The standard KatzEye™ screen for the Pentax *istDL does not have the focus area brackets marked like the original screen - we prefer the clean look on the screen. For those users that wish to have the focus area brackets marked, this available as an option. If you want the AF area markings, please be sure to select the focus area bracket pattern when adding the screen to your cart. The original spot metering circle cannot be shown due to its coincidence with the prism, but corresponds roughly to the diameter of the split prism. All other viewfinder information is unaffected by the installation of the KatzEye™ screen.

The KatzEye™ focusing screen for the Pentax *istDL shows only a minimal effect on metering. Based on an analysis of the histograms, centerweighted average metering mode can be expected to be within 1/3 f-stops (factory tolerance) when using any AF lens. In full frame evaluative mode, meter readings will also be within 1/3 stops. Spot metering mode will also be accurate when using lenses with a maximum aperture of f3.5 or faster. Slower lenses will show a shift toward increased exposure in spot metering mode. The shift only occurs with slower lenses and can be managed by either using a different metering mode (evaluative or centerweighted) or by setting exposure compensation based on the histogram of a test shot.

The KatzEye™ focusing screen for the Pentax *istDL 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

While the Pentax *istDL is not advertised as having interchangeable focusing screens, the screen can be changed by most users and the process is not very involved - no modifications or calibration are required and a tool for handling the screen will be included with your purchase. A detailed instruction guide with high resolution color images is available for download here.

If you don’t feel confident installing the KatzEye™ screen, your local camera shop should be able do it for you. Since the KatzEye™ screen is a direct replacement for the original, any competent shop 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 can, though it’s not the normal procedure. 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 Pentax *istDL screen can be OptiBrite brightness enhanced for the ultimate appearance. The OptiBrite treatment showed no effect on the light metering of the *istDL in our testing. Click here for more information about the OptiBrite treatment.

Composition Aids

In addition to the AF area brackets, the KatzEye™ focusing screen for the Pentax *istDL is 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 grid line and crop guide patterns. Please note, that if you choose the AF Area Brackets AND an additional composition aid pattern, the two will be combined in an aesthetically pleasing way and will appear different than the drawings shown.