Best VF in a Nikon SLR?

[GarageBoy]

Thanks
I'm only finding difficulty in ISO 3200 F2 1/60s darkness

 

[De_Corday]

For my day-to-day I keep my F3's loaded with E-screens--architectural grid overlay, matte field, no split image. I *love* them

 

[Calzone]

Thanks
I'm only finding difficulty in ISO 3200 F2 1/60s darkness

My night stalker rig was a Nikon F3P with a Beattie IntenScreen for the added brightness. I also modded my F3P so that the light came on to illuminate the LCD's anytime the meter was actuated. I added a DK-17 magnifier also. The Md-4 motordrive supplied power to satisfy the battery drain and added weight to create a stable platform for using a Noct-Nikkor.

Using Beattie screens has a trade off; the added brightness seems to aid longer lenses the best, and the cost of the added brightness is lower image contrast in the VF'er.

I also like the Red-Dot "E" screen.

Cal

 

[presspass]

Agree with Dwig about the older screens. For some reason, the focus pops when it doesn't with the newer screens. If you can live without the depth of field preview, the H screens work well especially with the DK17m eyepiece magnifier. The plain screens - B and E - work really well with a lens longer than 85; the H2 screen works well with the shorter lenses. I really like the H screens with the DK17m, but that's with F3s.

 

[css9450]

As to the best viewfinder? Probably either the meterless head on my F or the DE-1 or DP-12 finders on my F2, but only because they are 100% full frame as opposed to the slightly smaller frames in the FA or FM-2.

Its for that reason I like the 92-93% coverage of the FM2, FE2 and FA - it closely mimics the cutoff that's present around the edge of a slide mount. With the 100% finders, I sometimes cropped things too close by accident. My fault, I know, but its better safe than sorry.

 

[Finglas]

When all is said and done, the Nikon FE is number one.

 

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Godfrey View Post
The standard R8 screen, to my eye, has just a bit more contrast than the SL screen. Of course, that was my impression the last time I played with an R8, which was in 1996-7. The one I just acquired should be here next week so I'll have a chance to compare them again. ;-)

Yes I'd be interested in how you see it. I do remember the contrast and a bluish tint to the view whereas my SL's have a more yellow tint.
It's been 8 years since my R8 and my eyesight has changed somewhat! ...

Okay, been shooting with the Leicaflex SL and R8 a bit the past week. Both are superb, but to my eye the R8 viewfinder has just that little bit more contrast or "tooth" that makes focusing the 19, 24, and 35mm lenses easier.

I've decided I'm keeping the R8 and the black SL bodies, and selling the 180/2.8 and 50/2 lenses as well as the chrome SL body. Two bodies and seven compatible lenses from 19 to 180mm is a dream kit!

Similarly, I'm keeping the '64 Nikon F and plain prism; the black '73 with Photomic FTn and plain prism is going to a friend.

G