chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I was playing around with a couple of my older OM film cameras the other day and noted how much I liked focusing with the micro prism/split prism viewfinder focusing aid. I was thinking why modern day camera makers have not made a digital simulation of that focusing aid in our EVFs on current day mirrorless cameras. Do you think something like that would be welcome, or do you know of any that implement this feature? Yes, I like focus peaking too but sometimes it's a pain.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

That image brings back memories from long ago. Thanks for posting it.

Bill_de Loc: US

Looks like yesterday, and looking back yesterday was pretty good!

---

BebuLamar

I hate that microprism ans split image focusing aid. When I bought my Nikon F2AS back in 1977 the first accessory I bought was the type D focusing screen with all ground glass.

tcthome Loc: NJ

It is . Or it was. I just looked threw my Canon AE-1 P yesterday.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I know what you mean - when I was actively using the OM film cameras I had a half dozen screens, including one with a fine ground glass and one with a clear field, but micro prism only no split - the last one I had to use with my macro setup which included the auto bellows and a 20mm macro lens. One problem with the micro prism (ground matte glass version) is that it could not be used with lenses greater than f 5.6 or 8 minimum aperture, or for extreme macro with the bellows where the light levels would be dim - I used to hate that so I got a set of screens back then. The clear field screen was very bright, even with long macro extension.

Well what I am proposing would be optional of course - can be turned on/off as with any mirrorless function. Also for those that do like it I was thinking that unlike it's analog counterpart, a digital micro split prism could be moved around the EVF, and/or changed in size - that would be cool - something not possible with an glass screen. You would think with retro cameras such as the Zf, Zfc and Fuji X series they would also make their finders look retro too...but of course that also means their software development team would have to put a couple hundred extra hours I'm sure.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

My first SLR was a Canon AE-1 in 1977 or 1978, followed by an A-1, then a succession of newer ones, culmination in a T90. Then I began to experience presbyopia and decided to move to autofocus. I would have stayed with Canon, but they changed lens mounts and since I would have to buy all new lenses, I made the switch to a Nikon N4004. Have stayed with Nikon since.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

DSLR’s were terrible for manual focus because they lacked the focus aids found on film cameras. Mirrorless was a game changer for manual focus. Besides focus peaking there’s also focus magnification. As for adding something like a split screen or microprism? Im guessing they could simulate it with firmware but I don’t see it happening.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I would REALLY like to have my old micro-prism focus screen in my Sony 𝜶6500. Even at its best setting, focus peaking is just not very precise. I had that micro-prism on my Nikon FM2. I had swapped out the split image for it and was then quite happy.

scaudill Loc: Rock Hill, SC

I still use that screen when I am shooting film with my Nikon F Apollo and my Canon New. Love both of them. For my digital I use a Nikon Z7II. Enjoy each one of them.

delder Loc: Maryland

I actually received a Nikon 50 mm F 2.8 E series (older) and started using it on my D3100.
Strictly Manual operation, it took me back YEARS in photography.
Great improvement is the Immediate review of bracket shots.

rlscholl Loc: California

I definitely appreciated being able to changing focusing screens (mostly using ground glass, sometimes with a grid for shift lenses). I missed that option with the change to DSLRs.

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

Not quite the same, but my 1DX Mk3's have arrows that merge in a circle display. I shoot with TS manual lenses mainly and that is a great feature. Also eye detection is so nice with manual lenses as well.

User ID

Much better than the view of it at the time.

"Looking back" (waaaay back) I was often dependent on the built in focus magnifier, especially with f:4.0 wide angles.

Today, especially with ultrawides with their huge apparent DoF, Ive become verrrrrry dependent on the focus magnifier. All that crazy DoF can completely obscure the entire viewfinder with peaking colors, so peaking is unusable for that. But for more mainstream FLs I happily use heavy peaking. I can just instantly disable it as needed.

I actually disliked those old school prismatic focus aids in small SLRs. They were not very definitive or trustworthy. They mess up the middle of the view and go black with DoF PV or with manual iris lenses. No such problem with the magnifiers.

User ID

Kudos to Canon for their interchangeable screens in DSLRs. I have a matt focusing screen in my 5D2, but AFAIK that model marked the end of that feature. EVF have beautifully replaced the matt screen while adding a focus magnifier so my period of mourning was, thankfully, rather brief. Its really a shame the screen deal didnt carry over to the 5D3 cuz the SR version would have especially benefited by that. Its just ancient history now, all myth and legend.