Just installed the Ee-S Focusing screen on my 5D

[birdstrike]

Just as a datapoint, the camera is now -much- easier to manually focus. I use either f4.0 or f2.8 lenses and the view thorugh the finder is plenty bright. If I stop down to f20 or so and use the DOF preview, the view (even in bright light) becomes too dim to see, but it pretty much did that with the stock screen anyway.

With the stock screen I literally could not tell if the subject was in correct focus.

I give this product a two thumbs up.

Installation took about two minutes including reading the instructions.

(Low post count disclaimer: not affiliated with Canon or any photo retailer. I shoot as a hobby)

[basroil]

well, you'll get a very dim viewfinder at f20 regardless... should be 64 times dimmer than at f2.8.. that's very dim...

[birdstrike]

Exactly. I think that's what I said. The reviews that I read for the Ee-S all say that it shouldn't be used with lenses slower that f2.8 because the image would be dark. I didn't notice that until the lenses has been stopped down way beyond that.

[cowpix]

How does the Ee-S screen compare to the standard screen with a f4 lens at say, f6.3?

[birdstrike]

To be honest, I couldn't tell the difference in brightness. The focus "pop" is just crisper. I was always frustrated with the out-of-the-box screen since I had to trust the auto focus to do its job without being able to verify it with the viewfinder. It could just be my vision. . .

[cowpix]

I am just looking for any advantage for focusing in low light.

[birdstrike]

Can't give you personal advice on that yet. I've only had it for a day so far. Sorry.

[dilonious]

I just wanted to bump this...

I installed one on my 5d tonight.. HUGE difference, I recommend it to all 5d owners.

[zarray]

nice I'll be giving it a shot too.
Just hope the viewfinder doesn't look too shabby with F/4 lenses cos i really like my 24-105mm

[Edsport]

How does the Ee-S screen compare to the standard screen with a f4 lens at say, f6.3?

The screen don't work like you're thinking. If you stop down to f6.3 the lens is still wide open to it's widest aperture. The lens will only stop down to f6.3 when you press the shutter button to take the picture so the viewfinder is still showing its widest even though it's stopped down...

[dilonious]

unless you are using older manual aperture lenses.. then it will be dark :)

[mitsu13gman]

I got the equivalent for the 5D2 about a week after I bought the camera.

Honestly, I don't see enough of a difference in viewfinder brightness that would even begin to offset the increased confidence it gives you in all focusing situations.

I used it to shoot a party a few weekends ago in some VERY dim clubs, and the lack of brightness was never an issue for composition. Unfortunately, the lighting was too dim for manual focus, but the AF worked great, and the darkening of the viewfinder was a non-issue.

It's definitely a highly-recommended upgrade.

Now if anyone made one for the 1D3...

[big_g]

Is the 5D2 equivalent the Eg-S screen??

Think I need one for focussing my TSE24

[mitsu13gman]

Yes, the Eg-s is the correct part for the 5D2.

Honestly, the camera should just come with this screen, it's so much better than the stock screen.

[JHutch]

Is the 5D2 equivalent the Eg-S screen??

Think I need one for focussing my TSE24

I had the ee-s screen in my 5d classic and loved it. I'm sure the eg-s screen is great in the 5d2 but.....you have live view. I feel like that would be way more valuable than a matte screen, when playing with a ts-e lens.

[40dbaby]

I got the equivalent for the 5D2 about a week after I bought the camera.

Honestly, I don't see enough of a difference in viewfinder brightness that would even begin to offset the increased confidence it gives you in all focusing situations.

I used it to shoot a party a few weekends ago in some VERY dim clubs, and the lack of brightness was never an issue for composition. Unfortunately, the lighting was too dim for manual focus, but the AF worked great, and the darkening of the viewfinder was a non-issue.

It's definitely a highly-recommended upgrade.

Now if anyone made one for the 1D3...

Canon does make an -s screen for the 1d bodies...forget the part #...ec-s maybe?? I had one in my 1ds3 and now in the 1d4.

[big_g]

I had the ee-s screen in my 5d classic and loved it. I'm sure the eg-s screen is great in the 5d2 but.....you have live view. I feel like that would be way more valuable than a matte screen, when playing with a ts-e lens.

Live view is best when you are using a tripod but this lens is a fantastic hand held as well. You don't have to use the T&S so it works like a normal, optically brilliant (but slow) 24mm prime. Using the tilt handheld is also interesting.

I think I will get one as my 50 1.4 would be superb with it

[big_g]

Just ordered it from warehouseexpress. I guessed for £30 it is worth a chance.

[big_g]

Just installed it and indoors, at night, under poor artificial lights with f3.5 it is a bit dark but I can still focus it perfectly. With my 50 1.4 it is bright as anything and the focus snaps in and out brilliantly

One of the best £30s I've spent!! Excellent

[pridash]

Just installed it and indoors, at night, under poor artificial lights with f3.5 it is a bit dark but I can still focus it perfectly. With my 50 1.4 it is bright as anything and the focus snaps in and out brilliantly

One of the best £30s I've spent!! Excellent

I was thinking of ordering this for my 5D in readiness for my Sigma 50 to come back (hopefully to be exchanged for another copy)...or if I settle for the Canon 50.

Just wanted to know how dark f3.5 and upwards was using this screen in low light on something like your 24-70? I don't want to keep swapping the screens over - wanna just install it and leave it!

[Kolor-Pikker]

I was thinking of ordering this for my 5D in readiness for my Sigma 50 to come back (hopefully to be exchanged for another copy)...or if I settle for the Canon 50.

Just wanted to know how dark f3.5 and upwards was using this screen in low light on something like your 24-70? I don't want to keep swapping the screens over - wanna just install it and leave it!
Visually, you lose about 2 stops of light with apertures f/4 and slower, so an f/4 lens will look like it's stopped down to about f/7.1 with a precision screen on, you can use the dof preview button to get an idea of what it looks like.
If you have a lot of primes faster than f/2.8 or shoot macro, this is a pretty nice upgrade, if you mostly use zooms, there isn't much point.

[pridash]

So it only applies to slow lenses? E.g, my 24-70 stopped down to f4 or higher will not produce a dark vf?

Yes, I want it primarily for shooting wide open on the 50...and ooh if it works well with my 100 macro too then that's a bonus! :)

[KaBlookie]

I think some people still don't get a core function of modern DSLRs. When you're walking around and focusing, the lens is always at it's fastest aperture. It is only when you press the DOF button or take a shot that the camera stops the lens down to where you have it set.

So if you have a constant f/2.8 lens and the camera is set to f/5.6, it'll be at f/2.8 until you take the picture.

Unless you have a manual aperture lens, a very slow lens, or walk around with the DOF button always pressed, I wouldn't worry about VF brightness on smaller apertures.

[pridash]

I think some people still don't get a core function of modern DSLRs. When you're walking around and focusing, the lens is always at it's fastest aperture. It is only when you press the DOF button or take a shot that the camera stops the lens down to where you have it set.

So if you have a constant f/2.8 lens and the camera is set to f/5.6, it'll be at f/2.8 until you take the picture.

Unless you have a manual aperture lens, a very slow lens, or walk around with the DOF button always pressed, I wouldn't worry about VF brightness on smaller apertures.

Oh great thanks for the clarification! :)

[Jannie]

I had this screen in my 5D classic and did the same with the equivalent version for the IDMKIII when I first bought it. Over the last few months while shooting portraits, I've been using manual focus only.

[pridash]

I had this screen in my 5D classic and did the same with the equivalent version for the IDMKIII when I first bought it. Over the last few months while shooting portraits, I've been using manual focus only.

Jannie - are you shooting wide open?

[ben_r_]

I kinda wish they would come out with a combo grid and S focusing screen! I really like the grid but would like to have the more precise screen too for manual focusing!