KyleR. wrote:
Thanks ADam. SO it seems like canon doesn't make a focusing screen for the rebels. Does anybody have any experience with katzeye focusing screens? Do you like split prism circle and microprism collar??
Not with katz-eye, but with focusingscreen.com. I had a horizontal split+microprism collar screen (it is called FSB) on my 450D/XSI and I liked it. If I needed really accurate focusing (and had a few seconds time) I used the split, but if I hadn't much time then I used the microprism collar. Above f/5.6 it was hard to use the screen (just like the AF...) but at f/1.2 till f/4 it was very good. I mainly used it with my Rokkor 45/2 and 58/1.2, but also in difficult situations ("shooting" animals through a fence) with my AF lenses.
Thanks U.C.
the reason I was looking at Katzeye was because of their optibrite feature. It seems like it makes the screen usable at lower f stops. Question, what do you do if you have that screen that is too dark above f5.6 when you want to go f8 for example?
Sorry I don't know about alternate screens. I'm sure you'll find the answers your looking for if you just ask around "U.C." seems to have used alternative screens before.
I use a Katzeye horizontal split screen on my crop Canon. It probably upped my infocus shots by more than 30%. I got the screen with the brightening feature. I couldn't focus at f8 and in fact, have never tried to focus above f4, but I don't have any 5.6 lenses. In my case the split screen is what upped my keepers, not the brightness which I don't recall was any/much better than the standard Canon screen. Compared to many on this forum I sense I'm a bit older and it was a pleasure to go back to a split screen like I used the first 20+ years I had an SLR.
Now if Katzeye would only make a screen for full frame I'd be all set. I much prefer it to the EF-S screen on my 5D.
I got the Katzeye split screen for my 450D when I found MF with any accuracy totally impossible. The result with the new screen was really bad. The back focus of the Contax 35 f/1.4 was violent, 35-70 and 28/2.8 really bad, 85mm Sonnar almost usable, but worse the further away the subject was. As the screen work as it should with Canon lenses, I guess that the cheap Fotodiox adapters where to blame. Luckily I ordered focus confirm adapters, Haoda, at the same time. And the result with these have been so good, that I have not yet got around to analyze the problem with the screen or as I suspect, with the thickness of the adapters.
Z250SA wrote:
I got the Katzeye split screen for my 450D when I found MF with any accuracy totally impossible. The result with the new screen was really bad. The back focus of the Contax 35 f/1.4 was violent, 35-70 and 28/2.8 really bad, 85mm Sonnar almost usable, but worse the further away the subject was. As the screen work as it should with Canon lenses, I guess that the cheap Fotodiox adapters where to blame. Luckily I ordered focus confirm adapters, Haoda, at the same time. And the result with these have been so good, that I have not yet got around to analyze the problem with the screen or as I suspect, with the thickness of the adapters. ...Show more →
Your focus screen may need to be calibrated with different shims. I'm shooting with a Rebel XT and I'm able to nail focus with my Katz Eye with both my Super Takumar 135/3.5 (Which isn't much of a stretch since its not that fast) and my Canon 50/1.4 (wide open).
Thanks guys,
the one problem that I see with the micro prisms and split screen is that u have to focus then recompose.
Ive heard that Katzeye will do just a matte screen with no prisms, etc. if you ask nicely. Is this better than with?
Kyle, that's what I like about the split screen and MF over AF. I focus on whatever is most important to me and shoot. I pick where I focus and then compose. It's rarely in the dead center but I adjust the composition until I've got it where I want. That's how I took photos 35 years ago and it seems natural too me. I never could get used to the different AF focus points and my camera's idea of what should be in focus vs. my vision. But then again, I don't take many pictures of things moving quickly. For those I love my AF lenses.
I've got to say that I am loving my 35ZE more with every outing. (I also own the 21ZE). Recently I got to shoot at an old pottery factory, and used my 35 nearly all the time. The 21" wide print of the reflecting brick smokestack and large kilns is as good looking as my large format work. Just real sharp. Sometimes there was a bit of CA when shooting objects closeup, but that is easily fixed in ACR, so it's a non issue. My 1DsIII helped a bit, too.
I bought a ZE 35mm f2 several days ago, but the weather has been so horrific, I only just got outside with it. Thanks to the photographers here who settled the deal for me with all their stellar photos.
Thanks to wonderful posts about the ZE lenses. I have now invested in 21, 35 and 100 ZE. What great lenses! I have the L series lenses to compliment. It is only recent, but my favorite so far is the 100 ZE.
It's nice to finally have a little light on the way home from work. I was mostly experimenting with the up close capabilities and flare characteristics of the 35 the other evening, but I always like trying to get a different perspective of these old guys
