Anyone had a go at fitting a focusing screen?

[AnnaV]

I've got a D40 and want to get the Tokina 11-16 f2.8, which won't AF with my camera, but as I am planning on upgrading my body at some point next year I thought I'd get glass that lasts.

So anyway, my viewfinder is tiny on the D40, so looking at ways I can achieve good MF, and came across some discussions about focusing screen (katz eyes etc).

Anyone have experience of these?

 

[kevshore]

I fitted one to my D300. Its easy enough if you take your time. A bit fiddlier than a Canon one is I believe.

Kev.

 

[AnnaV]

Could you explain exactly how it works? You have a split image - or a grid - how does this help you focus better? (Sorry if it's a stupid question :bonk

 

[Mud]

I've installed a katzeye, it's low-risk if you're good with your hands and take precautions (face-mask, decent tweezers) but can't say it's risk-free. There's basically a sprung clip that must be disengaged, replace the screen, then the clip reengaged. Must say it's quite an investment to put into a D40, so question if it's worth it to you for just a wide-angle lens - at short focal lengths the DOF is pretty deep anyhow.

The split-prism portion of the screen shears the image; when in-focus the image isn't sheared. There's also a ground-glass part that obfuscates the image when not in focus. I'm probably missing some details here, I've not had extensive experience of traditional film SLRs.

 

[maarten.dhaese]

A split image will cut your subject in two and the two halves will not be aligned if your subject is not in focus.

To focus, simply turn the focus ring of the lens until the 2 halves line up perfectly.

You can see for yourself how this works if you can get your hands on an old Canon A-1 or AE1 Program in a second hand store. They all have split focus screens.

 

[andrewc]

Canon ones on the cameras that are designed for it are dead easy - under a minute.

 

[AnnaV]

Thanks. I think I will get the lens and see how I go. I wouldn't go for a Katz Eye but one from here probably http://www.focusingscreen.com/privacy.php

 

[Mud]

Thanks. I think I will get the lens and see how I go. I wouldn't go for a Katz Eye but one from here probably http://www.focusingscreen.com/privacy.php

Ta for the link, at that price I may drop one in my D60

 

[AnnaV]

Mud, your Flickr stream has made me want to buy a 70-200 f2.8 and go to the zoo

 

[Mud]

Mud, your Flickr stream has made me want to buy a 70-200 f2.8 and go to the zoo

Those were all taken with the 200/2 AI-S, I only just got the 70-200/2.8. Must admit the 70-200 seems superior in every way so I heartedly recommend it.

 

[AnnaV]

Ahhh! Must have been difficult using a prime with animals. The shallow DOF looks lovely though.

 

[Mud]

Manual focus prime! Hence the katzeye...hard bit is lack of metering

 

[AnnaV]

Manual focus prime! Hence the katzeye

I doff my hat to you sir

 

[Mud]

I doff my hat to you sir

Thanks, the keeper rate was something like 8% but without the split-prism screen it'd have been significantly lower :bonk: