Nikon Finders and Right Angle Finders by

Nikon Finders and Right Angle Finders
collected by Rodrigo Gimenez (rge@adinet.com.uy)
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Special thanks to Rodrigo Gimenez (rge@adinet.com.uy) for providing these many posting resources regarding Nikon finders and right angle finders and the related Nikon focusing screens pages!!!...

Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 From: "Colin Povey" cpovey@paradyne.com To: New Nikon Maillist nikon@MailingList.net Subject: [NIKON] Interchangable finders In #332, Narnia wrote: (snip) Just wondering how many people use the interchange finder feature of F5. I haven't seen anyone mentioned about it or attempt to buy one at all. (snip) Narnia, I used to work in the biggest Nikon dealer in the Washington, DC area. When I worked there, we sold some interchangable finders for the Nikon's of that era. Most of them were sold into some technical field (medical, astrophotography, copy work, etc.). In many cases, the less expensive F3 is a better choice for these uses (extended shutter speeds eat batteries in electronic cameras) than an F5, especially since the F3 also has interchangable finders. While I have an F5, I only have the standard finder. However, I have removed the viewfinder and taken pictures with teh camera at ground level several times. The F5 is great for this, since it is AF, so you don't have to have one of the fancy finders to see to focus. Colin
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 From: "Colin Povey" cpovey@paradyne.com To: Rodrigo Gimenez rge@adinet.com.uy Subject: Re: [NIKON] Interchangable finders At that time, they did not have Action finders. We sold mostly waist-level finders, very useful for astrophotography and copy stand work. By the way, most microphotography (photography through a microscope) is done by Leica's, because the shutter is very smooth, reducing vibration. In addition, there is no mirror in a Leica, again reducing vibration. Colin Rodrigo Gimenez wrote: > Hi Colin, > > >I used to work in the biggest Nikon dealer in the Washington, DC area. > >When I worked there, we sold some interchangable finders for the Nikon's > >of that era. Most of them were sold into some technical field (medical, > >astrophotography, copy work, etc.). In many cases, the less expensive F3 > >is a better choice for these uses (extended shutter speeds eat batteries > >in electronic cameras) than an F5, especially since the F3 also has > >interchangable finders. > > What were the finder that sold most, if you remember (action, 6x, waist level)? > For medical uses, they bought the 6x? > > Sincerely, Rodrigo.
From: "Alex Cruickshank" cruias@ozemail.com.au To: "Nikon Digest (E-mail)" nikon@MailingList.net Subject: [NIKON] Interchangeable finders Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 > In #332, Narnia wrote: (snip) > Just wondering how many people use the interchange finder feature of > F5. I haven't seen anyone mentioned about it or attempt to buy one at all. (snip) Narnia, I had used the DR-3 (right angle viewing attachment) with previous cameras (including the F4) but sold it and got the waist finder for the F5. I used it mainly for situations where the normal finder was uncomfortable (low shots, camera on tripod in strange position). I did not find the waist finder as useful as I had hoped and when the opportunity presented, I returned to the DR-4 (replacement for the Dr-3). While the waist finder did have the magnifier for critical manual focussing and could be seen without the eye right up to the camera, it lost the matrix metering and standard flash connections. On balance I found it not worth the additional cost. Alex
From: "Alex Cruickshank" cruias@ozemail.com.au To: "'Rodrigo Gimenez'" rge@adinet.com.uy Subject: RE: [NIKON] Interchangeable finders Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 Rodrigo, I have never found focusing to be a problem either with the waist finder (I did use the pop-up magnifier at times) or the DR3/4. I have friends who have other brands of cameras with combination right angle and magnifying eyepieces and have sometimes wondered why they need it. I think the interchangeable finders on the F series cameras is one of the features that make them a "system camera" and, as such, applicable to such a wide variety of roles. regards, Alex -----Original Message----- From: Rodrigo Gimenez [mailto:rge@adinet.com.uy] Sent: Friday, 24 September To: Alex Cruickshank Subject: Re: [NIKON] Interchangeable finders Hi Alex, According to what I read searching the archives, most people prefer the right angle finders too. Did you find more easy to focus the 6X high magnification finder or the waist level finder? Maybe is only a bit more big but in practise you have the same percentage of correctly focused photographs. Canon and Minolta have brighter right angle finders than Nikon, and with a 2x magnifier, they don't have interchangeable finders anymore. Sincerely, Rodrigo. >While the waist finder did have the magnifier for critical >manual focussing and could be seen without the eye right up >to the camera, it lost the matrix metering and standard >flash connections. On balance I found it not worth the >additional cost. > >Alex
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 To: nikon@MailingList.net From: Henry Posner/B&H; Photo-Video henryp@bhphotovideo.com Subject: [NIKON] Re: Interchangable finders you wrote: >Just wondering how many people use the interchange finder feature of F5. FWIW, I started with the Nikon F with Photomic FTn finder & used it as my main 35mm system for more than a decade. Except for a few specific instances when I removed the finder entirely for top-down viewing, I never had cause to swap finders. In fact, when I needed to upgrade, I bought the FM2n rather than the F3 because the faster x-sync was more important at the time than interchangeable heads. regards, Henry Posner Director of Sales and Training B&H; Photo-Video, and Pro-Audio Inc. http://www.bhphotovideo.com Please see our Holiday Schedule at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/events/news/holidayschedule.html
From: "Curfman, Donald (GEIS)" Donald.Curfman@geis.ge.com To: nikon@MailingList.net Subject: [NIKON] RE: Interchangeable finders Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 > Did you find more easy to focus the 6X high magnification > finder or the waist level finder? . . . . Maybe is only a > bit more big but in practise you have the same percentage > of correctly focused photographs. With a 6x finder you'll get 100% correctly focused photographs. You're looking straight down on the focusing screen through a very good 6x loupe. You have to focus the finder on the screen first (use the AF sensor brackets as a target) so your eyesight doesn't affect focusing accuracy. Once you've done that, if the image looks focused, then it's focused. You'll be amazed by how much that finder reduces your lens' depth-of-field. ;0) The little magnifier in the waist-level finder isn't the same thing at all. It's a little difficult to focus on the bare screen with no magnification so they put in a little flip-up magnifying glass. It's not even close to being as good as the chimney finder. -Don
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 From: Godfrey DiGiorgi ramarren@bayarea.net To: "NikonMF" NikonMF@onelist.com Subject: Re: [NikonMF] DA-2, DW-3 and DW-4 finders From: Godfrey DiGiorgi ramarren@bayarea.net >1)What Nikon F3 displays can you see through the viewfinder > (shutter speed, aperture, ready light)? > Are they reversed with the DW finders? All the F3 displays are visible in the DW finder, and they are not reversed. >4)When the DW-3 5X magnifier isn't in use you aren't looking > through it, so it is at one side of the finder? It's flipped down into the top of the finder. When deployed, it makes the finder into a little dark box. >5)DW-4 6X magnification with 50mm f1.4 at infinity, I suppose > that it is around 1.3X. I don't know what this means. The DW-4 magnifies the entire focusing screen by a factor of 6. >6)Is the DW-4 noticeable more darker than the DW-3 and noticeably > more brighter than the DE-2 and DE-3? I don't notice much difference in brightness between the finders, presuming you are looking through the DW-3's focusing magnifier. >7)Are any of the special focusing screens (types C, D, M) > much more suitable with the DW-4 finder than with DE-2 and > DE-3 prisms? The M screen is a very specialized screen which is best used with the DW-4 finder, it's a very bright, clear screen designed for microphotography and other such uses. You need a finder with a diopter adjustment to fine focus the screen for your eye, then you can focus the imaging optical system using a very bright aerial image. The types C and D screens I've not used. With a waist level finder, I find central focusing aids are difficult to use since you can only center your eye approximately unless you're using the focusing magnifier. I tend to use the E screen most of the time, and with the waist level finder it's particularly nice in that it gives you horizontal and vertical reference lines to help leveling horizons. Godfrey
Subject: Re: [NikonMF] DA-2, DW-3 and DW-4 finders Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 From: Godfrey DiGiorgi ramarren@bayarea.net To: "Rodrigo Gimenez" rge@adinet.com.uy, "NikonMF" NikonMF@onelist.com Hi Rodrigo, Well, I've read this about four times and it sounds like reasonable supposition to me. There's no way for me to gauge the magnification with any accuracy. The 6x finder applies an optical 6x magnification to the focusing screen. What relation that has to the real life subject as viewed with the naked eye is dependent upon what focal length lens you're using. Why does this have any bearing upon your interest in the 6x finder? You're not going to be looking through the finder and at the subject at the same time ... the finder will be pointed 90 degrees away from whatever subject the camera is pointed at since it looks at the focusing screen, not in the direction of the lens. Godfrey >From: Rodrigo Gimenez rge@adinet.com.uy > > >>>5)DW-4 6X magnification with 50mm f1.4 at infinity, I suppose >>> that it is around 1.3X. >> >>I don't know what this means. The DW-4 magnifies the entire focusing >>screen by a factor of 6. > >I try to mean the following: > >6X is the power of the loupe, so it is independent of the focal length. > >The HP finder has a magnification of 0.75X with a 50mm focused at >infinity. That is, if real life is 1X, you see through viewfinder 0.75X >with this lens, and with a 100mm lens at infinity is (0.75X)(100/50)=1.5X >I am asking the magnification of a real life object with a 50mm lens looking >through the camera with the 6X finder, I saw one in a F2 camera in a store, >the lens was a 50 mm, and what I saw through the loupe was a bit more big >than what I saw looking the object with my eyes directly (not with the >camera). >I think that this magnification is around 1.2X-1.4X.
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 From: Godfrey DiGiorgi ramarren@bayarea.net To: "NikonMF" NikonMF@onelist.com Subject: Re: [NikonMF] DR-3 Magnifier? Was DA/DW finders From: Godfrey DiGiorgi ramarren@bayarea.net >>>5)DW-4 6X magnification with 50mm f1.4 at infinity, I suppose >>> that it is around 1.3X. >Is there a comparable magnifier available for the DR-3? >....patrick No, the DR-3 presents a view similar to the standard viewfinder but a bit darker due to the additional optics. Godfrey
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 To: NikonMF@onelist.com From: Dag Altin Dag.Altin@chem.sintef.no Subject: Re: [NikonMF] DW-3 again From: Dag Altin Dag.Altin@chem.sintef.no you wrote: >From: "Xiang Huang" xhuang@ucrac1.ucr.edu > >Hi all, > >I just got my DW-3 today. To my surprise, when I mounted it on my 3 and >looked thru it, the image was left-side-right. Is this right? That's right. A bit frustrating in the beginning, but you will adapt.. >Also I found that there's no glass in this V.F., it basically is a metal >shield that prevents light from hitting the focusing screen directly. Also correct, except for the fold-up magnifier. So yes, it's actually a piece of metal shielding the focusing screen, which means that there is no loss of light trough the finder itselfe - as opposed to the pentaprism finders - which at given circ. could be an advantage. Also a very handy tool for close to the ground macro work (less gravel between the teeth after focusing..). And it folds down to a minimum when not in use. If you are confused by the "leftside right" phenomena, the DR-3 right angle finder mounted om either a DE-2 or DE-3 finder will give you an "angular" finder which is "rightside right". Best Regards Dag Altin, Norway. >Could somebody verify my discoveries?;-) > >Xiang
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 From: Godfrey DiGiorgi ramarren@bayarea.net To: NikonMF NikonMF@onelist.com Subject: Re: [NikonMF] DW-3 again From: Godfrey DiGiorgi ramarren@bayarea.net Yup, that's it exactly. No need for any glass: the focusing screen provides that. The reason the image is left-to-right reversed and not top-to-bottom is in tracing the light path. You know that the image the lens forms is both left-to-right and top-to-bottom reversed from the subject focused upon, right? The focusing screen is at 90 degrees from the lens axis and a mirror is interposed at 45 degrees to bounce the image up to it. If you trace the lines, you'll see that this has the effect of flipping the image top-to-bottom but not left-to-right. It that's that big hunk of glass called the pentaprism (or it's lightweight but dim relative, the porroprism) to flip the image back to the subject's left-to-right orientation at the same time as keeping it top-to-bottom correct. Those who grew up using Rolleiflexes are very accustomed to the L-to-R reversal (ahem... ;). Godfrey
From: Camdir@aol.com Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 Subject: [NIKON] Re: DR4/DR3 To: nikon-digest@photo.cis.to You wrote"Except for the mounting adapter the units are optically and functionally identical is that right?" Yep. For DR3 with later cameras use DK7 For DR4 with earlier cameras use DK13 Kind regards from sunny Brighton Peter
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 From: "c.j.bol" bol@Axp1.IenD.wau.nl Subject: [NIKON] Re: DR4/DR3 To: Nikon Mailing list nikon@photo.cis.to I have the DR3 (fits my FM) and an adapter for use on the F601/FG. However, this DK7-adapter is all plastic get damaged very easy. So if you want to mount it on a newer camera go for the DR4. Kees Bol
From: Camdir@aol.com Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 Subject: [NIKON] Re[Nikon] DW20 To: nikon-digest@photo.cis.to >Does anyone know what the 8 pin connector is for on a DW-20 finder for >the F4? I have one, but without manual. It's the socket for the SC24, I think. TTL off-camera cable with shoe end. Similar to SC19/18, and AS10. As you have no other way to connect a TTL flash with waist-level finder fitted - use this socket. Kind regards from sunny Brighton Peter
To: NikonMF@onelist.com Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2000 From: Grant Goodes gsg@rovsing.dk Subject: Re: [NikonMF] Re:Msge.#3 "Unusual" DW-4 for F-3 From: Grant Goodes gsg@rovsing.dk vantonov@home.com said: > This Magnifying finder (6X) is well described in Nikon Compendium > Handbook Yes, I have this book (_and_ a DW-4), but the one on auction at Ebay is unusual in that it appears to have a mirror (or prism) to reflect the image rear-wards, and a somewhat different eyecup than the standard DW-4. If it is user-modified, it is a very professional job (judging from the photos). I have never seen mention of this variant of the DW-4 (and I drooled over Nikon documentation for months before finally getting my used DW-4), and that's why I asked the group. vantonov@home.com said: > It's one of the best(if not the Best) for difficult work in the macro > area or,for example,in reproduction. rge@adinet.com.uy said: > What advantages do you find using this finder for macro? > I know that it has greater magnification, but it also has more > brightness than a standard prism finder (a prism looses light). As Vlado says, it is excellent for macro work. The advantages are the magnified view (of the _whole_ image), making it easier to obtain critical focus, and as you say brighter image, but also a much better viewing position (vertical rather than horizontal) for the majority of macro work. I use it with my PB-4 and a Wollensak 4x5 enlarger lens for tilt/shift macro. This kind of work is very tricky, requiring lots of minor adjustments of various knobs on the bellows, each of which has a dramatic effect on the image. Placing the depth of field where I want it _and_ getting the correct composition requires several minutes of adjustments. I find that initial use of the DW-3 plain hood for gross composition, followed by switching to the DW-4 for fine tuning is the best way to go. This is a _vast_ improvement over my FE2 with it's small prism view. These viewfinders are one of the big advantages of the F-series of Nikons. grant..
To: NikonMF@onelist.com Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 From: Rich Lahrson tripspud@wenet.net Subject: Re: [NikonMF] Action Finders Origin From: Rich Lahrson tripspud@wenet.net > I would like to know why the finders with big eye relief are called > "sports" or "action" finders. > Is it because with one eye the photographer followed the > scene while with the other looked through the viewfinder? > I believe that these finders are now more used for > underwater than for sports. Hi Rodrigo! I've got the Action Finder and the non-metered prism finder for my F. I use the Action Finder unless I want less camera weight and/or more discreteness. The Action Finder is just much easier with eyeglasses. With the Action Finder and the 24mm, I can turn the camera upside down, cradle the Action Finder in the right hand and use the soft release with the left hand. A little practice helps. This will work with other lenses as well, but the effect, in the perspective/composition is most pronounced with wide angle lenses, often giving a totally different picture from the same position when there are objects very near the lens. I focus with the right hand's middle or index finger, wind on with the left thumb and release the shutter at about the thumb joint. Yes, the Action Finder is used for the underwater housing. Other 'sports' like skydiving, maybe? Luge? On a tripod, outside or in the studio, it's great! Plus, if others want to look, it's less likely they'll bump the set-up. Interestingly, the finder can actually by focused at arm's length, though at that distance you can't see the whole frame. This accessory and the Nikkor lenses are the reasons Nikon is tops in 35mm SLR systems, at least for me. Cheers, Rich Lahrson tripspud@wenet.net
To: NikonMF@onelist.com Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 From: Lars Holst Hansen LHHansen@zi.ku.dk Subject: Re: [NikonMF] Action finders differences From: Lars Holst Hansen LHHansen@zi.ku.dk Hi Rodrigo! Rodrigo Gimenez wrote: > I would like to know why the action viewfinders for the Nikon F, F2, and F3 > are smaller and very different than the ones on the Nikon F4 and F5. > Eye relief is the same, 2.5in (6cm). Could it be since the DA-20 (for F4) and DA-30 (for F5) both have meters? Best regards, Lars -- Lars Holst Hansen - LHHansen@zi.ku.dk http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/NikonRepair
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: Grant Goodes ggoodes@ramtex.dk Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 Subject: Re: [NikonMF] ebay / DW-4 rge@adinet.com.uy said: > After weekend, I would like to know how well the finder did, if the > advantages of brighter image and bigger magnifications are worth it, > considering that it reverses the image left to right. I've had my DW-4 since Christmas, and it's definitely a nice finder, giving a very clear and large image. I find it a little hard to see the aperture and exposure displays when using it: you really have to have your eye centered in the rubber cup. I use it for tilt/shift macro work, and it sure beats the regular finder in that application. However, given the eye-centering thing, I find that it's better to do my coarse positioning (tilt/shift) and focusing with the DW-3 (or even just directly on the naked focusing screen) and then put the DW-4 on for the final fine-focus. Another problem with the DW-4 is that it's basically impossible to remove/replace with any kind of flash on the shoe (and that includes using the SC-14 or AS-7), since the finder is so tall, and the release button on the flash shoe side is thus not very accessible (at least not for MY fat fingers). This wouldn't be a problem if I didn't find that I needed the DW-3 _and_ DW-4 alternately. Oh well. I've just ordered a DE-2 that I found for $US 25 at an online shop in CA. Cosmetics are, of course, not pristine, but glass is clean and no dents. Couldn't pass it up! I have a Champagne F3/T, and I have this wild idea about stripping off the black paint on the (scratched) DE-2 cover and getting the parts professionally chromed, followed by re-gluing the leatherette. Thus, I'd have the world's only chrome DE-2! I found a local place that does small-lot chroming, and they have quite a variety of finishes (matte, etc) and tints available, so it's likely I can get a close match to the Champagne finish of the F3/T. My one concern is the "Nikon" faceplate on the finder, which I believe is plastic. Anyone know if it's plastic, and if so, can one get plastic parts chromed too? Then I'd just have to get a little black enamel paint and paint in the letters of "Nikon". grant..
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: Todd & Sharon Peach tpeach@gte.net Date: Sat, 27 May 2000 Subject: [NikonMF] opinions on DW-4 6x finder for F3 I have returned from vacation, where I got a chance to use the subject viewfinder. Some of you asked for 'impressions': Very cool. This thing is just the ticket for Macro. I found it relatively easy to evaluate DOF in the f/16 range (in full sunlight) due to its high magnification and generous eyecup. As you might expect, it has similar 'compositional' limitations to a waistlevel v/f. (if you're not familiar with these 'chimney' finders, it's a bit like placing a high quality loupe directly on your focus screen.) I don't believe I shot a single vertical, as it seemed too awkward. I also didn't shoot much at 'eye level', I sought out low angle compositions. I didn't find the 'reversed' image too much of a bother; it's like using a waistlevel or a large format camera. My 'E' screen seemed to help with leveling of the camera. The E screen also gives you good 'targets' to focus the generous diopter adjustment on (i.e., the grid lines on the screen) before you do the lens focus. I recall that there was a specific 'aerial' screen that worked well with this v/f, but I don't think I'll seek it out. It may be particularly good for Astrophotography, which hasn't grabbed me yet. No film developed yet, so nothing to point y'all at. -Todd -- Todd & Sharon Peach Seattle, Washington tpeach@gte.net http://www.thepeaches.com/
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: Grant Goodes ggoodes@ramtex.dk Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 Subject: Re: [NikonMF] Macro Ringlight on an F3? rge@adinet.com.uy said: > Which magnification range are you referring to? I'm generally in the 1:2 to 2:1 range. Basically, it's DOF control which is made much easier with the DW-4 and H2 screen that I'm using now. First, I can easily see the whole image, and second, it's bigger and brighter. I hope to get into some 10:1 stuff when I can afford an Ultra-Micro Nikkor lens some day. > There is an accessory to mount F3 flashes outside the rewind crank, > although a cable is useful for this photography too. The AS-7, which I have (and use by default since it's so well designed, and not only that, looks cool). It doesn't really help with the DW-4 and DX-12, alas. At least not with my fat fingers. Perhaps someone with "doctors hands" could get at the finder release lever. Anyways, the SC-14 fixes the problem, at the disadvantage of purchasing yet another piece of special Nikon plastic. grant..
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: Todd & Sharon Peach tpeach@gte.net Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 Subject: Re: [NikonMF] opinions on DW-4 6x finder for F3 > Todd & Sharon Peach wrote: > > >Very cool. This thing is just the ticket for Macro. I found it > >relatively easy to evaluate DOF in the f/16 range (in full sunlight) due > >to its high magnification and generous eyecup. > > Do you find it brighter than prisms? (light goes more directly, with > less glass to your eyes with the loupe than with the prism. > For the same reason Right Angle Finders darken viewing compared > with prism alone.) I hadn't thought of that. I just now did check between my DW-4 and my non-HP standard finder. With a 35 f/1.4 mounted on my F3 (E screen), I viewed my 'out the window' scene. Today is a grey overcast day (too common for this city at this time of year). With the standard finder, I got the usual bright image. With the DW-4, the sky was bright enough to 'hurt my eye' a bit (uncomfortable reaction like needing sunglasses). I don't have any instruments that meter brightness out of an eyepiece. > >I recall that there was a > >specific 'aerial' screen that worked well with this v/f, but I don't > >think I'll seek it out. It may be particularly good for > >Astrophotography, which hasn't grabbed me yet. > > Godfrey explained how it works Last year about October. > It is the Type M, for photomicrography. Thanks. -Todd -- Todd & Sharon Peach Seattle, Washington tpeach@gte.net http://www.thepeaches.com/
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: "Michael A. Covington" Michael@CovingtonInnovations.com Date: Mon, 29 May 2000 Subject: [NikonMF] Re: DW-4 After years of doing astrophotography with Olympus OM-series cameras (which I still like), I recently bought an F3 and DW-4 finder. I'm amazed at how bright the DW-4 is. It's just the thing for focusing on the stars.
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: "Michael A. Covington" Michael@CovingtonInnovations.com Date: Mon, 29 May 2000 Subject: [NikonMF] Re: DW-4, again By the way, I'm not fond of aerial-image focusing (clear-crosshairs screens) unless the f-ratio is extremely high, like f/200. At moderate f-ratios, aerial images look sharp whether or not they are in focus! The D screen is highly recommended for astrophotography and other situations with long focal lengths and high F ratios.
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: Grant Goodes ggoodes@ramtex.dk Date: Mon, 29 May 2000 Subject: Re: [NikonMF] Re: DW-4, again Michael@CovingtonInnovations.com said: > By the way, I'm not fond of aerial-image focusing (clear-crosshairs > screens) unless the f-ratio is extremely high, like f/200. At > moderate f-ratios, aerial images look sharp whether or not they are in > focus! Now _that's_ good to know, since I had been halfway considering picking up one of these screens for the F3 since they can be had for a relative pittance (compared to an AS-17, that is), and none of the Nikon brochures I have read mention this useful little fact. grant (still learnin')..
To: NikonMF@egroups.com From: "Michael A. Covington" Michael@CovingtonInnovations.com Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 Subject: [NikonMF] Re: DW-4 again | Michael A. Covington wrote: | >By the way, I'm not fond of aerial-image focusing (clear-crosshairs screens) | >unless the f-ratio is extremely high, like f/200. At moderate f-ratios, | >aerial images look sharp whether or not they are in focus! | Are you referring to Type M or to Type C focusing screen? | Rodrigo Gimenez Any screen of the clear-crosshairs type. I got most of my experience with Olympus screens.
Date: Fri, 07 Jul 2000 From: Philip Hutchison philip.hutchison@alcatel.com.au Subject: Re: [NIKON] Anglefinders To: nikon@photo.cis.to Dsmtb@AOL.com wrote: > > Just trying to find out if the angle finder from the Nikon F/ F2 will work on > an N90s with the DK7 eyepiece adapter? I don't know which right angle finder you are referring to but I have the DR-3 which you need the DK-7 adaptor for the F90X/N90s camera. I believe the DR-3 has been replaced by the DR-4 where you don't need the adaptor any more (you do for the older cameras). One thing I notice with the DR-3 with the F90X is that the very bottom of the view finder display is chopped off thus you can't see the decimal point in the aperture. This didn't bother me until I used my macro lens and couldn't tell the difference between f4.5 and f45. The DR-4 may solve this problem. Now that I have the DR-3 I use it all the time. You can get down low and see through the eyepiece easily. Also I sometimes put the center column of the tripod upside down to get really low and I can simply rotate the eyepiece 180 degrees. Very useful gadget! Philip
Subject: RE: [NIKON] Anglefinders Date: Fri, 7 Jul 2000 From: "Isaac Chan" isaacc@Exchange.Microsoft.com To: nikon@photo.cis.to Dsmtb@aol.com wrote: >Just trying to find out if the angle finder from the >Nikon F/ F2 will work on an N90s with the DK7 eyepiece adapter? The DK-7 will work with all angle finders before DR-4 on the N90s. The worst that can happen is that the camera back cannot be opened while the finder/adapter is screwed on. As far as the adapter goes, this would happen if you use the old DK-1 that DK-7 replaces but you should be fine with the DK-7. If you have the angle finder handy, you should be able to tell by centering the finder about the eyepiece and check whether the thickest part of finder would interfer with the opening of the camera back.
Date: 21-Jan-1997 From: Amos BenGershom amosb@ibm.net Subject: re: F5 Action Finder (DA-30) To: nikon@photo.cis.to Duraid wrote: > Anyone know what the "feature casualty" is? With the DA-20, on the >F4, you >lost matrix metering as well as half the viewfinder displays. I hope the >same isn't true with DA-30, and looking at the price, it *shouldn't* be, >but.......... > > Anyone know? Anyone *own* this thing? The DA-30 sure isn't cheap....... > The DA-30 has five-zone matrix metering like the DP-20 of the F4. It doesn't have color matrix metering. I don't remember about the viewfinder displays. I looked through one at the photokina, it was so nice I forgot to look at the LCD... What is the price you saw for the DA-30? where did you see it? happy shooting, Amos BenGershom amosb@ibm.net
Date: 24-Dec-1998 From: Stewart.Long@bcm-ltd.co.uk Subject: re:F5 action finder-low angle shots To: nikon@photo.cis.to Curt, One of the reasons I love the F5 (and F4, 3,2, F of course)is because I can remove the finder and place the camera on the ground and still focus on the subject. I would recommend setting the exposure on manual BEFORE removing the prism as light entering through the screen will seriously affect the exposure calculation (after all, there is an eyepiece blind for use on a tripod). I would go this route before buying a new finder because they are incredibly expensive and you would have to use the action finder a lot to justify the cost. Stewart
Date: 22-Dec-1998 From: Curt Austin curt@AustinImage.com Subject: F5 Action Finder - any experience? To: nikon@photo.cis.to Under what circumstances is an Action Finder particularly useful? On occasion, I have to shoot wearing a helmet from a moving motorcycle.... Bonus question: I removed the standard finder recently, and was surprised to see that an exposure reading still shows in the LCD panel. I vaguely recall reading that the F5 will use the AF sensors as a light meter in this instance. Any one had experience with that? If I go for a low shot, can I really just remove the finder and keep shooting? Thanks in advance. Curt Austin, Cincinnati http://www.Austinimage.com
Date: 13-Mar-1998 From: Ed Yost eyost@mindspring.com Subject: Re: DW-4 6X Magnification Finder To: nikon@photo.cis.to Franklin, A protective cover is included with the finders but you can also order them as a replacement part. >2) How do I protect the exposed part of my HP viewfinder when not >on the camera? Is there a cover that slips off the DW-4 that can be >mounted on the HP finder (much like a rear lens cap)? The included cover for the DW-4 will fit on the other finders. >3) When the F3 is placed for vertical shots (such as portraits) I'm sure >the DW-4 finder would be a little awkward, but would the viewed image >be right-side up or upside down? In normal use (horizonal) is the >image reversed right-to-left? The image is right side up but reversed right-to-left. >4) Which focusing screens would be best for this finder? Or should >focusing screens be chosen strictly on the basis of the lens being used? I choose focusing screens based upon the lens used and the shooting style. What type of subject matter, and lenses are you using? >I plan to use this finder for just about all my tripod work and close-up >photography. I'd like to use it with my microscope as well, for really >high magnification photography. Any words of advice would be appreciated. The DW-4 is excellent for that type of work; I would recommend the U screen or the B screen. Ed **************************************** * ** * Ed Yost ** * M&M; Photo Source, LTD. ** * 1135 37th Street ** * Brooklyn, NY 11218 ** * (800) 245-6873 ** * Email: 71311.1313@compuserve.net ** * -or- ** * eyost@mindspring.com ** * ** ***************************************** ****************************************
Date: 10-Jul-1997 From: jon@prosun.first.gmd.de (Joerg Nolte) Subject: Re: F-3 body with DW-4 (6X) High Mag Finder Questions To: nikon@photo.cis.to <(1) Does the DW-4 show the entire focusing screen or just the center? It shows the *entire* screen. <(2) Does the DW-4 provide a high-quality view of the focusing screen? Yes it does. <(3) Is there any loss of function when using the DW-4 (such as metering)? No. Unlike the old F and F2 models, the F3 has all metering capabilities in the body, not in the viewfinder. <(4) Is the DW-4 the wonderful aid to composition and focusing that I expect? It's no aid to composition of course. It eases focussing for macro, micro and astro photography significantly. For long lenses with small apertures (like f8 to 16) it is also ok (in combination with a suitable screen). Otherwise it is relatively useless. For macro/micro work you should defintely buy the special (clear) focussing screen too. This also has a scale that helps you to judge the magnification rate and provides a little help for composition. For the letter purpose the E type screens are also useable but these are not so bright. <(5) Is it totally useless for vertical shots? Not totally, but not very comfortable. <(6) Are DW-4's readily available on the used market? No idea. Bought mine newly in Japan. Date: 19-Nov-1998 From: eyost@mindspring.com Subject: Re: F3HP Waist Level [2] To: nikon@photo.cis.to >Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 >From: round_lake@prodigy.net >Subject: F3HP Waist Level [2] > >I interested in a waist level finder for my F3HP. > >Two questions:- >1) What is the difference (besides the obvious) between the 3 sided and 4 >sided finders? >2) Does the waist level finder have metering, or must I use a hand-held >meter? > >Thanks, >RichM Rich, I only know of one waist level finder. In addition to the light hood, a pop-up magnifier is also provided. As the meter is built into the camera body there is no need for an external light meter, you can meter through the finder. Ed Ed Yost M&M; Photo Source (Authorized Nikon Advanced Systems Dealer) 800-606-6746
Date: 19-Nov-1998 From: Richard Mendales rmendale@law.miami.edu Subject: Re: V4 #128[2] F3HP Waist Level To: nikon@photo.cis.to Rich, So far as I know, the F3 waist-level finder only comes in one model. The original F had 3-sided and 4-sided finders, but they will not fit the F3. For the F3, your choice is between the normal waist-level finder (DW3), and the "chimney" finder (DW4). The DW3 is a true waist-level finder; you can use it with or without the flip-up magnifier, and actually use it without having your eye right on top of it. The DW4 is more specialized; it gives you higher magnification and a better-corrected magnified image, but it takes some adjustment for your own eye and is really best suited for slow, careful, on-tripod sorts of work. The F3 will meter normally with *any* finder. That's one of the reasons I love it for macro work. Richard Mendales University of Miami
Date: 22-Apr-1998 From: Art Searle w2nra@3villagecsd.k12.ny.us Subject: Re: Waist-level finder DW 30 metering To: nikon@photo.cis.to Zeljko Wrote: > I am interested in Waist-level finder DW 30 for F5. Due to a fact that > this viewfinder does not have metering system selector (button that > allows you to switch between matrix, centre-weighted or spot) what > kind of metering it has? Spot metering is built into the body of the F5. This is what you can use with the DW 30. When used with this finder you will see LEDs across the top left border of the viewfinder - o + Art - -- Art Searle, W2NRA, w2nra@erols.com, Lake Grove, Long Island, NY, USA 20 miles east of Nikon USA, 70 miles east of Leica USA