NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Camera Talk => Topic started by: Kenneth Rich on October 29, 2017, 20:19:47
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When this mod first appeared, more than a few Df owners bought the screen and fitted it. Some later reported they had un-installed it. I wonder how many Df owners installed the screen and have now removed it and why.
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I have the K-3 screen in my Df and see no reason to remove it.
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I don't see myself getting rid of that :o :o :o
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Not in the df but in a d700 and for now it is going to stay. I still need the extra help of the green dot confirmation thou
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How difficult is it to install?
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How difficult is it to install?
https://richardhaw.com/2016/09/11/mod-nikon-df-split-prism/
not really difficult if you are steady with your hands :o :o :o
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Thank you Richard, maybe I will try :o
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Maybe my question should have been referenced to how many have fitted the screen and remain happy with it and why!
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Same thing as me,don't think about remove it,stay for now,cause I only use manual focus lens and no rush to take photo,can't live without the screen,hope that help.
Lloyd
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Yes, Lloyd, every comment helps. My motivation for this thread/topic is purely self -interest. I can afford this inexpensive mod and have the technical ability to do it, even on a bad day! But i haven't done it yet because i don't know how helpful it will be. I wondered what needs users have that drive their desire to change the screen, what lenses they use and how this screen change facilitates their Df use. I am twice the age I was when I bought my F2- SB and began purchasing lenses and other dedicated stuff, and I had probably eight or ten different screens, which I changed like underwear, believing I needed those screens- which i really didn't and eventually settled on a split micro prism. I simply wish that Nikon would produce a K3 style screen for the Df and embrace it with either a screen changing service or simply give the approval nod to owners changing thee new screen themselves. My thoughts for a Df 2 would include an easily changed Nikon screen!
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the only way to find out is to try one :o :o :o
and no, there will never be a Df2 (the people on-charge of the project itself told me) ::)
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I'l never mount any split prism nor microprism on my Df.
Back in my Canon T90 times, I already replaced the standard ground glass (with all sorts of prisms) by a uniformly ground one. I found the microprism, especially, too distracting in the middle of the scene, and the microprisms would also cause darkening.
The other reason was, my subjects are not necessarily centered, and I don't like to re-frame after focussing.
On my Df, I use the DK-17M, as I did on all previous cameras (D700, D800). No issues (note: I do not wear glasses when shooting, despite some astigmatism)
My eyesight will sure deteriorate with time, so I'm betting on a Nikon F-mount compatible mirrorless. I already have extensive experience of using Olympus with adapters and old Canon FD lenses, and focussing is a breeze.
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Hi,Ken,I'm happy you got helped,Yes Richar is right,go ahead try one,also Airy idea
get a DK-17m,for me remove screen in and out is no big deal,I use my thumb nail loose the metal spring,and the 3m magic tape (small enough to pick the screen) on a plastic stick to pick out the screen,as to install,so far the G2 screen stuck on my Df,I did try type K,P,H2,all of them are for the F3 camera some are F or F2 that I got from the Bay,as for the mod,try Richar site,good info,I like the 12mm center circle all microprism of G2 and bright,only affect the 28mm get dark tunnel view,Df pair with MF lens( Nikkor Ai-Ais) is a joy to take photo,sorry for my broken langue.
Lloyd
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Thank you for your reply, Lloyd. In the short time I have been involved with this forum, I have met some helpful photogs/kind,knowledgeable people, and my Christmas wish is for our politicians to all buy quality cameras and get involved with this forum, because There would be much mellowing, less angry shouting and more thoughtful discussion! Yes, I know that Christmas seems a long way away, but the reality is that Advent will soon be upon some of us. . . . All that aside, I am interested in your mention of F2 screens and the Df. Even in their frames they are rather small, and i cannot see how they could fit into a Df, unless laminated to a larger backing. Unfortunately, I knew nothing of changing Df screens when Katzeye (spelling?) was producing screens, had not even heard of the company.
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Searching certain type of screen for mod on the Bay,many time can't get the exact mode F3 for the project,so I risk myself to tried other like F/F2, and found ok.
Lloyd
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Does anyone know if the old F2,F3 screens, once separated from their condensing lens, will fit into a D800? My old F3 B screen, or maybe the rare and mysterious F screen from the F2/F would be very interesting in the D800.
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Searching certain type of screen for mod on the Bay,many time can't get the exact mode F3 for the project,so I risk myself to tried other like F/F2, and found ok.
Lloyd
My observation is the fruit in the Nikon F through F5 focus screen is all interchangeable. That is an F3 non-Red-Dot focus screen and condenser can be dropped into an F5 or F/F2 focus screen frame. Exposure compensation may be needed but the focus screen registration is the bottom of the screen (not the frame) and the camera body.
Dave Hartman
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Does anyone know if the old F2,F3 screens, once separated from their condensing lens, will fit into a D800? My old F3 B screen, or maybe the rare and mysterious F screen from the F2/F would be very interesting in the D800.
I'll tentatively say no I'm not at home or I'd check a reference. I've had a number of these screens apart but I'm not sure my memory is correct.
Dave
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The registration surface for the F through F5 screens is the bottom or dull side. The registration surface for the FE/FM2/FM2n/FE2/FM3a are all the top side of the screen. An E2, B2, E3 or B3 screen would be a better bet for a Nikon D800.
Dave
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David, is the registration surface for the Df at top or bottom?
Kenneth
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I believe all dSLR(s) are the top surface because all I've seen have a spring under the focus screen. The D2H had interchangeable focus screens similar to the FE, FM2 and later in the series. I've looked at the D300s and D800. I think the camera with top registration that have official interchangeable screens have a calibrated registration surface while the others use shims for calibration.
If there are mistake will someone with more experience note the errors. Thank you.
Best
Dave Hartman
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Hi,Dave,you are correct about most Dslr are top surface,I had the D700 before,and now the Df,all top surface,and same as the D800.
Keith,I think you can mod your old F3 B screen,for your D800,because I did try my D700 screen for the D800,and fit,that I mod from the F3,but the short side a little gap to the body of camera,but not much compare to the Df.
Lloyd
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update: After using the Df without the prism for a month or so, i got irritated and got the split prism back :o :o :o
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I'm still sitting on the fence, David, so I'd like to know a little more about your decision, if you don't mind.
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Kenneth
I installed K3 in my Df quite early on. Unlike the same K3 in D800E, it took a lot of mucking around to get the focus just right - in the end after changing it in and out about 20 times with adjustments with shims, I ended up scratching the screen. Nevertheless, I find it indispensible now and always use it and have them installed in my main cameras.
At one stage I was keen on selling my Df so swapped the screen out - I ended up keeping the camera but truly missed the split prism so installed it back in.
Swapping screens is very easy but getting the focus right was a bit of a mess. In the end, I ended up with the default Nikon metal shims which were already in the camera not needing any further adjustments. I think the default Nikon K3 screen from FocusingScreen.com is almost identical to one already in the camera (I didn't have a vernier at the time) and would certainly live with it without adjustments. Some people don't like the split prism, but if you've used an FM2/FE2 (is darker K2 screen) or grew up like me with Pentax Spotmatic, the split prism with fresnel surrounding is natural. I can send photos of the screen through viewfinder if you want
JJ
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JJ, thank you for your kind/generous offer, but it is a needless effort , as I am no stranger to swapping and using various Nikon screens as a result of my relationship with my F2SB, which started in the 'seventies. I still have the old film camera, still in great shape, and some half a dozen different screens. What a pity the Df doesn't use the same interchangeable screen system, or a completely dust-proof variation!
Sorry, Richard, for confusing your post with David's and calling you David.
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Kenneth -ok!
I've been using the J screen which came with my F4 - it's so good that I wish it were available for digital. And so exquisitely easy to swap screens too with beautifully precise tolerances. Really, compared to how well machined everything was, new DSLRs are essentially disposable! However, to manufacture something like an F4 today would cost $$$$