Hard to focus with 350D

[kbreit]

I have a 350D which I've been using for 6 months. I'm finding it very hard to manually focus properly with the viewfinder. The viewfinder just doesn't seem very crisp and there isn't exactly any visual aids in the viewfinder to help with focus.

Can anyone give me advice?

[RAitch]

Yeah, get the Haoda split screen!
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=100761

[kbreit]

Yeah, get the Haoda split screen!
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=100761

Does the Haoda split screen have the AF points for the 350D entact?

[RAitch]

Nope, the AF points aren't there for the 350/XT. They are for the 20D because there are 2 screens in there.

If you check the Haoda thread that I posted in post #67, the 350 looks like the enclosed circle graphic... only a bit bigger and square. You can see that there aren't any dots there.
I took a picture with a P&S on macro right through the viewfinder.

You can line the screens together and use a soft pencil to mark where the point are, then the LED light will reflect there and you'll see the confirmation.

Honestly, I always shoot off of the center point using either P, Av, Tv, or M anyway... and I don't miss the red dots one bit. You still get the beep, and the circle in the bottom right of the viewfinder... so that's not an issue.

PLUS, it's SOOOO obvious when things are in focus with this screen that you don't need the dots. I love this thing... and won't ever switch back.

If I buy another camera, it'll have a split screen if I have to install it or not.

Manual focus is really easy now... and when you AF, there's no doubt whether it's properly focused.

[kbreit]

I guess the focus point doesn't matter. See, the little screen on the back still has the focus point.

AF still works with the screen though, yes?

[RAitch]

That's right, you can see on the LCD which focus point is active. You'll get a focus confirmation without the focus points.
AF still works... you got that right. And it's nice because the whole center portion of the circle becomes out of focus... not just the split.

It's much easier to focus things in low light. Even in bright light, it was sometimes hard to find the exact plane that was in focus when using apertures below f4.

The installation was pretty easy too... once I knew which way to put it in. That and not to actually apply any pressure like it says in the instructions. I slightly bent the clip when I took it out the first time and couldn't get it back on until I un-bent it.

Haoda said I wouldn't want to switch back to the original screen once I had this one in... he was right.

[kbreit]

Is it something that I'd want to have a camera shop do instead of me installing it?

[RAitch]

Honestly, it's something that I wouldn't want to trust a photo place to do for me... but then again, I'm from a small town.

Important information:
Tools: I used a mechanical pencil to release the clip and reseat it.
You could scratch the mirror if you're not careful. Rip off a piece of paper and tape it to the camer so it rests over the mirror. Problem solved.
You could get dust on the screen... so wash it carefully with soapy water and dry it with compressed air.

Then it's just a matter of releasing the bracket, prying it out at the clip with your pencil, getting the screen out (again with the pencil at the edges). Then you just need to drop the new screen in the right way (shiny side toward mirror, tabs closest to the lens opening) and lock the bracket back into place (I just used my finger).

If you want to see it, take your lens off, turn your camera up-side-down and look up through the top of the camera on the inside... where the mirror reflects light into the viewfinder. You'll see the screen there.

I don't know how comfortable you are... but after swapping it in and out about 20 times, I don't think it should be an issue. As long as you're careful not to touch the screen (except at the edges) and cover the mirror with paper, you should be OK.

Honestly, it's probably the best $100CAD I've spent on camera equipment so far.

[kbreit]

Okay, I'll do it myself then. I just need the money, which is really scarce. Thanks for everyone's help!

[Snapman]

Have you adjusted the diopter adjustment wheel to suit your vision?

[RAitch]

Ah... the Diopter adjustment didn't seem to help me. I don't wear glasses so my eyes adapt pretty easily as long as it's close.
I did a series of tests where I tried to MF using each diopter setting. The results were interesting to say the least... there was no consistency.

The main problem is that you can see when parts of your subject are generally in focus... but you can't tell when it's exactly in focus. That's due to the flat nature of the kit screen.
With these split screens, vertical lines separate in the split circle when objects are out of focus and the microprism outer ring clarifies when it's in focus. You don't have to use the split part to focus... the microprisms work very well... but the split is amazing.

[kbreit]

No, I haven't tried the diopter wheel. I should, but I'm still looking into a new screen