The D and DS have almost identical viewfinder systems, so what applies to one also applies to the other.
All of the screens from Pentax are the same with regard to the focusing surface, all that changes are the markings (the optional ones have grid or cross-hair markings in addition to the AF and metering zone markings). The surface is "ok" for manual focusing but isn't really as contrasty as I'd prefer. Katz Eye Optics makes alternative focusing screens for the Pentax DSLRs. Their standard includes a split-image rangefinder prism setup, which I've never liked very much (just more "stuff" in the way to my eye), but more importantly the focusing matte surface of the screen has higher contrast and 'snaps' in and out of focus a bit more positively than the smoother Pentax focusing surface. I had a screen without the split image, with a combination cross-hair and 8x10 framing guide scribing, made that is a good improvement for manual focusing ease. By and large, however, a larger part of manual focus ease is the speed and contrast of the lens you're using. A faster lens with good contrast wide open helps most. But the biggest improvement is gained by practice, practice, practice. I constantly practice focusing skills to ensure that I can nail the right thing in the frame as quickly and surely as possible. It's a skill that is often overlooked. Godfrey On Nov 12, 2006, at 1:19 PM, Paul Stenquist wrote: > I shoot with an *istD. I find the manual focus with the Pentax > replacement grid screen is excellent. Not quite as good as my LX or > MX, but very close better than most of my film cameras. > Paul > On Nov 12, 2006, at 4:01 PM, Pawel Bartuzi wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> I prefer using manual focus and while I have no trouble focusing >> manually on my MX, I find it difficult on the *ist DS - up to the >> point >> that 30-50% of my manually focused, not stopped down shots land in a >> recycle bin just for being out of focus. >> >> Does anybody have a problem like that? How do you deal with it? Are >> there any third party focusing screens better suited for manual >> focusing? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
