I did this mod about a year ago but have since gone back to the original screen. The focus with my split screen was slightly off. Probably the side pieces I glued on weren't exactly thick enough. The green dot works better for a variety of lenses. Especially with slower lenses the screen is a bit too dark. If I'm really itching for split screen I can break out my Nikon F2 with a roll of Tri-X in it.
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Considering a Df
- Thread starter taxidrivr
- Start date
When I bought my Nikon F2AS back in 1977 the first accessory I bought was the type D focusing screen. I like to focus using just the ground glass and no focusing aid. So I wouldn't put type K screen on my Df.
Stan Disbrow
Veteran Member
Hi,
I always preferred the E screen, with the grid lines. Something the Df does as it comes. I need to frame for a crop to 5:4 for printing and the grid lines help with that.
On my FE and FA, I changed from the K to the E and left it that way.
On the F2, F4 and F5, I changed as needed because that was pretty easy on the pro bodies. Pop off the viewfinder and swap the screen. On the smaller cameras, it's a case of fiddling thru the lens mount with tweezers. Ugh.
Stan
--
Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer
I always preferred the E screen, with the grid lines. Something the Df does as it comes. I need to frame for a crop to 5:4 for printing and the grid lines help with that.
On my FE and FA, I changed from the K to the E and left it that way.
On the F2, F4 and F5, I changed as needed because that was pretty easy on the pro bodies. Pop off the viewfinder and swap the screen. On the smaller cameras, it's a case of fiddling thru the lens mount with tweezers. Ugh.
Stan
--
Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer
Last edited:
camerosity
Veteran Member
The Type R screen was my favorite in my Nikon F3HP shooting days. A grid with a split-image focus aid in the center.
Stan Disbrow
Veteran Member
Hi,
That is a good one. IIRC there were something on the order of 16 focusing screens for the pro bodies. If anyone couldn't find what they wanted, that was a case of really being out of luck. They even had one with markings for the television CRT shape
What I was hoping for the D6 is, a hybrid viewfinder system. Optical that comes off for swapping screens but also an EVF option which would operate mirror up live view yet still allow the use of a VF.
Sadly, we didn't get that...
We didn't even get an F5 set of OVFs and screens for the last of the Pro DSLRs.
Pity...
Stan
That is a good one. IIRC there were something on the order of 16 focusing screens for the pro bodies. If anyone couldn't find what they wanted, that was a case of really being out of luck. They even had one with markings for the television CRT shape
What I was hoping for the D6 is, a hybrid viewfinder system. Optical that comes off for swapping screens but also an EVF option which would operate mirror up live view yet still allow the use of a VF.
Sadly, we didn't get that...
We didn't even get an F5 set of OVFs and screens for the last of the Pro DSLRs.
Pity...
Stan
MoreorLess
Veteran Member
- Messages
- 5,633
- Solutions
- 4
- Reaction score
- 3,481
Looking at MPB in the UK it does seem like prices are starting to go up a bit again, getting to around £1000 for a low milage one again.
My feeling is if you want one now is probably the time to buy, supply will probably go down as people selling them off for a ZFc/ZF dries up and honestly I suspect it may get a bit of a "rediscovery", indeed already seems to have gotten somewhat of one.
The ire directed at it for not being mirrorless and not having video will get forgotten and it will stand out as a retro FF camera with a genuine OVF which can directly mount almost all F-mount lenses, something we almost certainly will never see again.
My feeling is if you want one now is probably the time to buy, supply will probably go down as people selling them off for a ZFc/ZF dries up and honestly I suspect it may get a bit of a "rediscovery", indeed already seems to have gotten somewhat of one.
The ire directed at it for not being mirrorless and not having video will get forgotten and it will stand out as a retro FF camera with a genuine OVF which can directly mount almost all F-mount lenses, something we almost certainly will never see again.
Last edited:
Stan Disbrow
Veteran Member
Hi,
For a fleeting moment there, I actually thought about selling off my Df. Prices rising and perhaps a time of discovery for some folks. And I just got a new (to me) Fujifilm GFX 100 Mark-I used for less than that Df cost new
However, the moment *was* fleeting.
As you noted, it's proper Old School OVF and works with just about every F mount lens made. And I own quite of few of those from Type A to AF-S.
No, it can stay even if I don't use it all that often. It's small and light compared to anything in my medium format kit. The small format is a different tool for different uses. I still need to have some kind of small format on hand. And the Df fits the bill as nicely today as it did when it first came out.
Stan
For a fleeting moment there, I actually thought about selling off my Df. Prices rising and perhaps a time of discovery for some folks. And I just got a new (to me) Fujifilm GFX 100 Mark-I used for less than that Df cost new
However, the moment *was* fleeting.
As you noted, it's proper Old School OVF and works with just about every F mount lens made. And I own quite of few of those from Type A to AF-S.
No, it can stay even if I don't use it all that often. It's small and light compared to anything in my medium format kit. The small format is a different tool for different uses. I still need to have some kind of small format on hand. And the Df fits the bill as nicely today as it did when it first came out.
Stan
PDX700
Well-known member
Anyone who complains because the Df isn't mirrorless and doesn't have video doesn't understand the camera and therefore doesn't deserve to own one.
Yep, I've noticed their prices rising again...... Looks like I timed the purchase of mine from them at the right time.....
MoreorLess
Veteran Member
- Messages
- 5,633
- Solutions
- 4
- Reaction score
- 3,481
At the time I thin those were significant reasons for the negative reaction to it I would say, Nikon potentially moving into mirrorless was being talked up and obviously Youtube reviewers tend to be videographers.
Yes I want the Df because it's an SLR and not a mirrorless and also it's a pure still camera and not hybrid video/still camera. About the only thing I didn't like is that it's significantly larger than the Nikon F3 but I do understand that you need room for the sensor and the LCD while being an SLR the you have the same flange distance as the F3. Also it has to be taller because the AF module at that base.
Stan Disbrow
Veteran Member
Hi,
Functionally, you have to attach the motor drive to the F3 since the Df has continuous shooting. Then the F3 gets a whole lot larger and heavier.
What I wish Nikon had done was add the swappable viewfinders and focusing screens from the F3. But that would have significantly raised the production cost. Which had to be spread across relatively low production numbers. That made the Df a rather pricey camera as it is.
Stan
Functionally, you have to attach the motor drive to the F3 since the Df has continuous shooting. Then the F3 gets a whole lot larger and heavier.
What I wish Nikon had done was add the swappable viewfinders and focusing screens from the F3. But that would have significantly raised the production cost. Which had to be spread across relatively low production numbers. That made the Df a rather pricey camera as it is.
Stan
MoreorLess
Veteran Member
- Messages
- 5,633
- Solutions
- 4
- Reaction score
- 3,481
You could argue I spose the bigger what if it could Nikon have made it a manual only camera? its really the AF sensor which means its significantly taller than the F3, more of a direct SLR version of Leica digital rangefinders.Hi,
Functionally, you have to attach the motor drive to the F3 since the Df has continuous shooting. Then the F3 gets a whole lot larger and heavier.
What I wish Nikon had done was add the swappable viewfinders and focusing screens from the F3. But that would have significantly raised the production cost. Which had to be spread across relatively low production numbers. That made the Df a rather pricey camera as it is.
Stan
They did still have a few manual primes in production(or at least in stock) at that stage as well but perhaps they thought it was just a bit too specialised? a kit with the 35mm F/1.4 AIS might have been a decent idea.
I have to say for my own use though whilst I mostly shoot manual with Voigtlander 20mm and 40mm pancakes(and sometimes a Zeiss 50mm F/2 Makro) it does get some use with a Nikon 105mm F/2 DC and I do definitely welcome AF with that for things like street shoot or family shots.
Last edited:
Dak on cam
Veteran Member
That would definitely have warranted a phase detect focusing screen (microprisms, split circle) as default with changeable substitutes, like serious manual film cameras had.You could argue I spose the bigger what if it could Nikon have made it a manual only camera? its really the AF sensor which means its significantly taller than the F3, more of a direct SLR version of Leica digital rangefinders.Hi,
Functionally, you have to attach the motor drive to the F3 since the Df has continuous shooting. Then the F3 gets a whole lot larger and heavier.
What I wish Nikon had done was add the swappable viewfinders and focusing screens from the F3. But that would have significantly raised the production cost. Which had to be spread across relatively low production numbers. That made the Df a rather pricey camera as it is.
Stan
--
Dak
Last edited:
Stan Disbrow
Veteran Member
Hi,
There were a few film bodies with digital backs that allowed use of the film advance lever with the DB attached. The last of which, IIRC was the Leica R9 with the DMR.
I'd have loved it if the Df sported an advance lever. But that was probably one film SLR-like item too many....
Stan
There were a few film bodies with digital backs that allowed use of the film advance lever with the DB attached. The last of which, IIRC was the Leica R9 with the DMR.
I'd have loved it if the Df sported an advance lever. But that was probably one film SLR-like item too many....
Stan
MoreorLess
Veteran Member
- Messages
- 5,633
- Solutions
- 4
- Reaction score
- 3,481
Even if they could have put it to use though it would have covered over the LCD screen which I do find very useful, not massive but it has most of the stuff you want, battery, shots remaining, and both aperture and shutter so you effectively have a meter readout for both aperture and shutter priority shooting on the top plate whilst there adjusting dials.
I do think that is quite a significant difference between the Df and a lot of other retro cameras, its really intended more strongly to be used with the dials. It does have the normal control wheels and the rear one you do potentially need it for aperture control on G lenses but the front one isnt so useable and I think intended to be used for stuff like 1/3 stop shutter speeds when you need more accuracy in manual.
The recent OM3 is almost the opposite, its retro in looks and in the lac of a grip but the controls are more like a modern camera, just with the dials on the top plate.
I found a Df with 150k clicks at $550. I didn't buy it, although is hesitated a lot. Still do, but I think it's gone now. For that price a steal even though quite worn. I've wanted one a long time, but let's be fair, I only own 3 Nikon lenses and I would be searching for old MF primes then, falling in the trap of GAS and going further and further. My Canon system is already too big. Or I would sell all Canon gear... Guess it's too late, so let's focus on getting out and take photographs instead!
I just bought one on eBay - near mint with only about 7K shutter actuations. Single owner. I had one years ago, sold it, and started regretting that sale recently so I did some searching on eBay, found this one and bought it. $950 + tax + $20 shipping. Should arrive on the 20th.
Similar threads
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum