Manual Focussing Screens

[deshojo]

Does anyone know if the split-image/microprism focussing screen for the 1DSMKII will fit the 5D?

If so is it a straight fit or would it need 'trimming' to size.

The Katzeye screen made so much difference to manually focussing my 20D, I wouldn't want to go back to a plain matte screen again.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[thedruid]

There are three screens for the 5D the Ee-A standard supplied screen, the Ee-D Grid type and Ee-S Super precision. Only one in stock right now is the one supplied with the body.

 

[fotografz]

Hmm, I've already installed the Ee-s screen and did some shots with a Contax 85/1.2 manual focus lens mounted on my 5D.

Works really nice, and I have really bad eyesight. No way could I focus that lens @ f/1.2 on the 5D before installing the new precision screen (especially close up). It actually works better than the split microprism I have in my 1DsMKII.

Here's one from walking around the house shooting a test. Focused on the center of the rose...

 

[fotografz]

Here's another from my walk around the house testing the new screen. 5D with Zeiss 85/1.2 @ f/1.2.

The big image is an extreme blow-up from the full frame (shown in the inset). I focused on the l& pull chain. Never could do that before, take my word for it.

 

[thedruid]

Hey Mark where did you get the Ee-S screen? I used the regualar one yesterday with the Contax 35-70mm out in the field and boy getting critical focus was next to impossible, stopping down to f16 did help.

 

[griffin]

> The Ee-D is available as I installed mine yesterday here in Florida, > courtesy Kingston Photo shop, Daytona Beach. Others are now available from > the distributors. I believe, including one that outlines the 8x10 crop > format.

 

[fotografz]

Run, don't walk to the phone, and order one of these puppies Dermot. It isn't the end-all, but it sure seems to work waaaaay better than anything else out there. Next some high ISO shots in darker conditions with a wide angle and a zoom. The 85/1.2 creates a pretty bright viewfinder after all.

Here's a shot from the Zeiss 28/2 @ f/2, 5D @ ISO 640, 1/30th. Heck, I didn't even realize that lens would focus this close ; -)

 

[thedruid]

Nice!!!! That 85 1.2 is something else, I'll have to surf bigtime tonight

 

[fotografz]

The Gingko Leaf was shot with the C/Y 28/2 Distagon Dermot, not the 85/1,2. Can you believe you can shoot that close with a 28?

Here's one with the 28/2 Distagon of our entertainment center. The room was so dark I had to shoot at f/2, ISO 1600, @ 1/25th shutter. I used the screen to focus on the TV, and in the full screen image the word Sony is razor sharp. The EE-S screen is a lifesaver. I now can more confidently use the Zeiss glass on the Canon 5D.

P.S., notice the virtual absence of distortion with this lens? Canon wide lenses would bow at the edges pretty badly. There is some vignetting in the corners, but I think that's the Canon full frame sensor exaggerating fall off.

 

[thedruid]

Pretty amazing... one of the reasons I have stayed away from Zeiss and Leica on Canon digi is I have not been satisfied I'm getting a sharp enough image. Yes it's mostly my fault as my eye's are not what thay used to be and with my medium format, well,with the size of the image they are just easier. So now I'm giving the Contax 35-70mm a shot as my main" normal" zoom...Mark, have you tried your Contax 70-210mm with the 5D yet?

 

[fotografz]

Not yet Demot. I have tomorrow off, and if I get a chance I'll try out some of the zooms. 70-210, 35-135, and the one I want to try as the "standard" zoom on the 5D is the 28-85.

My eyes have really gotten bad and I have to crank the diopter to the max. In fact, I ordered a +1 diopter to add to the Leica DMR with the camera's diopter already + maxed out because I'm having difficulty in lower light getting anything in focus when working wide open.

 

[deshojo]

That's great to hear Marc, and thanks for the s&le images, the colours in that flower shot remind me why I like Zeiss glass, and pretty sharp for f1.2!

One thing that intrigues me is that I have read here

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that the 85mm f1.2 wouldn't fit the 5D. This was disappointing as it's probably my favourite lens at the moment, but you seem to have had no problems fitting yours. Is yours perhaps a 50 year rather than the 60 year on the list? Were there any adjustments such as mirror trimming needed, or did it just fit straight on?
If I can use that lens OK then I'm pretty much sold on the 5D.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[deshojo]

And thank you to you also Dermot, given your comments I think I had better check on availablility of the replacement screens locally.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[fotografz]

Hi Matt. My 85/1.2 is a 60 Year. The guy I bought it from used a micrometer to shave off exactly the amount of the aperture fin necessary to make it work on the 1DsMKII. It was professionally done so shows no signs of having been altered, and it in no way altered functionality on either my RX or ST cameras. It's just a tiny amount to shave off so it doesn't rub the mirror box.

There are a number of 85/1.2s out there that have had this done. Frankly, even if it ruined the value of the lens as a collector's item, I could care less. I collect images not untouchable camera gear. This lens needs to used, not sit in a china cabinet ; -) Being able to shoot it on a 5D makes it a hard worker, and producer of unparalleled images. I like it much more than my Canon 85/1.2, which is no slouch itself.

 

[deshojo]

Hi Marc, I whole-heartedly agree with you about using and not fretting over the lens, and I have no intention of selling it so its monetary value is rather irrelevant. Just so long as it does not effect its use on Contax bodies that's fine.

How much of the fin in mm would you estimate needs to be removed?

 

[thedruid]

Mark as outdoor shooter I had tried the 28-85mm in the past when I was using Contax....(RX body with 28-85 and 100-300). I had a lot of flare problems could not put sun anywhere near the frame, funny thing is I now see the same problems with digital and sunsets sometimes it's like an explosion in the viewfinder something I don't see that ofter with film. And this is with the sun at a low angle. I keep the font element free of filters for this and use the lens hood. Also the weight and size of the 28-85 is another issue, I love the range and maybe I'll try it again as I feel my skills have improved over the last eifght years shooting medium format. The 35-70 is small and light but I wish it covered the 28mm ramge.

 

[photoman48230]

Hi guys! I'm in the process of dumping the 1Ds for the 5D myself. I have a number of Leica lenses. 19mm 2.8 Old style, 50mm 1.4, 80mm 1.4, 90mm 2.0 and 400mm 6.8. I know there's nothing to deal with on the 400 but what about the others? I know this is a post for the focusing screens and thanks for that info as well, my eyes are developing much like yours. I'm in the Detroit area and like to know where would be the best place to take these lenses to have altered if nessessary. Thanks again in advance.

 

[thedruid]

Keith theres a list of which Leica/Zeiss lenses work on the 5D put together fairly quickly over on

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a great place to pick up info and lots of people over there like Mark with exotic glass although he actually uses it to make money.

 

[fotografz]

Jeeze Matt, I have no idea, the previous owner did it. All I know is that it wasn't very much. And it's just the fin that needs ground down a bit.

With my 60 macro, I took it completely down because it wasn't a cost issue at all. The lens is inexpensive enough to not worry about it's resale value. And like we both agree, it's there to use ... not as an investment.

Here's a quick shot showing the fin on my 85/1.2 ... (made with a Zeiss 60 macro on the 5D ; -)

 

[fotografz]

Keith, I don't think the Leica R 19mm or the 85/1.4 can be used on the full frame EOS digitals. (not sure about the newer 19/2.8, but I doubt it). I think the 90/2 can (at least my 90/2 APO/ASPH can). For sure the 50/1.4 can (I use that myself) And, you should see what the older R 50/2s can do on the Canons. Unbelievable.

It's not the same as the Contax lenses where it's just the aperture lever, some of the R lenses (like the 19) have rear elements that protrude into the camera and foul the mirror. I think the 35/1.4 is like that also. My 180/2.8 APO works fine as does the older 135/2.8.

Matt, here's a side view closer up so you can see how high the 85 fin sticks up.