5D Mk3 - focusing screen

I bought the S type screen for my 7D, and was the first to get the S type screen for my 5D3. both from focusingscreen.com. easy as pie to change them if you have the right precision screw driver from Craftsman. 2 screws, thats it. and it makes the WORLD of difference if you use fast primes.

i dont know about you, but using live view would be IMPOSSIBLE to do while maintaining any kind of speed of handling, stability, etc. dont get me wrong, if i'm on a tripod, and had a 6stop ND on a prime to shoot wide open with strobes, AND the subject is cooperative, then yeah live view is the only way to go. but for almost every other kind of shooting i do i find the high precision screen to be a tremendous aid.

and let me add, that actually seeing what the frame looks like at f1.4 is also a tremendous aid too. you know when you shoot something what it will look like, vs having to chimp. (if you often shoot f1.4-2.8)

bratkinson wrote in post #15494939
For manual-focus lenses, using LiveView makes focusing quite easy, especially for subjects that don't move.

As far as AF not locking focus for you on your 5D3, try using only cross-type focus points, or even center point only. I've had good success with just about everything while using AI Servo. The 'trick' is seeing the active AF points in the viewfinder and then lining up to one of them.

It is the fine tuning sharpness that I cannot really see using existing screen.This isn't rocket science as film / manual cameras already had them.

rtist2g wrote in post #15502259
I bought the S type screen for my 7D, and was the first to get the S type screen for my 5D3. both from focusingscreen.com. easy as pie to change them if you have the right precision screw driver from Craftsman. 2 screws, thats it. and it makes the WORLD of difference if you use fast primes.

What size of precision screw driver I will need ?

lol, if you cant tell, im advocating the S type screen. you get high precision throughout the viewfinder without a distracting blob in the middle Practically nothing i'd ever focus on would be in the middle of the frame.

lensmen wrote in post #15502269
What size of precision screw driver I will need ?

hold on, i'll check

it's the Craftsman #0000 x 1 in. Screwdriver. the smallest one with a blue top i believe. $2.69

GoodEye906 wrote in post #15491010
False. It is interchangeable, just not user friendly...

http://www.focusingscr​een.com/work/5d3en.htm

The 5D Mk3 comes with a 1-Year Canon U.S.A. Limited Warranty.
if canon sees any signs of tampering or unauthorized modification, and you need a warrenty repair they just might void your warrenty. just my 2 cents

Thanks guys. My order was shipped yesterday. Looking forward to it.

rtist2g wrote in post #15502259
I bought the S type screen for my 7D, and was the first to get the S type screen for my 5D3. both from focusingscreen.com. easy as pie to change them if you have the right precision screw driver from Craftsman. 2 screws, thats it. and it makes the WORLD of difference if you use fast primes.

i dont know about you, but using live view would be IMPOSSIBLE to do while maintaining any kind of speed of handling, stability, etc. dont get me wrong, if i'm on a tripod, and had a 6stop ND on a prime to shoot wide open with strobes, AND the subject is cooperative, then yeah live view is the only way to go. but for almost every other kind of shooting i do i find the high precision screen to be a tremendous aid.

and let me add, that actually seeing what the frame looks like at f1.4 is also a tremendous aid too. you know when you shoot something what it will look like, vs having to chimp. (if you often shoot f1.4-2.8)

I may try it myself once my warranty runs out. The focus screen on my old Canon A1 film SLR is soo much better then my 5d3 its not even funny. i dont even need AF on my film camera!

Actually scratch that i may try it now!!

do they deliver to UK or just america?

So how does this affect metering etc...?

i dont know

i got the k3 type screen for my 7d. it was really simple to change (i've changed it a few times).

although it may screw up metering a little bit, the s type shouldn't be as bad (or at least more consistent) than the k3 screen (since half of the split prism is still bright at smaller apertures). i just set a higher EC, and chimp (i do that a lot anyway actually), just to make sure i'm not blowing out anything. if you switch between live view and regular shooting, it would be a little annoying since you'd have to lower the EC for live view, and set it back higher after.

nice to know that there's an s type screen for the 5dmkIII. i'll probably get that one if i ever get the camera...

ohata0 wrote in post #15523329
i got the k3 type screen for my 7d. it was really simple to change (i've changed it a few times).

although it may screw up metering a little bit, the s type shouldn't be as bad (or at least more consistent) than the k3 screen (since half of the split prism is still bright at smaller apertures). i just set a higher EC, and chimp (i do that a lot anyway actually), just to make sure i'm not blowing out anything. if you switch between live view and regular shooting, it would be a little annoying since you'd have to lower the EC for live view, and set it back higher after.

nice to know that there's an s type screen for the 5dmkIII. i'll probably get that one if i ever get the camera...

Nice to hear that someone has tried FS.com's screen. I was back ordered for the 7D K3, but by the time it arrives, I had sold my 7D. Fortunately, FS accepts a return, if it is unopened package. My new screen is somewhere in the local post office.

Er, how to spot the difference and how bad was the EC required ? I had assumed that this screen is a Canon original, the difference should be minimal.

rtist2g wrote in post #15502302
it's the Craftsman #0000 x 1 in. Screwdriver. the smallest one with a blue top i believe. $2.69

FS.com replied that it is a use Φ2.4mm cross screw driver .

Anyway, I'll go hardware store to check it out later.

Cheers