Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Does anyone out there have experience with focus screens? How well do they work? Do they affect Auto Focus?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

What kind of screen are you referencing ? All cameras come with them but they can be changed out. They shouldn't affect AF but may affect exposure. I switched out an AF screen for an older Split Image screen (that had been cut down to fit my DSLR at the time)on an older camera & it worked as well as they did back in the day....Half spot blackout with slow lenses or when your eye wasn't properly aligned with the viewfinder.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

I'm specifically interested in the Canon Eg-S for manual focusing through the lens.

Gitzo Loc: Indiana

Dave;
Prior to digital cameras coming along and largely killing 35 mm film photography, most big camera makers had a "top-of-line" camera bodies that not only used interchangeable lenses, but interchangeable focusing screens as well; at the time, I was using a Nikon F-5 and I had 4 "specialty screens" for it in addition to the "all-purpose" screen that it came with; every screen was designed for a specific purpose, and they were NOT cheap!

But the interchangeable screens were just the beginning; the pentaprism was removable and there were 4 or 5 very "pricey" accessory gadgets that took it's place, each one giving your various additional capabilities.

How do focusing screens affect screens affect focusing? That's a HUGE question! It would all depend on so many things that it's impossible to give a "one size fits all" answer!

I can tell you this; as I'm sure you're aware, all interchangeable lens cameras are capable of using lenses all the way from very short focal length wide angle and even "fish eye" lenses, all the way up to 600 and even 800 mm tele lenses; believe me when I tell you, there's a HUGE difference between achieving critical focus at 10 mm with a "super wide angle" lens, and then achieving critical focus at 600 or 800 mm! And it gets even worse; we've been talking about a "full frame" sensor camera bodies so far......when we switch to a camera body with a "crop-frame" sensor, that 600 mm tele lens just became a 900 mm, and the 800 mm just became a 1,200 mm! Ask anyone with a crop frame camera who shoots a lot of birds and other wildlife about the focusing problems you run into, attempting to get critical focus in "less than bright" light at 600 mm and above.

Of course, you're not limited to using you focusing screen on many "higher-end" camera bodies; you can also use the LCD display using "live view"; the problem there becomes lack of magnification; if you're willing to spend the bucks and get something like the Zacuto Z Finder Pro, you can do all manner of tricky focusing using "live view". I wouldn't recommend going to the expense unless you have a camera body with a really good 3 inch LCD though.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Thanks Gitzo, I appreciate your in depth answer. What I'm looking at is pairing a 5DS-R with the 85mm Otus. I don't mind Manual Focus so much but I'm a little worried that these old eyes of mine might not be up to the task :). I remember looking through an old Minolta and focusing with that center circle (I'm sorry I don't know the technical name). It seemed like a good system.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

About ten years ago I bought a KatzEye screen for a Nikon D2X. It was more of an experiment than anything else. At that same time I was having a lot of fun picking up various old manual focus lenses, commonly available for peanuts on eBay. So it all fit together.

But in the end, the novelty of those lenses wore off. The focusing screen with a split prism didn't slow that process down a more than a day or two! It was fun, very interesting, and I enjoyed what I learned; but at the end of the day when it came to important/real work I rarely did anything that wasn't better done with a modern Auto Focus lens. Even with an MF lens, the AF focus indicator is more accurate and faster than trying to focus using a split prism.

The single exception for manual focus is macro photography, and the focusing screen is worthless for macro work.

In the following years I've never given a thought to putting a non-stock screen into any of the cameras I've used.

photoshack Loc: Irvine, CA

The 5d MK III does not have user changeable focus screen, and I read that the 5DS-r is in the same boat.

I was pissed once I found out that the 85mm f1.2 lens would not be easily focused without the focus screen upgrade (and of course I sold both MK II bodies before I found that tidbit out.)

I have since learned to work around this issue and have just gotten better at it. My right eye is scarred so I can't use it to focus, and make do with my left, and just figured out the "feel" with AF, and wide open.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

That is an interesting statement! I'm not a Canon user and don't know the specifics for that particular equipment, but in general SLR type cameras have a viewfinder with a maximum aperture of about f/2. That means any lens with a wider aperture, while projecting the effects of the wide aperture on the sensor, only gets the DOF of an f/2 lens on the viewfinder screen.

It makes manual focusing the razor thin DOF of an f/1.2 lens almost impossible. The split prism type of focusing aide is of no value at all. The method that works is rocking focus back and forth to get a feel for where the edges of the DOF are and then trying to place focus half way in between! No easy, and not accurate.

photoshack Loc: Irvine, CA

Yes there is some level of optics in the screen optimized for that lens as I understand it, and the effect is "less bright but more accurate". All moot with fixed focus screens. There are hacks around this problem with the custom focus screen outfits but I am not wanting to work that hard.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Canon has an Ec-s Super Precision Matte Screen that is designed for wide aperture lenses. But while it helps a little, it isn't actually a cure for the problems. Plus it doesn't work well with lenses that don't have wide apertures.

One thing that newer cameras do have that was not available back when I tried the KatzEye screen with a Nikon D2X, is live view. It should work very well if the mechanism fits the work being done, for example macro work being done with a tripod mounted camera. Not so useful for hand held work though...

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The Canon 5DS and 5DS R do not use interchangeable focus screens like the 5DII and 50D/60D did. In any case, the super precision matte focus screens for those cameras created a much greater transition from blur to sharpness than the standard focus screen, making manual focus easier. They were intended for lenses with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and wider. The only downside was that slower lenses, such as variable aperture lenses, looked a lot less bright through the viewfinder, and in very low light it could actually be difficult to see a subject through the view finder with a slow lens. With fast lenses this was not a problem. But as I said, for the 5DS this is not an option.

However, I have a Canon 7D Mark II and the viewfinder, and its options, is similar to the 5Ds. What I have discovered is that while manual focus with the super precision matte screen was somewhat more precise on my Canon 60D, the viewfinders of the newer cameras allow much better control over manual focusing than the standard focus screens did on the older cameras such as the 5DII. The Zeiss focus ring also has a much longer throw than most AF lens which allows for more precise manual focusing, and additionally, if you shoot in manual mode and hold down the AF-On button, the focus light should come on when you achieve focus, even with a manual lens. You really shouldn't have a problem.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Back in the 1970's shooting sport (Tennis / Golf), My long-reach lens was the Nikkor 200-600 f/9.5 manual focus, as were all Nikon cameras at that time. I did obtain the designated G or F screen for that lens which gave a much brighter image in the viewfinder than the bog standard screen. First time I used it was a great help in focussing. However when changing the lens to a wider-angle for the presentation pics , the viewfinder image was awful for the purpose of focussing etc. Manualy setting the distance on the lens was better than trying to change a screen back to a standard type in the middle of a tennis court. Having two camera bodies would have been a great help, on that occasion.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I used them in the 1970's when they were cheap and easy to pop in and out. Now they're expensive, and installation isn't so easy. I like the split image for focusing, though. Auto focus should work fine.

BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX

I'm glad I read this. I've too been curious about focusing screens. One less thing I'll fret about. :)

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Thank You all for your great comments. I'll have to try it with the auto focus light or live view first to see if that works before I mess around with a focus screen. Thanks again for your replies.