40D focussing screen

[Vectis Birder]

I was wondering if I could get a new focussing screen for my 40D and if so, are there split screen ones available? I am asking because situations do arise where I have to manually focus and I find that hard to do with a plain screen with most manually focussed shots are slightly out of focus.

If this is possible, has any one here changed their screen and, if so, was it simple and what's the price range?

Cheers
'VB'

[selkie]

[QUOTE=Vectis Birder;1369914]I was wondering if I could get a new focussing screen for my 40D and if so, are there split screen ones available?

yes- there are a variety of manufactures doing aftermarket split screens that will fit the 40D.

i just bought a focussing screen for my husbands xmas pressie so i was doing quite a bit of research on them recently

the most commonly mentioned and recommended replacements screens are by

katz-eye

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/

focusingscreen.com

http://www.focusingscreen.com/

Haoda

http://haodascreen.com/

The cheapest of these three are by focusingscreen.com and these are made from genuine canon or nikon parts etc according to the screen ordered and machined to the right shape and size http://www.flickr.com/photos/chipsterman/2341005784/ shows you what they send in the package.

Unfortunately the type of screen [nikon k3 type] that i wanted to buy was out of stock so I ended up buying from an auction site seller recommended by some folk on a manual focus photography list-they had tried other cheaper screens from some other places but this seller sold very good quality items.
This was a bit cheaper than the focusingscreen.com one = 30euros i think including registered post.

the installation was easier than expected according to my husband and he absolutely loves the screen - it makes getting a crisp and fast focus a breeze.
there are videos on youtube and instructions on the various sites about how to install the screens

hope this helps
alison

[Vectis Birder]

Hi Alison, that's great, many thanks. Exactly what I am looking for. :t:

[selkie]

Hi Alison, that's great, many thanks. Exactly what I am looking for. :t:

I'm glad i could help. let us know how you get on.



alison

[Vectis Birder]

I'm glad i could help. let us know how you get on.



alison

Will do. It'll have to wait a few weeks (post-Christmas finances and all that!) but I definitely intend to get one. It'll make my life a lot easier! :t:

[JohnJos]

Also consider the consequences of installing a focusing screen with a split prism center. Per Kateye optics website, for the Canon 40D that I have, it will impact the exposure control when using spot metering, which is what I use most often. I would like to have a split prism focusing screen for when I need to manual focus, like when I have one or two teleconvertors on my 400mm f/5.6 and lose AF (unless I use the taped pins trick). But I'd have to remember that the screen tends to cause the shot to be under- or over-exposed (can't remember which) due to its effect on spot metering. Just something to consider.

[Vectis Birder]

That's interesting and certainly something I didn't know. Thanks John.

[selkie]

Also consider the consequences of installing a focusing screen with a split prism center. Per Kateye optics website, for the Canon 40D that I have, it will impact the exposure control when using spot metering, which is what I use most often.

I've heard of some exposure problems specifically with the katzeye screens that have the optibrite coating though i haven't seen a specific correlation with split prisms , exposure problems and canon cameras.

My husband doesn't have any exposure problems with his but he has a nikon dslr.


alison