Manual Focus Aids

I'm looking at getting a DSLR camera and a couple of lenses. I've

pretty well worked through my strategy with the help of the

participants in this forum, but one question remains: What is the

availability of manual focus aids such as split screen and

microprism? I see very little on this topic in discussions and

advertising. Is it a thing of the past, given up for matte

screens? Is it a high end thing, beyond my reach (I'm in the Rebel

XT range)? I've seen the Brighscreen product via their web site,

but not in person. Is this avenue worth pursuing? Does anyone use

it? I assume from what I've seen, it adds this functionality to the

display screen, not to the viewfinder. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

Why am I even interested? One of the many reasons I've decided to

get back to the SLR format is better control over focus,

specifically the ability to manually focus when AF just isn't

working. I kind of like the idea of a little extra help when I

manually focus to ensure crisp focus where I want it.

The first thing to try is setting the AF to all points, and then setting the lens barrel switch

to 'M'. Press and hold the shutter half way down while manually focusing the lens, and

you should see the AF points light up in the finder when the area covered by them is in

focus.

 

This is often a really handy way to focus, especially in lower light.

 

Another thing to try is the angle finder. You can zoom in on the finder and get much finer

grained focus. This is an expensive one, but I have used one for a while and am going to

get one because it's nice for tripod work too.

 

Finally, there are at least two individuals who manufacture and sell their own custom made

split prism focusing screens on the internet. I am not aware if they have them for the XT,

but if not you could get one for the 10D or 20D and cut it down. I think they run about 40

bucks.

Michael,

 

I manually focus the majority of the time with a variety of Canon lenses, especially wide-angle. My experience has been that the number one factor in ease of focus is the lens. In anything except bright mid-day light, I struggle with lenses slower than f/2.8.

 

Also, don't rule out some of Canon's older primes that do not have USM focusing; they seem to have a wider angle of rotation from close to infinity, making small adjustments easier. My absolute favorite lens to focus manually is the 24mm TSE; wonderfully long range because it can only focus manually!

Andrew, thanks for your suggestions. What's an angle finder? I've never heard of whan. Perhaps I'm too much of a rookie. Also, FYI, I do notice that BrightScreen doesn't sell a Rebel screen, but they sell a Rebel with their screen. I'm just not sure if it's worth it. They want an extra $300 for the body. Do you recall the ones who make the $40 options? Are these screen only I assume (i.e. does not affect the view finder).

 

Thanks.

Michael, in reference to the focus screen, it has nothing to do with the display screen; the camera is focused entirely through the viewfinder.

Katzeye sells a split prism screen for the XT for around $100. For, I think, $50 more, a 'bright' compound is put on it that makes it brighter by 1-2 stops. I have a used split prism Katzeye coming that I got off Ebay for my 300D for $50; hope it does the trick with my M42 and Contax lenses. The 300D is fine focusing manually in the day, but in low-light I think it's the pits.

Here you go just stuck one on a 20d. magnifies x1.2 & 2.5 times for critical focus. this one is olympus and rotates 360deg. they are now available in digital with a 1.8 inch screen.

 

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I believe Haoda makes a split screen viewscreen for the 350D/DRebel XT. Price is about $70. I have one on my 20D and it's great.

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/screen4DSLR/

I'd also be interested in hearing about anyone else with a rebel XT/350D who has a different screen fitted, particularly if it's a brighter one.

For manual focus I would strongly suggest you save up a little more and get the 5D. Its standard screen will focus easier than the 350. And for $35 there's a better screen for fast lenses, the Ee-S screen. With the Ee-S it's almost like having my F-1 viewfinder again. It's very good.

 

The add the Anglefinder C if you need more magnification.

 

If you have to use the 350XT, certainly get the Anglefinder C. It will do more for you than the aftermarket screens, in my opinion. The reason is that the aftermarket screens will only help you in the center of the screen, in the focus aid itself. If you want to see focus across the entire screen, (mounted on a tripod and perhaps using a tilt/shift lens) you'll need something that will show you the entire screen, not just what's happening in the center. By magnifying everything you'll be able to see what's happening in the corners, at least when using the 1.25 setting.

I really can't jusify the price of the 5D for what I do, if I could I'd get that and not ask about screens on the 350D, thanks for the info anyhow. Now the 20D replacement, perhaps I can run to that as my new primary body...

"If you have to use the 350XT, certainly get the Anglefinder C."

 

For those of you who use this on the XT, does it make the already dark viefinder appreciably dimmer? I would think that any magnification would do so.