Canon FTb - split image focusing screen?

[BHuij]

I love my FTb. I've put a lot of work into making it a really ideal go-to camera for when I'm shooting 35mm. Really my last remaining gripe with the camera is that it only has a microprism focusing screen.

I'm aware that the vast majority of FTb and FTbn bodies shipped with the microprism screen, and were not designed for a "user-serviceable" experience when replacing the focusing screen. I know that A-series screens are incompatible with the FTb and that even F-1 screens are probably the wrong size or otherwise incompatible. But it appears that at some point you could ship your FTb to Canon and have them install a split image screen, so I believe they exist, somewhere, albeit probably in small numbers.

Has anyone here successfully upgraded their FTb to to a split image screen? Are there other camera models out there with split image screens that are confirmed to be compatible with the FTb (so I can start looking for a donor camera on eBay)? Or any other known source of a workable screen? Should I expect to have to re-calibrate the meter if I put in a new screen? Trying to assess the viability of upgrading. I've already disassembled this camera to the point where I was able to successfully clean a ton of dust off of the existing screen, so I'm not concerned about the process of dropping a new one in. I just want to know if they can still be found anywhere.

 

[Paul Howell]

As far as I understand it the the FTb only came with the microprism screen. The only camera I upgraded to a split prims was a Pentax SF1. I used a split image from a Miranda EE, the SF1 does have interchangeable focusing screen just not a split image so all I had to was to grind down the Miranda Screen to fit the SF1. My swap did not alter the meterting at all. I assume that with a few measurement you can find either a Canon F1 or Nikon F1, Pentax LX or Minolta XK spilt image screen that could fit. I've been thinking about swapping out the standard screen for the Minolta A9000 for split image, Minolta did make a split image for the A9000 but very hard to find.

 

[MFstooges]

i assume as long as you can find the same or larger screen with same thickness then it can be done. Reducing the larger screen is quite difficult though. You need something to firmly grip it without damaging the fresnel

 

[Mackinaw]

Back in the 70's while at a camera demo, I saw a FTb with a split-image screen at the Canon booth.

As for where to find a FTb compatible screen, the Canon FX and FP, which share a "chassis" with the FTb, used split-image screens. You can probably pick up a parts camera for cheap on eBay.

Jim B.

 

[Paul Howell]

I taped the screen, use a layer of cotton cloth to cover it then used a clamp to hold it then used a drimenol tool to grind the ends which just a bit too large.

 

[Ben Hutcherson]

Might be worth looking at the TX and TLb also, although I don’t remember if either came with a split image.

I could have sworn my FTbn had one, but I also haven’t used the camera in about 15 years.

These cameras do use a kind of oddball meter that requires the semi-silvered rectangle in the center to direct light to the meter cell. Offhand, the FT, Pellix, TL, TLb and a few others mentioned in this thread use the same basic meter. The F1-all versions-uses the same system although the New F-1 changes things up a bit by also allowing for CWA and spot with different screens. F1/F1(revised) screens would probably be a safer bet if you wanted to try an F1 screen.

 

[BHuij]

I may look around and see if I can find an FX/FP/TX/FT/TL/TLb parts camera floating around for a good price that has a split image screen I think may fit the FTb.

I also found this listing on a popular auction site (hopefully links allowed). It doesn't specify in the title that it's a split image screen, but it sure looks like one to me in the photos. I don't, however, see the rectangle of semi-silvered area in the center that I believe the FTb meter relies on for its excellent partial metering.

The seller tells me these came from the parts bin of a Canon warranty repair shop that went out of business in the early 2000s. He wasn't sure whether it was split image or microprism, and said he'd be fine with a return if it's the wrong type. I may roll the dice on this and see if it a) fits my FTb and provides accurate focus, b) is a split image, and c) still gives me accurate metering.

 

[Paul Howell]

I looked on Ebay, there are number, tend to be pricy, the cheapest is for a AI at $25.00.

Genuine Canon A-1 Focusing Screen - Original Split Image for Canon A1 | eBay

Original Split -Image for Canon A1. Genuine Canon A-1. Focusing Screen. (FOCUSING SCREEN ONLY - NOTHING ELSE INCLUDED). FOCUSING SCREEN ONLY - NOTHING ELSE INCLUDED. OEM for Canon A-1.

www.ebay.com

 

[BHuij]

Everything I've read to this point suggests that the A-series focusing screens are NOT compatible with the FTb.

 

[Paul Howell]

I guess I was just lucky that the old Miranda split screen with just a bit of grinding would fit my Pentax SF!.

 

[MFstooges]

I taped the screen, use a layer of cotton cloth to cover it then used a clamp to hold it then used a drimenol tool to grind the ends which just a bit too large.

I regret that you didn't make video or pictorial of it. It sounds simple but at that time I just needed to file the tab and not reducing the actual size of the focusing screen. Even with that easy task I failed. I don't exactly remember if I left the tape goo on the fresnel but I botched it.

 

[Paul Howell]

It as years ago, as I recalled I used painters blue masking tape, no residuales. I had to grind the screen down, but just on the horizonal ends, more than just the tabs but not much more, my guess is that both the Miranda EE and Pentax SF1 use 97% of the full frame to the match was close. Wonder if I had used a screen from say a Nikon F1 or Pentax LX if the screen for a 100% would have been larger needing more grinding.