Focusing Screens

[shakey]

I really liked the split prism microprism focusing screen on my OM2n back in the late 70s/80s. When manually focussing the D70 now I have to rely on the green dot thingy, either because of poor eyesight or poor technique (probably both). At 2.8 or wider where focus is critical I'd really like the prisms. There are some 3rd party alternative focussing screens for the D70 which are available. Apparently can interfer with exposure metering, but I can live with that if its a constant (and therefore predictably adjustable) thing. Just wondering whether any of the members here have tried these screens and what are their impressions.

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/item--Katz ... d_D70.html

[gstark]

That looks to be most useful, although a tad expensive. I seem to recall that replacement screens for the FE/FM cameras - genuine Nikon - were in the vicinity of AU$50, although that was a lonnnnnnnnnnng time ago.

The only thing I don't like about these thus far is that the split prism is horizontal - a diagonal prism is even nicer.

Thanh, do you want to look into this?

[Zeeke]

Im interested!

Tim

[losfp]

Hell, colour me interested too. My first experience with SLRs was with my dad's old Nikkormats from the 60s... a snap to focus manually with the split prism. The D70s is a hell of a lot easier to focus manually than any compact digicam... but I still use AF 99% of the time because it's currently too much of a hassle to use MF as you have to rely on The Green Dot.

[Steffen]

My FE2 came with a K2 screen (split-image surrounded by micro-prism ring), but I found it only worked well in good light, didn't work with lenses slower than f/4 (one of the split-image halves would always black out) and got in the way of composition. I replaced it with an E2 screen (matte with grid) and lived happily ever after

I'm sure the focus indicator dot and arrows of AF bodies are just as precise as the good old split-image finder screen.

Cheers
Steffen.

[shakey]

I'm sure the focus indicator dot and arrows of AF bodies are just as precise as the good old split-image finder screen.

Cheers
Steffen.

The green dot will tell you when the focus sensor find something in "focus" As I understand it focus sensors rely on edge contrast to determine focus. Its a given that this works very well most of the time but by its very nature it may not work well in low light, shallow DOF, low contrast environments. In this situation I would like to rely upon my eye and brain to determine focus, not some edge finding software algorithm. A "good old split-image finder screen" may be just the thing I need in this situation. I will probably spend the $150 or so to find out.

...and yep..did plenty of low light photos with the microprism/split image screen on the OM2n... never used the nikon screens so can't compare.