DSLR Nikon for Manual Focus lenses

[CasperMarly]

Still have my F2 and F3 Nikons with a nice batch of Nikkor glass.
In trying the lenses on some of the DSLR bodies I find it is not as easy to focus manually as with the film bodies.
Anyone familiar with which of the Digital Nikon SLR bodies will give me better/easier focusing with the manual glass?
I really do like the F3 and would love a digital body that is as easy. Best would be interchangeable finders - but I don't think that will happen.

 

[138S]

You have extensive information here:

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

For the record:

 

[CasperMarly]

Thanks for the reference.
My problem is that those Digital SLR bodies I have tried are nowhere near as easy to focus as the F2 and F3. The manual bodies just 'snap' when in focus while the DSLR bodies force me to look for a focus dot or leave me feeling unsure.

 

[138S]

Thanks for the reference.
My problem is that those Digital SLR bodies I have tried are nowhere near as easy to focus as the F2 and F3. The manual bodies just 'snap' when in focus while the DSLR bodies force me to look for a focus dot or leave me feeling unsure.

You may use the focus assist feature:

https://photographylife.com/using-manual-focus-lenses-on-nikon-dslr-cameras

I would use single centered point focus mode to check focus with the focus assist, as you see all those DSLRs have focus assist, but in the more Pro range you are also informed the direction to what the ring has to be rotated, while in the more consumer models you are only informed about if focus is nailed or not. At least in my Nikon D3200 I have to half press the shutter button to make the green circle appear in the viewfinder bottom, it only appears if focus is nailed, so you half press and then you rotate the ring, when focus is nailed then the circle glows, then you fame and shot.

Tipically for a portrait you point to the eyes until the circle glows, then you refine framing and shot, like if having the optical focus aid of the F3, but instead you have to check focus in the bottom glowing ircle.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Depends on subject, but often use live view and zoom in (+).

 

[Paul Howell]

I cut an old Miranda split image focusing screen to fit a Pentax SF1N AF body. Was not all that hard, the SF1 has interchangeable screens, I think there are split image screens available on Ebay, I cut mine with a Dremel, you can use a split image for a Nikon F, Canon F, Minolta 9000, cut it to fit, I was worried that any difference in thickness would be a problem, I had no issues. Just be careful to mask the screen with tape so not to damage it when cutting to size.

 

[Chan Tran]

None of them has the split image aid if you're used to use it on the F2/F3. None of them has good ground glass area to do manual focus like the old cameras because they have the addtitional layer of LCD for the focus point as well as the grid that can be turn on/off. In general the full frame ones are easier to focus than the APS-C size as the screen is bigger.

 

[George Mann]

I have never had any trouble manual focussing with my D1h/x and D300s.

The bright screen + rangefinder is actually faster to focus than my EL/F2/Nikkormat once you get use to it.

 

[Dan Fromm]

I'm using my old manual focus MicroNikkors (55/2.8, 105/2.8, 200/4) on my new used D810. First try in poor light I absolutely hated it. Then I discovered that the view miraculously improved after I'd pushed the shutter release button half way down to wake the camera up. And the focus indicator helps too. I'm now much happier with the D810 than I was at first.

FWIW, when the D800 was new I looked through one in the local Best Buy, came away convinced that focusing manually with it was impossible. It has the same finder as the D810.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I use old Nikkor and not so old Nikon F mount lenses on Canon RP.
It is superior to any DSLR for manual focus. It allows to focus anywhere within the frame, including corners and it shows DOF in real time.

 

[CasperMarly]

Thanks for the replies. Am not a fan of electronic finders. In low light I find they wipe out my night vision. Much prefer an optical finder, only partly due to that.
On using the focus confirmation dots and such, difficult to do when photographing moving subjects. Especially with long lenses. 300-600 fast glass with finger focusing as rushing Grebes come at me does not allow me to check the bottom for a dot coming on. Maybe there is an easier way but I have not found it. A friend showed me one that lights up sections that are in focus. He loves it. Drove me nuts. Maybe I could get used to it but would rather go with what has been working for me.

 

[RokkorZ]

Manual focus on the D700 is pretty good. Granted I'd love a nice split image focus screen but the >•< focus assist is very good with most focal lengths I've used. Focus peaking on the Fujifilm xt bodies is really good too, just EVF focusing might be your issue as mentioned earlier.

All that lovely Nikkor glass will get a new lease of life on a suitable digital body, but might just take some compromises to get there. Can't beat the F3HP though...

 

[fgorga]

Still have my F2 and F3 Nikons with a nice batch of Nikkor glass.
In trying the lenses on some of the DSLR bodies I find it is not as easy to focus manually as with the film bodies.
Anyone familiar with which of the Digital Nikon SLR bodies will give me better/easier focusing with the manual glass?
I really do like the F3 and would love a digital body that is as easy. Best would be interchangeable finders - but I don't think that will happen.

My reply us a bit late, but file this under "better late than never"!

Check out these folks... https://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php

I've no personal experience (or connection) with these folks, but I had a friend replace the OEM screen in a D300 with one of these screens. This was a number of years ago so the details are hazy, but I don't remember hearing any complaints.