Manual focus "cross-hatch" for Canon lenses or cameras?

[dionv]

When I was first getting into photography in my teens, my Dad had a Minolta SLR (I forget the model). One of the things I liked about it was the focus "cross-hatch" in the center of the viewfinder.

It was a circle with a horizontal line through it, and when you were focusing, that circle would allow you to find a straight edge (like a wall or a table) and adjust the focus until the straight edge joined in the middle of the circle, thus indicating perfect focus.

Sorry for the poor description, but it's really a visual thing.

There was even an optional version that used a diagonal line, so you could work with horizontal edges or vertical edges without having to move the camera to focus and then recompose.

This was a real bonus for me, as I would have to take off my glasses in order to look through the viewfinder, thus rendering my subject a blurry mass of, well, blur. However, the focus circle would allow me to get things right.

So, the question (finally) is: Does Canon have anything like this available for their DSLR's?

So far all reviews I've seen of DSLR equipment shows the AF focus points, but nothing to assist with manual focus.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[sk66]

I don't think Canon offers one, but KatzEye does (expensive) and there are knockoff versions on ebay...

Generally, they affect metering accuracy in some or all modes....

[dionv]

Originally Posted by sk66

I don't think Canon offers one, but KatzEye does (expensive) and there are knockoff versions on ebay...

Generally, they affect metering accuracy in some or all modes....

Oh, now there's a familiar sight:

Canon DSLRs - KatzEye Optics

Thanks, sk66.

A focusing screen, ok. Now I know what it's called. Thank you.

Have you used them, sk66?

[digirebelva]

On my model (50d) its the EF-D Focusing Screen, I installed one to help keep things straight & level...it does help, you just have to make sure you tell the camera you are using it

[sk66]

Originally Posted by dionv

Oh, now there's a familiar sight:

Canon DSLRs - KatzEye Optics

Thanks, sk66.

A focusing screen, ok. Now I know what it's called. Thank you.

Have you used them, sk66?

Nope, not with DSLR

[inkista]

I use focus screens on my 5D2 and 50D. On the Canon side of the fence, the dRebel models (xxxD and XS) do not have interchangeable focus screens. The screen is held in place by a rather delicate spring-loaded bracket, which is a pain to keep intact when you switch out the focus screen, so if you're thinking of using a Katzeye or other split-circle focus screen in one, think of it as more of a permanent swap. And the prism collar will blackout if you use a slow lens (f/5.6) regularly. It's an annoyance, not a show-stopper, but this is why interchangeable screens can be fun.

The interchangeable screen feature is essentially just a swinging latched door, so it only takes a few seconds to swap screens. Currently, in the Canon lineup, the 1-series, 5-series, and 60D have this feature. Note how the 7D is NOT in that list. While the screen can be swapped in the 7D, it's similarly a PITA like with the dRebels.

On my 50D, I use a Katzeye, and swear when I forget to swap it out when I'm shooting birds with my 400/5.6. On the 5D2, I went for a lazier solution, and just got the Canon Eg-S "precision matte" screen. It's darker than the default matte screen, and does not include MF guides, but the DoF it renders is much more accurate with very wide lenses (I have a manual focus 50mm f/1.2 lens, which is why I need it). It will bias the metering, which is why Canon has custom functions for you to tell the camera you're using the non-stock screen.

Frankly, today's dSLRs are optimized for autofocus. Even if you have manual focus guides in your focus screen, the lens itself will battle you. The focus throw of a autofocus lenses these days is small to help out the AF system's speed. The old MF lenses have a focus throw that's nearly all the way around the lens. You had a far higher degree of precision, which is why distance scales were actually useful once, and kinda no longer are.

I'd say, before going down the focus screen route, learn to use the autofocus--it's likely to yield you better results than manually focusing. You're used to thinking of the manual focus as being more accurate from playing with MF film dSLRs and those insane stepped MF functions on digital P&S cameras, but dSLR AF systems are actually really good, and these days, most of them come with a liveview option where you can squint at the LCD on the back of the camera and zoom in 10x to adjust the focus manually.

The main reason to get a split-circle focus screen is if you're shooting with manual-focus lenses.

[dionv]

Thank you all for your replies (especially your detailed response @inkista).

While I enjoy a good autofocus, one of the reasons I'm looking at DSLR's is to gain manual focus control again.

I played with a couple of bridge cameras with the zoom-to-focus feature on their live view, but still could not create a sharp focus manually.

When the time comes, I'll definitely test my camera's limits and my limits with the camera in all modes. But, it's good to know that options may be available.

Thanks again.