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Split prism? No? Yes?
I really miss Split Prism focusing screens and I'd love research it further as an option for the Canon 5DMKIII and/oe Nikon 800e but it seems like that's not possible with those cameras? I understand it can be done for a Mk II but my question is, even assuming it can be done, what else is affected by swapping out focus screens? Does this affect in-camera readings? I don't know a lot about the technical aspects but I wouldn't want to make a change based on preference if it means compensating and adjusting my settings. Just curious about some info and your thoughts. Jan 18 13 01:08 pm Link I swapped out the screen in a 10D (granted, it's an older camera) for a split focus screen and the metering was exactly the same. Jan 18 13 01:13 pm Link I never really grew up with them, but with using manual focus lenses a lot I find it easier to go by the focus point and the arrows. IMO Maybe, although I'd try with a older camera like a D700, one of the old screes could be made to fit? Metering should be the same, and I'd think auto focus would work too for some points - it's still focusing and doing it's job, just going though a different piece of glass. Andrew Thomas Evans www.andrewthomasevans.com Jan 18 13 01:15 pm Link I'm just curious. My eyes are not the best. I have a serious astigmatism in one eye and I do like using manual focus lenses occasionally. I know that seems a very niche and limited use (and it is), but even with MF lenses on old 35mm I never had a problem getting the focus right with a split prism. I'm sure it's more trouble than it's worth and might be a good idea on a backup camera like you said. I also wouldn't want to lose all the information that the higher-end cameras present in the viewfinder. That would be a deal breaker. Jan 18 13 01:19 pm Link The D800, and many other Nikon bodies have an electronic rangefinder that works great. You can also get an right-angle viewfinder magnifier that helps immensely. Jan 18 13 01:20 pm Link intense_puppy wrote: That might be a great option. I have an old 20D kicking around. Jan 18 13 01:20 pm Link Michael Pandolfo wrote: Is all that on the focusing screen, or in another part of the prism? Jan 18 13 01:20 pm Link I swapped out the Focusing Screen of my 5D MK II for a Canon Eg screen - the supplied screen could only show focus above 2.8, which was useless when shooting wider. I'll follow this thread, as I'd love a split screen on my other cameras. If Nikon bought out a manual-focus FM2 with a digital back, I'd line up for one! Jan 18 13 01:22 pm Link Andrew Thomas Evans wrote: I have no idea. I'm an admitted techno-noob when it comes to electronics. I'm sure someone will come in and give me a big "uh duhhh...dude!" lol Jan 18 13 01:28 pm Link I'd suggest a decent angle viewer rather than swapping screen. Below f2.8 its always going to be a massive struggle on any screen (other than MF or LF) and bracketing focus and keeping detail centre has always helped me. I'd suggest getting a dedicated angle viewer rather than a cheap third party one but be aware they often need refocusing when zoomed and that can be pretty frustrating! Jan 18 13 01:46 pm Link Rizolli & Isles, and other cop shows. They all have brand new Canon bodies but when you look through the viewfinder its a split screen. Write the shows and ask where they got the split screens. Jan 18 13 01:49 pm Link Agreed. Who is the marketing genius who decided they didn't need split screens any more? Jan 18 13 02:14 pm Link I also miss the Split Prism focusing screens on digital cameras coming from the Nikon FE film camera era. It would be faster than using the green dot in the viewfinder when using my manual focus lenses on a D300 camera check out http://www.katzeyeoptics.com Has anyone use them ? How is the brightness after changing screens? Jan 18 13 02:51 pm Link AVD AlphaDuctions wrote: That is a mask applied through the editing process, it is not the camera.. Jan 18 13 03:03 pm Link CameraSight wrote: I have a katzeye in my D300, put it in immediately, so don't remember what the original screen was like. Several years ago I put one in a Mamiya 645 and the improvement was very noticeable. Jan 18 13 03:17 pm Link Matte screens work much better with slow kit lenses. They will never look as cool as a split screen with a fast, shallow DOF lens when everything pops in and out of focus, but they work. Jan 18 13 07:38 pm Link SAG Photography wrote: you need to write the Comedy channel and ask for assistance in developing a sense of humour. sorry. Jan 18 13 09:00 pm Link SAG Photography wrote: What? Next you will be saying that the film motordrive sounds you hear from DSLRs on film and TV is a sound effect added afterwards! Jan 19 13 01:49 am Link I never really bothered with the multi-prism ring on film body focusing screens. However, the 'split-image' section in the centre I do really miss. I'm still trying to convince myself to get a C _ _ _ _ focusing screen that has been re-shaped to go into my main DSLR  . I wonder how many of the people who rave about using lenses at F1.4 /1.2 have one in their cameras or if they just rely on the F2.8 screen ? Jan 19 13 03:04 am Link Electronic rangefinder. Most nikons have them. Learn to use it. Jan 19 13 03:34 am Link I had a split prism screen in my D700 since I came from older film cameras and had manual focus lenses. For very slow lenses there was a compensation factor for spot metering but that was the only side effect (and I didn't own any). After a few months I sold it because even with great eyesight af was more consistently accurate at wide apertures and I went to all af lenses. I also found I needed to shim my D700 focusing screen to get it accurate enough (nikon quality control strikes again...) I have also found the 'green dot' focus assist is also not accurate enough for f/1.4 lenses. Jan 19 13 04:20 am Link Robb Mann wrote: I've learned the limitations of it by using F2 & F1.4 lenses at those apertures as opposed to at the usual F2.8 limit of the focusing screen DoF. Also the broader area that it covers compared to my knowing exactly which part of the image I have focused on when using a split image finder. Jan 19 13 04:50 am Link |
