Ryan O. Hicks Creative | Designer | Photographer

13Jan/100

Canon 5dmk2 EG-S Focusing Screen Review

I recently bought the EG-S Super Precision Matte Focusing Screen for my 5dmk2.  I love to shoot wide open on my lenses, and currently I own all primes that come in lower than recommended f/stop range for this screen.  The 50mm f/1.4 and the 85L f/1.2 MK2.  If this is your first time hearing of this focusing screen I will go through a brief description of it below.

What is the EG-S screen?

(as Ken Rockwell explains)

These precision surfaces simulate ground glass and greatly increase brightness for f/2.8 and slower zoom lenses so popular today. They are designed to be bright and contrasty with these slow lenses.

Oddly, these modern screens get no brighter when you're using a lens faster than f/2.8. Try it: put on an f/1.8 or other fast fixed lens and flick the depth of field button. You'll see no change in anything until you stop down to about f/2.5!