Nikon F4 question

Hi,

I was in ebay & try to get set of Nexus multi ports + dome port and

ended up getting complete set of F4 housing (used only 2-3 times)

in less than price of new ports. As I still shoot film, I decided to keep

F4 housing & got a used F4 camera.

Question is;

1.Do I really need DA-20 sports finder ? Any idea where I can find one ?

2.Any tip to use F4 housing ?

Sam

Andy,

I found one in KEH & ordered it. Thank you very much!

Sam

Now, one more question.

My focus screen (P type ?) is hard to focus underwater. Any recommendation on type of focus screen ?? Is Bettie screen any good ?

Sam

Sam, I use the stock K screens, which if I recall correctly is not that different from your P screen.

Not sure which part of the screen you're having issues with; I will confess that I use the ground glass as my primary focus cue when topside, and the split image when submerged. The microprism ring is useless for me.

I do not use any lens slower than f 2.8 when underwater, not sure what you're using. My experience is that faster lenses are way easier to focus. Years ago I took a Noct underwater, which was a religious experience, due to the incredible snappy focus and bright viewfinder.

A workmate had a Beattie screen. It was a bit brighter, but not enough to make a big impression (certainly not enough for me to buy one).

BTW, just thinking, how's your eyesight? The sportsfinder was designed for eye relief (several inches between the viewfinder and the eye) and has a closer apparent distance for the viewfinder image.

All the best, James

Hi,

Thanks for great advices...

It maybe I am still not used to my view finder & focus screen but, I feel like whole screen is dark (I will have better focus light) & split image is not easy to focus (Well, my shore film camera is 20yr old Canon AE-1 with 50mm f1.4 & I think I know how to use manual focusing but...) etc & my lenses are 16,60,105(f2.8) &

200mm(f4).

I will shoot more pictures next week & will learn. My eyesight is 0.7/0.8 & have no problem to take macro pictures using small view finder of D70.

I also, found a used Beattie finder & ordered it.

Sam

Hi,

I at least found what my problem is.

1.DA-20 View finder is much wider than standard DP-20 but, DA-20 does not have 'diopter adjustment knob' that DP-20 has. I could not focus well using DA-20 & I found I can do much better focusing with DP-20 on macro shooting (with diopter at -3). I am now shooting macro with DP-20 & W/A with DA-20.

Is there anyway I can adjust diopter on DA-20 ???

2.After remove focus screen, found it was contaminated (maybe previous owner was heavy smoker ?) & it is much better after cleaning.

I did not tested Beattie screen yet.

Sam

<snip>

Is there anyway I can adjust diopter on DA-20 ???

<snip>

Sam

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have had excellent results wearing contact lenses. Others I know have had their prescription lenses glued into their mask and swear by it. If you choose to follow the later there's a couple of sources, including Precsription Dive Masks, who I've heard does very good work.

All the best, James

Precsription Dive Masks, who I've heard does very good work.

They do an incredible product, seamless no silicone beading etc. took me a while to figure out how they got the lenses to look so good, came across those guys at DEMA or Our World Underwater, they are not cheap, but well worth the money. I got what they call gauge reader, could'nt read my air gauge before, beat sucking your tank dry to find out youre out of air

Hi,

Thanks for great advises.

I was worried about focusing but, it turned out O.K. on pictures.

F4 with 105mm AF Lens (Manual focusing) in Nexus housing +

SB-800 strobe.

Sam