HOW TO HOLD THE CAMERA
The camera must be held correctly for best results, since even the slightest camera shake at the moment of exposure will result in an appreciable loss of sharpness. Photos show the best way to hold the camera for rocksteady picture taking.
Wrap the fingers of the right hand around the camera body so that the index finger rests comfortably on the shutter release button and the thumb fits between the body and film-advance lever so it can stroke the
lever without removing the eye from the viewfinder. Cradle the camera in the left hand for additional support, with the left thumb and index finger grasping the focusing ring. The camera may be switched from horizontal to vertical format in this position.
FOCUSING
The Nikon F is the only camera which records on film exactly what you see through the viewfinder. The eyepiece permits comfortable viewing of the entire screen even for eyeglass wearers. There are fourteen different focusing screens to fit any combination of lens and picture-taking requirements (see pages 21-23). The Type A focusing screen is furnished as standard equipment with the Nikon F. This screen has a 3mm ø-circular split-image rangefinder in the center for quick and accurate focusing. If the image seen in the circle is in focus it will appear continuous. When the subject is out of focus, the rangefinder image will appear split into two parts.
Turn the focusing ring until the two halves of the rangefinder image coincide to form a single, sharp image. Focusing can also be done by setting the distance scale on the lens barrel for the lensto-subject distance as measured or estimated. This is especially useful when the camera must be prefocused to capture an elusive subject. Focusing is always done at full aperture with Nikkor Auto lenses. This ensures a bright, clear finder image for accurate focusing, viewing and framing. lt also minimizes depth of field so the image snaps in or out of focus distinctly.
CHANGING THE VIEWFINDER
Four interchangeable viewfinders are available for the Nikon F: Eye-Level, Waist-Level, Action and Photomic FTN. The Photomic FTN finder incorporates the center-weighted thru-the-lens metering system and couples to shutter speed and aperture controls. With the exception of the Photomic FTN, all viewfinders are interchanged in the same way. To remove the finder, press the finder release button on the back of the camera body. The finder snaps loose and can be lifted out. To attach a viewfinder, set it in position and
press down gently until it clicks into place. The Photomic FTN has a pair of pincer-type clamps to position the finder and hold it snugly in place. These clamps must be loosened by depressing the finder lock lever when removing or attaching the Photomic FTN.
CHANGING THE FOCUSING SCREEN
Fourteen different focusing screens are available for the Nikon F to match exactly any focal-length lens or picture-taking situation. The Type A screen, which is furnished as standard equipment, has a matte Fresnel
field with a center split~image rangefinder focusing spot. Any of the fourteen 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 tauch 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 screcn requires the use of an aperture greater than f/4.5 for focusing with the split-image rangefinder. At smaller apcrtures insuffi.cient 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 clone at maximum aperture. The problem of blackout also occurs’ when the lens mount is extended considerably for close-up photography.
Caution: Sooner or later dust will find its way onto and under the focusing screen. Keep its surface clean using a fine dust brush designed for photographic lenses. If fingcrprints or greasy marks do get onto the screen, blow gently on the surface and wipe away the marks carefully with photographic Jens 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, C and J 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.
