A few thoughts on focusing manual focus gear

[Igor.Burshteyn]

A few thoughts on focusing MF gear - both slrs and rfs. I fitted 2-13 screen (kind of Beatie screen in OM world) into my OM4ti which had common 1-13 before. When I fisrt looked through the finder - I didn't notice any difference! What the heck, where are those 2 stops of gained brightness? I looked through OM1 fitted with 1-13 screen and back to OM4ti/2-13 combination. What I understood was kind of relevation for me. Indeed 2 gained stops were there with OM4ti. But I didn't notice it first, because... what matters for me in slr focusing(thing I didn't understand till compated 1-13 and 2-13 screens) - is more contrast between microprism and mate areas. 2-13 looks uniformly bright, 1-13 has ~2-stop difference between mate and microprism areas. Now back to rfs - same here, just replace mate/microprism with vf/rf patch. For me conrasty focusing area (rf patch) means more than overall bright vf. I guess I pay 90% of attention to a few % of imaging area - center circle, which can be a problem when you compose. Is it just me?

 

[Archie]

igor just a short question, how do you check which screen you have? (on a om4)

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

as far as I remember 1 series screens marked with 1, 2, ...14 on tab, 2 series have tab a little wider and marked 2xx like 213, but I would not bet.

 

[Archie]

oh yeah, thanks you were right, I got a 1 - 13 (13 standing on the tab)

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

After 1 day of using it... How could I live without it? Finder of OM4ti fitted with 2 series screen looks as bright as oly 35sp viewfinder, pictures snap in focus as quick. Overall very rf-like feeling, attention is more to the frame than to focusing area. Now I see why purists fit all matte screens to their slrs.

 

[Archie]

seems like I should look out for one 🙂 just again loosing (oh sorry, investing) money...

 

[shadowfox]

Thanks for posting this, Igor. I'll look for one to install on my wife's OM-4. She often have problems with focusing, I think it'll help her quite a bit if the viewfinder can be made even brighter than it is now (1-13 screen).

 

[ferider]

Will the OM4's meter behave differently, Igor ?

Thanks,

Roland.

 

[Xmas]

Rol

I thought the OM4 had a bottom meter?

Noe

 

[ferider]

Bottom meter for OTF/AUTO, but doesn't it have an in-prism meter for manual ?

Rol 🙂

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

as far as I understand 2-13 (2-4) screens don't affect OM3/4 metering abilities (screen modification/meter recalibration is required for OM1/2). Before running to buy one - look carefully what you _actually_ prefer, you maybe surprised to find out that contrasty focusing aid means more to you than overall brightness and ability to focus on matte area in dim light.
My only problem is that now I want to see how combination of 2-13 screen/50mm f1.2 handles 😉

 

[ferider]

Thanks Igor. I'm interested to focus longer tele lenses (like 350/5.6)
where I have to use the matte screen for focus. Still wondering
what lens to buy ....

Best,

Roland.

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Got films back from development. 2-13 screen did improve my ability to focus - there were less misfocused pictures than usual, if at all. I used OM 50mm f1.4 for the first time as well - and like it very much.

 

[shadowfox]

Alright!! now all you have to do is to tell us where did you get the screen? This seemingly elusive screen is nowhere to be found even on the 'bay (now that's saying something).

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

well, I spotted it at local shop. New in the box condition, costed me $35 but worth every penny. Guess it doesn't help you much.