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Olympus E 3 Focusing Screen Katz Eye™ Focusing Screen for the
Olympus E-3

General Information

The Katz Eye™ focusing screen for the Olympus E-3 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-3 Split Prism Viewfinder
Olympus E-3 Viewfinder with Split Prism & Microprism Ring

Viewfinder Markings

The Katz Eye™ focusing screen for the Olympus E-3 has no effect on existing viewfinder information. All active viewfinder information, including the focusing points will still function normally.

Metering Information

Because of the design of the E-3 light metering system, the use of a split prism focusing screen will have noticeable effects on exposure results with this model. The Katz Eye™ focusing screen has been designed to control these effects to the extent possible, but the user should be aware that exposure compensation will be required in some circumstances. Suggested exposure compensation values for each of the metering modes are as follows:

Lens
Aperture
ESP CWA Spot Spot-
Highlight
Spot-
Shadow
1.4
0
0
0
0
NR
2.0
0
0
0
0
NR
2.8
-0.3(S)
-0.6(O)
0(S)
-0.3(O)
NR
NR
NR
4.0
-1.3(S)
-2(O)
-0.6(S)
-1.6(O)
NR
NR
NR
5.6
-1.6(S)
-2.6(O)
-1.3(S)
-2(O)
NR
NR
NR

(S) = Without OptiBrite Treatment
(O) = With OptiBrite Treatment
0 = No exposure compensation required.
NR = This combination is not recommended. Use an alternate light metering mode or manual exposure settings.

Note: Apertures indicated in the above chart are the lens maximum aperture as indicated on the lens body and are not affected by the actual aperture chosen for a given photo. These exposure compensation suggestions are a recommended starting point only and actual results may vary depending on conditions. Users are advised to take a test photo and check the histogram before beginning any critical work.

The “Plus” Prism

The Katz Eye™ focusing screen for the Olympus E-3 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.

Installation

The focusing screen in the Olympus E-3 is not designed to be changed by the user. Although the Katz Eye™ screen is a direct replacement for the original and no modifications or calibration are required, the actual procedure to change the screen is difficult and should not be attempted by the average user. Because of this, installation instructions and tools will NOT be provided.

Since the Katz Eye™ screen is a direct replacement for the original, any camera repair shop that works on Olympus 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. 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.

Brightness Enhancement

Like all screens made by Katz Eye™ Optics, the E-3 screen can be OptiBrite brightness enhanced for the ultimate appearance. Because of the design of the light meter in the E-3, the OptiBrite treatment will have a noticeable impact on exposure values. Therefore, the OptiBrite treatment is only recommended for E-3 users when low light shooting or use of extremely slow lenses is the primary concern. Click here for more information about the OptiBrite treatment.

Grid/Crop Lines

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.


Prism Type

Katz Eye “Plus” Split Prism w/Microprism Collar
OptiBrite Treatment

OptiBrite Brightness Enhancement Treatment

No
Yes - Add $55.00
Grid/Crop Lines

Click here to read more about our various composition aid patterns.

Quantity *

  Price: $105.00 /ea.

Manufacturing Time

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 05/13/2008 production is running smoothly and orders are being completed in 5-7 business days from the date the order is placed.



Supported Models
Canon DSLRs

Fuji DSLRs

Kodak DSLRs

Leica DSLRs

Nikon DSLRs

Olympus DSLRs

Panasonic DSLRs

Pentax DSLRs

Sigma DSLRs

Sony DSLRs

Services

Installation Service
Policies & Info
The Katz Eye™ “Plus”

Grid/Crop Lines

OptiBrite - Brightness Enhancement

Frequently Asked Questions

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