Photography Culture

This is How a Split Prism SLR Camera Focuses

Chris Gampat
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09/08/2014
2 Mins read

Last Updated on 09/08/2014 by Chris Gampat

split prism

Years and years ago, SLR cameras used to use the split prism method of focusing. This was before autofocusing was a standard feature on cameras. In order to get a lens in focus, the photographer had to look through their SLR with the lens attached and turn the focusing ring accordingly. When the image in the center lined up perfectly, it meant that the scene and subject int he center was in focus.

Today, this method isn’t use as much except if you manage to get your hands on a matte or split prism focusing screen for your DSLR. They work exceptionally well with manual focus lenses, but modern screens and viewfinders have become so good that it’s arguable that you don’t even need them anymore. This method also wasn’t always the most accurate when shooting wide open. Additionally, many photographers back then loved to focus and recompose. So it was almost useless to use this method unless you were stopped down quite a bit or were incredibly careful.

All of this worked through bouncing the image from the mirror to the prism which then showed what the lens saw to the photographer who peered through the viewfinder. This method is still used with some medium format cameras that use manual focusing lenses. But generally, it’s over and done with. Fujifilm, however, brought this method back in a digital version with their X100s camera. However, their simulation is absolutely nothing compared to the real thing.

The video after the jump demonstrates this is better detail, check it out.

camera medium format split prism slr vintage
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.