split prism on K20D

I am new to digital and auto focus for that matter. I basically went from the Minolta X700 to Mamiya 330f to Pentax K20d.

My question: can I put a split prism focusing screen in my k20d? Will it affect my auto focus lenses? Will it help me focus on my manual focus lenses?

So far I have 3 manual lenses and only one auto focus that I never use.

Where do you recommend I buy it and how do I install it?
All help appreciated,
Elwood.

Try here but you do have to make sure it is one for the K20

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/item--Pentax-K100D-K110D-K200D-K-r-K-x-Focusing-Screen--prod_K100D.html

I don't think Pentax make a split screen themselves, some have said Nikon make the best one but I think it is a special Matt screen and it may need to be adapted - I hope someone else chymes in here.

I personally have found the O-ME53 eyepiece magnifier a big help with the Std screen when manual focusing.
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Regards Dean - Capturing Creation
N.B. All my Images are Protected by Copyright

Yes the magnifying eyepiece makes a big difference. I managed to lose my first one and held out for a while, but have replaced it as I realised what I was missing! I use K20D and a range of manual primes.
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Everything changes

Having cut out a Split prism screen DIY-style and adjusted it properly in my old K10D, I realized, I was never really happy with it... So with my K5 I wanted to improve manual focus, not using LV... and so I searched the net for the best screen working @F1.4 already with proper 'preview'.... and I found out that it seems, that the Canon EES screen is best for that purpose. I ordered it and it wil ship in few days.. hope it really works that way. I will fit it in my camera these days, so if you want my personal opinion about it... just wait and send me a mesage.

Greetings, Kevin

Elwood Blues said:

I am new to digital and auto focus for that matter. I basically went from the Minolta X700 to Mamiya 330f to Pentax K20d.

My question: can I put a split prism focusing screen in my k20d? Will it affect my auto focus lenses? Will it help me focus on my manual focus lenses?

So far I have 3 manual lenses and only one auto focus that I never use.

Where do you recommend I buy it and how do I install it?
All help appreciated,
Elwood.

Click to expand...

Mine is in the mail too!
Ordered from focusingscreen.com

I also recommend the magnifying eyepiece, IF you don't wear glasses.

The pentax matte screen (ME-60?) must be nothing more your regular screen without the markings for the AF sensors. I do like it however, as the clear view helps with composition.

Installation is easy, just do it in a dust free place, and do not touch the screen with your fingers. The pentax screens come with special tweezers. Don't know about the others.

This looks like a good summary of how to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqZCjT-jr1s

I'm pretty sure the split-prism screens will affect your metering, and spot-metering will be off. AF should not be affected.

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Miles Green
Corfu

I can vouch for Katzeye as my K5 has one fitted. They are a bit expensive but compared to the standard Pentax screen it's another world. Slight adjustments needed for spot metering but Katzeye tell you how much on their website. No AF effects. Also have the eyecup magnifier and while great it does make it harder to see the camera settings at the bottom of the VF without moving your eye around it makes MF much more certain. That's on the K5 though!

Good luck with your decision.

Personally, I have stayed away from changing screens because I rely on accurate metering - and wouldn't want the doubt introduced by using a non-standard item. I really like using split-focus, but the negative side of it prevails for me.

I am sure that the Pentax magnifier is good, but for less money and greater magnification I went with a generic 1.3x ebay viewfinder attachment purchased from dslrbaby. Terence and some other Asian sellers also stock it at around $30. It is nicely multi-coated, and you can see the full viewfinder if you aren't using glasses. I would say that it has improved my manual focus keeper rate by at least 50% - and I should a wide variety of manual lenses for about 30% of all my shooting.

I would try the less expensive and less invasive route first, then go to a new screen if you aren't satisfied.

JNR

Thanks for the input. I like the less invasive route first approach. I think I will try a magnifier first.
Elwood.

I just received and installed the S screen!

Wow, what a difference with bright lens (FA limiteds, SMC-A 50mm f/1.2). The focus just POPS! And it's spot on! The extra stop of the f/1.2 is very visible compared to the f/1.8s.

But with darker lens... oh boy are they dark! I can see why this would not be a standard screen on any camera.

The packaging and supplied tools & accessories from the "focusingscreen.com" site are flawless: box, inox tweezers, pinchers, adjustment shims and even finger "condoms" are supplied in addition to the screen.

The markings are clear as opposed to black on the std screen, so you get a different look through the viewfinde: clear markings on dark image with lots of OOF, as opposed to black markings on a bright screen with little OOF.

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Miles Green
Corfu

Hi!

How much did you pay for your screen? Are there markings on it, and did you cut it down on your own, or did you order a APS-C size one?

I ordered a matte, without markings for 5D and cut it down on my own, and see it the exact same way. not for cheap F4 or higher lenses, but for 1.4 - 2.8 it is amazing.

Greetings, Kevin

focusingscreen.com cut the screens to size and shape for you.

They have a number of patterns of screen that they can cut to fit a wide range of APS-C (and other) cameras. Basically, they are starting with full frame screens, which are obviously larger than the screen in cropped frame cameras, allowing them the leeway to cut them down to fit various cameras.

As well as the different split prism/microprism arrangements, the screen can also be marked with different grids, AF markings and so forth.

The standard options for the K20D, along with the prices, can be found here: -

http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=25_80