focusing an SLR, without focusing aid

msbarnes · Mar 15, 2014

What are the best SLR's for MF focus without using a focusing aid. I would like a plain all-matte focusing screen.

I like RF's but I also like reflex focusing and so I would like to get a 35mm SLR that is easy to focus with a standard 50mm lens.

miha · Mar 15, 2014

msbarnes said:
What are the best SLR's for MF focus without using a focusing aid. I would like a plain all-matte focusing screen.

I like RF's but I also like reflex focusing and so I would like to get a 35mm SLR that is easy to focus with a standard 50mm lens.

Leicaflex SL.

onepuff · Mar 15, 2014

Olympus OM single digit cameras have a very large and bright viewfinder and with a no. 1-4 matte screen the image snaps in and out of focus beautifully. The image in the OM-1 and OM-2 series cameras are slightly larger than the OM-3 and OM-4 series cameras if this matters. The OM-2SP, OM-3 and OM-4 will however take the even brighter 2-4 screen which will not fit the OM-1 or OM-2 but these screens are quite rare to find for sale and very expensive.

Les Sarile · Mar 15, 2014

In the manual focus world, this will depend on whether you prefer larger magnification or longer eye relief which is neneficial for those who wear glasses.
The most versatile are those with changeable viewfinders like the Pentax LX that can offer magnification of 1.35% using the FE-1 or longer eye relief with the FB-1+FC-1 which drops the magnification down to 0.55%. A few other magnifications in between, built-in diopter, as well as a range of focusing screens.

Sirius Glass · Mar 15, 2014

Most slrs have focusing screens that can be replaced with different screen types including split image in the center of the screen. Some screens the user can replace, others require a camera repair man to replace. I do not understand why a camera repair woman could not do the same thing, but this has never been explained to me.

msbarnes · Mar 15, 2014

is it reasonable to be able to focus with a not-too-fast lens. Say a 50 1.8 or a 40/45 f2.8. I would like something small and compact.

Like a Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 or an OM-1 + 50mm f1.8. Something along these lines.

DannL. · Mar 15, 2014

I only own one 35mm SLR now. That being a Canon EOS 630 with a Olympus OM 1.4 50mm lens. So, naturally focusing the lens is always a manual operation. The camera body has it's original matte screen and I've had no difficulty focusing. The focusing screens are easily removed and replaced. This is not a recommendation, but just a note that some cameras are fine in this regard.

A side note: I might recommend SLR cameras that have actual pentaprisms. From my experience they seem to have the nicest views through the viewfinder.

snapguy · Mar 15, 2014

Dear Mr. Glass. Your point is noted. But I am confident you will figure it out. You are intelligent. After all, you shoot film.
But riddle me this -- why, traditionally, are left handed persons and women not allowed to become chefs in Japan?
As far as focus, one needs to find the camera/lenses/finder that work for them. Nothing else matters.

Sirius Glass · Mar 15, 2014

snapguy said:
Dear Mr. Glass. Your point is noted. But I am confident you will figure it out. You are intelligent. After all, you shoot film.
But riddle me this -- why, traditionally, are left handed persons and women not allowed to become chefs in Japan?
As far as focus, one needs to find the camera/lenses/finder that work for them. Nothing else matters.

As a life long left handed person, I find that many right handed people can be a big pain in the ass. That should not be because left handed people are the only one in the right mind.

Concerning the Japanese, in Japan vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. Since they cannot get that right, one can expect that they get many other things wrong.

nsurit · Mar 15, 2014

All matte was my screen of choice until I hit 40 or 41 and my eyesite headed south. I now use a split image which should be an easy one for a RF user to get use to using. My poison of choice is the Olympus OM series cameras. I have the 2 series screens and they are great. Beattie also made/makes a screen for the OM which is brighter. If you aree changing to a SLR 35mm, you should be pleased with Zuiko glass. Bill Barber

BMbikerider · Mar 15, 2014

Half the battle is to ensure that the eyepiece lens suits your particular vision. It may be OK if you have 20/20 sight but for us 'oldies' where the sight can (and usually does) change the adjustable viewfinder is a boon or failing that the right correction diopter lens will make focussing so much more accurate. I can even focus my DSLR when it is switched off just because of the adjustable eyepiece.

AgX · Mar 15, 2014

I just made a side by comparison between a Canon T-70 and a Zenit E, just concerning the plain part of the matte screens using the standard lenses:

I did not experience a difference at all concerning focusing and the screens.
(I did not check focusing accuracy though on the Zenit, which lacks a focusing aid.)

What I well experienced was the much smaller pitch of the Helios lens. But this just needs greater movements during probing for best focus. I did not find one pitch beneficial against the other.

To my experience much more important than the screen is the proper setting of the diopter.
My advise is to check on every camera for sharpest image of the screen itself, by taking off the lens and focusing on the screen grain by exchanging diopter lenses/adjusting diopter.

Pioneer · Mar 16, 2014

The LX has a good matte screen that is very useful for macros but I was never comfortable using it for regular photography. Now that I am older I just stay with the microprism center. I will add though that the LX is still my favorite for macro work.

GarageBoy · Mar 18, 2014

Nikon F series with the appropriate screen

focusing an SLR, without focusing aid

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