Nikon Type G and Type H screens- how do you tell what's in focus?

[GarageBoy]

I love microprism dots- but the G2 and H2 screens I have for my F2 and 28 f2 combo is almost unusable (to me)

I'm used to focusing until the microprism over the subject stops shimmering, but I honestly can't tell on the G2 dot- nothing really "snaps"

 

[sevo]

You need the matching screen for the lens. Probably G1/H1 for a fast wide.

 

[GarageBoy]

I looked up the old F2 manual and it says the G2 is the correct one for the 28 F2 - back to the K for now...

Can't wait til my F4 gets here so I can finish off my TMAX P3200 - that green dot and a split screen is going to help me out a lot

 

[sevo]

I looked up the old F2 manual and it says the G2 is the correct one for the 28 F2

Right, just found the leaflet to go with the screens - the G2 is supposed to be a perfect match. Have you verified that it really is a G2? Does it work with other lenses (like a 50mm f/2)?

 

[johannielscom]

But, how to tell whether it's a type-1 or type-2 screen installed?

I too have a Nikkor 2.0/28mm on the F2 and have trouble snapping things in focus, although that might be the lens too, it's old and has seen quite some use over the years...

 

[sevo]

But, how to tell whether it's a type-1 or type-2 screen installed?

If the screens have been swapped, only cross checking against mutually incompatible lenses will tell - by experience the 20mm (either F/4 or F/3.5) will vignette dramatically on a 2 screen, and the 50mm f/1.4 and 85 f/2 vignette on 1 screens. To make matters worse, a 3 or 4 screen might have been swapped in - these only work with a limited number of slow and long lenses...

 

[johannielscom]

If the screens have been swapped, only cross checking against mutually incompatible lenses will tell - by experience the 20mm (either F/4 or F/3.5) will vignette dramatically on a 2 screen, and the 50mm f/1.4 and 85 f/2 vignette on 1 screens. To make matters worse, a 3 or 4 screen might have been swapped in - these only work with a limited number of slow and long lenses...

Sevo, I popped my screen out to see if it has any markings, but it only says 'B' on the side. Does that mean something else altogether, or is it even an other type of screen?

 

[GarageBoy]

B means type B (no focus aids, IIRC)
My 50 is okay on it- I'm not used to the fine microprism on the G2 - subjects being tiny on the 28 make things harder- especially trying to focus on someones face in an environmental portrait

 

[sevo]

Sevo, I popped my screen out to see if it has any markings, but it only says 'B' on the side. Does that mean something else altogether, or is it even an other type of screen?

That (hopefully) means it is in the frame from a B screen. Unless it is a fresnel only plain matte, without microprisms, in which case it would be a B screen...

G and H screens don't hold up very well (such a huge microprism array is easily scratched, and having to swap them by lens increased wear), so that originals are somewhat rare. But they were made (apparently unchanged except for the camera specific frames) for later cameras as well, and many people made back-conversions from later ones (my F4 G screens e.g. are converted from F5 screens, which were still available and cheap ten years ago, when the F4 ones were unobtainable). It is quite usual for them to be mislabeled with one of the most common frame letters, these being the most likely donors of a spare frame.

 

[presspass]

Can't speak to the G series screens, but I have, and use regularly, the H series screens on F3s. The H2 works well with shorter lenses - up to 200 - and gives the microprism 'shimmer' across the whole screen. They're great for quick focus, but you can't check depth of field with them. They also take a bit of time to get used to. I have 2 H2s and an H3 for the longer lenses; all bought new, all still work just fine, but I don't change them a lot.

 

[Flat Twin]

GarageBoy & Johan, try a "J" screen! It has a microprism centre and matte outer circle. I find it fantastic with my 28mm f2.0...

Johan, focusing a "B" screen is difficult if you ask me! A "J" or "K" screen may be easier...

I also use a "G1" for my 50mm f2.0 and 35mm f2.8 and its great. If I'm using the 50mm f1.4 or the 35mm f1.4 then I switch to a "G2"... Its hassle but it works!

The "J" screen is a great all rounder though in my opinion!

Also, if you use a non metered finder, get a later F3 screen with the red dot on the side (brighter) and insert it into your F/F2 screen frame and you'll get a really bright image, its worth a try for the non metered finders only...

Regards

Simon