Difference between focusing screens?


gibss

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Nov 17, 2009
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Hey guys,

I wanna get a focusing screen for my K-x, cos' I find it very hard to focus with its' small viewfinder...

I wanna get one of the focusing screens from this website...
http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=25_103

but... what are the differences between the different focusing screens?
(I don't need gridlines, and i believe i would want the 45deg split-screen one)

Thanks, in advance! :)

Regards,
gibss
 

Hey guys,

I wanna get a focusing screen for my K-x, cos' I find it very hard to focus with its' small viewfinder...

I wanna get one of the focusing screens from this website...
http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=25_103



but... what are the differences between the different focusing screens?
(I don't need gridlines, and i believe i would want the 45deg split-screen one)

Thanks, in advance! :)

Regards,
gibss

As you can see from the different screens, the better and brighter version is this:
http://www.focusingscreen.com/produ...d=897&osCsid=8200670897bdcb2faf81cbbe9494e75e
THis version is with gridlines.


http://www.focusingscreen.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_103&products_id=896&osCsid=8200670897bdcb2faf81cbbe9494e75e
This version is without the gridlines.

Most of us with the K20D and the K7 also use either versions.

There used to be one with the 45 degree split but they do not manufacture that any more. I had that with my K20D.
 

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if your problem is "small viewfinder", i think the O-ME53 magnifying eyecup will be more useful than focusing screen...
 

K-x doesn't have focus indicator light, so when you replace your original focusing screen with K3 focusing screen, you will be totally lost where are the location of 11 AF points.

Original K-x focusing screen :
Pentax_Screen_AF_Points.jpg


K3 focusing screen :
020.jpg


source : http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/80171-kx-interchangeable-focusing-screen.html
 

K-x doesn't have focus indicator light, so when you replace your original focusing screen with K3 focusing screen, you will be totally lost where are the location of 11 AF points.

Original K-x focusing screen :
Pentax_Screen_AF_Points.jpg


K3 focusing screen :
020.jpg


source : http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/80171-kx-interchangeable-focusing-screen.html

that's true. unless, of course, you use spot centre focusing only. then it won't be much of a problem for you. :D
 

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice!

Just wanna ask, an eyepiece magnifier enlarges the viewfinder, but doesn't cut out any portion of it? (ie. I still can see the bottom row of numbers, exposure, shots left, etc..)

Oh and also, what's the difference this two and the K3 model?
http://www.focusingscreen.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_103&products_id=892
http://www.focusingscreen.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_103&products_id=892

PS: I use spot metering and centre-point for focusing ALL THE TIME haha!

Thanks again!
gibss.
 

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Hey guys, thanks for all the advice!

Just wanna ask, an eyepiece magnifier enlarges the viewfinder, but doesn't cut out any portion of it? (ie. I still can see the bottom row of numbers, exposure, shots left, etc..)

Oh and also, what's the difference this two and the K3 model?
http://www.focusingscreen.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_103&products_id=892
http://www.focusingscreen.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_103&products_id=892

PS: I use spot metering and centre-point for focusing ALL THE TIME haha!

Thanks again!
gibss.

K3
K3-02.jpg

Lost focus image. (The focus in the house of back.)

K3-02a.jpg

The central image enlarges.

K3-01.jpg

Focus Image (The focus in the hand.)


K3-01a.jpg

The central image enlarges.
 

FSB
fsba.jpg

Lost focus image. (The focus in the house of back.)

fsbas.jpg

The central image enlarges.

fsbb.jpg

Focus Image (The focus in the hand.)

fsbbs.jpg

The central image enlarges.

So you can see the differences . . .
 

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice!

Just wanna ask, an eyepiece magnifier enlarges the viewfinder, but doesn't cut out any portion of it? (ie. I still can see the bottom row of numbers, exposure, shots left, etc..)

it think its fine. some pple who wear glasses claim that they have problems seeing the numbers but i find it ok... i wear glasses FYI...

i do MF for most of my shots and the added magnification in the VF helps A LOT!
 

Compare:
K3
K3-01.jpg


FSB
fsbb.jpg


As you can see the Split Screen for the K3 is bigger than the FSB.
oh my... it seems that all the examples you have just cited come from the website itself... so sorry to trouble you guys haha!

Yep, thanks again! So, just to reconfirm, the eyepiece magnifier doesn't cut out any part of the viewfinder ya? I don't wear specs, so I would be able to see the standard 98% coverage from my D60, except that it's now enlarged?

Thanks loads!
gibss
 

oh my... it seems that all the examples you have just cited come from the website itself... so sorry to trouble you guys haha!

Yep, thanks again! So, just to reconfirm, the eyepiece magnifier doesn't cut out any part of the viewfinder ya? I don't wear specs, so I would be able to see the standard 98% coverage from my D60, except that it's now enlarged?

Thanks loads!
gibss

It has always been there for anyone to see.

At the name suggests, it "magnifies" the VF so that the user can view it better.
 

where can i buy such screen and been installed in Singapore? I read some articles say the screens are very fragile, if i buy, i prefer some experienced person install it for me.
will the new screen affect the light measurement system of my camera?
 

where can i buy such screen and been installed in Singapore? I read some articles say the screens are very fragile, if i buy, i prefer some experienced person install it for me.
will the new screen affect the light measurement system of my camera?

Get any one of us to help you. Charge will be about 1 beer/kopi. The next answer is "no".
 

Get any one of us to help you. Charge will be about 1 beer/kopi. The next answer is "no".

Sorry but the answer is "yes" to the second question.
Anytime you put on a split-image rangefinder type focusing screen and use spot metering, there will be an effect, at least from my experience. No perceptible difference when in matrix or center weighted metering modes. If you do use a third party screen with the manual focusing aids (split-image rangefinder/microprism), it is important that you camera has the correct shim in place if not you will find the focusing will not coincide with the camera's AF, so you'll likely get back or front focusing. What you viewed as in focus in the viewfinder will be different when you look at the actual image.
 

Sorry but the answer is "yes" to the second question.
Anytime you put on a split-image rangefinder type focusing screen and use spot metering, there will be an effect, at least from my experience. No perceptible difference when in matrix or center weighted metering modes. If you do use a third party screen with the manual focusing aids (split-image rangefinder/microprism), it is important that you camera has the correct shim in place if not you will find the focusing will not coincide with the camera's AF, so you'll likely get back or front focusing. What you viewed as in focus in the viewfinder will be different when you look at the actual image.


Thanks Creampuff for correcting me. Mine did not have so I thought there was no affecting the light measurement.
 

Sorry but the answer is "yes" to the second question.
Anytime you put on a split-image rangefinder type focusing screen and use spot metering, there will be an effect, at least from my experience. No perceptible difference when in matrix or center weighted metering modes. If you do use a third party screen with the manual focusing aids (split-image rangefinder/microprism), it is important that you camera has the correct shim in place if not you will find the focusing will not coincide with the camera's AF, so you'll likely get back or front focusing. What you viewed as in focus in the viewfinder will be different when you look at the actual image.
So, the autofocus and metering would only be exact and precise when the new split-image rangefinder type focusing screen is aligned correctly, or will the AF and metering be adversely affected, even if it is placed properly?

gibs
 

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So, the autofocus and metering would only be exact and precise when the new split-image rangefinder type focusing screen is aligned correctly, or will the AF and metering be adversely affected, even if it is placed properly?

gibs

If your shim is the correct sized version, you do not need to have ti worry but if you find that you are Back Focusing/Front Focusing a lot, bring down to Kevin at the service centre to have it corrected.

It seems no camera is the same. Like I said, mine does not have issues with BF/FF, but others like creampuff have encountered it.
 

Ok thanks man for all the help so far! Just one last question! As for eyepiece magnifiers, do you guys recommend the Nikon DK17, DK21-M, Tempa 1.36x or other alternatives? I could find very few reviews online when it came to split-screens or eyepiece magnifiers... maybe you guys could do a sticky thread about this haha!

Thanks again!
gibss