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Microprism focusing screen.


RobDose

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Any disadvantages? Any trick to install it? Thank you...

 

Easy install, small tool included in the package - follow instructions, clean hands.

I don't see any disadvantages, I would think it is the best screen type for manual focusing, love it.

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One advice I have learned with a loaner S2-P a few months ago is to REALLY make sure that the little spring tab of the frame, holding the screen is REALLY locked in tight.

 

On some camera bodies this tab just barely locks into place and can be dislodged easily (this locking tab can be adjusted in the factory to have a bit more tension if too light).

When using the loaner at one point the entire focussing screen simply fell off getting caught (luckily) in the rear shroud of the attached lens without causing any damage to the mirror or lens.

If I would have triggered the camera at this point the mirror assembly likely would have taken damage.

 

So:

MAKE DOUBLE SURE THE METAL TAB IS SECURELY LOCKED.

 

I make it now a practice to always check the locking tab when packing gear. It should have a redundant lock by design to prevent such a failure (two locks, one at each corner of the frame).

 

In my opinion the split prism screen should be the standard screen coming with the camera, it is so good.

Edited by menos | M6
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  • 3 months later...

Are there instructions that come with the screen? Neither the S camera instructions or the red dot installation video explain that you need to budge the tab upwards towards the top of the camera, to drop the tray. Is there a pdf of the instructions somewhere? Thanks

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It depends on what you use the camera for. In low light, the plain ground glass is much easier to use, as the micro prism greys out in more challenging conditions.

 

Sure most people using an S will only be doing so in good light. I love the standard screen. It's even better than my R9/DMR with the plain ground glass. Mind you, I might be one of the only guys considering using this for concerts and gigs.

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Are there instructions that come with the screen? Neither the S camera instructions or the red dot installation video explain that you need to budge the tab upwards towards the top of the camera, to drop the tray. Is there a pdf of the instructions somewhere? Thanks

 

EDIT: There's a tiny slot in the tab (the tab that holds the tray). A pin on the tray goes in the slot. Budge the tab outwards along the lens axis to drop the tray. Apparently there are no instructions that come with the screen.

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This video is instructional and clear, it is for the S2, but it is exactly the same procedure for the S(006):

 

Thank you. I had seen this, but he just says "press against the tab".

Edited by 120
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Be very, very careful with the mechanism that holds the screen up (spring loaded latch).

 

The tolerances are so tight on this assembly that the slightest mis-alignment can result in the latch appearing to be secure but in actual use as the gear is handled normally the latch can open, with the screen falling into the mirror box and in worst case the camera is released, damaging the mirror assembly, screen, screen frame, …

 

After I had lost a screen inside a loaner (luckily I saw the issue through the viewfinder before releasing the shutter and destroying the mirror), I always make it standard procedure to double check the screen latch for tight fit when preparing gear for a day.

 

I inquired about this issue when swapping the loaner back for my own camera to a Leica-S technician in Wetzlar and apparently both the camera body, the used screen and also the assembly was proper.

It really is an issue that the latch has only a very slim tolerance from tight secure fit to "open".

 

Check your latches regularly!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I just got my screen for the S2. My very first thought was that I had got back the view from the 70's SLRs I grew up with....only bigger, brighter, better. I love it.

 

There is no reticle to give the precise centre point where the AF spot is but I don't find it difficult to judge that point when using AF

.

My operating method has been to have the camera set for MF with the AE/AF lock button set for AF. That still works to get the focus to same area of course. Now the split image is superbly precise to judge not only that area of the near eye for example, but the baseline of lashes

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I have had only a couple of chances to try out the screen. Anyone else wish they had a flip-up magnifier?

 

Yes to the magnifier, iirc the old Nikon 2x worked ok if held up to the eyepiece, ultimately i gave up on it, resorting to af.

 

I just got my screen for the S2. My very first thought was that I had got back the view from the 70's SLRs I grew up with....only bigger, brighter, better. I love it.

 

There is no reticle to give the precise centre point where the AF spot is but I don't find it difficult to judge that point when using AF

.

My operating method has been to have the camera set for MF with the AE/AF lock button set for AF. That still works to get the focus to same area of course. Now the split image is superbly precise to judge not only that area of the near eye for example, but the baseline of lashes

 

I will need to retry this screen, my eyes could never see the details yours can....although I'll never admit it's age.

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  • 9 months later...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

I just got my screen for the S2. My very first thought was that I had got back the view from the 70's SLRs I grew up with....only bigger, brighter, better. I love it.

 

There is no reticle to give the precise centre point where the AF spot is but I don't find it difficult to judge that point when using AF

.

My operating method has been to have the camera set for MF with the AE/AF lock button set for AF. That still works to get the focus to same area of course. Now the split image is superbly precise to judge not only that area of the near eye for example, but the baseline of lashes

Geoff is it worth the 400 bucks to have it...................does it make that much of a difference? I have no problem with the current screen and the AF just saw this and wanted to ask?

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As the guy in the video I can say that the installation process, while straightforward, definitely requires patience and a light touch. The focusing screen can scratch easily if you let it touch the metal "holding tray" but once you get seated and pressed up into the mirror box, it should never fall out unless the camera has a serious impact or there is some defect. On our store demo S bodies (S2-P and S 006) I've never had the focusing screen holder fall down, but I have seen it happen with other users who've either installed it improperly or not fully latched it back up. We actually did a mini-review of this screen, and on the same page there's a little video of the screen in action:

 

http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2011/09/first-look-at-the-leica-s2-microprism-focusing-screen-153/

 

If there's one thing I mention to people interested in purchasing the microprism, it's that with the 30-90mm zoom lens at the 90mm position, it can be difficult to use it for manual focus as the split prism itself does need a minimum amount of light to work properly. At f/5.6 it's straining. 

 

Also, if you're looking for a flip-up 2x magnifier, there's always this:

 

http://leicastoremiami.com/collections/s-system-camera-accessories/products/leica-s-right-angle-finder

 

For users who like to manual focus, or who just enjoy the look of a split prism, I would definitely recommend giving the microprism screen a try. 

Edited by jlehrer
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Geoff is it worth the 400 bucks to have it...................does it make that much of a difference? I have no problem with the current screen and the AF just saw this and wanted to ask?

I started out in the 70s when this ground glass/microprism collar and split image was the normal thing and I like to have it back now albeit in a bigger brighter viewfinder than ever before.

The standard screen with the reticle does work fine for AF and with this one for AF I just point the centre of the split image line at the subject and it still works fine. For me, exactly as with the M system the precision of the split image is unmatched in the most MF critical applications. I seldom actually use the microprism collar personally.

Is it worth 400 bucks?....... That one you have to answer for yourself! If you have funded the S typ 006 and lenses another $400 will hardly hurt at all ;-)

Edited by hoppyman
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I use only MF and found the 16001 microprism screen to be a big assist in getting it right. Like Hoppyman, I started using Nikon G screens and thought the upcharge then was crazy. But, just like automakers that charge for floor mats, Leica and Nikon must see this as an unbundling advantage.

 

FWIW, my experience playing with AF on the S 006 is that it is a guesstimate of what you are really aiming at. So I ignore it.

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