On 1/25/07, Godfrey DiGiorgi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The pentaprism vs pentamirror issue caused Pentax to reduce > magnification and re-tune the focusing screen in the DL/DL2/K100D/ > K110D models for brightness rather than focusing contrast, so the D/ > DS/DS2/K10D present better viewfinders for manual focusing. The K10D > viewfinder is pentaprism with a focusing screen similar, if not > identical, to the K100D: it is quite good on surface contrasts which > makes manual focusing easier. > > But focusing a reflex camera manually is just as much a matter of > technique as it is viewfinder quality. For the folks at DPReview.com, > I wrote up an exercise I use to improve skills in focusing manually > that I've been using for many years. I've gotten about 20-30 emails > from folks who have tried it telling me how much more effectively > they are focusing with their older, manual focus lenses now, even > with the standard screen. > > May be old hat to many people here ... > <http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp? > forum=1036&message=21618773>
Thanks for the link, Godfrey. That's pretty much how I focus, anyway, though I've never been as methodical about it as you. Focusing manually on the K1000, MX, *ist, and PZ-1 is not a problem. Focusing on the Mamiya C220 or the Crown Graphic is not a problem. With the K100D the focus "pop" just never happens. Perhaps it is my eye. But I think a better viewfinder might help. > If you prefer, however, Katz Eye Optics makes screens with split > image focusing aids that can be used in the K100D. > http://www.katzeyeopics.com > I tend to prefer matte surface screens. Me, too. I have a split-image screen in the MX, which I thought was really cool when I first got it. After using it for a while I think I prefer the K1000's matte screen with microprism center. The Katz Eye screens are probably an improvement, but I don't think I would pay that much even if they didn't have the split-image. I'm going to order one of the magnifiers brought up during the course of this conversation and see if that helps. Thanks again for the link. I've bookmarked it, as it probably deserves a second read. -- Scott Loveless http://www.twosixteen.com Shoot more film! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
