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Focusing Screens for Nikon F4 Series SLR camera

Interchangeable viewfinders feature is closely associated with interchangeable focusing screens (may not apply to the other way round). The Nikon F4 carries the long good tradition of all the previous Nikon F-series professional SLRs and provides this handy and useful features. Naturally, as the top of the line model, the camera has the varieties and choices far exceeded the rest of other Nikon SLRs as midrange Nikon bodies also started offering interchangeable focusing screens in their features-list, but interchangeable viewfinders remains exclusively a F-class model's main technical highlights. The Nikon F4 offers you a choice of 13 interchangeable focusing screens - a drastic reduction in numbers from the previous Nikon F3's massive number of 23 types in total.

For the first time, the standard K-type screen that was made as standard on all three generations of the Nikon F-class models was replaced with a new standard screen type, all due to autofocus which has its requirement of a focus detection indicator to replace conventional split image rangefinder in a typical type-K standard screen. Instead, the advanced B-type BriteView screen is supplied with the Nikon F4 as standard equipment. <<< ---- Credit: Image courtesy of Mr. Philip Chong®, Editor of AdvanceImages.com.my. Image copyright© 2003. All rights reserved.

The F4 and F5's Focusing Screens differ in dimension. With the F5's screen having a roll of gold plated electronic contacts at the side as well as a tab for easy removal of screen from the camera. In short, both are not compatible with one another. | More ...|

Following is a chart listing all interchangeable screens and acts as an Focusing Screen Selector Guide for the Nikon F4.

	Type B: Matte/Fresnel field with 5mm dia. and 12mm-diameter reference circles and AF brackets. Good for general photography. This BriteView type-B screen is supplied as standard screen for all Nikon F4 cameras. The surface of the optical screen is coated for overall good light transmission.
	Type U: Matte/Fresnel field with 5mm dia. and 12mm diameter reference circles and AF brackets. It is essentially a replica of the standard F4's BriteView Type-B screen but highly recommend and suitable when telephoto lenses longer than 200mm focal length is used.
	Type F: Another variation of the BriteView Type-B. Matte/Fresnel field with 5mm dia. and 12mm diameter reference circles and AF brackets. Nikon recommends that it is in particular suitable with reflex lenses which usually has a smaller constant value fixed-aperture.
	Type C: Fine-ground matte field with 5mm-diameter, clear spot and cross hair. For photomicrography, astrophotography and other high-magnification applications using parallax focusing on aerial images.
	Type M: Fine-ground Fresnel field with 5mm-diameer clear spot and cross hair for use in parallax focusing on aerial images, plus millimeter scales for calculation of individual magnification of objects or for measuring objects. Brilliant image in dim light. Suitable for close-ups. photomicrography and other high-magnification applications.

Lover's Moon... Genting Highland, Malaysia. The moon was superimposed via multiple exposure onto the same picture frame taken earlier. A type-E grip screen helped me to remember registration of the location of the moon which I took earlier. I am quite at another hemisphere. I am lazy to take pictures lately, image shown here has been used on Nikon FM3A section. You can help by sending in your creative work to replace this image if you have any good images to show. <<< --- Copyright ©-Free image collection 2000. leofoo ® Malaysian Internet Resources

	Type E: Matte/Fresnel field with 5mm diameter and 12mm-diameter reference circles and AF brackets, and etched horizontal and vertical lines. Ideal for architectural photography. The grips is also sometimes act as a good reference guide for remembering the registration of elements in multiple exposure photography.
	Type J: Matte/Fresnel field with central 5mm-dia. microprism focusing spot and 12mm-diameter circle. Good for general photography. No AF bracket is offered for this screen type.
	Type K: Matte/Fresnel field with 3mm. dia. BriteView split-image rangefinder spot surrounded by 1mm-wide microprism doughnut. Rapid and accurate focusing for subjects with both straight lines and ill-defined contours. This is a popular, all round screen for all manual focus Nikon SLRs. Suitable for general photography.
	Type P: Same as Type K but with BriteView split-image rangefinder line at a 45 degrees angle and etched horizontal and vertical lines as an aid to composition. Rapid and accurate focusing for subjects with horizontal or vertical lines or ill-defined contours. Suitable for general photography.
	Type G: Clear Fresnel field with extra-bright 12mm-dia. microprism focusing spot for viewing and focusing in poor light. Four models (G1, G2, G3, G4) available correspond to lenses with different focal lengths. However, Nikon warns Depth-of-field preview is not suitable with this screen as the overall microprism may project confusing visual when activated the DOF lever.

		To remove the focusing screen, first remove the finder, then insert your fingernail under the rear edge of the screen and lift it out. To install a screen, simply insert the front edge under the central ridge, and push the rear edge down into place. the two springs should catch the focusing screen in place securely.

Exposure Compensation Dial for Interchangeable Focusing Screens There is a tiny window locates at the side of the standard metered prism DP-20 which shows a default value of '0". This is a scales indicating the exposure compensation for individual focusing screen types in combination with the prism in used. Because the light metering system which is incorporated in the finder (in this case, the DP-20/DA-20 which has a pair of metering cells residing inside to handle Matrix and Center-Weighted metering), it may be necessary to compensate the measured value when using certain interchangeable focusing screens. Compensation is within the range from -2 to +0.5 EV in 0.5 EV steps. To adjust, remove the finder from the camera body and rotate the screw-like dial with the screwdriver provided, while referring to the compensation value scale window and the instruction manual for the screen concerned (see inserted illustration at the top right hand section)

Note: The F4's focusing screens are NOT compatible with those series designed for the Nikon F5 and vise versa. Anyway, you cannot fit them in either way (see a F5's screen at left, it can't slot into a F4's screen compartment). Further, Nikon also advises F4's screens are not designed specifically for the Nikon F3 - even if it can 'screeze' in the slot of the F3 screen compartment. Focusing without the finder and via screen ? Errrr ...

Third Party options Focusing Screens (List Price: US$112.50 a piece)

A company in US, Fresnel Optics <http://www.intenscreen.com> are providing some alternative choices for focusing screen other than those offered by Nikon. It was a company primarily engaged in the development, design and manufacture of precision micro structured optics. In 1997 in a corporate move to acquire Beattie Intenscreen, a company focuses on producing focusing screens for cameras. Located in Rochester, NY, Fresnel Optics now extends to produce more screens and 'varieties for many popular 35mm medium and even large format cameras.

The company claims screens made by them are generally range from a stop brighter than most camera manufacturer, you can buy online if you wish or write to them at: Fresnel Optics, Inc.- Beattie Intenscreen. 1300 Mt. Read Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14606 USA (716)647-1140 Fax: (716) 254-4940. Screens made by Beattie Intenscreen usually has a fresnel lens design, made from optical grade acrylic, the fresnel lenses are optically engineered to concentrate and redirect light (and the image) to the exact position of the eye where it claims traditional ground glass-type focusing screens simply act as a surface for viewing the image and don't effectively utilize all of the available light, resulting in a dim image with little contrast. In addition, the screens made by Intenscreen go through a a special chemical coating and curing process adding even more brightness. According to them, the exclusively developed manufacturing process has also been patented. Personally, I have no experience dealing with screen as such. I have no eyesight problem, my lenses are adequately bright and I don't think the price justify for a change. As I noticed from the site the screen is retailing at US112-50 per piece and when called for a quote from my local distributor for Nikon's original screen, they would sell me at RM100-00 a piece. I thought that was rather excessive to use a third party screen.. (As at May 2003, exchange rate fixed at US$1-00=RM3.80 under currency exchange control).

		Anyway, although it may not be suitable for a 'financially-realistic' and calculative guy like me, but there may be someone out there who might be finding this viewing aid of great help (like darkening of the split-image rangefinder caused by slower speed lenses or deteriorating eyesight problem etc.. (but do remember you are using an AF camera ... ). Unlike screens that designed for other Nikon bodies, options are quite limited for the Nikon F4 as the Company only provides four types for you to select, each comes with a product code and design.
82150	82151
82153	82152

| Back to Viewfinder Group for Nikon F4 Series | because you have to learn how to remove a finder prior changing a screen.

Relative: Nikon Focusing Screens for Nikon F, Nikon F3, Nikon F4, Nikon F5 & Screens for MF-Nikon Mid-compact Bodies.

The Camera Body - Features | Reliability | Focusing | Metering | Exposure Control | Lense Compatibility | Interchangeable Prisms | Data Film Backs | Various Power Sources | Focusing Screens | Flash Photography | Other system accessories | Cases for Nikon F4 Series | Remote Control | | Specification | Main Reference Map | Nikon F4 Variants Instruction Manual: PDF (4.5M) - External Link | BACK | to Main Index Page Nikon F4 Series Models <<< ---- Credit: Image courtesy of Mr. Robert from "Russian plaza.com"® <contact@mail.russianplaza.com>. Website URL: www.russianplaza.com Image copyright© 2003. All rights reserved.

| Message Board | for Nikon F4 Series SLR model(s)
| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared environment
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Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
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Special Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

W A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lense, they cannot adjust aperture(s)when operating in manual exposure control even with certain earlier AF Nikon SLR camera models. Similarly, not ALL features provide in a modern AF-S series AF-Nikkor lenses can be utilized fully with a Nikon F4. Please refer to your local distributor for compatibility issue(s).

PLEASE NOTE: Complimentary links are appreciative but it is not necessary, I have limited bandwidth here in this server... So, PLEASE don't distribute this URL to any bulk mailing list or unrelated user-groups, just be a little considerate, thank you. (The more you distribute, the slower this server will response to your requests...). I am NOT a Nikon nor Nikkor expert, so don't send me any mails, use the Message Board Instead. While the content prepared herein should be adequate for anyone to understand and evaluate whether you should invest into a used Nikon F4 pro-camera system for your kind of photography. Well, IF you like what you have seen so far, please help to perfect this site by reporting any broken links or any errors made.

About this photographic site.

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Credit: Chuck Hester, US for his patience, encouragement and help to setup the various content in this site; Robert Johnson for some of his original images on the F2H-MD appeared in this site; my ex-staff, KiaSu for his superb 3-D logo appeared in this Nikon F2 site; Marc Vorgers from Holland who generously provide me with some of his images of F2AS; MCLau®, who has so much time with me to re-edit the content in this site and not to mention buying a Nikon Coolpix 990 just for this site; Paul Armstrong (pkared@ameritech.net) for his explantion of the FF2 Slidemagic and Nikon F2 Pin Camera Keat Photo, Kuala Lumpur for providing their Nikon F2A to take some images for this site; Mr Edward Ngoh the great camera collector who provides us his collection of F2AS with MD-2; hawkeye.photographic.com for their images on the Speed Magny film backs; Sean Cranor for his image on Nikon F2 25th Anniversary Model; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input on some of the early Nikon bodies; Genesis-Camera for granting permission to use an image of the SS-F2 camera; Mr Sover Wong, Australia for those great images of his rare F2 Gold;CYLeow ®, photo editor of the Star newspaper, Malaysia for some of his images used in this site. Ms Rissa Chan, Sales manager from Shriro Malaysia who has helped to provide some of the very useful input. HiuraShinsaku®, Nikomat ML, Japan for some of his images on various F2 models; my staff, Wati, Maisa, Mai and my nephew, EEWyn®, who volunteered and helping me did so many of the film scanning works; Hong-sien Kwee of Singapore for all the Nikon F2 Pin camera images appeared in this site; Luigi Crescenzi for many of his images on the Nikon F2 Titan; John for two of his images of the Nikon F2/T used in this site; Contributing photographers or resellers: Jen Siow, Foo KokKin, Arthur Teng, Mark Fallander, John Ishii, Ed Hassel, YoonKi Kim, Jean-Louis, M.Dugentas (Dell Corner.com.), Mr "Arsenall", Yang Zi Xiong and a few images mailed in from surfers with no appropriate reference to their origin. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. A site made with an Apple IMac.