What type of screen would be most usefull for macro and telephoto work?

What body are you using?
In my Canon 1D Mark II's, which are almost always used with telephotos, I found the standard EC-CIII screen is best. (after looking at a whole bunch of different screens.) Can't say for my 10D since it's fixed and can't be changed.

I am wondering for the future purchase of a DSLR. I consider this a very important feature for manual focusing. I do not trust auto focus. This stems from my Canon EOS Rebel S...never takes sharp photos. It just has a plain matte screen and I think it is fixed as well? I think this is often forgotten about when people purchase a new body.

My experiences with AF have been mixed as well, when I was still shooting with Nikon gear, I had an F4 that would focus properly, then a few seconds later (just when you were ready to hit the shutter release) would start hunting, one of the reasons I switched over to Canon. As for AF accuracy, both the 10D and the 1D are always dead on. The only caveat is that the 10D's AF is not great for sports or other fast moving objects... If you want the absolute fastest, most accurate AF around, and have at least 3,000 to spend on a 4.2 MP body, a used 1D is a good choice.

As for manual focusing, with the 10D is not too bad, the viewfinder is a bit small and this makes it considerably harder, it can be done though. On the 1D, since the viewfinder is both 100% and nice and bright, manually focusing is a whiz.

I used to have a fully manual Yashica ( don't remeber the model ) that I think gave me the best photos. It had a split screen focusing center with a outer prism ring...not sure what the technical term is though for that screen, but it was great. So are there good deals in Alberta...maybe I can save the 7.5% BC provincial sales tax. Might be worth the drive out from the coast and take some photos on the way back home;-)

If you have a smaller viewfinder, it's always better to have a split focus screen. That way, you don't have to worry about your eyes fooling you. My old Polaroid SX-70 has a split focus, and I don't even bother looking at the rest of the image for sharpness. I compose and if the split is lined up, then I know it will be in focus.

Yeah, I miss the good old days of split screens...you can get split screens (EC-B, I believe) for the new canon’s, but since they are not the same as good old ground glass, I don’t like them.

And, yes, the deals here are great. Since Photokina is coming up (and everyone expects the unveiling of the 1Ds Mark II), The Camera Store here in Calgary put all of their full frame, 11MP 1Ds bodies on clearance!

(1Ds Mark II, not to be confused with the allready existing 1D Mark II)

I've always have had Nikons, and they offer a wide verity of focus screens i like the wide field screens for almost every thing but the split screen focus plans are very accurate do to the fact of just having to align the top and bottom.

Does the 20D come with interchangeable screens?

I don't believe it does, currently only Canon's professional bodies accept different screens. I'm surprised though, as many 10D owners complained about this...although the 20D's new "Precision Matte" screen is supposed to be quite good, especially when it comes to manually focusing.

Maybe the 30D will be interchangeable. I guess it keeps the manufacturing cost down and profits up;-)

my dad has an old completely manual nikon with a split screen focuser thing, and i love it its so easy, even if you have the aperature at 1.8 you can get a perfect focus every time