Digital SLR maual focus screens

Dave <nospam DeleteThis @nospam.com> wrote:
>Thank you me, but it looks like using this device
>requires camera surgery, which I don't want to do
>(unless some cameras have interchangeable screens and it
>is just a matter of replacing the current one).

Generally, all it takes is replacing the current one.
That may not be true of all cameras, but it certainly
is for some (e.g., the pro models).

>I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's
>don't have the focusing aides of 35mm cameras?

I doubt that any of them have the old style optical aid
(microprisms and split screen). They almost certainly
will all have something in the viewfinder which
indicates correct focus has been detected by the AF
mechanism, and that will work with MF lenses. The
problem with the indicator, in my experience, is that it
is (on Nikon cameras for example) located down in the
left hand corner and except for static scenes (I don't
mind it when the camera is on a tripod and I'm using a
bellows for photomacrography) it is very distracting to
switch from looking at the scene to looking at the
indicator.

I've used a Katzeye screen on a Nikon D2x for some time,
and am very satisfied with it. I'll probably want
something like that for the new D3, but it'll be awhile
before they are available.

--
Floyd L. Davidson <http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson>
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) floyd DeleteThis @apaflo.com
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

Dave <nospam RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote:
>>> http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/

Go back, and look at the listings for Nikon. (But just
for references, as they don't have them yet for the D300
or D3. But no doubt they will have them eventually.)

>I guess I should have explained that I have been using a
>completely manual 35mm for over 20 yrs.

Really? I doubt it.

I've never seen one that didn't automatically flip the
mirror up and down, for example. And I don't recall an
SLR that didn't do automatic diaphragm stop down, though
there might have been some.

There was once upon a time when auto-diaphragm was a big
deal..

>I tried a Canon
>AE-1 (I believe) in the 70's and hated the automatic
>stuff.

I'm not much into programmed exposure, if that's what
you mean. Didn't it have a manual mode? I assure you
that Nikon DSLRs can all be used in manual mode very
nicely.

But, note that the rest of that fancy stuff is just
plain *nice*. For example, if you try auto focus for a
couple of weeks, I'll bet you can't live without it.
For anything where the subject moves (kids, dogs,
sports, ...), it's the only way to go.

>I would like to continue with a manual camera
>since all of my lenses are manual as well.

But when you invest in new gear, don't think so much
about the past as you do about the future.

The next lense you buy will have AF. You won't be
sorry. That of course does not mean you need to discard
all of your old favorites, because if you do it right
they can be useful too.

>So from what
>some of you are saying I need to look for a DSLR that
>has interchangeable screens. I did a very quick and see
>that the D300 has interchangeable screens, but I didn't
>find any Nikon brand screens for it.

They probably only sell two (that is true of the D3, and
if I remember right was true of the D1 and the D2 series
too). Neither of those screens of course has a focusing
aid like you are thinking of.

>Not that I'm hung
>up on Nikon, so other suggestions welcome.

Go back and look at the Katzeye screens. I use one on a
D2x, and as soon as they have them available for the D3,
I'll order that too. It works great. And old manual
lenses work great too.

--
Floyd L. Davidson <http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson>
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) floyd RemoveThis @apaflo.com
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

In article <J1Z6j.1255$sf.682@trndny04>, Dave <nospam.RemoveThis@nospam.com> wrote:

> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my
> 35mm SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at
> because the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring
> focus or micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus
> right unless there is fairly good contrast in the subject. My
> question is if anyone knows of a DSLR that has a really good manual
> focus screen - one that a manual 35mm film camera owner would love?

I never cared for split-image screens, but preferred microprisms. Those
days are gone though with digital. But I don't really miss 'em. I can't
remember the last time I really wanted to manually focus. How you gonna
keep 'em down on the farm after they've used autofocus?
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

Thank you me, but it looks like using this device requires camera
surgery, which I don't want to do (unless some cameras have
interchangeable screens and it is just a matter of replacing the
current one).

I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
focusing aides of 35mm cameras?

Dave,


me.RemoveThis@mine.net wrote:

> On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:23:53 GMT, in rec.photo.digital Dave
> <nospam.RemoveThis@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my
>>35mm SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at
>>because the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring
>>focus or micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus
>>right unless there is fairly good contrast in the subject. My
>>question is if anyone knows of a DSLR that has a really good manual
>>focus screen - one that a manual 35mm film camera owner would love?
>
>
> http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/


--
A good newsgroup response is one that is truly helpful
and sticks to the subject. All the rest is just useless
noise!

e-mail: d boland 9 (all 1 word) at fastmail period fm
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

Dave wrote:
> Thank you me, but it looks like using this device requires camera
> surgery, which I don't want to do (unless some cameras have
> interchangeable screens and it is just a matter of replacing the current
> one).
>
> I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
> focusing aides of 35mm cameras?
>
> Dave,
>
>
> me.TakeThisOut@mine.net wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:23:53 GMT, in rec.photo.digital Dave
>> <nospam.TakeThisOut@nospam.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my
>>> 35mm SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at
>>> because the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring
>>> focus or micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus
>>> right unless there is fairly good contrast in the subject. My
>>> question is if anyone knows of a DSLR that has a really good manual
>>> focus screen - one that a manual 35mm film camera owner would love?
>>
>>
>> http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
>
>

Canon's 40D offers interchangeable focusing screens however it may not
be what you are looking for. Page 162 of the manual provides minimal info.

--

Len
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

Dave wrote:

> me RemoveThis @mine.net wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:23:53 GMT, in rec.photo.digital Dave
>> <nospam RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my
>>> 35mm SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at
>>> because the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring
>>> focus or micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus
>>> right unless there is fairly good contrast in the subject...
>>
>> http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
>
> Thank you me, but it looks like using this device requires camera
> surgery, which I don't want to do (unless some cameras have
> interchangeable screens and it is just a matter of replacing the current
> one).

You can pay them to install it. I put one in, it's not brain surgery but
not that easy either.


> I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
> focusing aides of 35mm cameras?

I'm not 100% sold on the split prism + collar approach, it only really
works with good contrast also and interferes with the view. I think the
better approach may be a more heavily frosted ground glass but that
makes the view dimmer & most DSLRs are already dimmer due to being
smaller. There are more expensive focus screen replacements too. And
more expensive full frame DSLRs.

If you like old school MF you will enjoy old lenses metering on a
D200/300 as I do. It just takes some getting used to.
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

In article <dqZ6j.652$1p.33@trndny01>, Dave <nospam DeleteThis @nospam.com> wrote:

> I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
> focusing aides of 35mm cameras?

They're not needed. Once you use autofocus, you won't want to do it
yourself.
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:50:01 GMT, Dave <nospam DeleteThis @nospam.com>
wrote:
>I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
>focusing aides of 35mm cameras?

Nothing to do with digital vs 35mm, all to do with AF vs MF.

Manual focus 35mm SLRs had focus aids, AF 35mm SLRs
generally did not. All digital SLRs are AF, so...

I recommend you choose a dSLR make/model that has
interchangeable focus screens and buy a screen that has
focus aids to replace the original.

--
John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

Dave wrote:

> Thank you me, but it looks like using this device requires camera
> surgery, which I don't want to do (unless some cameras have
> interchangeable screens and it is just a matter of replacing the current
> one).
>
> I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
> focusing aides of 35mm cameras?
>
> Dave,
>
>
> me DeleteThis @mine.net wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:23:53 GMT, in rec.photo.digital Dave
>> <nospam DeleteThis @nospam.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my
>>> 35mm SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at
>>> because the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring
>>> focus or micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus
>>> right unless there is fairly good contrast in the subject. My
>>> question is if anyone knows of a DSLR that has a really good manual
>>> focus screen - one that a manual 35mm film camera owner would love?
>>
>>
>>
>> http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
>
>
>
I guess I should have explained that I have been using a completely
manual 35mm for over 20 yrs. I tried a Canon AE-1 (I believe) in the
70's and hated the automatic stuff. I would like to continue with a
manual camera since all of my lenses are manual as well. So from what
some of you are saying I need to look for a DSLR that has
interchangeable screens. I did a very quick and see that the D300 has
interchangeable screens, but I didn't find any Nikon brand screens for
it. Not that I'm hung up on Nikon, so other suggestions welcome.

Thanks again.

Dave,


--
e-mail: d boland 9 (all 1 word) at fastmail period fm
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

"Dave" <nospam RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:ds_6j.654$1p.488@trndny01...
> Dave wrote:
>
>> Thank you me, but it looks like using this device requires camera
>> surgery, which I don't want to do (unless some cameras have
>> interchangeable screens and it is just a matter of replacing the current
>> one).
>>
>> I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
>> focusing aides of 35mm cameras?
>>
>> Dave,
>>
>>
>> me RemoveThis @mine.net wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:23:53 GMT, in rec.photo.digital Dave
>>> <nospam RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my 35mm
>>>> SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at because
>>>> the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring focus or
>>>> micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus right unless
>>>> there is fairly good contrast in the subject. My question is if anyone
>>>> knows of a DSLR that has a really good manual focus screen - one that a
>>>> manual 35mm film camera owner would love?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
>>
>>
>>
> I guess I should have explained that I have been using a completely manual
> 35mm for over 20 yrs. I tried a Canon AE-1 (I believe) in the 70's and
> hated the automatic stuff. I would like to continue with a manual camera
> since all of my lenses are manual as well. So from what some of you are
> saying I need to look for a DSLR that has interchangeable screens. I did
> a very quick and see that the D300 has interchangeable screens, but I
> didn't find any Nikon brand screens for it. Not that I'm hung up on
> Nikon, so other suggestions welcome.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Dave,
>
>
> --
> e-mail: d boland 9 (all 1 word) at fastmail period fm
The AE-1 had automatic exposure control; it was still a manual focus
machine.
No AF camera has split image screens like you are discussing. The last
Nikon camera
which has such a screen was the F3. I used an E screen on my F3. The K
screen is
around here somewhere.

Subsequent Nikon cameras (F4, F5, F6, N90, D1, or
D2) had versions of the B screen and sometimes the E screen. The D70 and
later models
have an electronic version of the E screen.

Jim
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

On Dec 9, 4:23 pm, Dave <nos....TakeThisOut@nospam.com> wrote:
> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my
> 35mm SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at
> because the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring
> focus or micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus
> right unless there is fairly good contrast in the subject. My
> question is if anyone knows of a DSLR that has a really good manual
> focus screen - one that a manual 35mm film camera owner would love?
>
> Thanks for your time and I'll wait to see what develops (ha! ha!)
>
> Dave (or is it just a picture?)
> --
> e-mail: d boland 9 (all 1 word) at fastmail period fm


Dave,
I have a D200, the first lens I got for it was a 24 f2, I was
surprised how hard it was to focus at first, and I'm used to a matte
screen. Now it is much easier, just something to get used to. I shoot
medical images for work and do a lot of macro work. I have never had a
problem with a D200 and macro, the D70 is another matter, the
difference between the mirror viewfinder and a prism viewfinder is
extreme. I mostly use a 105 Nikor micro. If the D300 has
interchangeable screens, it will just take Nikon a little time to get
them out, sometimes Nikon requires patience. I probably shoot my D200
80% on manual, just what I'm used to, but I do use auto focus with my
lenses that have AF. Photographed a work party Friday night, used a
17mm Tokina AF lens and a 25 year old Metz thyristor flash with the
D200 set on manual. Shot in RAW and exposures were mostly right on.

Tom
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

"Dave" <nospam.RemoveThis@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:J1Z6j.1255$sf.682@trndny04...
> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my 35mm
> SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at because
> the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring focus or micro
> prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus right unless there is
> fairly good contrast in the subject. My question is if anyone knows of a
> DSLR that has a really good manual focus screen - one that a manual 35mm
> film camera owner would love?
>
> Thanks for your time and I'll wait to see what develops (ha! ha!)
>
> Dave (or is it just a picture?)
> --
> e-mail: d boland 9 (all 1 word) at fastmail period fm

I have been following this thread because it discusses one of the features I
would love to have. I have a Nikon 8800 and am considering a Nikon d40x or
d70 (if I can still find one). I have found that some pictures are not in
focus when I use the built-in telephoto, even when it is not extended to any
great length. Years ago, I had a film SLR with split focus screen. I loved
that. It was more difficult when I upgraded to a film SLR with microprism
screen (not quite the term that was used then, if I remember correctly). I
have astigmatism, and it was much easier for me to bring the split images
together than to work with the prism. Of course, *neither* is necessary
with digital as long as I am satisfied with auto-focus. However -- as I
said earlier -- I have had instances when auto-focus simply does not seem to
create a really sharp image, especially if lighting conditions are poor.

MaryL
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens 

Dave wrote:
> Thank you me, but it looks like using this device requires camera
> surgery, which I don't want to do (unless some cameras have
> interchangeable screens and it is just a matter of replacing the current
> one).

Some do have interchangeable screens.. AFAIK the "surgery" required to
fit Katz eye screens is minor and 100% reversable. Only slightly less
trivial than with a dslr with interchangeable screens.
>
> I guess this situation begs the question of why DSLR's don't have the
> focusing aides of 35mm cameras?
>
You seem to have missed the period when 35mm cameras had auto-focus, and
screens similar to today's dslrs. (except for the size related to crop
sensor dslrs)
For critical focus for use for macro etc - unless for copy work, then
split screen / microprism screens also present the problem that for
typical composition (thirds), the focus aid is usually in the wrong
place - although the matt glass is probably better for focus than the
screens of typical AF slrs. The digital rangefinder with movable focus
points is still probably more accurate - so long as you've got enough
focus points and they're in the right places.

> Dave,
>
>
> me.DeleteThis@mine.net wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:23:53 GMT, in rec.photo.digital Dave
>> <nospam.DeleteThis@nospam.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Yesterday I was looking at a couple of digital SLR's to replace my
>>> 35mm SLR (a 'mart store). I was disappointed at the two I looked at
>>> because the manual focus screen is not like a film 35mm (split ring
>>> focus or micro prism), and the cameras don't seem to get the focus
>>> right unless there is fairly good contrast in the subject. My
>>> question is if anyone knows of a DSLR that has a really good manual
>>> focus screen - one that a manual 35mm film camera owner would love?
>>
>>
>> http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Digital SLR maual focus screens