charlesp Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 Does anyone know if its possible to retrofit a 3rd party focusing screen (Maxwell, Beattie or?) I'd love a split image type if possible. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt hedgecoe Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I don't know a great deal about these, but isn't a Minolta focusing screen just that - a screen, i.e. a piece of plastic or glasss that the viewfinder image is projected onto? Surely a split image type screen is going to require prisms or mirrors or something else in order to work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavelp Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 No, split image screen does not require any additional gizmos to work. The image-split is created by two angled surfaces in the screen. Regarding the screen change, assuming it can be done, are you sure Maxwell or Beattie will be better than Minolta's own? Minolta is known for years for their screens and they seem to really understand what it takes to make an excellent screen. I've been using the generic screen on my Maxxum 7 for critical manual focusing (something that is not usually easy with AF screens) and it worked real well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_at_vividoptic.com Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 <p>There are other screen available from Minolta</p> <p><a href="http://konicaminolta.com/products/consumer/camera-peu/slr/acc/acc_othera.html#j" target="_blank">http://konicaminolta.com/products/consumer/camera-peu/slr/acc/acc_othera.html#j</a> </p> <p> </p> <p>[<a href="http://www.dynaxcap.com" target="_blank">me</a>]</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_fallon1 Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 Bill Maxwell has apparently teamed up with someone to help him market his screens ... I bought my Rollei screen from him when it was still phone or email only. He performs the "Hi-Lux" enhancement to VF screens for katzeyeoptics.com. They produce screens for a few Canon cameras and also Sigma, Oly & Nikon, with a Pentax model in the works. Presumably, those cameras have user-replacable screens ? The Canon models don't officially support it, but the website points to a how-to guide from a Canon user. Maybe it wouldn't be feasible on the 7D. The site says they'll entertain requests for other cameras and they do make split prism VF screens. I sent a note off to katzeyeoptics asking if they've investigated it for the 7D ... Anyway, you could always contact Bill Maxwell (just search for Maxwell Precision Optics and his phone number will appear all over ... and if anyone does so, please post results !) - Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_rais Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Or try Haoda for <A HREF="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/screen4DSLR/" TARGET="_blank">some info</A>. If I remember well, he does occasionally make screens for brands other than Canon as well. I have mine with diagonal split-image and microprism collar and have been very satisfied with the quality of the screen and the responsiveness/service. On top of it the screen is affordable, too. Good luck.<P> <LI><A HREF="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=332699">Jim Rais</A></LI><P> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_bedell Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Minolta does offer several replacement screens for the 7D, including the type M and tyle ML, both of which are supposedly better-suited for manual focusing, though neither has a split-image device. (Type ML has grid lines) Price is $50 (parts and labor) if you send the camera to Minolta. I think other autorized service centers can also do it. Search on DPReview.com for some somewhat crappy reviews of the replacement screens. I'm tempted myself, but haven't pulled the trigger yet...Maybe I'll have one put in when I send in my camera to get the backfocus fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor_burshteyn Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 As far as I know Minolta screens are bright enough - so Beattie even don't offer one for Minolta. I remember some magazine tested screens for Hasselblad - Hasselblad own was 1-1.5 stops darker than Beattie and Minolta Mat (and later 2 came identical in terms of brightness). I wonder why manufacturers don't fit evey 35mm camera (autofocus or not) with split image screen - would be great help in applications that demand critical focusing. On other hand I understood that I can reliably focus my old 800si using mat area. So split image is more of psyhologocal effect I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_fallon1 Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 I contacted Rachel Katz at Katz Eye Optical. She told me that they've received other inquiries for a VF screen for the 7D, but she's looking for someone to loan the company a 7D for a "few weeks" to study it before being able to produce one. Then (assuming it's feasible) she would provide a free screen to whoever loaned her the camera. It's tempting, but like everyone else, I'm reluctant to part with my camera for long, and don't know how long it would take before I'd actually receive a screen in return ... email Rachel at customerservice @ keoptics.com if interested. FWIW, grid lines are available on the screens, too. - Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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