It's now even more enjoyable to use some of my favorite Nikon MF optics on the D700, such as the 105mm f/2.5. Even though this wasn't a top of the line screen at a premium price, it was more than serviceable, and exactly what I had been looking for. While shooting with the D700, I had used all the different focusing aids on the screen: diagonal split view, micro prism collar, and the matte surface. The images were all crisp and focused just as I had intended.
"These look quite good," I thought, sounding like a surgeon surveying X-rays on a light box.
#Split screen pro still photos manual#
I focused without manual assist on subjects both near and far, then uploaded the RAW files to Capture One on my Mac for close examination.
#Split screen pro still photos series#
I mounted a Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8 and looked through the viewfinder. (Actually, my cat was the only other living creature in the room at the time, and she just wanted her dinner.) "Close her up!" I proudly exclaimed to the surgical assistant as I pulled off my latex finger cots. I then inserted the split image screen, swung the hinged frame upward until I heard the secure click of the latch. I removed it from the mirror box with the cute little padded tweezers (forceps?), and safely stored it, just in case I needed to return to factory settings someday in the future. The original Nikon screen popped out easily once I found the spring latch. The new focusing screen installed in the D700. (I think they were for Chinese fingers, however, because I could barely get the second one over my thumb.) I kept the Rocket Blaster handy in case I spotted any dust during the transplant. The Double 45 Degree Split Image Focusing Screen that I bought from Terences Camera was nicely packed in its own little box with a microfiber cloth, padded tweezers, and little latex finger cots. So I found the installation instructions online and prepared for surgery. I was, however, determined to attempt this procedure. But for some reason, I was a bit more nervous about operating on a digital SLR, especially transplanting a $30 screen that was shipped directly from China.
I change focusing screens all the time on 35mm film cameras, and I rarely screw things up. (I bought my replacement from Terences Camera that has all sorts of screens and adapters for a variety of cameras.) This should have been a no-brainer for me. So I decided to take a chance on replacing the factory screen with a 3rd party option that's better designed for older glass. Yes, we do have digital focus assist, which I like, but not those wonderful micro prism collars that I love. The only problem, as with practically every digital AF camera, is that the viewfinder screen isn't really designed for manually focusing lenses. Nikon D700 with Series E 50mm f/1.8 manual focus lens. I keep the DSLR in the studio for testing optics for TheFilmCameraShop (typically 35mm analog Nikons such as the wonderful FG) and for using on my mirrorless cameras as well. I still mount manual focus Nikkors on my aging, but more than serviceable Nikon D700.
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