Changing the focusing screen Seventeen different focusing screens are available for the Nikon F to match exactly any focal-length lens or picture-taking situation. Any of the seventeen screens may be used with any of the finders available for the Nikon F. To change the focusing screen, first remove the viewfinder as described earlier. Then turn the camera body upside down and press the finder release button a second time. The screen will drop into your hand. To attach a screen, place it in position with the flat side facing down and the Nikon F mark pointing toward the front of the camera. Press the finder release button and the screen will drop into place. Caution: When changing the focusing screen be careful not to touch the surfaces with the fingers as this will result in greasy marks. When removing the screen it is advisable to place a clean, dry cloth over the palm of the hand for the screen to drop onto. Note: The optical formula of the Type A screen requires the use of an aperture greater than f/4.5 for focusing with the split-image rangefinder. At smaller aperturesinsufficient light will reach the eye and one-half of the rangefinder spot will be blackened out depending on the position of the eye. Focusing with Type A screen should always be done at maximum aper sure. The problem of blackout also occurs when the lens mount is extended considerably for close-up photography.

Interchangeable Focusing Screens for the Nikon F Type A,L Type A: Matte Fresnel field with 3mm¢circular split-image rangefinder spot and 12mm¢ circle. Rapid and accurate focusing. Excellent for general photography. Type L: Same as Type A screen but with split-image rangefinder line at a 45° angle. Best for subjects with horizontal lines. Type B Matte Fresnel field with 12mm¢ finegroudd matte focusing spot in the center. Good for general photography, especially with long telephoto lenses. Type C Fine-ground matte field with 4mm~p clear spot and cross-hair reticle. For photon~icro graphy, astrophotography and other highmagnification applications, and for parallax focusing. Type D Overall fine-ground matte field. For specialized close-up photography and for use with long focal length lenses. Type E Matte Fresnel field with 12mmp fineground matte spot and etched horizontal and vertical lines. Ideal for architectural photography. Type G Clear Fresnel field with extra--bright 12mm microprism focusing spot for viewing and focusing in poor light. Four models (G1G4) are available corresponding to specific focal length lenses. Depth of field cannot be observed. Type H Clear Fresnel field with microprism focusing pattern over the entire screen area. Permits rapid focusing on any part of the screen with optimum edge-to-edge brightness in poor light. Available in four models (H1-H4) corresponding to particular focal length lenses. Type J Matte Fresnel field with central microprism focusing spot and 12mm circle. Good for general photography. Type K Combination of Type A and J screens. Matte Fresnel field with 3mm¢ split-image rangefinder spot surrounded by lmm¢ microprism doughnut. Rapid and accurate focus~g for subjects with both straight lines and ill-defined contours. Suitable for general photography. Type M Fine ground Fresnel field with 5.5mm¢ clear spot and double crosshair for use in parallax focusing on aerial image, plus micrometer 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.

Focusing Screen Chart Caution: Sooner or later dust will find its way onto and under the {ocusing screen. Keep its surface clean using a fine dust brush designed for photographic lenses. If fingerprints or greasy marks do get onto the screen, blow gently on the surface and wipe away the marks carefully with photographic lens tissue. The rear surface of the screen is made of acryl resin. Special care should be taken to protect it from scratching or excessive pressure. The chart at right has been prepared to assist you in choosing the right screen for the lens to be used.    Especially recommended The image is uniformly bright from edge to edge. However, with lenses marked (*), focusing must be done on the surrounding matte area because the central split-image, microprism or cross-hair area cannot be used for focusing due to image darkening (Type A, L, C, J and K screens).    Acceptable In actual use these screens present little obstruction, although the viewfield over the entire area is less satisfactory because of slight vignetting or moire phenomenon (in the case of microprisms). Of course these drawbacks have no effect on the image recorded on film. Combinations represented by a blank space are unusable because of image darkening or considerable moire over the screen area.

Lens Type of screen A/L B C D E G1 G2 G3 G4 H1 H2 H3 H4 J K M Fisheye 6mm f/2.8                                 8mm f/2.8                                 Wideangle 20mm f/3.5                                 24mm f/2.8                                 28mm f/3.5                                 28mm f/2                                 35mm f/2.8                                 35mm f/2                                 35mm f/1.4                                 Normal 50mm f/2                                 50mm f/1.4                                 55mm f/1.2                                 Telephoto 85mm f/1.8                                 105mm f/2.5                                 135mm f/3.5                                 135mm f/2.8                                 180mm f/2.8                                 200mm f/4                                 300mm f/4.5                                 400mm f/4.5                                 600mm f/5.6 *   *                       *   800mm f/8 *   *                     * *   1200mm f/11 *   *                     * *   Zoom 43-86mm f/3.5                                 50-300mm f/4.5                                 80-200mm f/4.5                                 85-250mm f/4                                 200-600mm f/9.5 *   *                     * *   GN 45mm f/2.8                                 Micro-P 55mm f/3.5 *                         * *   PC 35mm f/2.8 *                         * *   Bellows 105mm f/4 *                         * *   Medical 200mm f/5.6 *                         * *   Reflex Telephoto 500mm f/8 *                         * *   1000mm f/11 *                         * *   2000mm f/11 *   *                     * *

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Modern Classic SLRs Series : Nikon F - Camera Instruction Manual

Credit: This manual is converted by Mr KH Lye. With permission from Shiro Malaysia.

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