p.1 #1 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
I have a couple of fast alt lenses, which I generally shoot with using LiveView, but I also have some slower AF Canon lenses. I am thinking to replace the focusing screen on my Canon 40D (currently Ef-A) with Ef-S and I have a a couple of questions.
(I dug up a couple of threads, but most relate to 5D rather than 40D. I was wondering if anyone had experience with Ef-S, and whether the replacement is worth the trouble.)
My questions:
1. Is it really easier to focus with Ef-S than it is with LiveView? I heard that it's generally quicker, but is it also easier?
2. Is focusing more precise than LiveView (when properly shimmed)?
3. Are there Canon shims (washers) available for 40D, as they are for 5D?
4. There is a focus adjustment knob near the viewfinder. Does it actually adjust the focus of the lens, it only the focus of the image in the viewfinder?
5. Is it really impossible to see much through the viewfinder with apertures 4 and slower when Ef-S is installed?
p.1 #2 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
1. No, Live View is easier to focus with than any viewfinder. It's bigger and you are getting an exact view of what's in focus. Viewfinder focusing can be quicker and is better suited to non-tripod use though.
2. Live View is from the sensor itself so is inherently more accurate than any viewfinder or AF system. You're getting an exact view of what's in focus.
3. Yes, but they may be hard to get from Canon.
4. That's the diopter adjustment and adjusts the viewfinder eyepiece only.
5. No, but slow lenses darken the viewfinder much more, making it more difficult to use with f4 and slower lenses.
p.1 #6 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
kleinssz69: since you appear to have first-hand experience with Ef-S, what about using slower lenses (f4 and slower) with it? For instance, does it get too dim to focus with let's say f5.6 or f8?
p.1 #7 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
I will say that even if the viewfinder is a tad darker (I don't you'd even notice it) at f4 using the ef-s screen as compared to the regular screen, nevertheless, the in-focus to out-of-focus transision is much more apparent.
I can't really comment on anything slower then f4 though. Don't know what lenses you have, but even if you shoot at f8, you'll still focus wide open.
It takes about 1 minute to change these screens. Very simple with the 40d and 50d.
p.1 #8 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
thanks. that's comforting. some (people and websites) make it sound as though it was nearly impossible to see clearly enough (too dark) to focus at slower apertures.
one more question: did you shim yours, or did it work fine straight out of the box (and in the camera)?
p.1 #9 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
Mawz answered your questions so I will just comment on the screen. I have the ef-s screen in my 40D and I like the addition. My personal opinion is that you do notice the darkening at f4 and slower but it is not impossible to use. I prefer LiveView when/where possible but I cannot always use it and that is when the $40 screen is worth the money. I did not shim my screen - it pops in easily and worked straight out of the box.
It is so inexpensive and easy to install so if you don't like it you can always pop in the original screen and sell the ef-s on the buy/sell.
p.1 #14 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
Got the screen, and my initial reactions are positive. I had to adjust the viewfinder eyepiece, but once I did, I can focus quite accurately. It's not that dark at all, and it definitely speeds up the composition+focusing vs. LiveView. But I still find LiveView + Zoom to be more accurate -- perhaps I need more practice with the screen.
p.1 #16 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
Hi, I have Ee-S on 5D, have found it goes too dark for me with 50/4 lens at dawn and dusk and other low-light sits. Otherwise, I use it all the time; in-focus really pops! And fast lenses can be focused accurately through viewfinder. My Ee-S works perfectly unshimmed (I checked, and checked, and checked again).
p.1 #17 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
Resurrecting this thread with some questions of my own...
I have the 50D and am planning on getting a couple of MF lenses with a cheap non-focus confirming adapters.
1. I find MF using live view impossible unless on a tripod because of camera shake. This is not practical when walking around with a MF lens attached. So getting the focusing screen appears to be the only option for me. If I run into viewfinder darkening issues I'd probably want to swap the screens back and forth. Does one have to have very steady, precise hands of a watchmaker to swap screens? Or is it more forgiving than that?
2. When people say the viewfinder darkens with slow lenses, does it refer to the aperture you're shooting at or the lens' max aperture? For instance, if I'm using my 100mm f2 lens at f8 will the viewfinder be unusably dark?
p.1 #18 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
bvphotos wrote:
2. When people say the viewfinder darkens with slow lenses, does it refer to the aperture you're shooting at or the lens' max aperture? For instance, if I'm using my 100mm f2 lens at f8 will the viewfinder be unusably dark?
They are referring to the max aperture of the lens, not the aperture you are shooting at (that is why the camera has a DOF button, so you can see what your current aperture setting is, because the viewfinder always shows the max aperture).
p.1 #19 · Focusing Screen (Ef-S) on Canon 40D (need user opinions)
bvphotos wrote:
Resurrecting this thread with some questions of my own...
I have the 50D and am planning on getting a couple of MF lenses with a cheap non-focus confirming adapters.
1. I find MF using live view impossible unless on a tripod because of camera shake. This is not practical when walking around with a MF lens attached. So getting the focusing screen appears to be the only option for me. If I run into viewfinder darkening issues I'd probably want to swap the screens back and forth. Does one have to have very steady, precise hands of a watchmaker to swap screens? Or is it more forgiving than that?
2. When people say the viewfinder darkens with slow lenses, does it refer to the aperture you're shooting at or the lens' max aperture? For instance, if I'm using my 100mm f2 lens at f8 will the viewfinder be unusably dark? ...Show more →
1. It's not bad at all. The only issue is exposing the internals to dust. It takes a little longer than changing the lens, and you need a table or another flat surface. Otherwise, it only takes a second.
2. For AF lenses, you'll always see your shot via fastest aperture -- your camera controls that. For MF lenses, you may want to focus with your fastest aperture, and then turn the aperture ring to your desired setting to take the shot. It will matter more in darker surroundings, than, for instance, on a sunny day, when you should see fine easily up to f8.
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