EF-D Focus screen tiny review

Well I decided to get the EF-D screen. I will most likly still get a split prism screen as well. They can be changed in under 1 minute. So I am thinking of getting a few different ones.

The EF-D has the lines on it to help keep the camera square. -- 3 horizontal, 5 vertical lines-- The focus point indicators are on it as well.

It is about half of the size I thought it would be. But it comes with a tool to swap it out. And swapping, as I mentioned, is almost as easy as swapping a lens. Just remove the lens. Use the tool to open the trap door, grab the OEM screen with the tool, lift it out. grab the replacement screen with the tool, set it in place, close the trap door, DONE! Well, except for changing the settings to let the camera know that you have changed the screen.

The OEM screen in called Standard Precision. The EF-D is called Super Precision. But I can't tell the difference. The lines are indeed handy. They make it very east to adjust the camera the last few degrees to line it up as you want it to be. A lot of us have horizons that are only a few degrees off level. This screen will defenitley help keep you level!!

I think I can easily suggest this screen to just about everybody. The lines are great if you want them. But they are faint enough to ignore when you don't want them. (They are very fine lines.) And at only a bit over $30, so far I think it was worth it.

This is a tiny review. But there is not much to say about a focus screen.

The EF-D is the same precision as the Standard screen. The EF-S is the higher precision, useful with f/2.8 and faster lenses.

The two outside vertical lines (when camera in Landscape orientation) are actually good indicators for 4x5 and 8x10 aspect ratios.

Actually Canon calls each somethig else....

Canon Focusing Screen EF-A - The standard focus screen for the EOS 40D Standard Precision Matte surface.

Canon Focusing Screen EF-D - Precision Matte surface with etched grid lines to assist composition.

The EF-S matte is not named in the description. But have heard it called "Super precision".

But I guess I still got it wrong in the opening post.

Wilt wrote in post #6973986
The EF-D is the same precision as the Standard screen. The EF-S is the higher precision, useful with f/2.8 and faster lenses.

The two outside vertical lines (when camera in Landscape orientation) are actually good indicators for 4x5 and 8x10 aspect ratios.

I have always wondered in what way does the EF-S screen make it better to use with fast lenes? Would I only see a difference in manual focusing or auto also? Does it change the way it performs with not so fast lenses as well? Would I have to switch the screens back and forth depending on what I am shooting at the time?

The EF-s is not better for fast lens. Fast lens are better for the EF-s. The extra light that fast lens ( 2.8 or faster) lets in is needed to light the screen. With small apature lens the screen can be very dark. You may not "have" to change them. It would depend on what light you are shooting in. A 4.5 lens at high noon, with full sun, it may not be bad. But night shots are definatley out.

I plan on getting the EF-s as well as a split prism screen. They literaly take 20 seconds to swap, so why not use the best tool for the job. We will spend $800 for the right lens. Why not another $30 for a better screen for the situation.

Mark1 wrote in post #6974422
I plan on getting the EF-s as well as a split prism screen. They literaly take 20 seconds to swap, so why not use the best tool for the job. We will spend $800 for the right lens. Why not another $30 for a better screen for the situation.

Just keep in mind the fact that while Canon provides metering compensation for the EF-A, EF-D, and EF-S screens, no such compensation exists for non-Canon manufactured focusing screens. The hazard is that if you use something other than Evaluative or Center-weighted metering mode, the metering may be considerably wrong. It has been reported by owners that as much as 2-3EV error can exist.

I know, We have been over all the down sides. But I still don't see a reason not to try them. Well, other than the cost of them.

Mark1 wrote in post #6974422
The EF-s is not better for fast lens. Fast lens are better for the EF-s. The extra light that fast lens ( 2.8 or faster) lets in is needed to light the screen. With small apature lens the screen can be very dark. You may not "have" to change them. It would depend on what light you are shooting in. A 4.5 lens at high noon, with full sun, it may not be bad. But night shots are definatley out.

I plan on getting the EF-s as well as a split prism screen. They literaly take 20 seconds to swap, so why not use the best tool for the job. We will spend $800 for the right lens. Why not another $30 for a better screen for the situation.

If the EF-S is not better...then what IS better for shooting a night / dark conditions / focusing well with fast primes with VERY shallow DOF? Split prisms?

I have the Ee-D grid screen for my 5D and LOVE it. I can never go back to the standard screen. Before it, my horizons were so off that it wasn't funny. After, it doesn't actually look like I'm drunk when shooting

Mark1 wrote in post #6974693
I know, We have been over all the down sides. But I still don't see a reason not to try them. Well, other than the cost of them.

I was repeating that fact for the many subsequent viewers of the thread.

Oh, sorry wilt. Good Idea.

I'm still confused. Is the precision matte screen with grid lines more matte than the standard matte? It would be useful to me for macro manual focus on the 50D if it's an improvement, but not sure I would buy it just for the grid lines.
Clay

The EF-S screen makes a world's difference when using a fast lens. Using the default A screen on my 5D2, I always had a hard time distinguishing where the DOF lied and using the DOF preview button was almost useless.

With the S screen, it is very easy to see the DOF and the DOF preview button is now a nice feature again. You can clearly see where the DOF falls in the frame.

I can't imagine using an 85L or 35L without one, honestly.