jackson_lai1

<p>Hi Mark, </p>

<p>You might have already went ahead with the S type screen. Just so I thought I will give my impression on the focusing screen I bought from www.focusingscreen.com anyway. </p>

<p>The screen itself appeared to be manufactured from the Canon focusing screen for the 5D, and modified so it will fit the 5D mark II. Exactly what has been done to modify it (or if it is necessary at all), I am not sure because I don't have the original 5D to test & verify. </p>

<p>The whole package took about less than a week to arrive (from Taiwan to Canada). It comes very well packaged, and all sealed with transparent plastic bags. (note, to my surprise, they are not just wrapped with bubble foam and plastic, everything is literally sealed inside the plastic bags) </p>

<p>Comes with instructions with questionable english sentences, but the installation itself is easy enough (more to that later). Anti-static tweezer, additional focusing plastic & stickers included in case it doesn't fit perfectly. In general, I am very impressed with the packaging. </p>

<p>The one I ordered is a cross-split screen with the rules of third grid. I took the stock screen out myself, then installed the focusing screen. 2 min job. However, the first try has the circle on the screen misaligned with the auto-focus dots. I took the screen out, fiddle with it a bit. As it turned out, I have to place the camera up right, and let the focusing screen land on the bracket itself before I close it. Once I have done that, everything is aligned. As a side note, while I was repacking everything together, I found there is a rather long scratch on my stock screen. I am not sure if it's been there all along, or I have somehow scratched it. In either case, it's not a big deal right now, but if you are reading this and planning to do this procedure yourself, just be careful while handling.</p>

<p>The screen meters exactly like it used to be after I switch the settings to the L settings. I use spot metering most of the time. Took a series of shots before the switch, and did the same shots after. No noticeable difference and I was doing it in a dimly lit room with a tripod. The cross-split helps a lot in manual focus, and I do that a lot. The cross can be a bit bigger, but it's not tiny. Auto-focus is not affected at all as expected. The rule of thirds grid are etched in, so they appear clearer like the center circle from the rest of the matte screen. I think the rest of the matte is the same quality as the precision matte screen from Canon (I think the company actually used that and etch the grids on top). </p>

<p>I am very pleased with this product. I got it for 80 ish USD, and from where I live, the Canon version is about 60, so the extra cost with the cross-split screen is well appreciated. I do notice some tiny blemishes on the screen, and I suspect those are dust from my handling. I can't see it with my eyes when I took the screen out, and it isn't very bothersome, so I will let it be. Aside from that, I find the screen very helpful and I like it a lot. </p>

<p>Anyways. I hope it helps. I can't find any reviews on their screen online whatsoever, so I thought I will share my thoughts. Cheers everyone.</p>

<p>I too am interested in a focusing screen for my 5D mark II. <br>

I ended up ordering one from focusingscreen.com<br>

It will ship in a few days and I will be sure to report on my findings later. </p>

<p>This is probably a greatly idealized question, as I am sure each brand has a diversified enough quality range from good to bad. I am just still very curious as of what filter band is good and how they would compare.</p>

<p>To be honest, I am not entirely sure how to tell if one UV filter is better than another one. I usually hold the filter up, tilt it and check out reflections, etc. Would appreciate your pointers here.</p>

<p>I was always under the impression that B+W is a very good brand, exactly how good it is, I am not sure. Say, comparing it to Sigma filters, is it really leaps and bounds better? I have held some Sigma filters and they feel sturdy and solid, and just by looking at it and its reflections, I can hardly tell the difference with the B+W counterpart. From what I can tell, intutitively, it feels much stronger than a Hoya filter.</p>

<p>Interested in this from an informational and knowledge perspective, just want to learn. (So please spare me the "buy the one you can afford" or "you get what you paid for" comments, thanks so much)</p>

<p>Cheers,</p>

<p>Jackson</p>