3rd Party focusing screens

[posn75]

Hi all,


sorry to ask a noob question, have anyone tried this type of focusing screens ? How does it help in focusing in real situation, any experiences to share ??




http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=25_68

[adiknaim]

yea..interested leh... can play wif more manual lenses...

[alanswan]

The split screen ones are useful with focusing with manual lenses.
However, try not to get too carried and spent too much time trying to get the exact alignment/focus.
Something I'm frequently guilty of.....

[darrrrrrrrrr]

I have a Nikon K3 screen cut down to fit my K100D. Bought it from another CSer who probably bought it from that website.

Overall it's not bad. Although my focusing screen is really scratched up on the matte focusing area, it still does its job well. The split circle is really useful with MF as you know when there's a positive focus immediately, instead of having to fiddle back and forth to confirm with your eyes.

It will black out when slower lenses are used, ie. half of the split circle will go black so you can't focus using that, instead have to use the matte area, something which I haven't mastered yet. ALso the matte area is quite a lot darker than that of the original screen, maybe due to the coarser nature of the screen surface.

The good thing is my slow lenses are the AF ones so I can just rely on AF and live with the black semi-circle. But if you move your eye around you might get the right spot where the split circle becomes transparent again, something I should try to get the hang of too.

I wouldn't say it's easy to scratch when you use lens cloth to clean. Most of the scratches are from the metal bracket when I'm inserting or removing the screen. Doesn't affect the image, so not a real issue. Anyone want to try, let me know at the Pentax outing maybe.

[P3ntx]

Hi Darrrr,

I never know you can use other screen and cut it down, to fit K100d, I scratched my matt screen thinking about replacement., but the thickness have to be right it will hang losses. I don't know if all the matt screen are standardise thinkness.

How do you cut it ?

[darrrrrrrrrr]

I'm not sure. It was ordered from an online seller.

It comes in a Nikon K3 original box, but the screen fits the K100D just nice, so it must have been cut/sanded down to the right size. I don't think it's worth trying to cut/sand the screen down yourself, better to just pay more for someone else to do it.

Just make sure you check with the seller if you need to put an additional shim to compensate for thinner screen (like you mentioned). Try to get the screen that will fit without any hassle.

[photobum]

When one use a manual lens, they can make use of the hyperfocal distance to calculate the depth of field.

The formulae is:

H= f2/Nc

where,
H is hyperfocal distance
f is focal length
N is f-number
c is the circle of confusion limit

As an example, let's compute the hyperfocal distance for a 50 mm lens at f16 using a circle of confusion of 0.03 mm (which is a value typically used in 35 mm photography):

H= (50 mm)2 / (16) (0.03 mm) = 5208.3 mm

If we focus the lens at a distance of 5.2 m, then everything from half that distance (2.6 m) to infinity will be acceptably sharp in our photograph.

Once you understand the logic behind it, you don't need a split-prism screen. Just use your intuition and shoot accordingly (fast and accurately). Split-prism screens are for lazy or paranoid people.

[Henessy]

any places offer installation of focusing screen?

[photobum]

Originally Posted by Henessy any places offer installation of focusing screen?

Try Orient Photo. From my understanding, they offer free installation if you purchase the screen from them.

[Henessy]

Originally Posted by photobum Try Orient Photo. From my understanding, they offer free installation if you purchase the screen from them.

But are the screens gd? Do they sell original nikon split ring focusing screen?

Thanks

[photobum]

Originally Posted by Henessy But are the screens gd? Do they sell original nikon split ring focusing screen? Thanks

Why don't you check them up yourself. It is unfair for me to pass judgment.

[Henessy]

Originally Posted by photobum Why don't you check them up yourself. It is unfair for me to pass judgment.

Ok, thanks. I will make a trip down to OP next week. But my concern is that whether they will scratch the fragile focusing screen, or misalign it while installing it.

[antacid]

Originally Posted by Henessy Ok, thanks. I will make a trip down to OP next week. But my concern is that whether they will scratch the fragile focusing screen, or misalign it while installing it.

then perhaps its better if you do it yourself

[photobum]

Originally Posted by Henessy Ok, thanks. I will make a trip down to OP next week. But my concern is that whether they will scratch the fragile focusing screen, or misalign it while installing it.

I agree with 'antacid'.

I have installed a couple of screens for my students. So far so good. Just be careful and have tons of patience.

By the way, it is almost impossible to scratch the screen if you use a plastic tweezer (meant to be used for installing IC chip. You can purchase it from Sim Lim Tower). Just don't be 'chor lor'.