Just curious how many shims a 350D focus screen should have. My red lights aren't lining up with the squared dots at all, and i know it's in right. Images won't focus (no matter the diopter adjustment) in the viewfinder, but they'll turn out fine.
I'm starting to think i'm missing a shim, or something. Can't figure it out for the life of me. Sent an email to Canon over a week ago with no response. You folks have been so amazingly helpful since I got it that I figured I'd go ahead and whine here, see if someone could help out.
The red lights have nothing to do with the shims. They're produced by tiny reflective dots stuck to the focus screen.
I believe that my XT/350D has a single shim.
You said that you know that it's in right. Are you sure that it's not upside down (shiny side vs. matte side)? That could cause some grief.
You might try ordering a new focus screen. They're pretty cheap. The information that I have is:
XT/350D focus screen part number: YN2-3472-000
Price (US): approx. $5 (plus shipping, I assume)
Canon Parts phone number (US): (732) 521-7230
Possible alternate source: Foto Geeks (price $15 plus shipping)
thanks for the reply. i must admit, i'm not entirely sure which side should be facing toward the mirror (down when holding the camera upright), but it seems like the screen only wants to go in one way. the red lights still won't line up with the dots, and stuff won't focus in the VF, so it's possible it's not in correctly.
I won't be able to pick up a new one till i get back stateside, but thanks for the contact info for canon.
fiddled with it a bit tonight and got it back in the correct way. viewfinder images are back in focus, and the little red lights light up where they're supposed to again.
i have a bit of lint on the screen now, but images come out crystal clear--i'm a big boy, so i can live with a little lint in the VF till i get home. already planned on taking it in for a good thorough pro-shop cleaning anyway.
thanks again for the help (both in this thread and via pm from a couple members), and for reminding me why i like Fred's site so much.
