Nikon F2 - Brightest Focusing Screen?

Alan9940 · Nov 28, 2022

I have a Nikon F2 with the standard DP-1 finder and whatever screen came with the camera. As my eyes get older (near 70 now), I'm finding it more difficult to accurately focus my 80-200/4.5 zoom, even in fairly bright conditions. What's the brightest focusing screen available that might make it easier for me to properly focus this lens?

Thank you.

Neil Grant · Nov 28, 2022

...most of the screens have a focusing aid towards the centre, but often these darken when used with slow lenses (like an f4.5 zoom for example). You've probably noticed this already. I have an all-over micro prism screen for my F2 which is very bright, but doesn't allow depth-of-field estimation. This was Nikon's attempt at a 'bright screen' - several types of which were available depending on the lens in use. I think the F2 pre-dated 3rd party bright screens - so you might try to find one of these 'all-overs'.

Alan9940 · Nov 28, 2022

Neil Grant said:
...most of the screens have a focusing aid towards the centre, but often these darken when used with slow lenses (like an f4.5 zoom for example). You've probably noticed this already. I have an all-over micro prism screen for my F2 which is very bright, but doesn't allow depth-of-field estimation. This was Nikon's attempt at a 'bright screen' - several types of which were available depending on the lens in use. I think the F2 pre-dated 3rd party bright screens - so you might try to find one of these 'all-overs'.

Thanks, Neil.

Yeah, according to some info I found on cameraquest.com the Type G is the brightest screen Nikon made for the F/F2, but they're numbered 1 - 4 which seem to be lens related? I couldn't find any specific information on what exactly these number suffixes mean. Do you know?

Yes, the screen that is in my F2 when I bought it new has a microprism w/split image "focus aid" in the center. As you said, with these slower lenses half the circle turns black, unless you hold your eye in a very specific relationship to the screen. And, personally, I find that this "focus aid" doesn't help me much.

Pieter12 · Nov 28, 2022

Beattie Intenscreen.

Besk · Nov 28, 2022

If I can remember correctly, the screens for the F3 that have a red dot are brighter. I purchased one and sent it to Bill Maxwell who serviced it to make it even brighter and adapted it to the F2.

Frankly, I can't see much difference between it and the original that is on my other F2.

Nicholas Lindan · Nov 28, 2022

I found out my focusing problems were due to cataracts. After cataract surgery all my focusing problems went away. I did have to get '0' diopter eyepiece lenses for my Nikons.

Alan9940 · Nov 28, 2022

Nicholas Lindan said:
I found out my focusing problems were due to cataracts. After cataract surgery all my focusing problems went away. I did have to get '0' diopter eyepiece lenses for my Nikons.

I don't have cataracts, but I do have a diopter installed that helps with focusing. My issue with the slower lenses is the dimmer screen. My old eyes seem to not respond to low contrast areas as well as they used to.

250swb · Nov 28, 2022

The brightest screen is the 'G' screen, but it doesn't have a split image just a micro prism, so you takes your choice. Here is a link to Nikon F2 screens (but F3 screens can also be used if you swap the frame over)

https://cameraquest.com/nfscreen.htm

yodon · Mar 25, 2025

Hello grandpa, have you found a suitable Nikon f2 focusing screen for you? I saw on some websites that the G and H models are brighter, but I didn't see anyone comparing them. I also want to buy a suitable focusing screen. My English is not good, I use a translation software, I hope you can understand.

Alan9940 · Mar 25, 2025

yodon said:
Hello grandpa, have you found a suitable Nikon f2 focusing screen for you? I saw on some websites that the G and H models are brighter, but I didn't see anyone comparing them. I also want to buy a suitable focusing screen. My English is not good, I use a translation software, I hope you can understand.

No. I looked into the G screens, but got totally confused over the "sub number" for each one; seems to be lens-related, but I never could figure out which screen would correspond to what series of lenes. Ultimately, I gave up and just stuck with the original screen.

GregY · Mar 25, 2025

Alan9940 said:
No. I looked into the G screens, but got totally confused over the "sub number" for each one; seems to be lens-related, but I never could figure out which screen would correspond to what series of lenes. Ultimately, I gave up and just stuck with the original screen.

"Types G (G1˜G4) The G focusing screens feature an exceptionally bright image because a matte surface is not used, instead a clear fresnel screen is used. This screen is suitable for poor lighting conditions. The G screen available in four models depending on the lens focal length. The general rule for use of the G screens are; G1 for Fisheye lenses only G2 for fixed focal lengths between 24mm and 200mm. G3 for 200mm to 400mm G4 for 400mm or longer Please read the instructions provide with the focusing screen for more details"

Alan9940 · Mar 25, 2025

GregY said:
"Types G (G1˜G4) The G focusing screens feature an exceptionally bright image because a matte surface is not used, instead a clear fresnel screen is used. This screen is suitable for poor lighting conditions. The G screen available in four models depending on the lens focal length. The general rule for use of the G screens are; G1 for Fisheye lenses only G2 for fixed focal lengths between 24mm and 200mm. G3 for 200mm to 400mm G4 for 400mm or longer Please read the instructions provide with the focusing screen for more details"

Thank you. I have made a note of this info in case I decide to revisit these screens.

yodon · Mar 25, 2025

Alan9940 said:
不。我查看了 G 屏幕，但对每个屏幕的“子编号”完全困惑;似乎与镜头有关，但我从来不知道哪个屏幕对应于哪个系列的 lenes。最终，我放弃了，只坚持使用原来的屏幕。

谢谢，这个网站太有趣了。我只是一个接触电影不到半年的新手（今年我 25 岁），我觉得很有意思。

yodon · Mar 25, 2025

Alan9940 said:
不。我查看了 G 屏幕，但对每个屏幕的“子编号”完全困惑;似乎与镜头有关，但我从来不知道哪个屏幕对应于哪个系列的 lenes。最终，我放弃了，只坚持使用原来的屏幕。

我想发布照片，但这个网站不允许我，说文件太大了。我有一大套我的尼康 f2。

dynachrome · Mar 26, 2025

I would consider getting an 80-200 f/4 Nikkor instead and installing a late E focusing screen. The f/4 aperture will brighten up things about half a stop. The gridlines in the E screen serve as a sharpness reference. The last version of the 80-200 f/4.5 is quite good but the f/4.5 lenses are more suitable for outdoor use in good light and when the subject is not moving very fast.

dynachrome · Mar 26, 2025

I would consider getting an 80-200 f/4 Nikkor instead and installing a late E focusing screen. The f/4 aperture will brighten up things about half a stop. The gridlines in the E screen serve as a sharpness reference. The last version of the 80-200 f/4.5 is quite good but the f/4.5 lenses are more suitable for outdoor use in good light and when the subject is not moving very fast.

dynachrome · Mar 26, 2025

Oops!

Robert Ley · Mar 26, 2025

I would look into the J screen which is a micro-prism center with a fine grain ring around it with a mat field. It wouldn't be appreciably brighter than the screen you have now but will be easier to focus.

Nikon F2 - Brightest Focusing Screen?

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