, I think. )

01-21-2012, 03:28 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ratmagiclady Quote
Well, you don't want an MX focusing screen for an MZ-5.
no, in fact i think i will buy a focusing screen for LX. the one with microprism.
01-23-2012, 05:09 PM   #6
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AFAIK the focus screens from the MX & LX are the same size as each other. I think that they are not the same size as the screens for MZ/ZX cameras. I have an MZ-5n. I put the (split prism) screen from an MZ-M (aka ZX-M) in it with no trouble, so I can tell you for sure that that one fits. I'm not sure about the MX/LX screens, but I suspect they may not fit without modification.

Some have suggested that putting a split prism in the MZ 5 might affect spot metering, but I haven't really noticed this.

Oli
01-24-2012, 04:23 AM   #7
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i had two confirmations that the focusing screen from LX/MX can be put into the MZ-5n. The AF is NOT affected, and the metering is NOT affected either.

Metering is not affected by LX focusing screen because even if you choose the Stygmo / microprism screen, it is much brigther globally than the original MZ-5n focusing screen

i wait for my paycheck then i'll buy the focusing screen

02-04-2012, 06:30 AM   #8
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Did you get this yet? I'd be interested in this change for mine as well.
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11-02-2012, 08:07 AM   #9
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i've just done it !

it took me a while to find the perfect focusing screen

(here is the list of all focusing screen done by Pentax for MX and LX and their own application : http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/misc/focus/screens/index.html )

remplace the standard mate screen by this one : microprism on the outer ring and split screen in the inner ring (Pentax SC-1).



Only one thing need to be done : just cut a very little slice of the botom side, on 0.5cm to fit it in the MZ-5n.

Now it's the same screen on my MZ-5n and SuperA.

Next week a great test : a huge party where i will shoot with DA*55, DA40, DA35/2.4, FA-j 18-35, Ilford delta 400@3200 iso, portra 160@1250 iso.

All i miss is a good 85/1.4 from say .... Samyang
11-02-2012, 09:08 AM   #10
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Aurele : seen the one on sale over at PentaxKparK?
11-02-2012, 11:15 AM   #11
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i saw a bunch of those, but i'm trying to restrain myself from going into a buying spree

And geeez ! that's hard !
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