rb61 Loc: Maple Grove, MN

When installed on a DSLR, does this type of focus screen case exposure issues?

Thanks

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Only if it is cold out.

ggttc Loc: TN

In short...no.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Err. that may depend upon what you mean. If you mean the focusing screen being replaced with a split prism / micro prism screen for manual focus, then yes, it may.

Can you clarify your question please?

jim quist Loc: Missouri

no

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Definitely not

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I looked into them a while ago because I missed my split focus film-camera viewfinder. What I found was that a split prism needs more light for you to SEE the focus object. With today's lenses being normally slower lenses (with 2.8 being considered 'fast') I saw more difficulty in everyday focusing. In my film days, 1.4 or 1.8 lenses let more light in and resulted in a sharper viewfinder image. Some of the more 'normal' speed lenses today could potentially give you a very dark viewfinder image. My suggestion is to see if you can find someone with the screen and see if, for the situations you normally shoot, you are able to see well enough to focus. In bright daylight, you should have no problem. Low light situations could give you some difficulty. There are a couple of companies that still sell the screens fairly inexpensively if you are willing to install yourself. Another point to keep in mind, most of the split prisms I looked at do not have the focus point/spot metering indicators and when using AF, will not show what point is being used.

That being said, the exposure itself should not be affected.

Good luck

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

I visited my local camera shop who had ordered me both a Canon and an after market one, for my 5Dii. Reason is I use an older tilt & shift lens with manual focus, and the split screen focus is easier to see. Bottom line: can't do it. Why? Both screens work with the manual focus lens just fine, but when you then put a new auto focus lens on the body, it will not focus. Glad I thought of trying that before buying since they are not inexpensive. The camera shop fellow called Canon support while I was there, and Canon confirmed that there is no workable way with the 5Dii. Now, you may have an entirely different camera (probably do) but you might want to be aware. Good luck:

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Yep. Not an easy solution...

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

So its more than just the focus/meter point not showing ? According to the manufacturers of the screens, it should not affect the autofocus except that you can't identify where the focus point is. Also, all the products I have looked at are in the $30 - $50 range. Not dirt cheap but certainly not very expensive. Interesting information Jim R - every now and then I get nostalgic and think it would be nice to have the split prism. I am sure Canon would always tell you it won't work but for a $30 investment, it could be worth checking into. Here is something similar I have been watching for my mkII : http://www.ebay.com/itm/180-Split-Image-Focus-Focusing-Screen-For-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-5D2-5DII-6D-/261050187663?hash=item3cc7cdbf8f:g:~N8AAOxyVX1RwoBD

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Hello PHGPhoto. Please let me clarify. I actually had both the Canon screen and an aftermarket "in the camera" since I was trying out at the camera shop. You could not see a sharp focus in the viewfinder, and the LED showed out of focus. It was essentially not focusing on what was in the center of the viewfinder. Hope this extra helps.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I think the OP has Olympus cameras. I'm quite a fan of split screen/microprism screens on older film cameras with manual focus lenses. I thought about it for a modern DSLR until i realized all the things you have to give up. Although I still use old manual focus lenses on my DSLR I find the focus confirmation and live view functions far superior to replacing my focusing screen.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

They can. It depends on the focus screen used, camera and aperture but there are definitely the potential for metering issues. I had one from Katz-Eye in my Canon 60D and there was a whole page of instructions and caveats regarding metering.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Curious - did you shoot anything while the screen was in ? If you did, was the image in focus when you used the screen for focus even though the indicator didn't light ? Wondering if a fully manual lens was used and strictly went by the screen if the setup is usable. I have an old T2I I was thinking of trying it on. I see in some online reviews that the metering could be affected based on the change in the center reflectivity of the screen. Other reviews had no issues at all.

Appreciate any info.
thanks

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

To your question, I remember the Canon split screen focus screen better. It focused perfectly with the old manual focus lens. Took photos inside the shop of the sales floor, and focused on a sign with lettering. With the newer lens, almost an afterthought to try since I presumed the focus screen would work (being Canon), yes it did "beep", I took several photos of the same sign, and they were not in focus at all. Not close. That's when the camera store fellow called Canon tech support, and they confirmed to him that it will not work. At least, not on my 5Dii. They told us that Canon does not make one. I suppose you could try a different after market, and of course, your camera may behave very differently than mine would. Hope this helps. JimR. PS: The metering seemed fine throughout.