Updating focus screen on D700?

[De_Corday]

This might be a better thread for the DIY forum, but...

I have seen inklings of this conversation before... I use a lot of fast MF glass, and the focusing is just too unreliable on my trusty D700. I abhor split image focus aids, however, putting an old nikon E-screen (grid on matte) on whatever manual focus bodies I can.

What are my options for my D700? I know folks have hacked the Canon-body DSLR screens into the D3, but the D3 is a 100% viewfinder where the D700 is not, so I imagine there's more room to play.

Does Katzeye offer a non-split image screen? Does anyone know if I could somehow modify a screen from one of the less-than-100% VF nikon film cameras?

 

[daveleo]

The Katzeye website is pretty extensive on what screens they have.
I may also may be vaguely remembering ?? that they can make cutomized screens ??

 

[kanzlr]

screens from http://www.focusingscreen.com/ are superb
When I had a D700 I used the modified Canon Ec-S full matte, but the Ec-B is great too.

 

[mthomas]

I just spoke with Rachael Katz a few days ago about installing another split-prism screen in my 2nd D700 body. (As the D700 becomes older, KatzEye will be discontinuing optional installation services on the D700.) Anyway, for $150, Kazeye offers a selection of no fewer than 13 screens incorporating a variety of compositional aid patterns for the D700.

 

[De_Corday]

Unless I'm reading the Katzeye site wrong, all their screens start with the split-prism. The other focus aids are add ons. If they *do* make custom screens, that might be what I need.
That said, though, that focusingscreen website looks like it has exactly what I need... Kanzlr, did you have good service ordering through them?

 

[Timmyjoe]

Something you might want to consider before you replace the focus screen in your D700:

Nikon DK 17M Magnifying Eyepiece

I've heard many folks say they can manually focus the Df, D700, D800 etc. fairly easily with this eyepiece attached.

Best,
-Tim

 

[De_Corday]

Thanks, Tim. Unless I misunderstand the issue though (which is quite possible), the problem is that modern focusing screens are designed to reach maximum sharpness for a 2.8 aperture. Something to do with the way the ground glass scatters light. Therefore there's a lot of "wiggle room," so to speak, when trying to focus a wide-open f/1.8 or f/1.4 lens. I focus my faster glass just fine on my F3s and F2s, all of which have the older style screens with no magnification. Similarly, I find it easy to focus my old MF telephotos, all of which are f/2.8's on the D700

 

[kanzlr]

I loved the combination of DK-17 with the Ec-S screen 🙂

 

[willie_901]

If you replace your screen consider you fine motor skills and patience level.

I am pathetically deficient in both areas and inflicted minor damage on a D200 years ago.

You may need to do the replacement a couple of times should the calibration shim need to be changed.

If Katz-Eye will not replace your screen, perhaps there is a camera shop with a repair tech nearby?

 

[Timmyjoe]

Thanks, Tim. Unless I misunderstand the issue though (which is quite possible), the problem is that modern focusing screens are designed to reach maximum sharpness for a 2.8 aperture. Something to do with the way the ground glass scatters light. Therefore there's a lot of "wiggle room," so to speak, when trying to focus a wide-open f/1.8 or f/1.4 lens. I focus my faster glass just fine on my F3s and F2s, all of which have the older style screens with no magnification. Similarly, I find it easy to focus my old MF telephotos, all of which are f/2.8's on the D700

I'm just suggesting you try it as it is under $40 and see if it works for you. If it does, you've saved yourself the cost of a different screen, and the possibility of screwing up your camera trying to DIY.

Just a suggestion. From others I've talked to, the DK-17 did the trick.