Katzeye optics...

[Hamish Gill]

Just a little word of approval for these guys

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/

I fitted one successfully to my d300...

it made using older manual focus lenses a lot more successful and the whole experience of using the d300 an absolute treat!

there was no effect at all the i could notice on the functionality of the camera apart from the obvious improvements

they also offer various crop guides ... although i didnt go for any

on top of that they offer "optibrite" treatment as an option to those who use a lot of zoom lenses http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/page--OptiBrite-Brightness-Enhancement--optibrite.html

d7000 screen diagram

Good service too... and very happy to answer my silly questions ...

unfortunately, they dont make one for the d3 else i would have one by now, thankfully the d3 has a rather good vf and manual focus is little issue ...

 

[Larry Bolch]

Plus there is the electronic rangefinder in both your D3 and my D700 that makes focusing AI-S glass a breeze. Even when shooting with my f/1.8 105mm wide open on faces in the room, it produced consistently perfect results.

http://www.larry-bolch.com/ephemeral/selective/

 

[Hamish Gill]

There's nothing quite like not having to move flick your concentration back and forth from that little flickery dot and arrows though don't you think larry? Just having that split circle makes me more confident in what I'm doing!

 

[Pete Askew]

Certainly could be useful on some DSLR's I guess but I have always disliked split screen focusing aids and changed the screens on all my MF cameras to plain or grid (my preferred) screens.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Doesn't having that big logo across the diagonal get in the way when composing/shooting?

 

[Pete Askew]

They'll print it horizontally if you prefer!

 

[Hamish Gill]

You guys!! ...
They are really very good, despite your silliness

 

[Darren Bradley]

I learned photography on several manual-focus DSLRs with split screen focusing, and love it. I guess it's what you're used to. This is great!

 

[Hamish Gill]

a quote from an email from Rachael Katz

...I am always willing to field questions and I am more than happy to
provide quotable responses that you can repost as you feel appropriate.
Thanks again for your business and spreading the word and have a wonderful
evening!

Kind regards,

Rachael Katz

very helpful, and very nice to deal with as i have always found!

id encourage anyone with an interest in useing older nikon lenses with modern kit to seriously consider this as an option for more reliable focusing

 

[Hamish Gill]

Just bought a D700 and ordered one of these for it
Nikon D700 Focusing Screen - KatzEye Optics
I shall report more when it turns up ... but if its as good as the one i had for the d300 (that Milan now has) ill be a very happy boy!