E1 split focus screens

Hmm, well, I guess it was expected. I thought I'd give one of those cheap Chinese focus screens a go in the E1, hoping they'd help with using the legacy glass.

Well, it does, help focussing that is. I could get a high number of in-focus images using the prism to focus. However, it completely screwed up metering. Using ESP or CW modes, I was getting more than two stops of over-exposure, and with Spot mode, it was over a stop under-exposed.

I could have lived with that had it only needed some EV adjustment when using the legacy lenses, but it also affected the ZD lenses too. The screen was swapped back after a few shots.

Anybody actually have any luck using a split prism screen in an E1?

(I noticed the Katseye site suggests that metering may get screwed, but theirs shouldn't affect the ZD lenses).

--
Andy Hewitt

I didn't notice the metering being excessively off, but I found the split screen started to annoy me, so I swapped the original back in. (didn't help that the split center was off center !)

I tend to use mostly spot metering, maybe that makes a difference in how far off the replacement screen throws the exposure?
--
Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"

Among the first E-1 modifications I did to all of my E-1s was to install the FS-2 Grid screen in each. I haven't looked back!

I do not use MF lenses so can't comment on them but for composition, especially w-i-d-e, the FS-2 does the trick and ther have been no adverse effects with metering, autofocus, or anything else.

Andy Hewitt said:

Andy Hewitt said:

Bill Turner

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I use my E-1 mainly with manual lenses. I first used a cheap Chinese focusing screen but later changed it to a Katz-Eye with better results.

Depending on the lens attached, metering goes up or down even when changing the aperture but not on a predefined o or calculated way. Center weighted metering seems to work better than ESP and spot metering is not reliable.

But with digital lenses with center/ESP metering I've never sought problems.

ismaelj said:

I use my E-1 mainly with manual lenses. I first used a cheap Chinese focusing screen but later changed it to a Katz-Eye with better results.

Depending on the lens attached, metering goes up or down even when changing the aperture but not on a predefined o or calculated way. Center weighted metering seems to work better than ESP and spot metering is not reliable.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I noticed that, although I found that it was near enough to be able to get a shot. I actually found that spot metering was more consistently under-exposed than CW was over-exposed.

ismaelj said:

But with digital lenses with center/ESP metering I've never sought problems.

Click to expand...

That's what's worried me, as it does have the same effect on my digital lenses.

Cheers.

--
Andy Hewitt

I absolutely love it but also had the issue of auto exposure being off. Then it dawned on me...I shot only with manual exposure for 40 years and my exposures were better than my AEs! I have gone back to manual exposure only and I am staying there!
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Sincerely,

James A. Rinner

Hmm. Well, I just practice and use the standard screen. I'd like to get the ruled one too.
--
Godfrey
http://godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com

Ok, so nothing conclusive then.

As it happens the seller has just given me a refund after I sent a few test shots, so no complaints about that.

I think I'll just stick with learning to focus as best I can then.

Cheers.

--
Andy Hewitt

Chinese screen with the E 500 worth less , waste of money sorry i bought it , went bacK to the standard screen , just learned to focus on my own a little slower.