Reading mode: Light Dark

Split Focus screen from eBay works on E-510!

Go to last post
L

lammett

Member
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Location
Vienna, VA, US
For those of you looking to get a split focus screen for your E-510, I just got mine from an eBay seller and installed it in less than a minute. Works beautifully.

Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Split-Image-Focus-Screen-for-Olympus-E1-E500-E400-E330_W0QQitemZ320131747043QQihZ011QQcategoryZ27432QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I was skeptical at first because it did not specify E-510 compatibility, only E-410. But the Olympus people said the screens are the same for both cameras. I thought what the hell as the creen was only twenty something bucks, as opposed to the pricey ones from Katz eye.

The split focus screen came in an SD card case and was labeled E-500. i folowed the video instructions I found online here: http://www.gadgetmiser.com/E500focusscreen.html

The process was identical to the video!

Now I can use my manual Contarex lenses. And its fun to watch the screen line up when using autofocus. Needless to say, autofocus also works perfectly with the new screen.

IMO, if you use manual lenses at all, a split focus screen is a must buy, especially at this price :)

If anyone has more questions, I'll be glad to help.
 
Good to know. Thanks for the info.....
--

'The virtue of the camera is not the power it has to transform the photographer into an artist, but the impulse it gives him to keep on looking.'

Quotation from Brooks Atkinson
US Drama Critic, Journalist
 
As far as I know, it does not affect metering.

All the limitations of using OM lenses are present, just like Olympus listed on their OM adaptor mount product page.

I am able to focus correctly on all my manual shots now, thanks to the split focus screen. And frankly, I am very pleased with the quality of the screen, can't imagine why I would pay 3+ times the price for a Katz eye. Heck, they don't even offer one yet, and when they eventually do, it will take two weeks to build!

I'll try to post some shots later on...
 
Is well scratched ! - the surfaces of these things is very fragile, especially the side facing the mirror, you have to be very careful not to scratch it..

Fine with a scruffy old E500 worth nothing which is unlikely to be sold on for the original screen to have gouges on it (and there will be the way it fell out) and bits all in the pent but I'd be careful with your nice shiny new expensive E510 ..

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

 
I was under the impression that the E-510 does not meter correctly when using OM lenses. What gives?

If it works then great, I may just get one for my E-500. I have a Zuiko OM 200mm f4 + X2A and focusing is a pain. This may be the difference between me keeping them or selling them.

Of course the screen will help with manually focusing ZD lenses as well, somrthing I find I have to do with my 50-200mm.

Dave
 
You'll be glad you did! On the spot metering bit, here is what Olympus has to say on it: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_files/mf1instcomp.pdf

As for spot metering, what I meant was that it still works incorrectly regardless of whether you use the original screen or the split-focus screen.

I accepted these limitations when I decided to try my manual lenses on the E-510. At least I have no focusing problems now but admittedly, with all the handicaps, shooting manual with OM lenses is far from ideal.

Still, having the option to use OM lenses was what I was after, and this split-screen allows me to finally focus properly, what more can I ask?
 
Jim Ford:

Just a note to remember when you install the screen. If you follow the instructions from the link I provided previously, which included the installation video showing the E-500, you will notice that the author mentions that the "bump" on one side of the lens must face the viewfinder and not the lens.

When I recieved my new split focus screen, I noticed a bump on both sides of the lens. Actually, both bumps are different if you look closely. One has a prism edge to it, and the other is a perfect half sphere type of bump. Once you can tell the difference after examination with fingers and eyes, make sure that the side with the PRISM edge bump (and not the half sphere bump) faces towards the viewfinder.

If you install it upside down (like I did the first time), it will not focus properly.

And don't sweat the installation. My second time took also less than a minute. Note also that after you remove the top metal rectangle that holds the screen in place, the video shows that you should turn the body over and shale it so the screen falls out. The video also shows that with the E-500, the bottom metal rectangle also falls out along with the screen. This does not happen with the E-510! When you shake the body, only the screen falls out as the bottom rectangle stayed in place both times I tried this. Which of course makes the install very easy. Good luck!
 
Actually, when you've used a Katz Eye screen you'll come to appreciate its qualities. I've used SPFS from all three manufacturers (Katz Eye, Hadoa, and Virtual Village).

The microprism collar in the Katz Eye is sooo much nicer than the others. The prisms are very small, resulting in kind of an iridescence that "snaps" away when the image is focused. The others use a much coarser prism that tends to blackout at anything above f/4.0. Using my Hadoa screen with the OM200 f/4 had half of the prisms blacked out with the lens wide open.

The Katz Eye screen doesn't blackout until over f/8, which at that point you probably should be using a ZD lens.

HTH.

--
  • Adam
Equipment in plan
 
Looks interesting.

But I suppose the AF points are not visible (of course the leds will still show up), don't you miss them?
--
Henrik - Göteborg, Sweden - Olympus E510, C700, K800i
http://picasaweb.google.com/henrik.lewander

 
I actually did not try the standard matte screen that came in the E-510. Probably should have.

As such, I don't know what the LEDs are. When I use my split focus screen, part of the top left circle segment of the center focus ring will blink red. Just the outline of the top left 1/4 of the focus circle. It happens when I half press the shutter button. Not sure if this is the focus LED you guys are talking about and also not sure if it actually does anything.

Also, I do not know what AF points are but I'm pretty sure there is none on this screen.

Sounds like the Katz Eye is superior if it allows the use of these two features I am even unaware of. Perhaps it might be wise for those who are considering split focus screens to wait?

As for me, I am happy snapping in focus shots with my manual lenses in the meantime. not missing either the LED or AF points one bit :)
 
Based on my dealings with Katz Eye they tend not to announce products for which they have not completely validated the fit and quality. (If in fact the E-400/500/410/510 bodies all accept the same screen, Katz Eye probably has one available already, subject to that verification.)

Also, I don't know what the issue is with the focusing screen orientation. With that tab, you can only install a proper focusing screen one way.

And a carefully conducted test comparing the AF focus with split image focus (on some kind of calibrated focusing "range") would be advisable with any third party focusing screen.

You get what you pay for.
lammett said:
can't imagine why I would pay 3+ times the
price for a Katz eye. Heck, they don't even offer one yet, and
when they eventually do, it will take two weeks to build!
Click to expand...
--
If you don't talk to your cat about catnip, who will?
 
As a point of clarification, the Katz Eye screen I have in my E-500 has three little dots at the centers of the focus points. One of these will light up when you go to AF -- depending upon which point you have selected. However, the "brackets" that define the focus points (which are on the factory screen) are not there.

If the eBay screen lacks both the mounting orientation tab AND lacks even the little indicators for the focusing points, it doesn't sound like much of a bargain to me.

--
If you don't talk to your cat about catnip, who will?
 
Uh-oh, I did not understand that the LEDs and AF points were necessary for the E-510 to take proper photos when using autofocus settings. All I can say is that my photos look fine when shot in autofocus mode. I half press the shutter and the lens focuses properly as the split lines come into instant alignment. Of course, I am used to film cameras and to me, the split focus screen works the same as it would in a film camera.

I hope my enthusiasm did not lead anyone astray. My intent was not to mislead anyone into buying this item. Just wanted to share a positive experience is all.

The Katz Eye verision does seem like the way to go if you want all the features. Maybe they will offer it soon, who knows? Plus, they have a brightness coating that may be worthwhile...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top