Even though I am in the camp that prefers the matte with no other focusing aids, here is my take on what happened.
For most people, learning to use the split image is probably easier and more comforting to use. So in the glory days, all cameras came with that as standard. Those who preferred something else could buy and install that screen. When AF and slow zooms became the norm, one big problem with a split image is that it blacks out after about 5.6 or so - this can cause problems with slow lenses (the most commonly purchased). On top of that, the main AF sensor in most cameras is in the same spot which could cause problems for the sensor. So the easiest thing for the manufacturers to do was to take out the focusing aids and let the masses use AF instead. That is where we are today. The better models are allowing for changing of screens just like in the past for those who prefer some other screen. This is all my conjecture and is not based upon any hard fact or knowledge. -- Bruce Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 11:15:40 AM, you wrote: TC> Shoot, I guess I'll have to tell that to all my in focus photos I took from TC> 1990 to 1997. :-) TC> If there's one thing this list seems to have the propensity for, it's TC> arguing about the right way to do something when there is more than one TC> right way. TC> What does anyone care if I like split prism screens for focusing? And what TC> do I care if you don't? :-) TC> Tom C. >>From: Adam Maas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>Reply-To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List <pdml@pdml.net> >>To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List <pdml@pdml.net> >>Subject: Re: Katz Eye Split prism screen >>Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:49:36 -0400 >> >>Split images are less accurate with wider lenses, the shift is smaller and >>aligning less precise. No split image is dead-on accurate and if that's a >>requirement, a matte screen and a magnifier are the way to go. >> >>-Adam >> >> >>Bob Blakely wrote: >> > If you have a split image scree that is not dead on accurate, you have >>an >> > improperly designed and/or manufactured screen. It would mean that the >> > center line where the prisms cross is not in the same plane as the >>ground >> > glass's frost. FYI, I believe they are "optical" plastic now. >> > >> > Regards, >> > Bob... >> > -------------------------------------------------------- >> > "Art is not a reflection of reality. it is the reality of a reflection." >> > -Jean Luc Godard >> > >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: "graywolf" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > >> > >> >> Just to give the other point of view, I hate split image focusing >>devices. >> >> To me >> >> they are annoying, right in the middle of the picture where I want to >>see >> >> what I >> >> am looking at, and they are not as accurate as you guys seem to think >>they >> >> are. >> >> Plain ground glass with grid is my choice. It is interesting how many >> >> folks do >> >> not trust their eye. >> > >> > >> >> >> >>-- >>PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>PDML@pdml.net >>http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
