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Manual focus with DSLR - Share tips!

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Rodelion

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Some us know the excellent viewfinder's of the ME Super and MX - big and bright, and easy to manually focus with, even in low light! Those were the early 80's, and since then, influenced by autofocus, viewfinders have become continually smaller and dimmer, losing the focus aids as well.

With DSLR's, this proces goes on, severely, because of the smaller sensor and thus focusing screens. A peak in focusing-terror is the Nikon D50 with only .70x magnification. Luckily, the K100D/K110D/DL come with .85x and the D/DS/K10D with a comparably decent .95x magnification. The screen is sufficiently matte. Compared to the old days though, it's a big step back in my opinion. At least I suffer from quite a lot of misses and unsharp pictures. Blame me, but there must be more like me out there who could focus quickly and accurately with their good ol' 35mm SLR, but are now left with using their old primes sparingly - out of fear for the blur!

I would like this thread to be an outreach for eachother to share tips about possible ways to improve manual focusing performance. This could be good ol' tricks, or techniques for practicing, but most importanty accessories to use on the camera. How does it work, how does it compare to focusing on the 'old' cams, what does it cost, where to buy, and why do you like it? What are the drawbacks and benefits?

So how do you enhance your ability to manual focus with Pentax DSLR's? Share your experience!

-----------------
'What's the weather, hon?'
  • 'About LV11, so better take an umbrella with you'.
 
Failsafe steps for accurate focussing *istD:
  • take lens with tripod mount.
  • mount lens to tripod.
  • mount Pentax LX body to lens
  • focus
  • remove LX body
  • mount *istD body
  • take picture
A very frustrated *istD owner.
 
My first attempt at improving my focusing was to buy the Nikon DK-21M. It's an eyepiece which fits tight - you won't lose it - and comes with an eyecup, the DK-17.

For about €35,- you get 1.17x magnification of your viewfinder! It works like a charm on my K100D and I can still oversee the entire viewfinder. The size is quite close to my MZ-5 now, and still sufficiently bright to use with pleasure. It improved my manual focusing a lot.

Drawbacks:
  • Can't fit Pentax eyepiece adapters on it.
  • Decreases eye relief too much for people wearing glasses to use it comfortably, and with a possibly sleight loss of view for K10D/D/DS.
  • Sleight loss of brightness.
I recommend the DK-17 for anyone without glasses using a Pentax DSLR.

----------
'What's the weather, hon?'
  • 'About LV11, so better take an umbrella with you'.
 
http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
T.

--
Various tags to clarify what your message is about...

HELP: having difficulty with camera
TIP: stuff you've figured out how to do and want to share
IMGP: images posted to the forum for enjoyment of all
TECH: technical talk and rumors
CHALLENGE: for all our various challenges
ORG: anything issues about the forum
CR: please critique my images
CHAT: This place is so great, I love you guys! etc.
OT: Off the Topic of Pentax DSLR photography
LINK: links to other sites
 
Easiest MF tip in the book: Zoom in, focus, zoom out :-)

Prog.
 
my last film camera was a pentax 5n. currently i use a pentax *istD. it is set at autofocus, and i leave it there. the focus has not been off with either camera in auto. i have shot pics with dslr/slr for 37yrs. the only time i have shot with manual focus is when i shot pics of the moon or star trails.
 
I have a bad habit of often muscling my way out of problems by spending $, and for my K10D I was finding it hit and miss to get a sharp MF shot.

So.... I got BOTH the KatzEye screen AND the O-ME53 magnifier. I installed both at the SAME time - not the best approach to make two simultaneous changes in general, but if you have two barrels and a clear target, why not empty them both at the same time.

Manual focus is now not only effortless, but almost fun.

And I'm a guy with less than perfect vision.

Larry
 
The only time I used AF was about 14yrs ago when the EOS1000 was first released. My first SLR, the front elements of the standard kit lens dropped off. I sent it to Canon who said I must have dropped it and they would need £14 before they return it. I sold the body and bought an OM-10. :)

I don't know how useful this is on todays lenses, but my best tip would be don't be afraid of using the distance scale for focusing. A good example is hyperfocal distance focussing which is great for landscape. To achieve hyperfocal, select the aperture you wish to use then on the lens align the infinity mark with the rightmost aperture mark (of the aperture chosen). Reading the distance at the leftmost aperture mark (of the chosen aperture) will tell you what the closest detail can be when still in focus. This is the greatest depth of focus achievable with the chosen aperture and lens, and I personally always found it very useful for landscapes.

Very basic 101 photography I know, but hopefully someone will find it useful.

Best,
Tim

--

Currently waiting for my MF Nik0n gear to sell, then hope to buy the KtenD. I've never owned a DSLR in my life, so I'm probably the last person you want to trust here!
 
About the Katzeye screen:
  • Are the split prism and microprism ring non-intrusive? (I mean: intrusive like Praktica SLR's, or non-intrusive like Pentax SLR's)
  • Is it easy to replace?
  • Any drawbacks?
Personally, I would have prefered a diagonal split prism by the way...

--
'What's the weather, hon?'
  • 'About LV11, so better take an umbrella with you'.
 
On more thing about the Katzeye screen:
  • Is spot metering still sufficiently accurate, using the circular crop of the split prism? And is it either a bigger or a smaller crop?
--
'What's the weather, hon?'
  • 'About LV11, so better take an umbrella with you'.
 
I had this type of split prism in my old Canon AE-1 and I can tell you it is extremelly accurate. The only problem will to know when to stop.
You reach a point that you stop moving the ring and you start nudging it.
 
Rodelion said:
About the Katzeye screen:
  • Are the split prism and microprism ring non-intrusive?
Click to expand...
not exactly sure, what you mean, but intrusive in a way, that they cover quite a large area of the screen - yes, and I whish they where a bit smaller, or they would have an option without the microprisms, as I don't use those.
Rodelion said:
  • Is it easy to replace?
Click to expand...
Yes.
Rodelion said:
  • Any drawbacks?
Click to expand...
Spot metering is out to lunch.
Rodelion said:
Personally, I would have prefered a diagonal split prism by the way...
Click to expand...
Me too, and I asked them about it. Answer: Not yet possible, but they are looking into it. Guess that means, they might do it, if more people request it.
On another topic:
Does the Katzeye screen help with the metering with M & K lenses on the K10D?
Cheers,
Torge
Rodelion said:
--
'What's the weather, hon?'
  • 'About LV11, so better take an umbrella with you'.
Click to expand...
--
Various tags to clarify what your message is about...

HELP: having difficulty with camera
TIP: stuff you've figured out how to do and want to share
IMGP: images posted to the forum for enjoyment of all
TECH: technical talk and rumors
CHALLENGE: for all our various challenges
ORG: anything issues about the forum
CR: please critique my images
CHAT: This place is so great, I love you guys! etc.
OT: Off the Topic of Pentax DSLR photography
LINK: links to other sites
 
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