Rattling focusing screen on Nikon F

[Vickko]

I have a Nikon F, and when I took out the focusing screen, I noticed that it rattled. There are 4 screws and brackets that hold it down.

I've tried to tighten it all up, but I can still get it to rattle if I shake it.

Any issues with focus accuracy if I use this screen? From what I can tell, the camera registers against the bracket faces.

....Vick

 

[nikon_sam]

Okay, this is what I've just found out recently...
There were different frames made when the F's first came out some had brackets where the side wall thickness varied...
Unless you're sure that that is the original screen frame and screen pieces this could be the issue you have...
I also have a focusing screen with the same problem...I'm not using it at the moment so it's not an issue for me to deal with right now...
You can also check to see if the tape that holds the two pieces of glass together is still wrapped around them...this may be all you need to do...originally the two pieces of glass were held together by cellophane tape...
As far as focus accuracy goes...as long as the ground glass is sitting correctly in the frame you should be good...I believe the movement your hearing is a side to side issue not a up and down one...check yours to see if this is the cause of the rattle...

If you haven't found this site already check it out, it's got a ton of information...Nikon F

 

[Vickko]

I revisited this, the rattle is up-down. And no, no tape around the two optical pieces. But I looked at the mount - the mount pushes against the lower optical element, and springs push against the frame, hopefully sandwiching it all together.

 

[rbsinto]

I have a Nikon F, and when I took out the focusing screen, I noticed that it rattled. There are 4 screws and brackets that hold it down.

I've tried to tighten it all up, but I can still get it to rattle if I shake it.

Any issues with focus accuracy if I use this screen? From what I can tell, the camera registers against the bracket faces.

....Vick

Shoot a short test roll of a sheet of newspaper taped to the wall using drugstore print film, while orienting the camera both horizontally and vertically, and look at the results.
Looking at the sharpness of images is really the only way to tell.