[Leica] OT. Nikon screen brightness and contrast

[leica_r8 at hotmail.com (Aram Langhans)]

Some info on KatzEye and D800.

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00bRgg

But there are other alternatives that I have been considering as the D600 is 
in the same boat.

http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=22_130

My only hesitation is my ability to exchange the screens.  I don't have the 
confidence I once had.

Aram

-----Original Message----- 
From: Tomas Szoboszlai
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 11:24 AM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] OT. Nikon screen brightness and contrast

There are after market screens with micro prism and split image
focusing aides and with true matte screen focusing surfaces, features
that may help you focus manual lenses worth the effort.  A company
called KatzEye Optics makes such screens for various DSLR cameras,
including Nikon and Canon.  I have not used them, but they appear to
be well regarded.

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/page--Custom-Focusing-Screens--store.html

As with most things, inexpensive versions of such screens are also
available on the auction site.  I have one of those for a Nikon D40,
but have not installed it because neither the camera nor the lenses I
have for it merit the effort.

Tom Sz.

On Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 1:19 PM, Frank Filippone <red735i at verizon.net> 
wrote:
> I appreciate your comments. I also  have accepted the idea that IF I 
> switch to a Nikon DSLR, that switch must include the acceptance of AF.  I 
> can use my MF lenses but I will not consider them mainline lenses for 
> travel.  I do mostly landscape/travel shots. I have the need for lightness 
> of kit weight. So a WA zoom is what I have selected. In this case a 18-35 
> lens. I have purchased a reasonably cheap one from Ebay and will do some 
> testing of IQ compared to my Leica gear. If the IQ is lacking, the whole 
> idea goes out the window.
> The test will use the M9 as the camera with adapter for the Nikon lenses. 
> Same sensor means the variable in IQ will be the lens
>
> I am pretty certain the D800e body will outperform the M9. But the optics 
> are the variable. Test them and I will know which is acceptable.
>
> Again thank you for your comments
> Frank Filippone
>
> On Sep 6, 2013, at 9:52 AM, Aram Langhans <leica_r8 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> My father-in-law had the D300 and I had a D7000 and they both were 
>> difficult to focus manually for my 62 (at the time) year old eyes.  The 
>> D7000 was better.  I now have a D600 and it is a bit easier, but still 
>> difficult.  And the indicators are not much help, as there is quite a 
>> range when they are lit telling me it is in focus.  But when I look at 
>> the images, the focus plane may be in front or in back or right on. 
>> Depends on chance, I think. I find myself focusing wide open and then 
>> stopping down to compensate for the miss in focus, but that doesn't work 
>> for shallow DOF shots that I often try to do.  The only really solid way 
>> to focus at full aperture is with live view, but that is not great for 
>> action or moving subjects.  I use an eyepiece magnifier and that helps a 
>> bit.  I am slowly seeing the writing on the wall and shifting to auto 
>> focus lenses with deep regret at not using my Leica R glass as much. 
>> Macro is still fine since I can take all the time I need to focus us
>  ing live view.  It has been a slow regression over the last few years. 
> The pits getting old eyes.  I pulled out my R8 the other day to finish a 
> roll of film and found I could focus just fine with it.  Too bad they 
> don't make a good viewfinder for a DSLR, at least in ones I have looked 
> at.  Have not looked at a D3 or D4.  Maybe they are much better at manual 
> focus.  But too heavy for me.
>>
>> Aram
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Kayai
>> Sent: Friday, September 06, 2013 9:41 AM
>> To: Leica-Users-Group
>> Subject: [Leica] OT. Nikon screen brightness and contrast
>>
>> I borrowed my son's D 200 body to see just how easy it was to focus a MF 
>> lens.  Without using the in focus indicators, it was pretty difficult. 
>> Brightness was not too bad but contrast was miserably low
>> .  My D1x was both brighter and more contrasty. The D200 would not work 
>> for me.
>>
>> I am wondering if someone who has had a D200 and D300s and maybe a D3 or 
>> D4 could comment on relative focus ease. Keep in mind that I own 
>> predominantly MF lenses.
>>
>> TIA
>> Frank Filippone
>>
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