Camera Labs

Hi folks,

I was enjoying reading about the Zeiss Distagon T* 2/25 (here) and marvelling at the number of elements in the lens

when my attention was grabbed by the Zeiss article Manual Focusing with AF Camera Systems. An interesting and pretty well balanced summary which included the following links to some third party manufacturers of focus screens:

www.katzeyeoptics.com
www.photoproshop.com
www.reflexite.com/energy/us/en/beattie-intenscreen
www.brightscreen.com

It had never even occurred to me that there were third party manufacturers of focus screens.

Has anyone any experience with any of these folks?

Bob.

Edit: I've updated the link to "intenscreen" and "brightscreen".

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I have, I thought exactly the same when I bought my Zeiss lens. My eyes would need help focusing more quickly and accurately.

I bought mine from: (EOS 7D Ec-A)
http://www.focusingscreen.com/

And its excellent, you also get the tools you need for installing it as well as spacers to calibrate if necessary.
The only negative thing is that its not entirely centered, but its no practical issue at all.

I highly recommend changing the focusing screen on your camera if you like MF.

(The focusing screen changes no function on the camera what so ever, everything you had before focus screen change you will have after plus more.)

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Canon 5D MkII -|- Sigma 24mm f/1.8 | Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 | Canon 50mm f/1.4 | Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro | Lensbaby Composer
Canon A-1 -|- Canon 28mm f/2 | Canon 35mm f/2.8 | Canon 50mm f/3.5 Macro

One thing to note though:

Your F4 lenses might appear less bright in the viewfinder afterwards. It does affect things a little in that respect.

I haven't tried a viewfinder on a 5D Mk II though - if it's anything like the D700 then you might be able to do without the split prism. I can manage without with the 2/35, so should be easier with a 2/25.

2/100 might be a different story though.

Yes, i use a split image focus screen in my 5DmkII, I purchased it from China through ebay, works a treat. (I'm sure i had a thread about it here many moons ago).

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Mark Osborne
My life through an iPhone

Using a Nikkor 1.2 AI-S, first on a Canon 7D with a Novoflex adapter, and then later on a Nikon FM3A, with its excellent focus screen, certainly showed me the profound difference that a proper focus screen will make!

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Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro