Focussing Screens for Nikon F4

Ellis666 · Jun 15, 2015

Hi all whats up, I recently moved from the Canon FD system (Anyone from UK interested inbox me, 135mm f2, 24mm, a1, ae1 and more) to Nikon, I have some nikon eqpt already, I have digital and film bodies but nothing special, along with loads of lenses.

I am looking at buying an F4, by looking I mean I will, but don't know what focusing screen to buy for accurate manual focusing, I've already bought a 50mm f1.2 AI-S and know the usual screen in the F4 doesn't have a split image thing which isn't very useful with this lens (I know it has focus confirmation) and anyway I am asking opinions on what to buy because I've read loads of stuff and still can't decide.

Also I know an F3 would seem ideal but I am after a sigma 17-35mm HSM and want AF, along with 1/8000 shutter for using the 50mm. I am still looking at buying an F3 also but know i want the F4 first

jimjm · Jun 15, 2015

Ellis -

If you like split-image screens, try the Nikon type K or type P screens for the F4. Type K has a split-image surrounded by a microprism, and type P has a 45-degree split with a microprism and vertical/horizontal lines. I was happy with the standard type B screen, but used the focus confirmation frequently.

The F4 is a great camera, the traditional control layout is really nice if you prefer dials over buttons and menus. It's bigger and heavier than the F3 (obviously), but has the built-in motor and AF. It just oozes quality and feels like a rubber-coated brick. It's not the best choice for action/kids/sports as the AF system is not the fastest, the F100 would serve you better if you shoot a lot of action and want to use lenses with VR capability.

I sold my F4 as I didn't really need the built-in motor drive and it was quite a bit heavier than the F100. However, I did prefer the control layout of the F4 and it felt a lot more solid and reliable than the F100.

I also have an F3 and F3HP, and they are great cameras as well.

f/16 · Jun 15, 2015

My F4 came with a type P screen when I bought it and I really like it.

Ellis666 · Jun 17, 2015

jimjm said:
Ellis -

If you like split-image screens, try the Nikon type K or type P screens for the F4. Type K has a split-image surrounded by a microprism, and type P has a 45-degree split with a microprism and vertical/horizontal lines. I was happy with the standard type B screen, but used the focus confirmation frequently.

The F4 is a great camera, the traditional control layout is really nice if you prefer dials over buttons and menus. It's bigger and heavier than the F3 (obviously), but has the built-in motor and AF. It just oozes quality and feels like a rubber-coated brick. It's not the best choice for action/kids/sports as the AF system is not the fastest, the F100 would serve you better if you shoot a lot of action and want to use lenses with VR capability.

I sold my F4 as I didn't really need the built-in motor drive and it was quite a bit heavier than the F100. However, I did prefer the control layout of the F4 and it felt a lot more solid and reliable than the F100.

I also have an F3 and F3HP, and they are great cameras as well.

Thanks for this info it has helped a lot, the K type sounds favourable to me as It simpler when the split image only move on one axis.

I like analogue cameras like Canon A1, olympus OM series ect but I also like to have more modern filmr slr's to which are easier to work with quickly, I've started considering the weight of the F4 because I'd have a 1.5kg set up with the 50 1.2, which is a lot considering I like to take my cameras everywhere. I wanted the F4 over the F3 because it had a faster shutter (for the 50 1.2) and autofocus but I think I'm going to go for the F3 and look for a 20mm or something around that, saving a lot of weight but retaining the key features I want.

The layout of the F3 seems nicer too, I like to have aperture priority where I use the lens to change aperture and a very quick exp compensation dial. The A1 has some weird aperture dial on the top of the camera and the AE1 only has shutter priority and I probably use that 1% of the time I'm shooting.

Valkyrie · Feb 18, 2021

Hi all,

I know this is a very old thread, but I have a question about the F4 focusing screen and thought I’d ask it here.

When changing from the standard type B screen to type K screen, is it necessary to change the exposure compensation on the viewfinder? If it is necessary, by how much?

thanks in advance!

Huss · Feb 19, 2021

The F4 manual (available online) would have that info.

narsuitus · Feb 19, 2021

I never changed the exposure compensation on the viewfinder when I use B and K screens in my F4.

shutterfinger · Feb 19, 2021

Valkyrie said:
When changing from the standard type B screen to type K screen, is it necessary to change the exposure compensation on the viewfinder?

NO.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JPI70PBJrP9Uchi4G4_DcndlOO3SCt3a/view?usp=sharing

Valkyrie · Feb 20, 2021

shutterfinger said:
NO.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JPI70PBJrP9Uchi4G4_DcndlOO3SCt3a/view?usp=sharing

Thank you!
That is very helpful!

Valkyrie · Feb 20, 2021

Huss said:
The F4 manual (available online) would have that info.

Actually it doesn’t have that info. That’s why I posed the question here. The chart posted by the other member (shutterfinger), on the other hand, does have that information.

Valkyrie · Feb 20, 2021

narsuitus said:
I never changed the exposure compensation on the viewfinder when I use B and K screens in my F4.

Thank you. The chart posted by shutterfinger confirms that no compensation is necessary.

Focussing Screens for Nikon F4

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