Katz Eye™ Focusing Screen for theOlympus E-500
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The Katz Eye™ focusing screen for the Olympus E-500 is a laser matte with a split prism circle and a microprism collar, very similar to the one you’d find in many classic SLRs. It is a direct replacement with no modifications required to the camera at all. The split prism with microprism ring is a great combination for focusing in a variety of situations. The Katz Eye™ screen will have NO effect on the functioning of the autofocus sensors of the camera.
Viewfinder Appearance
Olympus E-500 Viewfinder with Split Prism & Microprism Ring
The Katz Eye™ focusing screen does not have the rectangular focus point brackets marked. The center point is quite obvious because of the split prism and the outer two points are approximately at the edge of the microprism ring. The focus point indicator lights will function as normal and can be seen as a small dot when not lit. All other viewfinder information displays function as intended.
Installation of the Katz Eye™ focusing screen has only a very slight effect on light metering in the E-500. Test results for each of the three metering modes are as follows:
The Katz Eye™ focusing screen for the Olympus E-500 is is available exclusively in the Katz Eye™ “Plus” version. The “Plus” version has a unique prism design which delays the prism ‘blackout’ phenomenon until well after f11. Ordinary split prisms will black out by about f5.6, rendering them difficult to use with slower zoom lenses, teleconverters, or in extreme macro photography... but not the Katz Eye™ “Plus”. More information about the Katz Eye™ “Plus” can be found here.
The Katz Eye™ screen is a direct replacement for the original and no modifications to the camera are required. The installation requires no special tools or skills, but it does require working in tight spaces. If you are not completely confident in your vision or dexterity, professional installation might be advisable. For those users installing the screen themselves or for those taking the camera to a local shop, a detailed installation guide, with plenty of high resolution photos, is available for download here.
Since the Katz Eye™ screen is a direct replacement for the original, any camera repair shop that works on Olypus cameras should be able to handle the installation and the original screen can be reinstalled at any time, should you so desire. If you want us to install it at Katz Eye™ Optics, we would be happy to do so. Please see the Installation Service page to order installation with your focusing screen. Installation service at Katz Eye™ Optics costs $65, plus the cost of return shipping of your camera.
Like all screens made by Katz Eye™ Optics, the E-500 screen can be OptiBrite brightness enhanced for the ultimate appearance. Click here for more information about the OptiBrite treatment. The OptiBrite treatment has no significant affect on light metering in the E-500.
All Katz Eye™ focusing screens are available with grid patterns or crop lines. We have a variety of standard patterns available or we can provide a custom pattern to your design. Click here for more information about our grid/crop line patterns.
All Katz Eye™ focusing screens are custom made to order and are usually not available to ship the day the order is placed. As of 07/04/2009 production is operating normally and orders are being completed in 2-4 business days from the date they were placed.
HOLIDAY NOTICE - Katz Eye™ Optics is currently closed through Tuesday July 7, 2009 in observance of our summer holiday. Web orders may be placed during this time, but phone orders and support will not be available. Email support will be provided to the extent possible, but please excuse any response delays during our vacation. There will be minimal impact on delivery times as a result of the break and normal operations will resume on Wednesday July 8, 2009.
