flavio81
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Yes, 97% is not bad at all.
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Best viewfinder for NIkon MF
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Yes, 97% is not bad at all.
rulnacco
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I own an FE (two, actually, both of which I upgraded to the K3 screens), an F2AS, an F3HP, and an F4--as well as owning or having owned a D70, a D300, a D700, a D810 and now a Z8.
Of all those cameras, by far the easiest and best to use for manual focus lenses--this is my own opinion, but it's not even any kind of close contest at all in my view--is the F4.
It has a very bright and what seems to be huge viewfinder image (it is 100%); you can easily focus using practically any part of the screen (and you can choose a screen that has your desired focus aids); shutter speed and aperture are easy to see in the finder as is the exposure meter; number of exposures is visible in the finder; the meter will give you over- or under-exposure readings of 2 stops in 1/3 stop increments; the viewfinder can be set to be constantly illuminated (or not); there are focus guide arrows and a focus confirmation dot; you can use different viewfinders for macro and waist-level shooting; you can shoot either AI or non-AI lenses on it; you have manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program modes (at least with AIS lenses for the latter two); and it's one of Nikon's few cameras (the only one?) that can do matrix, center-weighted, and spot metering with manual focus lenses (at least the AI versions). Of course, for all the above features I mentioned to be visible in the finder, you do have to find one without (or with minimal) LCD bleed, which can be tough.
I like the viewfinders and meters in the FE--I find them, the meter especially, far superior to the F2AS and the F3--but even they absolutely pale in comparison to all the features, extremely well-implemented and ergonomic features, that the F4 offers.
The F4 is officially an autofocus camera. But it has to be one of the two or three best Nikon cameras ever made for manual focus shooters, perhaps even the very best. It simply kills the other cameras I mentioned above in capabilities, and in being useful and pleasurable to shoot with manual focus lenses. Shooting manual focus with the F4 is actually fun (and extraordinarily easy), and what more do you need to go out and shoot with a particular camera?
Of all those cameras, by far the easiest and best to use for manual focus lenses--this is my own opinion, but it's not even any kind of close contest at all in my view--is the F4.
It has a very bright and what seems to be huge viewfinder image (it is 100%); you can easily focus using practically any part of the screen (and you can choose a screen that has your desired focus aids); shutter speed and aperture are easy to see in the finder as is the exposure meter; number of exposures is visible in the finder; the meter will give you over- or under-exposure readings of 2 stops in 1/3 stop increments; the viewfinder can be set to be constantly illuminated (or not); there are focus guide arrows and a focus confirmation dot; you can use different viewfinders for macro and waist-level shooting; you can shoot either AI or non-AI lenses on it; you have manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program modes (at least with AIS lenses for the latter two); and it's one of Nikon's few cameras (the only one?) that can do matrix, center-weighted, and spot metering with manual focus lenses (at least the AI versions). Of course, for all the above features I mentioned to be visible in the finder, you do have to find one without (or with minimal) LCD bleed, which can be tough.
I like the viewfinders and meters in the FE--I find them, the meter especially, far superior to the F2AS and the F3--but even they absolutely pale in comparison to all the features, extremely well-implemented and ergonomic features, that the F4 offers.
The F4 is officially an autofocus camera. But it has to be one of the two or three best Nikon cameras ever made for manual focus shooters, perhaps even the very best. It simply kills the other cameras I mentioned above in capabilities, and in being useful and pleasurable to shoot with manual focus lenses. Shooting manual focus with the F4 is actually fun (and extraordinarily easy), and what more do you need to go out and shoot with a particular camera?
Chan Tran
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Why the F4 is better than the F5 for manual focus?
Afair it supports S and P-modes as well as matrix-metering with AIs-lenses.
Chan Tran
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I never used S and P modes. I used the Photosecretary software to disable these 2 modes on my F5. I also found while matrix is good for slides it's not good for negative.
Don't forget the optional J-type focussing screen.
rulnacco
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As skahde said, it supports S and P modes, if you choose to use them. And while this isn’t related, it does go toward the F4’s usability: with the MB-20 battery pack, the F4 becomes a more compact camera for carrying around. With the F5, you’re stuck with the vertical grip, whether you like it or not. That’s one reason I’ve never been interested in an F5.
As someone who owns an F, Nikomat FTn, F2, FM, F-501 and F4... and generally wears glasses...
F2 with DE-1 is glorious (mine's practically brand new - doesn't look like my grandfather ever used it - so free of muck/dust which helps) though obviously it doesn't tell you anything either.
F2 with DP-1 is subtle and clear but can be hard to read esp. in dark conditions. Match needle is quite small.
Nikomat is wonderful too though only shows shutter speed.
FM is pretty good, all the info is there and is out of the way... my current example doesn't have a split prism which does make fast focus a bit of a challenge.
F4 is great - lots more going on, obviously, but it's all clear and not in the way. Good eye relief and has a diopter too.
And as others have mentioned, it's great with manual focus lenses even with the standard AF matt screen, thanks to the electronic rangefinder.
+1 Pentax MX... actually one-ups the Nikon FM IMHO in this regard, though whether the extra LED segments over the FM for the light meter make that much difference is debatable.
F2 with DE-1 is glorious (mine's practically brand new - doesn't look like my grandfather ever used it - so free of muck/dust which helps) though obviously it doesn't tell you anything either.
F2 with DP-1 is subtle and clear but can be hard to read esp. in dark conditions. Match needle is quite small.
Nikomat is wonderful too though only shows shutter speed.
FM is pretty good, all the info is there and is out of the way... my current example doesn't have a split prism which does make fast focus a bit of a challenge.
F4 is great - lots more going on, obviously, but it's all clear and not in the way. Good eye relief and has a diopter too.
And as others have mentioned, it's great with manual focus lenses even with the standard AF matt screen, thanks to the electronic rangefinder.
+1 Pentax MX... actually one-ups the Nikon FM IMHO in this regard, though whether the extra LED segments over the FM for the light meter make that much difference is debatable.
I'm pretty partial to F2's overall, but in terms of a great viewfinder an F3 HP with a DK-17M magnifying eyepiece is pretty amazing.
The only problem is finding a DK-17M as they were discontinued several years ago and have been increasing in price on the used market ever since.
A huge viewfinder image (right up there with a Pentax MX), excellent brightness, 100% coverage, and a nice range of alternative screens available (although the standard K-screen is hard to beat for most purposes).
(Oh, and a discovery last night - I was having problems with the F3's notorious LCD illuminator with it flickering on and off while depressing everyone's favourite Nikon red button, so while watching a show last night I absentmindedly pressed and released the button for a few minutes, and - voila - a cleanly working illuminator control which lights perfectly every time and gives a steady level of illumination like never before!)
The only problem is finding a DK-17M as they were discontinued several years ago and have been increasing in price on the used market ever since.
A huge viewfinder image (right up there with a Pentax MX), excellent brightness, 100% coverage, and a nice range of alternative screens available (although the standard K-screen is hard to beat for most purposes).
(Oh, and a discovery last night - I was having problems with the F3's notorious LCD illuminator with it flickering on and off while depressing everyone's favourite Nikon red button, so while watching a show last night I absentmindedly pressed and released the button for a few minutes, and - voila - a cleanly working illuminator control which lights perfectly every time and gives a steady level of illumination like never before!)
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With the F3 HP you can also just pop in a DE-2, eliminate the HP and also have a slightly better magnification on a slightly smaller camera. That is what I did with mine. Add a "0" diopter lens for the smaller ocular which is still readily available and the older guy's presbyopia is also compensated for. No glasses needed until I have to change ISO.
Thanks - I'll definitely give that a try as I've got an extra 0 diopter and the same exact vision issues.
The DE-2 would be a nice solution to having to swap the DK-17m between F3 and F6 as I switch bodies.
The prices of DK-17m magnifying eyepieces are approaching that of a nice DE-2!
Besk
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I had a camera technician install a F3 red dot screen in my F2 with the DE-1 prism. While brighter I can't say it is easier to focus.
flavio81
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I have a F3 screen on my F2AS (i'm a camera tech) . I can't remember which one is. Indeed, it is brighter.
I've long sold the four F3 cameras I had, but kept the F3 screens for that reason.
"Nikon F3, proof even Nikon can get it wrong sometimes. "
To me, it feels like I have to consciously move my eye to see the LCD in the F3 finder.
I know viewfinder information was one of the evolving features that differentiated cameras in the 70s, but today, I'm quite fond of an F2 with the meterless eyelevel prism. No distractions, just the subject.
I know viewfinder information was one of the evolving features that differentiated cameras in the 70s, but today, I'm quite fond of an F2 with the meterless eyelevel prism. No distractions, just the subject.
MFstooges
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For a fully manual I would say F3. I like the F2 but at least mine didn't have the light so it's hard to use in low light situation (same problem with FM/FE). But most of the current F3s have problem with LCD being too old and lack contrast.
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