Nikon df and focusing screens

[seany65]

I see there are now split image/microprism focusing screens (among others) being fitted to nikon Df's.

I seem to remember reading that they can only be used with lenses of f2 and faster.

Does anyone know if this is correct?

 

[x-ray]

A couple of years ago I bought one of the modified Canon split image screens off eBay. I wound up removing it from the camera and reinstalling the original screen because I didn't find it any more accurate than the original screen and focus confirmation indicator in the camera. I don't think the Canon screen was as bright.

I primarily use manual focus primes on my DF and found the Nikon eyepiece magnifier helps a great deal.

As to what speed lenses it worked with. I had no problem with my f1.2 to 3.5 lenses.

 

[seany65]

Thanks for the info x-ray.

If I had a Df, I'd want a micro/split screen 'cos I don't like the screen that it's got.

I have just read that Df's have quite a bit of plastic involved and for £2000 or more I'd want metal. I may be going off the idea. Maybe any df2 they come up with will have less plastic? I doubt it though.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . for £2000 or more I'd want metal. . . .

Why?

Mine looks like hell -- that black plastic top-plate doesn't wear gracefully, and I've had it pretty much since they came out -- but I bought it to use, not to admire. It's the best DSLR I've ever used. Original screen works fine too.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I'm with Roger and X-Ray on this. The original screen worked fine for me, with the magnifier eyepiece. 90% of the time I was using old Nikon non-AI glass, and had no problem with focusing.

 

[Ronald M]

Problem with green confirm dot is you need to take eye off subject.

Know nothing about Canon, but Nikon A screen works 1.4 to 5.6.
They could make a 1.4 lens more accurate, but then slower lenses would black out in the RF split.

For landscapes and still life, green dot is fine. Event work or anything that moves, I just use auto focus.

 

[x-ray]

The plastic in the Df isn't a problem. I bought it new on the NPS program where working pros can get them ahead of the dealers and general consumer. I use it as my default DSLR for assignments even over my D800. I'm semi retired now but still shooting commercial assignments. I probably shoot 2-3 assignments a week now so that's 100-150 per year. Not heavy use but substantial. My camera still looks almost new. I never throw it in a bag and always take care of the gear that I make my living with. Abuse any camera even all metal and it's going to look bad and be unreliable. Don't worry about the construction. The Df is a fantastic camera.

 

[Fraser]

Thanks for the info x-ray.

If I had a Df, I'd want a micro/split screen 'cos I don't like the screen that it's got.

I have just read that Df's have quite a bit of plastic involved and for £2000 or more I'd want metal. I may be going off the idea. Maybe any df2 they come up with will have less plastic? I doubt it though.

As already said by others it may have some plastic but in no way does it feel a cheap camera, I only paid I think from memory £1100 for mine second hand not £2000. It feels just as solid as the d700 I traded in for it. It would be nice to have a more traditional focusing screen but I don't think it would be as accurate as the green dot and once you start using it with manual focus lenses it works really well.
And it has a better sensor than Leica has ever come up with😀

 

[x-ray]

And it has a better sensor than Leica has ever come up with😀

It's far more reliable than Leicas digital and much lower image noise. The M9 had nice images at base ISO but the motor, speed of operation, buffer and LCD were about at the same level as the Nikon D1 I bought around 2000. The features and components were about 4 generations behind and we all know about reliability.

Unlike Leica Nikon has excellent service if you need it. Even consumer service is great but their professional NPS service can't be topped. Nikon never forgot who built the company, the pros. Free loaners, fast turnaround repairs usually 5 days or less, loaner bodies and lenses for special projects at no cost other than fedex and on site repairs and loaners at large news events like the Kentucky Derby. If you trash a camera or lens Nikon has on site repairs and loaners. Nikon also offers priority to pros when new products come out. The NPS members get cameras and lenses ahead of the dealers. I purchased my D1x and Df through that program.

The last repair I had was in the 80's and was a dewind gear in my F2 motor that failed. Service was reasonable and took 24 hours plus one day fedex each way. This is typical of NPS service.

The Df is really a superb camera.

 

[seany65]

Thanks for the new replies and new info.

I wouldn't normally say anything like this, but I think there are too many buttons on it. I think it looks a bit too 'crowded'. I'm fairly sure I'd be pressing half of them with my cheek or nose or stray fingers.

 

[dasuess]

Thanks for the new replies and new info.

I wouldn't normally say anything like this, but I think there are too many buttons on it. I think it looks a bit too 'crowded'. I'm fairly sure I'd be pressing half of them with my cheek or nose or stray fingers.

The only camera I have used for the past 2.5 years... Never had a problem with "too many buttons", ever. Vintage MF Nikkor glass and this camera are a perfect match.

 

[Huss]

Unlike Leica Nikon has excellent service if you need it.

Yup. Leica service is abysmal.

W/re. to the focusing screen, I found that the DF I had could not focus my Nikkor 105 1.8 AIS at 1.8 reliably. Using either the screen, or the dot confirmation gave me a very poor hit rate. I'd say about 25%.
The D750 focuses my 105 1.8 AIS very accurately in comparison.

 

[seany65]

@dasuess, That'll be because you're not a clumsy clot like me.

@Huss, were you using the the screen supplied with the Df?

 

[Huss]

@Huss, were you using the the screen supplied with the Df?

Yes, stock screen in both the DF and the D750. I used the digital confirmation dot on both for the most accurate results. The D750 did far better which is more notable given that it has a 24mp sensor vs the 16mp sensor on the DF. The higher the pixel density, the harder it is to achieve accurate focus .

 

[Ronald M]

Yup. Leica service is abysmal.

W/re. to the focusing screen, I found that the DF I had could not focus my Nikkor 105 1.8 AIS at 1.8 reliably. Using either the screen, or the dot confirmation gave me a very poor hit rate. I'd say about 25%.
The D750 focuses my 105 1.8 AIS very accurately in comparison.

Just a guess based on experience, but the hits are actually the misses.

The problem is the screen is out of adjustment from the factory. The proper fix is confirm what I said with tripod and flash. Then reshim the
screen so it is in the proper place. This is PITA job best left to repair person although I have done it. Buy shims, remove screen, remove and or replace to reposition screen.

More simple fix is to use AF fine tune default tuning to get it so it works in manual mode. Every lens will work with the one adjustment.
The problem is if the green dot confirm is correct, the screen is visually slightly out. If you have to go more than 1 or two, this will annoy you.

Done both. Usually I just do the default MF mode fine tune.

 

[Fraser]

I don't seem to have any bother with my df even 50mm 1.2 maybe I'm just lucky.