Nikon D850 viewfinder darker than my D500 and D5
Dec 23, 2018 07:06:23 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Is it me? When viewing through my D850, I have noticed that it is slightly darker than when viewing through the D500 and D5. Has anyone else experienced this? The images produced are exceptional, BUT. Does this darker viewfinder effect focusing speed?
Dec 23, 2018 07:53:19 #
The darker viewfinder will not mechanically or electronically effect focus lock. If you are focusing manually and it takes your eyes/vision longer to focus, then it effects focusing speed.
Dec 23, 2018 09:57:58 #
billnikon might consider using your D5 instead if your D850 is too slow to lock albeit you do realize that this is controlled under Custom Settings; Autofocus Focus tracking with lock-on? Not happy with it's lock speed? Set this to "Off"
As for viewfinder brightness? billnikon the D850 is a "prosumer" unit... Nikon's D5 is a "Pro" build...
Yes I've noticed a brightness differential on "Pro" builds verses "prosumer" units even with my D3x... might sell the "prosumer" unit and stick with your "Pro" body...
Have a happy Holiday with friends and family!
All the best on your journey...
As for viewfinder brightness? billnikon the D850 is a "prosumer" unit... Nikon's D5 is a "Pro" build...
Yes I've noticed a brightness differential on "Pro" builds verses "prosumer" units even with my D3x... might sell the "prosumer" unit and stick with your "Pro" body...
Have a happy Holiday with friends and family!
All the best on your journey...
Dec 23, 2018 14:21:12 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Thomas902 wrote:
billnikon might consider using your D5 instead if ... (show quote)
Then why is my D500 have a brighter viewfinder than the D850 viewfinder, following your reasoning.
Dec 23, 2018 15:01:00 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
billnikon wrote:
Then why is my D500 have a brighter viewfinder than the D850 viewfinder, following your reasoning.
Can't speak about the D500 viewfinder, but the D850 VF displays image masks that my earlier DSLRs do not. Instead of just a narrow line outlining the edges of 1.2:1, 1:1, or DX images, a mask activates (if selected via menu) that mostly blocks the image from outside the selected area. I suspect that there may be some brightness loss in the LCD layer that provides this functionality...it is perhaps thicker than the old ones. Perhaps MTShooter or someone else in the industry can provide us with a little more insight. I do know that I am having trouble with the masking function in my viewfinder (the mask won't clear completely) that is going to require a trip back to Nikon after Christmas.
Dec 23, 2018 15:15:21 #
Might be a silly question, but are you using the same lens in your comparisons?
I just compared the two cameras with a 50mm F/1.4 Nikkor. There may have been a slight difference or it was all in my mind. But it does appear that the D850 viewfinder image (not referring to the FoV) is larger.
--
I just compared the two cameras with a 50mm F/1.4 Nikkor. There may have been a slight difference or it was all in my mind. But it does appear that the D850 viewfinder image (not referring to the FoV) is larger.
--
Dec 23, 2018 16:38:46 #
I've had people ask me about this before as well. I did check and the D850 is ever so slightly dimmer - I think. Like Bill_de says, I can't tell if it's real or in my head.
Dec 23, 2018 17:34:56 #
billnikon wrote:
..........
Does this darker viewfinder effect focusing speed?
Does this darker viewfinder effect focusing speed?
The focusing system is entirely separate
from the viewing system.
Reflex mirrors don't vary much. The big
variable is view screen texture, and that
has nothing to do with the AF.
.
Dec 23, 2018 18:39:36 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Steve Perry wrote:
I've had people ask me about this before as well. I did check and the D850 is ever so slightly dimmer - I think. Like Bill_de says, I can't tell if it's real or in my head.
Yea. I hear you. I put on the same lens on all three camera's. And the D850 is darker to view through, or slightly dimmer as you said. But, it does not effect the final image in any way. Or is it that the slightly dimmer image in the viewfinder is all in my head?
But, I really like the images I am getting from the D850.
But, thanks to you and others, I am not going to send it to Nikon. I am sure they can do nothing about it. I will learn to live with it.
Dec 23, 2018 19:07:36 #
`
It may be that Nikon wanted to offer a screen
that can, at least marginally, enhance manual
focusing. I put a real focusing screen in a 5D2.
There's no wondering whether the dimming is
is just my imagination ! It's very evident. Most
users would not consider using that camera for
indoor work with the slow zooms that are now
so typical. You really need at least f/4 or even
faster to view comfortably. But, it can now MF
a 24mm via the viewfinder image :-)
===========================
Mebbe your 850 screen is just a bit more "MF
enabling" than your other cameras. Here's a
test you might find illuminating: Just as you
used a consistent lens and subject scene for
your "apparent briteness" comparison, do it
again but ignore briteness and instead study
the out of focus effect. A screen that is more
MF enabling than some other briter screen is
going to show LESS apparent DoF. IOW, the
finer the texture, the harder it is to judge MF
sharpness by eye. OTOH the finer the texture
the brighter the view. The no-free-lunch rule.
.
It may be that Nikon wanted to offer a screen
that can, at least marginally, enhance manual
focusing. I put a real focusing screen in a 5D2.
There's no wondering whether the dimming is
is just my imagination ! It's very evident. Most
users would not consider using that camera for
indoor work with the slow zooms that are now
so typical. You really need at least f/4 or even
faster to view comfortably. But, it can now MF
a 24mm via the viewfinder image :-)
===========================
Mebbe your 850 screen is just a bit more "MF
enabling" than your other cameras. Here's a
test you might find illuminating: Just as you
used a consistent lens and subject scene for
your "apparent briteness" comparison, do it
again but ignore briteness and instead study
the out of focus effect. A screen that is more
MF enabling than some other briter screen is
going to show LESS apparent DoF. IOW, the
finer the texture, the harder it is to judge MF
sharpness by eye. OTOH the finer the texture
the brighter the view. The no-free-lunch rule.
.
Dec 24, 2018 06:11:43 #
My Nikon's have a viewfinder brightness adjustment. Have you tried that?
Dec 24, 2018 07:48:28 #
Steve Perry wrote:
I've had people ask me about this before as well. I did check and the D850 is ever so slightly dimmer - I think. Like Bill_de says, I can't tell if it's real or in my head.
You can put a light meter to the viewfinder eye piece and measure the brightness. I have the Minolta booster which is designed to attach to the eyepiece. Of course I don't have any of the cameras mentioned to check it out. I did a test on the Nikon FM, F3, F5, Df and to my dismay the FM is the brightest and the Df is darkest. The difference between the manual focus models to the AF models is about 1 stop.
Dec 24, 2018 08:55:57 #
Dec 24, 2018 09:44:22 #
BebuLamar wrote:
You can put a light meter to the viewfinder eye piece and measure the brightness. I have the Minolta booster which is designed to attach to the eyepiece. Of course I don't have any of the cameras mentioned to check it out. I did a test on the Nikon FM, F3, F5, Df and to my dismay the FM is the brightest and the Df is darkest. The difference between the manual focus models to the AF models is about 1 stop.
I thought of that, but I don't have a light meter anymore (misplaced mine about a decade or two ago and haven't needed one until now LOL)
Dec 24, 2018 12:38:00 #
My eye tells me that the scene thru the viewfinders of both the D850 and the D500 are of equal luminance and both are dimmer than the actual scene. Not much, but enough to call for a bit of concentration when looking. Could be that the view thru the viewfinder is noticeably smaller than the scene is the cause.
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