Chinese focus screens

naplam · Expire: 2013-11-30

I've found a couple of focusing screens, which are cheaper than katz eye/haoda (whose prices are outrageous imo):

eBay (chinese): Click here to see on Ebay
focusingscreen.com (taiwan): http://www.focusingscreen.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_45&products_id=98

Have you tried any of these? i think i'm going to buy one to try it. The chinese one is just $27 after all.
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update: it has arrived and works great (see later in this thread)

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

I did not buy from the same seller, but I guess I have a similar product.
I had to fine adjust the screen to my 350D with tape but now it works like a charm - better than the AF-adapters!

Poolhall · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 1296

I had one for my K100D, worked great, would recommend for sure, I found manual focus a lot easier even with the Focus confirmation that you get with a Pentax

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

I have a focus sceen that I bought from jinfinance. It works well, but the split image circle is off centre and annoying at 1st. Now I don't notice it......as much.

Oh and it took 5 billion years to arrive.

Screamin Scott · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:28 pm Post subject:

I recently ordered one from the same Chinese seller for a Nikon D70s....Still waiting for it to arrive...I also have a screen from an older Nikon that I intend to cut down & try out...

Farside · Expire: 2013-12-27

I bought a cheap focusing screen from Virtual Village via ebay. It worked ok with a little bit of fiddling, packing the shim, but the inherent focusing difficulties with my Canon 10D led to me taking it back out and re-inserting the factory screen. I'm certain a later model of Canon would have no problems; the 10D was notorious for inconsistent focus, but I found that out after I bought it.

my_photography · Expire: 2016-12-25

Screamin Scott · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:04 pm Post subject:

I've got a Digital Caliper for doing the measurements & I'll be using an exacto-type knife to score the screen, which is plastic & should snap off cleanly. I'll be using 3M tape to protect the screen & sandpaper for removing smaller amounts....I'll be following these instructions...
http://yipal.blogspot.com/2008/10/fitting-k3-focus-screen-to-d70s.html

yalcinaydin · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 825 Location: Izmir, Turkey

shad309 · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 453 Location: Illinois, USA

Interesting link Scott. I may try and do this myself for my 40D. Any suggestions on best focusing screens to use (other than the mentioned Nikon in link)?

I think someone here uses a Contax screen in there Canon... can't remember who...

Screamin Scott · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:31 pm Post subject:

It depends on what type of photography you do & lenses you use....Most times the split image screen will be best for most cases but not all. I have a ready made screen coming from China thru eBay as well but I don't know about the thickness of it & whether I'll need to add shims to it ...This is all pretty much new to me so it's a learning experience as well...Here's a link to a Chinese site that shows different screens & their features... http://www.focusingscreen.com/

ChrisLilley · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1767 Location: Nice, France

shad309 · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 453 Location: Illinois, USA

I have used Hoada Fu in my 400D and still have that one but it wont fit the 40D. it's a shame it wont fit Evil or Very Mad

I'm thinking of cutting my own from a good screen taken from an old camera. I wonder what cams the brightest screens were in.....

nelmu · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 8

Hi.

Be wary of Chinese split prism focus screens. I purchased one for my E-510 from terrence_camera (resells focusingscreen.net screens) and I've been getting some serious front focus issues. The problem is less apparent with the original factory shim removed (the VF no longer has straight edges now...), but focus is still a hair off. From what I've been reading, front focus is caused by a focus screen that rests too close to the mirror. I assume I'd have to file down the edges so it lays recessed in the slot, but I have neither the skills or means to do so. Prepare to be handy if you do choose to buy a cheap Chinese screen.

my_photography · Expire: 2016-12-25

Thanks for the lin - write up. I actually bought a K3 screen recently and try to put it straight into my DSLR. Was horrified to realise the size was different and I made a mess out of the original screen too. Had to take it to a professional and install back the scratch original screen. Sad

fernanrl · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:29 am Post subject:

Hi,

I bought mine in Katz eye...expensive but no regrets, works like a charm. The support is great and took no time to arrive home safely (it even "crossed the pond" in a couple of days).

Regards,

Fer

naplam · Expire: 2013-11-30

I've finally bought the chinese screen, we'll see if it's any good when it arrives, i'll keep you updated.

naplam · Expire: 2013-11-30

The focus screen for my Canon 400D arrived today and it works great! unfortunately it comes without any instructions so I've had to put it and remove it like 3 or 4 times, until i've found out how it's supposed to be placed (and it's quite dirty after so much handling, and i've even managed to make a small scratch. i'll have to take it out again to clean it).

I'm really happy with the results. I first tried with a 50mm f/1.7, and the focus is dead-on. The microprism collar is usable until f/4-f/5.6 and the central split prism is usable until f/5.6-f/8. Stopped-down metering is perfect until f/8, basically when you see the prisms start to black out (which happens at f/8 ), you have to underexpose 2/3 stop, that's all the adjusting it takes. Then I tried with an AF lens, 17-70 f/2.8-f/4.5. This one didn't need any adjustment for exposure in the whole range, f/4.5 is sufficient to prevent the prisms from blacking out. The autofocus works correctly and the split screen matches perfectly. All in all, a great product at a great price ($28 +free shipping)

The ebay seller is jiakgong
screen for eos 400D: Click here to see on Ebay

Screamin Scott · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject:

I got mine from that same eBay vendor this past weekend. If you had gone to focusingscreen.net , there are instructions (in Chinese- just do a Google translation)....I got it in without a hitch, although I need to move it over a hair as the central AF bracket isn't exactly lined up the the 3mm split prism circle. It's really close enough that I can still use it without problems, but it just looks weird. I'm printing off a focus test sheet to check for front or back focus issues, although it doesn't appear to have any (just to be sure though, my old tired eyes need reassurance)...The screen came with an additional shim, but I didn't use it & the instructions appear to indicate that it's only needed with an Ec screen. I just got the cheapie ($24) screen. I have some othe oldder manual focus Nikon screens that I'm going to cut down & try out to see if I like them any better...As for the split blackout, Most all of my lenses are faster than F5.6 & the ones that aren't are AF lenses anyway & it won't make any difference as long as I use them in AF mode...

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

How are you finding the screen now?

I have mine installed all the time. I find it ok when there is something vertical to align but I am utterly useless at at portraits with 135mm or longer lenses. I took a few shots of my wife against the sunset @F4 and every single one is off. GRRRR!!!! I stopped 1 down to F8 and it's acceptable.

I'm wondering if a better screen may help or maybe I just need to practice.

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

Thanks Poilu - I have the 3 canon screens for the 40D. I'll try again with the matte screen and see how I go.

I did try it before but not sure how useful I found it. I guess not very as I bought a split prism.