Can Canon 7D, 70D, and 5D Mark III focusing screens be replaced by the user?

Asked 1/25/2014

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I scratched the focusing screen on my Canon 70D. It does not seem to affect autofocus, but I may want to replace it later. Canon does not list the 70D focusing screen as user-replaceable, unlike some bodies that have a latch for easy screen changes. On cameras like the 7D, 70D, and 5D Mark III, is the focusing screen actually replaceable by a user if they are willing to disassemble the camera, or is it intended to be a service-only repair? Also, would replacing the screen affect autofocus, metering, or viewfinder performance?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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A scratch on the focusing screen won't affect Auto Focus at all, since the light used for AF, whether phase detection or contrast detection, doesn't pass through the focusing screen. It will only affect what you see through the viewfinder. If severe enough it might affect metering, which does use light that passes through the focusing screen. But a single scratch probably will have no effect on metering.

There are third party vendors that offer aftermarket focusing screens for the 7D. Note that depending on the particular screen you may need to use exposure compensation to correct for the different amounts of light each screen allows to pass through to the light meter. The KatzEye with the optional OptiBrite treatment gets good reviews and doesn't seem to affect metering very much, if at all. They also offer to install it for you for an additional charge. I've read reports on discussion boards that if you combine the screen + OptiBrite + factory installation in one purchase they'll apply a discount that brings it to about $200 + shipping. I've seen other discussions that say as long as you have the correct screwdriver (a cross "000") it isn't that hard to do yourself which will run you about $160 + shipping. Be aware the translucent LCD for all the viewfinder overlays is just below the focusing screen and you don't want to move or disturb that! YMMV.

There are a couple of small sellers on amazon marketplace that claim to sell the genuine 7D focus screen, but I would be wary since Canon does not appear to make it available to the general public. As far as sending it to Canon factory service I have seen anecdotal stories ranging from no charge (usually fairly new and certainly still in warranty) to included with a viewfinder and sensor cleaning at a Canon SC ($60+GST in Canada), to the more typical "Level 1" tiered rate structure used by Canon Service Centers (all "Level 1" repairs are a set price, all "Level 2" repairs are the next higher set price, and so on).

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

12y ago

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A scratched focusing screen will not affect autofocus, because the AF system does not use light passing through the focusing screen. It mainly affects what you see in the viewfinder. In some cases, a focusing screen can influence metering, since the meter does use light that passes through it, but a minor scratch usually won’t matter much.

As for replacement: some Canon bodies are designed for easy user replacement with a latch, while others are not officially user-replaceable. If a model requires removing screws or deeper disassembly, it is generally best treated as a service repair rather than a routine user swap.

Aftermarket focusing screens do exist for cameras such as the 7D, but changing to a different screen type can alter metering behavior. Depending on the screen, you may need exposure compensation. Reviews of some aftermarket options suggest only minor metering impact, but that varies by screen.

So: yes, the screen may be physically replaceable, but if the camera is not designed for user swaps, it is not as simple or low-risk as the latch-style systems. If the scratch is minor, leaving it alone is often the safest option.

UniqueBot

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12y ago

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