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dlacouture · 04-03-2009, 04:09 AM

Hello!

Well, seeing the price of a Katzeye screen, and having tried a Chinese screen, I decided to give the DIY approach a try...

I'm surprised that nobody ever thought about the ZX-M split screen, as:
- they are exactly the same thickness as the pentax DSLR screens
- they feature a split prism, surrounded by a nice microprisms ring.
- they are cheap! (4€ at Pentax France)

Well, anyway, I took my saw, some sanding paper, and let's go...

First good impressions:
- split and microprisms work great!
- split doesn't black-out at all! I went right to f/32 and was still able to see both sides (but the whole viewfinder was so dim -indoors, tungsten- that even composing was actually hard). Anyway, f/11-f/16 is a breeze.

First bad impressions:
- microprisms stop working at about f/4-5.6
- exposure metering is not constant with aperture.

Exposure metering
Tests were made with the following lenses, at all available apertures in stop-down mode:
- Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
- Porst 55mm f/1.2
- Apollo 135mm f/1.8
- Takumar 200mm f/4

Results are somewhat better than with chinese screens, but still not perfect:
- f/1.2 is correct
- f/2 underexpose by about 1/2ev
- f/2.8 is correct, near overexposure
- from f/4, there is a constant +1 1/2 ev overexposure

I think the constant overexposure occurring from f/4 is linked to the microprisms black-out.

Conclusions:
I think it's still a better alternative to the Chinese split screens, as the exposure comp needed is easier to handle (nothing before f/2.8, -1 1/2ev from f/4 onward).

The split prisms are simply amazing, as I've not seen any black-out (I'll check on my ZX-m tonight, as I can't remember if it was already the case)...

But, finally, I put back my LL60 focus screen in my k20, as I don't like these exposure problems (I usually find them more irritating than misfocus).

Voilà!

winglik · 04-03-2009, 12:12 PM

I got a Chinese made split screen, it's ok until F5.6 or above, I have a none working ME, the screen looks better, i want to know how did you make that to fit in the DSLR. and how can you sure the focus is center?

Transit · 04-05-2009, 01:28 PM

Non-working MG here and champing at the bit

Pete

dlacouture · 04-06-2009, 12:47 AM

Sorry, I don't know about the ME ang MG bodies...
The MZ-m screen is the same thickness than the k10 factory screen, but I don't know about older film bodies. It would surprise me, in fact...

I've used it a bit more this sunday, outdoors, and in fact the split does black-out, but not until f/22...
f/16 is perfectly fine, and the microprisms black-out occurs at about f/5.6 in bright sunlight...

I'd say that for PK-A lenses, it's really a viable option.

gamgee · 04-07-2009, 05:00 AM

I used ME screen and it works fine. Forgot to measure thickness and compare with the original screen - maybe you could do that and report back here.
Just be careful to make exact dimensions and exactly right angles.
Use Scotch magic tape and white gloves to protect the screen while working on it.

Andi Lo · 04-07-2009, 10:02 AM

Where did you get the screen for the ZX-M? What's the product code specifically? I've been hunting for a broken ZX-M for just the screen. Thanks =)

Transit · 04-07-2009, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by gamgee

I used ME screen and it works fine. Forgot to measure thickness and compare with the original screen - maybe you could do that and report back here.
Just be careful to make exact dimensions and exactly right angles.
Use Scotch magic tape and white gloves to protect the screen while working on it.

sounds good
The surgery begins ...

Pete

dlacouture · 04-07-2009, 11:36 PM

Andy Lo : hehe, I was looking for a broken zm-m just like you (without success!), then I asked my local Pentax Service for Mz-m spare parts...

They had a bunch of them, so I ordered 3 (one to convert to digital, another to put back in my MZ-m, the last one as spare).

marcdsgn · 04-08-2009, 08:55 PM

It breaks my heart to know the good ol' MZ-M is being dissected for parts! Still, I guess it's nice to know its organs are bringing new life to the living.

gamgee · 04-09-2009, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by marcdsgn

It breaks my heart to know the good ol' MZ-M is being dissected for parts! Still, I guess it's nice to know its organs are bringing new life to the living.

It broke mine to dissect the ME although it was non functional and another ME super is still around...but I really like to be able to focus manually!

sajah · 04-15-2009, 01:32 AM

Does it have to the the ZX-M model? not spotmatic or ME? Because I only see those two sold here locally, dang.

Erik · 04-15-2009, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by marcdsgn

It breaks my heart to know the good ol' MZ-M is being dissected for parts!

Actually, you can apparently still order new spare screens as parts from Pentax France, so no cameras will need to come to harm here

Andi Lo · 04-15-2009, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by dlacouture

Andy Lo : hehe, I was looking for a broken zm-m just like you (without success!), then I asked my local Pentax Service for Mz-m spare parts...

They had a bunch of them, so I ordered 3 (one to convert to digital, another to put back in my MZ-m, the last one as spare).

Thanks for the heads up. I'll try this out =)

04-03-2009, 04:09 AM	#1
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074	DIY Split screen from ZX-m screen Hello! Well, seeing the price of a Katzeye screen, and having tried a Chinese screen, I decided to give the DIY approach a try... I'm surprised that nobody ever thought about the ZX-M split screen, as: - they are exactly the same thickness as the pentax DSLR screens - they feature a split prism, surrounded by a nice microprisms ring. - they are cheap! (4€ at Pentax France) Well, anyway, I took my saw, some sanding paper, and let's go... First good impressions: - split and microprisms work great! - split doesn't black-out at all! I went right to f/32 and was still able to see both sides (but the whole viewfinder was so dim -indoors, tungsten- that even composing was actually hard). Anyway, f/11-f/16 is a breeze. First bad impressions: - microprisms stop working at about f/4-5.6 - exposure metering is not constant with aperture. Exposure metering Tests were made with the following lenses, at all available apertures in stop-down mode: - Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 - Porst 55mm f/1.2 - Apollo 135mm f/1.8 - Takumar 200mm f/4 Results are somewhat better than with chinese screens, but still not perfect: - f/1.2 is correct - f/2 underexpose by about 1/2ev - f/2.8 is correct, near overexposure - from f/4, there is a constant +1 1/2 ev overexposure I think the constant overexposure occurring from f/4 is linked to the microprisms black-out. Conclusions: I think it's still a better alternative to the Chinese split screens, as the exposure comp needed is easier to handle (nothing before f/2.8, -1 1/2ev from f/4 onward). The split prisms are simply amazing, as I've not seen any black-out (I'll check on my ZX-m tonight, as I can't remember if it was already the case)... But, finally, I put back my LL60 focus screen in my k20, as I don't like these exposure problems (I usually find them more irritating than misfocus). Voilà!

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04-03-2009, 12:12 PM	#2
winglik Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 258	I got a Chinese made split screen, it's ok until F5.6 or above, I have a none working ME, the screen looks better, i want to know how did you make that to fit in the DSLR. and how can you sure the focus is center?

04-05-2009, 01:28 PM	#3
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Non-working MG here and champing at the bit Pete

04-06-2009, 12:47 AM	#4
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074 Original Poster	Sorry, I don't know about the ME ang MG bodies... The MZ-m screen is the same thickness than the k10 factory screen, but I don't know about older film bodies. It would surprise me, in fact... I've used it a bit more this sunday, outdoors, and in fact the split does black-out, but not until f/22... f/16 is perfectly fine, and the microprisms black-out occurs at about f/5.6 in bright sunlight... I'd say that for PK-A lenses, it's really a viable option.

04-07-2009, 05:00 AM	#5
gamgee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Osijek, Croatia Posts: 116	I used ME screen and it works fine. Forgot to measure thickness and compare with the original screen - maybe you could do that and report back here. Just be careful to make exact dimensions and exactly right angles. Use Scotch magic tape and white gloves to protect the screen while working on it.

04-07-2009, 10:02 AM	#6
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Where did you get the screen for the ZX-M? What's the product code specifically? I've been hunting for a broken ZX-M for just the screen. Thanks =)

04-07-2009, 06:36 PM	#7
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Originally posted by gamgee I used ME screen and it works fine. Forgot to measure thickness and compare with the original screen - maybe you could do that and report back here. Just be careful to make exact dimensions and exactly right angles. Use Scotch magic tape and white gloves to protect the screen while working on it. sounds good The surgery begins ... Pete

04-07-2009, 11:36 PM	#8
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074 Original Poster	Andy Lo : hehe, I was looking for a broken zm-m just like you (without success!), then I asked my local Pentax Service for Mz-m spare parts... They had a bunch of them, so I ordered 3 (one to convert to digital, another to put back in my MZ-m, the last one as spare).

04-08-2009, 08:55 PM	#9
marcdsgn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery Posts: 265	It breaks my heart to know the good ol' MZ-M is being dissected for parts! Still, I guess it's nice to know its organs are bringing new life to the living.

04-09-2009, 06:43 AM	#10
gamgee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Osijek, Croatia Posts: 116	Originally posted by marcdsgn It breaks my heart to know the good ol' MZ-M is being dissected for parts! Still, I guess it's nice to know its organs are bringing new life to the living. It broke mine to dissect the ME although it was non functional and another ME super is still around...but I really like to be able to focus manually!

04-15-2009, 01:32 AM	#11
sajah Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Korea Photos: Gallery Posts: 275	Does it have to the the ZX-M model? not spotmatic or ME? Because I only see those two sold here locally, dang.

04-15-2009, 03:44 AM	#12
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Originally posted by marcdsgn It breaks my heart to know the good ol' MZ-M is being dissected for parts! Actually, you can apparently still order new spare screens as parts from Pentax France, so no cameras will need to come to harm here

04-15-2009, 04:28 AM	#13
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Originally posted by dlacouture Andy Lo : hehe, I was looking for a broken zm-m just like you (without success!), then I asked my local Pentax Service for Mz-m spare parts... They had a bunch of them, so I ordered 3 (one to convert to digital, another to put back in my MZ-m, the last one as spare). Thanks for the heads up. I'll try this out =)

DIY Split screen from ZX-m screen

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