Nikon DSLR for manual focus lenses

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presspass

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I know most Nikon DSLRs work with the company's AIS lenses. Which DSLR offers the easiest focus for these lenses? Do any have replaceable screens that offer either microprism or split image focusing aids? Thanks for your help.
 
I assume you want metering with AIS lenses? That would narrow down your choice to the D200 (old) and higher-end models. Once you obtain one, have Katz Eye replace the screen.
I used their focusing screen on my D200 and it worked very well.

If you don't need metering, then just find a DSLR that has the features that you want AND is supported by Katz Eye.

Note: I think Katz Eye supports most of the entry-mid-advanced level Nikon DSLR's. I do not believe they currently support the highest end
models - D3, D800, D4


http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/
 
Thanks for the quick replies. Any preference as to a provider for a new screen? I've seen the focusingscreen mentioned several times and the Katz Eye just once. Again, thanks for the quick replies.
 
Nikon is not interested in supporting manual focusing. So no matter what you do you, are sailing against the tide. I say this having used numerous AI-AIS lenses on the D200/300/700.

- The DSLR Green Dot is useful for many lenses. Green Dot focusing effectiveness depends on the lens and, or the aperture. It also depends on the fine adjustments (mechanical on some bodies, software and mechanical on others). On some of my bodies critical focus was best obtained when the dot first turned green, or just before the green light went out, or in the middle. Different lenses were different on the same body and different bodies were different with the same lens. My two D700 bodies were different. However for narrower apertures these differences become less of a problem. Try and find a body where the Green Dot has above and below indicators as well.

- The Katz-Eye screens work well. My advice is to send the camera into Katz-Eye and pay them to install the screen. However if your mechanical skills are excellent (especially when working in cramped spaces) and your are extremely careful and patient, you can save time and money and swap screens yourself. It would be a good idea to have a selection of Nikon screen shims on hand so you can use the one that works best for critical focusing.

- Some people claim the less expensive third-part screens are every bit as good as the Katz -Eye screens. I never tried these.

Eventually I gave up using AI/AIS lenses on Nikon DSLRs. It was just too frustrating. But that's just me. I just had to accept Nikon's goals and my goals were not compatible. However many others use MF lenses all the time as a matter of routine.

I left Nikon for good when the Df body was released with absolutely no consideration (improvements) for photographers who enjoy using manual focus lenses.
 
willie_901 said:
Nikon is not interested in supporting manual focusing. So no matter what you do you, are sailing against the tide. I say this having used numerous AI-AIS lenses on the D200/300/700.

- The DSLR Green Dot is useful for many lenses. Green Dot focusing effectiveness depends on the lens and, or the aperture. It also depends on the fine adjustments (mechanical on some bodies, software and mechanical on others). On some of my bodies critical focus was best obtained when the dot first turned green, or just before the green light went out, or in the middle. Different lenses were different on the same body and different bodies were different with the same lens. My two D700 bodies were different. However for narrower apertures these differences become less of a problem. Try and find a body where the Green Dot has above and below indicators as well.

- The Katz-Eye screens work well. My advice is to send the camera into Katz-Eye and pay them to install the screen. However if your mechanical skills are excellent (especially when working in cramped spaces) and your are extremely careful and patient, you can save time and money and swap screens yourself. It would be a good idea to have a selection of Nikon screen shims on hand so you can use the one that works best for critical focusing.

- Some people claim the less expensive third-part screens are every bit as good as the Katz -Eye screens. I never tried these.

Eventually I gave up using AI/AIS lenses on Nikon DSLRs. It was just too frustrating. But that's just me. I just had to accept Nikon's goals and my goals were not compatible. However many others use MF lenses all the time as a matter of routine.

I left Nikon for good when the Df body was released with absolutely no consideration (improvements) for photographers who enjoy using manual focus lenses.
Click to expand...

I think that it'll be difficult to find a better post about that question ever.

And not only because you wrote the exact 100% same things which I think, and did.

Ita missa est re. MF lenses on Nikon DSLRs actually.
 
what willie_901 said is the reality.

I had the D60 and the D5100 and 7 manual focus lenses, and I definitely needed the Katzeye screen to focus. Even added a 1.17 eyepiece magnifier, but that did not help much. The Katzeye is very good.

Recently though I sold off all the MF lenses and have the D5100 kit up for sale. Never thought I'd dump Nikon, but they just don't get it (regarding the APS format).
 
presspass said:
I know most Nikon DSLRs work with the company's AIS lenses. Which DSLR offers the easiest focus for these lenses? Do any have replaceable screens that offer either microprism or split image focusing aids? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

You might also look into the Sony A7/r/s series cameras. Fit a mount adapter, set the camera controls up to have focus assist magnification on the AF/MF button, and the quality of the EVF, size-shape-weight, and clacky shutter reminds me for all the world of a Nikon FM2 or FE2 in use. The sensor and EVF are both excellent quality, the camera works well.

G
 
Here are some reasons that I didn't include in the original post. I use my Nikons primarily for film photography. When I know I'm going to need digital, the EOS kit is the way to go. But sometimes when I have the F3s and manual lenses, I see or need a color digital photo. So I bought a D200 for that purpose. It will not be my primary digital camera; just something small enough to go in the bag to be used when the need arises. Again, thanks for the replies.
 
After many years with Nikon, I am getting seriously frustrated by their almost complete elimination of the option to swap out the focusing screen.

I have a D600 and it's not an option.
Neither for the 610.
I think the D800 can swap screens, but it's physically huge and I don't need 36MP.
Even the DF, which Nikon has marketed as the end all be all for manual focus lenses can't take a split prism screen. Absolutely ridiculous.

The green dot is not a solution. I'm not a chameleon. I need to concentrate on the center of the screen and my subject. Not a dot in the corner.

I'm getting to the point where I may just switch to Canon and be done with it. The only thing stopping me is my large collection of Nikkors, but what use are they if I don't have a camera to really use them on?

Are you listening Nikon? Obviously not.
 
D700 with Katz Eye split image. Not anything with 100% viewfinder like D800, D3. They cover most all APS sensors.
I will warn you the Katz is still not like the old screens for film.

You can try focusing screen.com. to see what they offer
 
I read sometime ago on this forum that someone had a Canon eos 1 v screen installed in a Nikon D3 and that it worked very well with manual lenses .
 
It's worth mentioning that the focusingscreen.com screens are machined from genuine Nikon and Canon manual/replaceable screens with microprism/split image focusing.

It was surprisingly easy to fit - just minutes, and I had no need to use the suppled shims as the reused originals gave spot-on focus. However, it is important to make sure you're entirely clear how to do this (focusingscreen.com supplies comprehensive instructions (as does Katseye I'm sure), even if their English isn't perfect).

The screen makes a huge difference to the ease of using manual focus lenses on my D800E - which with its huge images requires critical focus. The new screen has no downsides for me - the camera functions exactly as before for the way I use it, and if the screen's darker than the original, I can't tell!

As I mentioned in my posts (links above), I tested all the D800E's functions that might be affected, even those I never use, and the one that was slightly off was matrix exposure, but I don't use this mode nor know of any serious photographer who does (how can you possibly take the photograph you intend if your camera is in control, not you?).

The only minor wrinkle is that the default position of the black rectangle defining the central focusing point sits slap bang over the newly added microprism circle. My solution is to nudge the rectangle so it now sits below the microprism circle.

I was so impressed with the ease of use and accuracy of my new screen that I've sold all my autofocus lenses! If I ever need to, I can refit the standard screen easily.

As others have said:

(a) With the exception of Leica, no camera manufacturer is seriously interested in users of manual focus lenses. Manual focus for them is at best an afterthought. We're niche users, and catering for us properly will simply reduce their profit margins without giving them a single meaningful (in business terms) benefit.

(b) With that in mind, you have to simply accept the situation - decide whether you personally can use manual lenses on a standard dSLR (some do) or not. If the latter, you have a straightforward choice: give up manual lenses, fit a focusing screen optimised for manual lenses or replace the camera with one that focuses with an electronic viewfinder/screen instead of an optical viewfinder.
 
I went through all this and I would never do it again. I tried with nikon and canon DSLRs and actually the Canons are better for it. Still, in comparison to film SLRs, the manual focussing is woeful. Basically buy a leica if you want digital with manual focus IMO.
 
Hmmm, a mirrorless would've been ideal for "sometimes when I have the F3s and manual lenses, I see or need a color digital photo". Small with a dedicated lens, versatile with the right adapter. Either Fuji or Sony (I'm partial to Sony, but most 'round here are partial to Fuji). But as you already decided on the D200 - have fun with it!

Just noticed: just 2 hours between your first question and your telling us you bought a D200 - quick decider!
 
Using a 2.0/135mm Nikkor on the D700: I can focus it fine, with or without the green RF dot deployed... :eek:

But, I use a tripod when shooting portraits like that.
 
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