How the -s focus screens have changed my life.

I put EE-S and EC-S screens in my cameras. They're darker than standard screens but it has made manual focusing a possibility. And, oh what a change it has caused.

I shot an event last night. I did a lot of manual focusing and found that my compositions are better. Now, I'm not tied to that center focus point which used to be needed to ensure best AF performance. Now I'm free to compose the shot based on good composition and to focus on the subject regardless of where they are in the view.

A $35 investment that has made my compositions better. Gotta love that!

Even better, I've found a split-circle/microprism-collar screen to be even better
for using manual lenses. While the -s Canon screen is nice, I still prefer a screen
which is like what used to be found in film SLRs.

SkedAddled wrote in post #9953137
Even better, I've found a split-circle/microprism-collar screen to be even better
for using manual lenses. While the -s Canon screen is nice, I still prefer a screen
which is like what used to be found in film SLRs.

SkedAddled--where did you get a split-circle/microprism collar screen for your 40D? I'd love to put one in my 50D. I always had one in my Mamiya film camera in the old days.

Hit me with a PM; I'm in negotiations with the source to expand distribution in the US, and they cost only US $30 each.

I'm assuming with the split-circle screen, AF doesn't work correctly if you want to use it, right?

No, AF is unaffected by a split-circle screen.

I've been using the Eg-S in the 5D2, as well as the Ee-S in the 5D when I had it. I wouldn't say that either changed my life, but it sure made manual focusing a lot easier. Once you have a shot composed, you can get an accurate focus anywhere on the screen without having to select an AF point, or do the focus/recompose shuffle. Simple and quick.

I personally don't care for any focusing aids, such as a split prism, for instance. They're fine if your subject is in the center, but for compositions where the subject is anywhere but in the center, I find them to be a liability since you'll most likely have to resort to focus/recompose. They usually darken and don't work too well in low light either...

SkedAddled wrote in post #9953137
Even better, I've found a split-circle/microprism-collar screen to be even better
for using manual lenses. While the -s Canon screen is nice, I still prefer a screen
which is like what used to be found in film SLRs.

YEP couldn't agree more, 'back-in-the-day' the 'split-imaging' focusing screens were common place in analogue/film-based SLR's. I remember using this on the Olympus OM10 many many years ago. It was always very easy and quick to manually focus accurately.

I can not bear using the Canon 40D / 5D cameras in manual focus mode - I rarely get a manually-focused acceptable result using these so-called Matt Bright Focus Screens.

Anybody know of a 'split-image' Focus Screen that is compatible with/for the 40D & 5D ??

SkedAddled wrote in post #9954085
Hit me with a PM; I'm in negotiations with the source to expand distribution in the US, and they cost only US $30 each.

Hey SkedAddled - do the screens that you're talking about have any effect on light metering at all?

It had no effect on metering when in my Rebel camera. Not sure yet about the 40D,
as I haven't yet installed it. I expect it should be fine with the camera set for one
of the alternate Canon screens.

Is there something similar to the Eg-S screen for a 20D?

I just ordered the one for the 5d2 this week, and I'm really looking forward to it. I tend to manual focus a lot with my better lenses.

http://www.focusingscr​een.com/

I have one of the Nikon K3 screens in my 40D. I've just bought a 5d so I'll probably get another for that.

Remember to set the screen in menu to the S variety or metering is off.