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pulce · 01-12-2019, 02:32 PM

Hello,
I've just bought an Hanimex 75-300mm 1:5,6 lens for my Pentax MX. It's a very big lens, but I cannot understand if it 100% works: in the viewfinder when I try to focus there are the classic half circle shapes that must be in both in focus, but one of the two is"blackish" or black (it depends, sometimes the one on the top, sometimes on the bottom).

I can't understand if it's a problem of my eye or what. Any suggestion?

Thank you!
P.

**marcusBMG** · 01-12-2019, 03:19 PM - **1 Like**

Thats your split prism. This will black out as described when there is insufficient light with a slow lens - can certainly start to become evident at f5.6.

**twilhelm** · 01-12-2019, 03:56 PM - **1 Like**

I've had two copies of that lens. Essentially it is as marcusBMG stated, it is a slow lens which doesn't let much light in and you are experiencing classic split-prism black out. The lens works better when used with a plain focusing screen.

womble · 01-12-2019, 03:59 PM - **1 Like**

As you have an MX you can change the focusing screen for one better suited to a slow lens such as the SA-1. There is a list of focusing screens here: Pentax Focusing Screens | The K-Mount Page

pulce · 01-13-2019, 07:46 AM

Thank you all Pentaxans!

P.

---------- Post added 01-13-19 at 07:54 AM ----------

ps. It seems impossible to find the SA-1 at reasonable price!!

**TwoUptons** · 01-14-2019, 02:58 AM

Originally posted by pulce

Thank you all Pentaxans!

P.

---------- Post added 01-13-19 at 07:54 AM ----------

ps. It seems impossible to find the SA-1 at reasonable price!!

It might be easier to find a faster lens...
There was a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.8 or so that is well regarded... something like that, perhaps...

-Eric

pulce · 01-15-2019, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

It might be easier to find a faster lens...
There was a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.8 or so that is well regarded... something like that, perhaps...

-Eric

Thank you..but I've just found this lens in the camera bag

P.

**twilhelm** · 01-15-2019, 12:27 AM - **1 Like**

I always thought it was a decent lens, my copies had good contrast and were relatively sharp for what they were.

You just have to watch eBay, eventually a screen will show up that’s not priced outrageously.

pulce · 01-15-2019, 11:27 PM

Yes..i should keep on eye on eBay and wait the righr auction. I don't want to spend 40€ for a focusing screen when I paid all the bag with 3 lenses, a converter, 2 adapters, a flash, and the camera for 100€. It ruins my deal 😉

Thanks,
P.

Astro-Baby · 01-18-2019, 03:11 AM - **1 Like**

Generally I never liked a split prism for this reason but you may be able to use it even with the blackout to get focus from it by holding the camera at an angle, about 30’ to 45’ angle will usually cause the blacked out spot to illuminate. I have the same issue with my OM1s which will black out on any lens that has a max stop over 3.5 and even at 3.5 they are often twitchy. These days I kind of appreciate the split prism as my eyeballs arent so young anymore and people want crazy money for OM focus screens.

01-12-2019, 02:32 PM	#1
pulce New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 12	Hanimex 75-300mm 1:5,6 Hello, I've just bought an Hanimex 75-300mm 1:5,6 lens for my Pentax MX. It's a very big lens, but I cannot understand if it 100% works: in the viewfinder when I try to focus there are the classic half circle shapes that must be in both in focus, but one of the two is"blackish" or black (it depends, sometimes the one on the top, sometimes on the bottom). I can't understand if it's a problem of my eye or what. Any suggestion? Thank you! P.

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01-12-2019, 03:19 PM - 1 Like	#2
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,870	Thats your split prism. This will black out as described when there is insufficient light with a slow lens - can certainly start to become evident at f5.6.

01-12-2019, 03:56 PM - 1 Like	#3
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I've had two copies of that lens. Essentially it is as marcusBMG stated, it is a slow lens which doesn't let much light in and you are experiencing classic split-prism black out. The lens works better when used with a plain focusing screen.

01-12-2019, 03:59 PM - 1 Like	#4
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	As you have an MX you can change the focusing screen for one better suited to a slow lens such as the SA-1. There is a list of focusing screens here: Pentax Focusing Screens \| The K-Mount Page

01-13-2019, 07:46 AM	#5
pulce New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thank you all Pentaxans! P. ---------- Post added 01-13-19 at 07:54 AM ---------- ps. It seems impossible to find the SA-1 at reasonable price!!

01-14-2019, 02:58 AM	#6
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	Originally posted by pulce Thank you all Pentaxans! P. ---------- Post added 01-13-19 at 07:54 AM ---------- ps. It seems impossible to find the SA-1 at reasonable price!! It might be easier to find a faster lens... There was a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.8 or so that is well regarded... something like that, perhaps... -Eric

01-15-2019, 12:18 AM	#7
pulce New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Originally posted by TwoUptons It might be easier to find a faster lens... There was a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f3.8 or so that is well regarded... something like that, perhaps... -Eric Thank you..but I've just found this lens in the camera bag P.

01-15-2019, 12:27 AM - 1 Like	#8
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I always thought it was a decent lens, my copies had good contrast and were relatively sharp for what they were. You just have to watch eBay, eventually a screen will show up that’s not priced outrageously.

01-15-2019, 11:27 PM	#9
pulce New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Yes..i should keep on eye on eBay and wait the righr auction. I don't want to spend 40€ for a focusing screen when I paid all the bag with 3 lenses, a converter, 2 adapters, a flash, and the camera for 100€. It ruins my deal 😉 Thanks, P.

01-18-2019, 03:11 AM - 1 Like	#10
Astro-Baby Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Reigate, Surrey Posts: 764	Generally I never liked a split prism for this reason but you may be able to use it even with the blackout to get focus from it by holding the camera at an angle, about 30’ to 45’ angle will usually cause the blacked out spot to illuminate. I have the same issue with my OM1s which will black out on any lens that has a max stop over 3.5 and even at 3.5 they are often twitchy. These days I kind of appreciate the split prism as my eyeballs arent so young anymore and people want crazy money for OM focus screens.