Did I get defective New F1 AJ focus screen

[sruddy]

My camera came with an AE new split micro prism lens. I thought it was very bright but I wanted to see how much brighter an AJ bright laser matte short lenses would be. After installing the so called bright screen it didn’t seem at all brighter. I have tried it outside in sun and shade and inside with no lights. I put my spot meter up to the viewfinder and discovered the bright screen is actually darker by 2/3 of a stop. I may keep it because I think the split micro prism is distracting but I’m not happy about it not being brighter even though my New F1 with either screen is my brightest 35mm camera. The Nikon FM3A is very close.

 

[dynachrome]

I have many focusing screens for the F-1 and F-1n cameras but not as many for my fleet of New F-1 cameras. For the older cameras my favorite screens are the LD and LC. The LD is good for many different lenses and subjects. There is no microprism or split image area to black out in the center and the grid lines are a hood sharpness reference. They can also be helpful in composition. If I am doing macro work and getting very close, the LC screen is better. The New F-1 screens are a little more complicated because of the different metering areas. I still like D and C screens for the New F-1 cameras. I recently shot a roll of film in a New F-1 with the 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 New FD. I used a D screen. It's one of my favorite general purpose lenses but it is not pleasant to use with a split image screen. It's just too slow for that type of screen. The special screens for long or short lenses can sometimes be helpful but I find that the D and C screens handle most situations I encounter.