Best digital for manual focus

[wintoid]

I don't usually make posts like this, and I've specifically not made it a poll because I may not put the right cameras into the poll list.

I like focusing manually, and I currently have the M9P for that reason. I'm interested to learn whether there's a camera I have overlooked, outside of the Leica stable, which is really fast and accurate for manual focus.

What do people think is the best digital body to meet this criterion, regardless of lens quality, and why?

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Nikon D3 with a split-prism focusing screen from a Canon EOS 1V, hacked to fit the D3 screen carrier.
The D3 retains all of its AF functionality and accurate metering but the big viewfinder becomes better than stock in that it allows one use of superspeed lenses like the 50mm f/1.2 and 85mm f/1.4 with more accuracy than the AF system offers.
I shoot exclusively AiS Nikkors on that rig and think it's the best option for manual focus since the Nikon F4.

Phil Forrest

 

[De_Corday]

Nikon D3 with a split-prism focusing screen from a Canon EOS 1V, hacked to fit the D3 screen carrier.
The D3 retains all of its AF functionality and accurate metering but the big viewfinder becomes better than stock in that it allows one use of superspeed lenses like the 50mm f/1.2 and 85mm f/1.4 with more accuracy than the AF system offers.
I shoot exclusively AiS Nikkors on that rig and think it's the best option for manual focus since the Nikon F4.

Phil Forrest

Phil, thats an awesome thing to know. DO you know if the EOS 1V screen can be modified to fit other Nikon FX prisms?

 

[wintoid]

Nikon D3 with a split-prism focusing screen from a Canon EOS 1V, hacked to fit the D3 screen carrier.
The D3 retains all of its AF functionality and accurate metering but the big viewfinder becomes better than stock in that it allows one use of superspeed lenses like the 50mm f/1.2 and 85mm f/1.4 with more accuracy than the AF system offers.
I shoot exclusively AiS Nikkors on that rig and think it's the best option for manual focus since the Nikon F4.

Phil Forrest

Superb, thanks Phil, I have never heard of that option.

 

[E.M]

Thanks a lot for that info Phil , I have a D3 and a 85 1,4 ais and I 'm always struggling to nail the focus . Much appreciated .

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Phil, thats an awesome thing to know. DO you know if the EOS 1V screen can be modified to fit other Nikon FX prisms?

I haven't read of anyone doing it to a Df yet but eventually that will get flushed out. I seem to recall that the mod is also possible on the D700 but I don't know about the D800 or D600/610.

Pairing that screen with a DK-17m eyepiece magnifier makes the viewfinder an incredible one to look through instead of just good. Back in November, I was shooting night time high school football games with a 300mm f/4.5 Ais on that camera and was bringing home results that got me paid so it can certainly be done.

I love using it with my 85mm f/1.4 and 28mm f/2.8 lenses. Those two on that body make a formidable kit. One of the best parts about it is that the D3 is still an amazing camera that gives amazing results and the prices are dropping now as it is over a full generation old. That and the fact that AiS Nikkors are still pretty inexpensive, for the most part.

My whole kit paid for itself in only a few month's worth of work.

EDIT:
What you need is the Canon Ec-B screen. They are cheap and just as high quality as the aftermarket screens from KatzEye (who won't make a screen for the D3.)
The two screens need to be carefully matched. The Canon screen is exactly the same thickness as the Nikon screen but the width is slightly different and the Canon screen has tabs that locate it within the carrier. These need to be filed off very carefully and then when the screen is placed in the D3, activate the center AF bracket for a reference where the X and Y center of the VF is.
It's not a hard modification but extreme care needs to be taken to not lodge any dust or grime on the prism as well as on the screen itself.
The polycarbonate material of the screen will fly everywhere and adhere to everything in a dry environment. This includes the inside of the Nikon so use a blower and a god brush to clean it off very well before placing it in the camera. Also use some type of glove to handle the screen. If you're up to this modification it means you're already a stickler on how your viewfinder looks. Once oil or a fingerprint gets on the surface of that new GG, it's never coming off and you may as well buy a new one. Cleaners will only permanently stain it.

Ok, sorry to hijack the thread. Back to the topic!

Phil Forrest

Phil Forrest

 

[De_Corday]

Not to threadjack, but that's really good to know. I'm shooting a bunch of MF Nikkors through the DX D200 and its kind of hellish. I too have a 300 /4.5, and that behaves well, but my beloved 85mm /1.8 is very hard to focus properly. Yet another reason to eat ramen and save up for a D3/D700.

I would say that to the OP... don't get less than a full frame for manual focus, IMHO. Though if you'd be moving from an M9 I doubt you would to begin with.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

My own experience is based on using the Canon 5D, 10D and 40D; the Nikon D200 and D5100; Panasonic G2 and Epson EP-1.

Of these, I find the Panasonic G2 to be the clear leader. I find it allows me to focus a 24/f2.5 accurately with no need to hunt for the focus, even if I stop it down to f8 before focussing.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Not to threadjack, but that's really good to know. I'm shooting a bunch of MF Nikkors through the DX D200 and its kind of hellish. I too have a 300 /4.5, and that behaves well, but my beloved 85mm /1.8 is very hard to focus properly. Yet another reason to eat ramen and save up for a D3/D700.

I would say that to the OP... don't get less than a full frame for manual focus, IMHO. Though if you'd be moving from an M9 I doubt you would to begin with.

You can get a MF screen from KatzEye Optics (I have no affiliation with them but used one of their screens on my old Nikon D2Hs) for your D200 and it will be a welcome asset. It completely changes your "view" (pun intended) of the older DX cameras and their utility.

Phil Forrest

 

[unixrevolution]

Not to be completely contrary to everyone else here, but my favorite digital camera for manual focus is the Sony NEX 5N. Other NEX-line cameras, including the A7, will have the same advantages, so it may apply equally well to all.

The NEX series has a number of really excellent features, great sensors, good image quality and reasonably intuitive controls. But one of the best features for people like me, who shot pretty much nothing but manual glass on one, is Focus Peaking.

Focus Peaking electronically highlights the areas that are in sharp focus in the image, using a color such as yellow, white or red to outline those objects.

I find it to be quite accurate, and it also takes into account depth of field, highlighting areas that are sharp with a lot of yellow, areas that are less sharp with a little yellow, and areas that are unsharp with no yellow at all. Stopped down or wide open it'll let you get a feel for what's sharp, what's acceptable, and what's blurry.

Using it on my NEX, I can safely say it allows me to manual focus in any light, without squinting, without futzling with diopters, and without second guessing myself. Getting the right focus on the right object every single time. And happily, it works either on the LCD screen or the EVF equally well.

Coupling this with the fact that my NEX can mount just about any 35mm camera lens ever made and use it without difficulty, and the NEX has become my backup digital camera for both my M and Pentax K systems.

A universal digital camera body that has superb manual focus peaking to take all the guesswork out of manual focusing, available on the 'bay for less than $500? That's exactly what it is. As a bonus, with the EVF removed, it fits in the smallest pocket of my smallest camera bag, barely taking up any more room than 4 rolls of 35mm film.

As an added bonus, telecompressors/Lens Boosters/Lens Turbos are available to give your 35mm glass the 35mm look even on APS digital sensors, while getting you an extra stop of exposure in the bargain!

Having used one now for almost a year, I have to say I'm finding very little not to like about the combination.

 

[hellomikmik]

Full-frames from Nikon or Canon because the have big and bright viewfinders + you can add magnifiers. I am pretty sure that if you would really want, you can pick up a lens (one that is OK for manual focusing*) and get almost perfect focus with some of those bodies with practice. If I should pick one that would be the best, than I would say D3S, considering its viewfinder/focusing screen/pixel count.

*Note: it should not be considered "regardless of lens quality" as some lenses are easier to focus the others.

 

[biomed]

My best manual focus experience with a digital camera has been the Panasonic GX7. I have found the manual focus to work so well that AF is rarely used. The focus aid ( magnification) and focus peaking are top notch and facilitate fast and accurate MF. I have not used any of Sony's offerings, but I understand that they also offer very good MF capabilities.

Mike

 

[hellomikmik]

@unixrevolution: I like your signature: "Cameras are for looking through, not looking at."