Any US dealers stocking Ef-D focus screen?

[testami]

I haven't been able to find this item from a USA dealer...anybody know who might have them?

 

[Juli Valley]

They got in four, but I don't know if they have any left.
--
Juli
http://www.pbase.com/julivalley/galleries
Canon FiveDee, Canon 4oD, Canon Gee3, Canon S7o, Fuji Eff3o, Sony Hnine.

 

[testami]

Thanks!

 

[testami]

I ended up ordering one from Canoga Camera. $32.95.

 

[michael weinberg]

Checked Google, Amazon, B&H, Berger Bros..... could not find the grid screen the US.... So I checked with Ebay and found a seller in Tokyo for $27.95 + $15 shipping. Hopefully I should have the screen in a few days.

 

[chevysales]

could someone post how to remove focus screen as 40d manual says see instructions with new replacement.

i would like to clean mine.
--

Forty Dee and a Seventy-Two hundred IS f4L along with Seventeen-FiftyFive IS 2.8... and growing

 

[testami]

Basically, there is a small door that swings down on a hinge. It holds the actual focusing screen - which is a small piece of hard plastic. The nine focus points and middle circle are not on the focus screen - they are actually on the a mirror / glass surface within the area revealed by the hinge.

Here's the deal:

1. opening the hinge and removing the focus screen is pretty easy - especially with the tool included with a replacement focusing screen.

2. I found it TREMENDOUSLY difficult to make the switch without getting dust into the hinged area.

3. It may not be the focus screen itself that has the dust - it may be on the glass surface within the hinged area.

4. I tried cleaning the glass surface and ended up screwing up my focus points somehow - enough so that I had to have Canon replace my 40D with a new unit.

 

[Canonstu]

what did you clean the glass with to knack up the focussing points?

 

[Maryarena]

I'm confused about this focusing screen. Does it also have the lines for the Rule of Thirds? Those lines are kind of confusing for me.

 

[Juli Valley]

Look in this section of Phil's preview of the 40D. It's helpful in keeping horizons or other lines straight.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos40d/page3.asp
--
Juli
http://www.pbase.com/julivalley/galleries
Canon FiveDee, Canon 4oD, Canon Gee 9, Canon S7o, Fuji Eff3o, Sony Hnine.

 

[Dan the Man Texas]

I got mine from Ebay in 5 days from seller yoshiki_kyo

 

[Michael Eckstein]

Canoga camera had them in stock when I ordered mine last Friday. It is arriving Thursday.

http://www.canogacamera.com/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=canon%20EF-D&All=True

 

[Travis Feisthamel]

To bad they didn't make one with just the 8x10 crop lines. I think that would have been handy. I know at one time someone had one for the 20D/30D like that.
--
Travis
http://www.photosbytravis.com
Canon EOS 40D, Canon EOS 30D and Digital Rebel User

 

[testami]

Lens cloth wrapped around a qtip.

I was surprised at how much dust (and how hard it was to remove) there was.

Ultimately, I did get it perfectly clean - but the focus points were messed up in that the square didn't fully light up in red anymore. Someone else on the forums said it was most likley an alignment issue.

I think it has something to do with the angle of the lit box relative to the painted on black square.

I have noticed that if you pull your face away from the viewfinder and look around a little you will lose some of the bright red visibility.

 

[testami]

I was originally disappointed that the intersection of the lines didn't correspond to the rule of thirds but after using the new screen for a week, I really like this layout much better.

The inside corner of the "boxes" closest to the partial metering circle correspond closely to the rule of thirds in terms of the actual dimensions of the picture. Plus, they lines really allow you to immediately place the subject in the frame in a spot that's close enough to the rule of thirds to be useful.

Its kind of hard to explain but, bottom line: I have been pleasantly surprised by the usefulness of the Ef-D screen - specifically as it relates to composing pictures according to the rule of thirds.

 

[Maryarena]

Thanks Julie and Testami,

When it's available, I guess I'll try it, especially after what Testami mentions. I take lots of scenery photos and since I live in Puerto Rico, you can imagine that I have lots of beach horizons, so I know it will be useful,.

I also am disappointed it doesn't clearly have the rule of thirds. That would have been perfect!

Thanks again!

Gloria

 

[bill hansen]

I also am disappointed it doesn't clearly have the rule of thirds.

I like to have lines on a focus screen too. For me, those lines are of most use as they encourage me to keep the horizon level.

I sure can't pose as an expert on photo composition but......I'll bet that over time, you'll feel much more comfortable using your judgment to establish that "rule of thirds" in a composition, rather than trying to fit your composition into a set of lines on your focus screen. That "rule" is one which made as a guideline. IMO it should not be used as more than a very occasional guide when composing a photo. Even then, concentrating on the lines on a focal screen rather than on "the story" of the image can be distracting.

Bill

 

[Maryarena]

Yes, well, I guess that's what I've had to do all along, as the XT did not have them either. I understand your point. I do have those "imaginary lines" in my mind, when I shoot anyhow I still will be getting the grid, when it is available, as I definitely find it useful for horizons.

 

[photoshrink]

In recent years I've started to have trouble keeping horizon horizontals horizontal. With the new focusing screen, I have no problem with horizontals. It's a pleasure.
BTW, it does help with the rule of thirds.
--
Photoshrink, Ph.D.

 

[s3]

Their 40d screens are being released on October 22, although this pre-release link should take you to the correct webpage:

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/item--Katz-Eye-Focusing-Screen-for-the-Canon-40D--prod_40D.html

Scroll down to the "Grid Lines or Crop Lines" drop down box, and check out the available selections - they seem to have most bases covered.

From what I’ve read in the past, many people seem to like this brand (although “search” seems to be down at the moment, as usual, so I can't point to any previous discussions right now).

Just be aware, these screens are not cheap.

--
s3