Focusing Screen

In the picture you can see a circular pattern that would be useful in an SLR. When you build your adapter, though, it would look funny.
 
Twocik23,

Haven't people commented about the Beattie Intenscreen as being too delicate and is proned to scratching rather easily? Or I'm confusing it with something else?

ALBASIC,

What specific letter am I looking for in an F6 Focus Screen? I appreciate your feedback.
 
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I'm not sure about the F6 series, but if they're all the same, you want letter D. It has no markings whatsoever, which is unusual for a focusing screen. Unfortunately, Nikon doesn't make these screens anymore, so you have to scrounge to find them. If you do, please share your source ;-)
 
You bet ALBASIC, I'm having a hard time finding one at the moment. I'll scour the web looking for a seller.
 
I built one with a beatie. I was almost where I needed to be and got one good shot and 'SNAP!' Broken Beatie. $175 down the drain. :-(
 
I called Nikon yesturday and they said they were Surprised that B&H and Adorama were sold out. And that they would have stock in 30 to 60 days. I guess all us 35 adapter types have been hording! Has anyone thought about Canon or other camera manufactures. I talked to Canon as well and they suggested the Ee-a or the Ee-s. Both are for the Canon EOS 5D. Thats their 12 megapixel camera. And for $3000 I would hope the focusing screen would be of good quality. The screen runs $34.95 @ B&H. Hope this helps. :)
 
the Beattie scratches like hell!
I gave up after the 3rd one i bought..and I treated it as if it were a container filled with plutonium..I didn't shake it, or even dare to breath on it...yet it still found a way to scratch. i would avoid it by all means!
 
dijit23 said:
I talked to Canon as well and they suggested the Ee-a or the Ee-s. Both are for the Canon EOS 5D
Click to expand...

I looked them up but i cannot tell if they are plain matte or they have a circular pattern in the center of the screen.

Anyone knows?
 
You guys are a godsend. I have been scouring the web for days looking for focusing screens that would substitute for the Nikon D screen. I haven't had much luck. This is exactly what I was looking for. If the D screens don't come back in stock (as was indicated in the post above) I'll try one of these Canon screens. What interests me is that the Ee-a screen says it is optimized for lenses f5.6 or slower, while the Ee-S indicates that it is optimized for lenses f2.8 or faster. Which do you think allows more light transmission? Any thoughts? They do both seem to be clear of markings, with no microprism or anything in the center.

Edit: Sorry, I think I found an answer to my own question. The Ee-S says right in the description that it doesn't work well with slower lenses, leading me to think that the Ee-A transmits more light.
 
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Bill Maxwell makes a screen that is as bright and exhibits less grain than the Beattie.

Call him for pricing and he will detail how you can use a plastic mask ("Micro Mask" from MicroScale) to prevent scratches. You will have to cut these things down either way -- both the Beatties and the Maxwell Precision Screens need cutting.

Also, both companies produce focus screens that are 35mm frame size, and cheaper than their medium format parts. You then just have to figure out the trick of mounting the focus screens inside a ratainer ring (like the metal ring from and old filter).
 
BTW -- look over at the Edmund Industrial Optics page at their cleaning and handling supplies. If you're having trouble handling your optics, they've got the tools for the jorb.
 
Super8 said:
I looked them up but i cannot tell if they are plain matte or they have a circular pattern in the center of the screen.

Anyone knows?
Click to expand...

I dont know, true there are no gridlines, however the closeup photo from B&H shows a focusing circle

402203.jpg
 
Good call Edweirdo. I hadn't noticed that, and that certainly would mess things up if used in a 35mm adapter. I suppose this is present on both types. :(
 
so as to not be soo dependant on the Nikon D screen, I am researching ideas for a replacement. This may sound weird but stay with me:

I would buy this micrograin screen from Linhof. Its a well respected German optics maker, and on their site it is listed as "Groundglass 45 neutral without scoring" item number 021824:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ls&Q=&sku=31251&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I would then wrap it in celophane and take it to a glass cutter. From the 4x5 screen you should be able to get 4 smaller 1" screens (approx same size as Nikons).

The trick then is to pair it up with a diopter to more evenly spread the light accross, perhaps a smaller power macro...
 
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