would I regret installing a Katz eye?

stu_the_flat

stu_the_flat

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Stuart
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With my Voigtlander 58mm winging its way over to me I am now wondering how to focus a manual focus f1.4 lens!

I've been reading the installation instructions for the Katz eye. Luckily I have access to a clean room where I can work on my camera with out fear of dust.but I'm just a bit suspicious. Is the split prism system going to interfere with any other part of the camera?

Cheers Stuart

Here is a link

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
 
The katzeye won't interfere with any of the camera's systems in any meaningful way. Installing the thing is easy but with some risk. I had the retaining wire-clip spring back into the mirror leaving a hairline scratch on the mirror...but it isn't visible through the viewfinder so no worries there.

Focusing a f/1.4 lens will be much easier with a split-prism screen, but bear in mind that through the viewfinder the effective aperture will be less (so you'll see greater DOF than the sensor captures). This isn't a problem (and is true of whatever screen is installed), I have longer lenses with far thinner DOFs and I get by. It's worth noting that the katzeye screens typically have better contrast than Nikon's, so even ignoring the split-prism critical focusing is that much easier.

Only downside is I didn't go for optibright, so whilst that's the best choice for my big aperture lenses, the 500/8 is unusable.
 
Once you've had one katzeye you'll add the cost of a new katzeye to all your subsequent body upgrade plans :)
 
That is interesting...for an older body I'd definitely be willing to play such games. There's no denying the katzeye screens come at a premium, especially if you're having to personally import them into the UK!
 
I'm in two minds about this.. I can open my D60 up in the clean room so don't need to worry about the time I take.

However I would be so gutted if I was to damage my camera as I could not afford to replace it and I doubt camera guard would cover me for being such a dummy!

Stuart
 
stu_the_flat said:
Sorry I know I keep digging this thread up.

anybody heard of these guys?

http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?language=en
Click to expand...

Yup, the guys on the US Pentax forums rave about 'em but the prices, whilst lower than Katzeye, put me off. TBH I went to the good old eBay and purchased a split prism focussing screen for about £30 from a China based seller who makes them from cut down film SLR focussing screens (apparently), the finish around the edges was bit rough but it does the job and they even included a set of finger cots, tweezers etc. 2 minute job to do.... I dunno why people panic about installing these, it's easier to remove dust from the focussing screen than the sensor!!

Carl
 
stu_the_flat said:
Sorry I know I keep digging this thread up.

anybody heard of these guys?

http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?language=en
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've tried one of their split screens in my D40 - it was less than ideal.

I then bought a Katz-Eye and it was like chalk and cheese ~ excellent. I had real trouble manually focussing with the D40 - the viewfinder is too dim - but with the Katz-Eye it was much better.

To be honest, installing the katz-eye was easy - took about 10 minutes. The risk of damaging the camera during the installation is (in my opinion) almost nil, provided you are used to handling small components in a confined space. Do watch out for the focus shim though; it;s easy to lose it if your not careful.

HTH

PS: If I think right I still have the one for the D40. If it fits your D60 then you can have it foc.
 
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