This 60-second video will provide an easy fix for anyone who’s plagued by a blackened focus screen in their medium format camera
Are you having a hard time focusing your medium format camera because the split prism focusing screen is black?
I’ve seen this question asked a lot on film forums and the answers have run the gamut from there’s nothing you can do — it’s just the nature of the beast — to you’re looking through the viewfinder wrong.
The truth is — it’s a very easy fix.
All you have to do is open your aperture all the way up long enough to focus, and then put it back on the desired aperture after you’re in focus. If you open up to f.2.8, you should see the lens prism become quite clear and usable.
After you’ve focused accurately, just be sure to set your lens back to the proper aperture before you fire the shutter.
I hope this is helpful to anyone who’s found this situation perplexing.
Thanks for reading.
Be sure to visit me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, or on my website at keithdotson.com.
~ Keith