third party (split) focusing screens

nanok · 12-02-2010, 12:46 PM

i am using basically the equivalent of the "travor" cheap focusing screen (the dual 45deg flavor) on my k20d (it has been reviewed in a dedicated thread here, along with many others); while i love the k-5, unless i match this functionality i'm in trouble (will end up using the k20d more).

the question is: does the k-7 screen fit the k-5? i think it should be the same thing, but can somebody confirm for certain (maybe by swaping the two, if you have both k-7 and k-5, and see if they match)? the problem is that not many (or any?) split screen sources quote the k-5, yet (but most have screens for the k-7).

i'm also curious if somebody uses a k-7 with a third party screen, wondering if there are any issues seeing as this is a 100% viewfinder, so needs to be quite precisely aligned. any problems with exposure metering (except the obvious spot measuring issue)

thanks

imtheguy · 12-02-2010, 01:25 PM

I talked to Rachel Katz (KatzEye screens) about getting one for my K-5 as I already use a third party screen on the K20D. She said she is still working on creating them and at no time indicated I could buy one of her K-7 screens. I would think if they were interchangeable then ebay would be full of listings for screens that fit "K-7 and K-5". Rachel promised to notify me when K-5 screens are available but no word yet. I will post it when she calls.

nanok · 12-02-2010, 02:16 PM

thanks. i think i might try to just buy one of the cheaper ones (like the one i have for the k20d) and see how it works.

sterretje · 12-02-2010, 09:00 PM

The Pentax screens that are available for the K5 and K7 are the same. So I'm having a bit of a problem to see why the Katzeye's would not be interchangeable.

**Schraubstock** · 12-03-2010, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by nanok

i am using basically the equivalent of the "travor" cheap focusing screen (the dual 45deg flavor) on my k20d (it has been reviewed in a dedicated thread here, along with many others); while i love the k-5, unless i match this functionality i'm in trouble (will end up using the k20d more).

the question is: does the k-7 screen fit the k-5? i think it should be the same thing, but can somebody confirm for certain (maybe by swaping the two, if you have both k-7 and k-5, and see if they match)? the problem is that not many (or any?) split screen sources quote the k-5, yet (but most have screens for the k-7).

i'm also curious if somebody uses a k-7 with a third party screen, wondering if there are any issues seeing as this is a 100% viewfinder, so needs to be quite precisely aligned. any problems with exposure metering (except the obvious spot measuring issue)

thanks

Firstly all split screens are third party as Pentax do not make them.
I have been using the Katz Eye splits on the K10 and 20 without any noticeable problems. I believe there are some minor metering issues but I can honestly say I have not noticed. I also use The Katz split on my K7 with the same positive experience. Focusing remains unaffected because the screen does not com into play during focusing.
Please note however the split screens (any screen) for the K10 and 20 won't fit the K7 because the K10-20 and the K7 screens have the little "ear" at the top of the screen reversed.
I cannot live without the split screen, have tried a number of the cheaper ones and the dearer of the cheaper ones are not too bad
nothing will beat the Katz.
Greetings

12-02-2010, 12:46 PM	#1
nanok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 969	third party (split) focusing screens i am using basically the equivalent of the "travor" cheap focusing screen (the dual 45deg flavor) on my k20d (it has been reviewed in a dedicated thread here, along with many others); while i love the k-5, unless i match this functionality i'm in trouble (will end up using the k20d more). the question is: does the k-7 screen fit the k-5? i think it should be the same thing, but can somebody confirm for certain (maybe by swaping the two, if you have both k-7 and k-5, and see if they match)? the problem is that not many (or any?) split screen sources quote the k-5, yet (but most have screens for the k-7). i'm also curious if somebody uses a k-7 with a third party screen, wondering if there are any issues seeing as this is a 100% viewfinder, so needs to be quite precisely aligned. any problems with exposure metering (except the obvious spot measuring issue) thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
No Chinese KX split screens?	Ira	Pentax DSLR Discussion	82	11-24-2010 09:24 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax Brand Focusing Screens and Katz Eye Focusing Screen K10D/K20D (Worldwid	superbass	Sold Items	8	03-26-2010 01:42 PM
Split focus screens	campdog	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	3	11-28-2009 10:27 PM
Spot metering with split screens?	gawan	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	11	04-15-2009 10:19 PM
Split Prism focusing screens for K1000	nakey	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	11	09-18-2008 07:17 PM

12-02-2010, 01:25 PM	#2
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	I talked to Rachel Katz (KatzEye screens) about getting one for my K-5 as I already use a third party screen on the K20D. She said she is still working on creating them and at no time indicated I could buy one of her K-7 screens. I would think if they were interchangeable then ebay would be full of listings for screens that fit "K-7 and K-5". Rachel promised to notify me when K-5 screens are available but no word yet. I will post it when she calls.

12-02-2010, 02:16 PM	#3
nanok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 969 Original Poster	thanks. i think i might try to just buy one of the cheaper ones (like the one i have for the k20d) and see how it works.

12-02-2010, 09:00 PM	#4
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	The Pentax screens that are available for the K5 and K7 are the same. So I'm having a bit of a problem to see why the Katzeye's would not be interchangeable.

12-03-2010, 08:24 PM	#5
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Originally posted by nanok i am using basically the equivalent of the "travor" cheap focusing screen (the dual 45deg flavor) on my k20d (it has been reviewed in a dedicated thread here, along with many others); while i love the k-5, unless i match this functionality i'm in trouble (will end up using the k20d more). the question is: does the k-7 screen fit the k-5? i think it should be the same thing, but can somebody confirm for certain (maybe by swaping the two, if you have both k-7 and k-5, and see if they match)? the problem is that not many (or any?) split screen sources quote the k-5, yet (but most have screens for the k-7). i'm also curious if somebody uses a k-7 with a third party screen, wondering if there are any issues seeing as this is a 100% viewfinder, so needs to be quite precisely aligned. any problems with exposure metering (except the obvious spot measuring issue) thanks Firstly all split screens are third party as Pentax do not make them. I have been using the Katz Eye splits on the K10 and 20 without any noticeable problems. I believe there are some minor metering issues but I can honestly say I have not noticed. I also use The Katz split on my K7 with the same positive experience. Focusing remains unaffected because the screen does not com into play during focusing. Please note however the split screens (any screen) for the K10 and 20 won't fit the K7 because the K10-20 and the K7 screens have the little "ear" at the top of the screen reversed. I cannot live without the split screen, have tried a number of the cheaper ones and the dearer of the cheaper ones are not too bad nothing will beat the Katz. Greetings

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search