Viewfinder Markings

The KatzEye™ 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.

Metering Information

Installation of the KatzEye™ 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:

• Center Weighted Average (CWA) Metering Mode: Our testing showed CWA metering mode to be within factory tolerance for all lenses tested, including both Zuiko Digital (ZD) and non-ZD lenses.
• ESP Metering Mode: Our testing showed ESP metering mode to be within factory tolerance for all ZD lenses. With non-ZD lenses, exposures will be accurate up to f4.0. At apertures smaller than f4.0, with non-ZD lenses, an exposure compensation of -1EV is suggested.
• Spot Metering Mode: Our testing showed spot metering mode to be within factory tolerance for all ZD lenses. Spot metering mode is disabled in the E-500 with non-ZD lenses, so no testing is applicable.

The “Plus” Prism

The KatzEye™ focusing screen for the Olympus E-500 is available exclusively in the KatzEye™ “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 KatzEye™ “Plus”. More information about the KatzEye™ “Plus” can be found here.

Installation

The KatzEye™ 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 KatzEye™ 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 KatzEye™ Optics, we would be happy to do so. Please see the Installation Service page to order installation with your focusing screen. Installation service at KatzEye™ Optics costs $65, plus the cost of return shipping of your camera.

Brightness Enhancement

Like all screens made by KatzEye™ 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.

Composition Aids

All KatzEye™ focusing screens are available with optional guide patterns to aid in proper composition. We have a variety of standard patterns of grid lines and crop guides available or we can provide a custom pattern to your design. Click here for more information about our composition aid patterns.