365cameras.com

I was looking around for replacement focusing screens and ran into KatzEye Optics. Everything I’ve seen has been positive so far. So I thought I’d pass this along.

Their replacement screens cover many different DSLRs from several manufacturers including Leica, Pentax, Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Panasonic and Samsung.

The attraction for me is the enhanced focusing ability when using manual focus lenses. DSLR focusing screens are sub-optimal for manual focusing.

One nice thing about them is that they have a service to replace the screen for you. This is wonderful news for those that might be a wee bit nervous about accidentally damaging the sensitive parts of the camera.

I have not used their product yet, but do intend to.

Here is a review I found on the KatzEye focusing screen for a Canon DSLR.

Here’s a video of a KatzEye Focusing Screen on a Nikon D7000

This ends up being more of a metal working video than a photography video, but I thought it was interesting.

This video shows how to machine the rear element of a Minolta 58/1.2 to allow it to work in a Canon full frame body like and EOS 5D Mark II without having the mirror strike the rear element.

He gives a good explanation of what he is doing and you can see how he does the process on his mini lathe.

One other nice thing about this video: It’s an example of shooting video using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II with a 42mm adapter to use other classic glass. He used a Kiron 24mm f/2 and Pentax Super Takumar 55/1.8. I’ll have more examples of 42mm adapter video in another post.

Click here for Adapters for Minolta lens mounts to Canon EOS cameras
Click here for Adapters for 42mm lens mounts (like Pentax) to Canon EOS cameras
Click here for Canon EOS 5D Mark II Cameras

Full-Frame ∞ Focus w/Minolta MC-Rokkor PF 58/1.4 lens. from motleypixel on Vimeo.

Webisode #3 is up at Zacuto’s Great DSLR Shootout. This is very cool stuff. If you have any interest at all in video, the hour and a half or so to watch these to see what the big guns think is worth your time. If nothing else, look at the video shown in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd episode to see what a Canon 7D can do. It’s jaw dropping good.

This year’s lineup: Canon 7D, Canon 5D Mk II, Canon T2i, Canon 1D Mk IV, Nikon D3s, and Panasonic GH1.

To see products made by Zacuto, click here
Some examples are the Zacuto Z-Grip and the Zacuto Z-Finder