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Focusing screens..

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You can get grids, scales, split image focusing aids, micro-prism focusing aids, split focusing aids. Personally, I never use the standard (said worthless) screen and use the split and grided screen.

Steven
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
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I was going to chide you about not doing a searc on the net, but I found precious little information. I'll do this the best I can from the top of my head but in all honesty I have not looked at Canons focusing screens for years and years. Check each of these comments by reading the description for each item after you click on the More Info for each screen. I don't have time to go there so check up on me. Follow along at :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field, vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and microphotography. For determining magnification ratios, composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first 35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa 1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :). All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr, tc80EN3
 
Why dont canon make a screen with freaking 4x5 crop marks on it.. One company makes them BUT THEIR $200
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
 
is that the Beattie? That's the only name I remember from the last time I looked at screens back in the 20th Century. :)
Masterdeath said:
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr, tc80EN3
 
The Ec-B screen is a split ONLY. NO microprism. B&H's description is wrong. Canon doesn't make a split/micro screen for the EOS 1 series cameras at all. How do I know? I've had the Ec-B screen since the first day I received the 1D.

And I'm convinced that the focusing aids left the 35mm screens when AF came in to eliminate the ability to micro-check the accuracy of the AF. Digital carried this over. Myself, I always bought aid-equipped screens for my 2 1/4 stuff, too. And it was one of my main reasons for choosing the 1D.

David B.
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
 
I was wondering about that because when I checked in their catalog they make no mention of microprism for the Ec-B screen. Thanks for the clarification.
David B. said:
And I'm convinced that the focusing aids left the 35mm screens when
AF came in to eliminate the ability to micro-check the accuracy of
the AF. Digital carried this over. Myself, I always bought
aid-equipped screens for my 2 1/4 stuff, too. And it was one of my
main reasons for choosing the 1D.

David B.
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
DavidRoy
 
Which one do you recommend for aiding manual focus? Is that what the Ec-A is for?

Jonathan
David B. said:
And I'm convinced that the focusing aids left the 35mm screens when
AF came in to eliminate the ability to micro-check the accuracy of
the AF. Digital carried this over. Myself, I always bought
aid-equipped screens for my 2 1/4 stuff, too. And it was one of my
main reasons for choosing the 1D.

David B.
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
so you use one currently with the 1D ? do you focus manually on a regular basis or does this allow you to check the AF or what?
David B. said:
And I'm convinced that the focusing aids left the 35mm screens when
AF came in to eliminate the ability to micro-check the accuracy of
the AF. Digital carried this over. Myself, I always bought
aid-equipped screens for my 2 1/4 stuff, too. And it was one of my
main reasons for choosing the 1D.

David B.
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr, tc80EN3
 
Page 167 of the manual;

"The Ec-A, Ec-B, Ec-i, Ec-L focusing screens have a prism at the center. A correct exposure reading cannot be obtained with evaluative or spot metering based in the center area where there is a prism. Use centerweighted averaged metering or offcentered spot spot metering with such screens."

So you lose the spot metering capability on the center spot (which you would be metering for, using the focus aid there), and evaluative metering can't be used because the center spot is unusable?

Kinda cripples the camera by putting these screens in. I'm not trying to be derogatory here. I'd have loved to try a Ec-A or B, but not at the expense of losing other capabilities of the camera.

For the people that use these screens: How do you compensate for the loss of metering functionality?

Rick
 
Try to get to a retail store that has them in stock and try out both the microprism and the split screen. To some degree it's a matter of choice and to some degree a matter of what type of shooting you do. The split screen works best with some definition...some vertical line to match up. The microprism can work better with images lacking vertical contrast. David can add something, I'm sure.
Jonathan B. Leffert said:
Jonathan
David B. said:
And I'm convinced that the focusing aids left the 35mm screens when
AF came in to eliminate the ability to micro-check the accuracy of
the AF. Digital carried this over. Myself, I always bought
aid-equipped screens for my 2 1/4 stuff, too. And it was one of my
main reasons for choosing the 1D.

David B.
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr, tc80EN3
 
I shoot models and regular people mostly, and AF can be problematic with wide apertures and faces. So the split lets me stay alerted to the exact point of focus more quickly. And I quite often just focus manually.

David B.
santa said:
David B. said:
And I'm convinced that the focusing aids left the 35mm screens when
AF came in to eliminate the ability to micro-check the accuracy of
the AF. Digital carried this over. Myself, I always bought
aid-equipped screens for my 2 1/4 stuff, too. And it was one of my
main reasons for choosing the 1D.

David B.
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
 
I've checked the metering between the standard and the Ec-B screen, and there's no difference at all. If there were, I'd have sent it (the screen) back months ago. It's possibly some sort of safety advice thing....like maybe once in a great while it trips up. But it's never happened to me.

David B.
RickS said:
Page 167 of the manual;

"The Ec-A, Ec-B, Ec-i, Ec-L focusing screens have a prism at the
center. A correct exposure reading cannot be obtained with
evaluative or spot metering based in the center area where there is
a prism. Use centerweighted averaged metering or offcentered spot
spot metering with such screens."

So you lose the spot metering capability on the center spot (which
you would be metering for, using the focus aid there), and
evaluative metering can't be used because the center spot is
unusable?

Kinda cripples the camera by putting these screens in. I'm not
trying to be derogatory here. I'd have loved to try a Ec-A or B,
but not at the expense of losing other capabilities of the camera.

For the people that use these screens: How do you compensate for
the loss of metering functionality?

Rick
Click to expand...
 
How do you find the grid screen when using for non-landscape or architectural shots... Is it obtrusive enough that one would not want to use it for "everyday" use of variety of subjects and styles?

Also, does the grid screen have any effect on metering or focusing -- how does it compare to ECIII for manual focus? Final question if you know... what would be the difference between Canon's grid screen and the Beattie brand grid screen (which costs about 3x more)? Thanks!
Steven Noyes said:
Steven
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
---
New and Updated!!!
Spring 2004: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/spring_2004
Mosaics: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/high_res_mosaics
Click to expand...
 
HI David, Thanks for this explanation.

Do you have any problem with metering using the split screen?

Thanks
David B. said:
And I'm convinced that the focusing aids left the 35mm screens when
AF came in to eliminate the ability to micro-check the accuracy of
the AF. Digital carried this over. Myself, I always bought
aid-equipped screens for my 2 1/4 stuff, too. And it was one of my
main reasons for choosing the 1D.

David B.
santa said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4662

Ec-A has a microprism for a focusing aid. It makes the central
area look all broken up until you get the object in focus. These
generally have a bit of a hard time in very dim light or when used
with a very slow lens. Lot of people like them.

Ec-B In addition to the microprism, the very center of the screen
has a small split such that the image looks broken in half across
the middle until it is in perfect focus. It shifts from side to
side and when the image is lined up you're in focus. Not much use
unless there is some contrast, but if there are no discernable
lines, then the microprism comes into play.

Ec-C III Look through your camera if it's one of the ones listed
at B&H. This is, I think, the standard screen.

Ec-D Matte with a grid. Is just a plain matte with no micro/split
nothing...but it has a grid instead of an Ellipse and Spot metering
Circle like the standard Ec-C. Shoot Landscapes? This is your
screen. Or Commercial. I think the grid should be set up according
to the rule of thirds. It really should.

Ec-H You have the idea. This is a plain matte (a simple flat
surface that gets clear and sharp when something is in focus) that
has some kind of Scale on it. The B&H blurb says "Matte field,
vertical and horizontal scales marked in mm; for close-up and
microphotography. For determining magnification ratios,
composition. " If you have to do math with your photography then
you'll go gaga over this screen.. :) :) )

You can go down the list and get the idea for each screen. I think
the horizontal split was one of the first focusing aids. My first
35 mm focusing screen was from a Topcor or Topcon.circa
1970...anyone here remember that camera? Never sold well, but holy
cow, it was a great camera in its day. I think that microprisms
followed that but I can't be sure. Many people consider the plain
matte to be an 'advanced" screen. The microprism and/or the split
horizontal are both focusing aids. They give a greater degree of
focus confirmation when you are focusing manually. The cost is in
image quality in the area that is used for focus. In the case of
the microprism, it can be quite dark in low light/slow lens
situations. Before autoeverything, the microprisms and split
screens were very popular. Plain mattes implied a good eye and
experience. With the advent of better plain matte screens as well
as AF in 32 flavors, the microprism and split screen fell out of
use. That is MY take on it, but please correct me if I"m wrong. So
many people are so touchy one hesitates to say anything as fact :).
All the specialty screens pretty much explain themselves. Note the
page at B&H goes down to the Ed screens too, as opposed to the Ec
screens. The Ed screens are not for the 1D.
Hope that helps. Believe what's correct ignore the rest. :)
timc13 said:
Forgive my ignorance but what is the purpose of the different Ec
focusing screens? thanks..t
--
Click below for my website:
http://www.glorifychrist.com/
Click to expand...
--
Canon OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS, 16-thirty5, 1hundred
-300 5.6EL, 28-70 f3.5- something, 50m f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
but not as nice an everyday screen as the split image. I wish they has a split+grid. I like the grid allot and have never found it obtrusive. It is also nice, I find, for macro work.

Steven
PicOne said:
How do you find the grid screen when using for non-landscape or
architectural shots... Is it obtrusive enough that one would not
want to use it for "everyday" use of variety of subjects and styles?

Also, does the grid screen have any effect on metering or focusing
-- how does it compare to ECIII for manual focus? Final
question if you know... what would be the difference between
Canon's grid screen and the Beattie brand grid screen (which costs
about 3x more)? Thanks!
Click to expand...
--
---
New and Updated!!!
Spring 2004: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/spring_2004
Mosaics: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/high_res_mosaics
 
I was bummed as well when I read that... However, it has NEVER been an issue and wonder if it is a CYA.

Steven
RickS said:
Page 167 of the manual;

"The Ec-A, Ec-B, Ec-i, Ec-L focusing screens have a prism at the
center. A correct exposure reading cannot be obtained with
evaluative or spot metering based in the center area where there is
a prism. Use centerweighted averaged metering or offcentered spot
spot metering with such screens."

So you lose the spot metering capability on the center spot (which
you would be metering for, using the focus aid there), and
evaluative metering can't be used because the center spot is
unusable?

Kinda cripples the camera by putting these screens in. I'm not
trying to be derogatory here. I'd have loved to try a Ec-A or B,
but not at the expense of losing other capabilities of the camera.

For the people that use these screens: How do you compensate for
the loss of metering functionality?

Rick
Click to expand...
--
---
New and Updated!!!
Spring 2004: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/spring_2004
Mosaics: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/high_res_mosaics
 
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