02-01-2012, 05:09 AM
[quote name='wim' timestamp='1328022421' post='15336']
Hi Frank,
You are correct about the split wedge for focusing. The laser matte or precision focusing screen actually is accurate enough to allow manual focusing on any part of the screen.
I often focus and then reframe, and just adjust focus a little manually if required. Works well for me. This is exactly how I (often) worked in the analog days, except that initial focus is done by AF rather than by split wedge. And in my Pentax MX I always had a very fine matte installed anyway, and just focused anywhwere on the screen. It is not so much what works, but what you prefer. As long as one follows correct procedure, it doesn't really matter too much what is used for focusing, as long as it is possible to see correct focus or a good representation of it through the view finder.
HTH, kind regards, Wim
[/quote]
Thank you very much, Wim. I just noticed that your answer to IanCD already contained this information. However, I have one more question: is the laser matte screen still useful when the lens is shifted/tilted? A inconvenient thing with the "green spot confirmation" screen in the current Nikon DSLRs is that the "green spot confirmation" cannot be used when the lens is tilted/shifted. I guess that this is not a problem for a laser matte screen or a split screen because no electricity is used in focus confirmation for a laser matte or split screen. I would like to confirm this with you.
Regards,
Frank
Hi Frank,
You are correct about the split wedge for focusing. The laser matte or precision focusing screen actually is accurate enough to allow manual focusing on any part of the screen.
I often focus and then reframe, and just adjust focus a little manually if required. Works well for me. This is exactly how I (often) worked in the analog days, except that initial focus is done by AF rather than by split wedge. And in my Pentax MX I always had a very fine matte installed anyway, and just focused anywhwere on the screen. It is not so much what works, but what you prefer. As long as one follows correct procedure, it doesn't really matter too much what is used for focusing, as long as it is possible to see correct focus or a good representation of it through the view finder.
HTH, kind regards, Wim
[/quote]
Thank you very much, Wim. I just noticed that your answer to IanCD already contained this information. However, I have one more question: is the laser matte screen still useful when the lens is shifted/tilted? A inconvenient thing with the "green spot confirmation" screen in the current Nikon DSLRs is that the "green spot confirmation" cannot be used when the lens is tilted/shifted. I guess that this is not a problem for a laser matte screen or a split screen because no electricity is used in focus confirmation for a laser matte or split screen. I would like to confirm this with you.
Regards,
Frank