Question about 30D focus screen

I am wondering what the 30D owners think of the focus screen and how well it works during manual focus. I currently have a Rebel XT and manually focusing is a chore and is often inaccurate.

gooble wrote in post #2312475
I am wondering what the 30D owners think of the focus screen and how well it works during manual focus. I currently have a Rebel XT and manually focusing is a chore and is often inaccurate.

It's better but not perfect, I wear glasses so I would still rather have a bigger viewfinder.

Have a look at this thread: http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=243715

Gives a couple of options for aftermarket manual focussing screens, hope it helps!

Steve

I have been aware of those after market focus screens. The main thing I want to know is how 30D owners like the stock manual focusing?

The stock manual screen is OK, but I don't think I'd bet a make-or-break shot on it. I find that there's usually a small range, even wide open, where I can rotate the focusing ring without visible effect on the screen. However, I should say that I haven't done any careful testing of my ability to focus manually.

I find manual focus on the 30D to suck bigtime.... I'm so used to larger viewfinders and split-prism focus screens on my old FD mount film cams. I try focusing manually on the 30D... and even when I think it got it, it turns out I missed when I view the image on my computer. it's been very frustrating for me.

picturecrazy wrote in post #2319185
I find manual focus on the 30D to suck bigtime.... I'm so used to larger viewfinders and split-prism focus screens on my old FD mount film cams. I try focusing manually on the 30D... and even when I think it got it, it turns out I missed when I view the image on my computer. it's been very frustrating for me.

How are you focusing manually (I mean technique-wise)? Since most lenses are USM, you can manually adjust focus after auto-focusing, without switching to manual focus; and you can adjust the focus points to the one you want without reframing. After auto focusing, however, manually adjusting focus should be done while still holding the shutter button halfway, else it will re-autofocus.

Just curious...

Don't want to hijack the thread, but how are the aftermarket screens and how are they loaded/installed? I used manual focus all the time with my old AE1-P. There was a 'target' than helped show when focus was achieved. Manual focus on my 20D is sometimes difficult.

It's hard to focus with old eyes. I wish they had a split screen focus or a prism diamond focus screen. Just a plain one, I can't ever be sure and MUST rely on the USM to focus for me.

Well it seems like the opinion is that the 30D is not as good as a split screen film camera ie. AE1 and I completely agree but I am wondering if it is appreciably better than a Rebel XT. To put it bluntly the Rebel XT manual focusing sucks, big time. From fiddling with the 30D in the store for just a few minutes I noticed a big improvement over the Rebel but I don't have any real experience with it. So that is why I ask.

gooble wrote in post #2322754
Well it seems like the opinion is that the 30D is not as good as a split screen film camera ie. AE1 and I completely agree but I am wondering if it is appreciably better than a Rebel XT. To put it bluntly the Rebel XT manual focusing sucks, big time. From fiddling with the 30D in the store for just a few minutes I noticed a big improvement over the Rebel but I don't have any real experience with it. So that is why I ask.

IMO it's a little bit better, manual focus is also a bit easier, I can get it right on the first try more times than I could with the XT. However it's far from earthshaking. You might want to invest in the microprism screens.

Now... 5D...now that is viewfinder heaven.

canoflan wrote in post #2320818
How are you focusing manually (I mean technique-wise)? Since most lenses are USM, you can manually adjust focus after auto-focusing, without switching to manual focus; and you can adjust the focus points to the one you want without reframing. After auto focusing, however, manually adjusting focus should be done while still holding the shutter button halfway, else it will re-autofocus.

Just curious...

I turn autofocus off completely. It's rare that I don't use autofocus, but when I don't... it's been frustrating.

Attached is what I put into my 20d recently. I have not regretted it. However, I do notice there are several threads about focusing issues. I bought a diagonal split screen and this has improved my focusing woes. I am trying to work out if my problem is me, my camera or lens. Does the problem vary with shutter speeds or f stop? What are the optimum settings for me. Do photos look better in my hand or on my screen- believe it or not, you know when you see on TV, sometimes peoples clothes clash with the pixels on the TV- they shimmer, well the same can happen on the computer screen.

I'm still investigating.

Mark

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yeah its better... I upgraded from XT and it seems I'm getting better manual focus results with my 1.8.old one.

I had the XT... same problem so tried the Haoda focus screen. It helped a lot, but found I needed the off-center focus points.

Then I switched to the 30D. It's much better (same screen pretty much, only the viewfinder seems bigger and maybe a bit brighter).

You won't get it perfect, but it's way easier to see when things are in focus. Also having fast glass helps.

I still have the Haoda screen sitting around since I sold my XT a long time ago.

MStar... nice pic! Most people probably wouldn't understand what they're looking at. Fortunately I do since I'm familiar with such packaging (focus screen in a folded mini ziploc inside a memory card holder being held with backlight from a door/window/tv or something)