Nikon F4 finders

Just getting into close-up and macro photography here, And I'm getting
tired already of trying to peer thru the normal viewfinder of my F4 at
the wee flowers and insects. I see in Moose Peterson's Nikon System
Handbook, that there are three possible solutions to this problem which
would allow me to look down into the camera from above. These are the
DW-20 waist level finder, which has the flip open hood like my old
YaschicaMat, (Is this one also good for "normal" photography?) the
DW-21 high magnification finder which has a large range diopter
adjustment, and the DR-3 right angle finder. (Which is probably a LOT
less expensive than either finder!) I would like to hear from folks who
have used any, or all of these as to their pros, cons and/or
preferences. I know the finders reverse the image, but if memory
serves, the angle finder maintains it correctly. Also, can the DR-3 be
fitted to the eyepiece on the standard DP-20 finder? This has a
somewhat larger thread mount than the older non-HP cameras. Many
thanks.

Bill Wilson

 

There is also a lot of good information at www.nikonlinks.com
Follow the F4 link.

The DW-20 is just a look straight down at the focusing screen with a
small reversed image. There is a little 5X flip up magnifier for
focusing. The DW-20 only works with the spot meter in the body as
center-weighted and matrix are in the DP-20. Unless you are already
manually metering and calculating macro compensation factors, this
adds
a little complication.
Also both the DW-20 and DW-21 lose the hot-shoe which matters if you
are
using a hot-shoe powered ringlight like one of the Sunpak units.
Nikon
sells an SC-24 adapter cable that plugs into a small connector on the
DW-20 and DW-21 and has a hot-shoe on the other end like an SC-17.

The DW-21 has a bright full magification eyepiece so the image appears
as large as in the standard DP-20 finder. It is reversed right to
left
but right side up. Again the DW-21 only works with the spot meter in
the body. This is a very nice piece and I use mine when I need right
angle on my F4's. It has a large eyepiece diameter with good eye
relief.

The DR-3 comes with a DK-7 adapter for the larger DP-20 eyepiece
thread.
The image is not reversed just like the regular finder image. Since
you
are still using the DP-20, spot, CW, and matrix metering all work.
You
can also rotate this in any direction which is nice when scrunched
down
trying to get a wild flower in focus.
It allows you to still use a hot-shoe powered ringlight or other
flash. The
current version of this is the DR-4 which also fits the DP-20 on the
F4.
I usually use my DR-3 on an FE-2 but it works on my F4's with the
DK-7.
The DR-3/DR-4 has less eye relief that the DW-21.

 

You might already have seen this resource, but if not, there is some great
information here:

<http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/prisms/index.htm>

 

Yes, apart from the laterally reversed image that you mentioned.

That's the one I chose. If you wear glasses you may not be able to
see the extreme corners of the frame with your glasses on. Otherwise,
this is an excellent finder, the one I used for virtually all my macro
work when I had Nikon gear.

The DR-3 is very expensive for what it is. I think my DW-21,
purchased used from KEH, cost me less than a used DR-3 in similar
condition (EXC +).

The DR-3 needs to be fitted with a threaded adapter to match the
larger eyepiece diameter. The adapters are easily available from
Nikon approved suppliers.

The DR-3 has the advantage of being suitable for other Nikon bodies,
whereas the DW-20 and DW-21 are dedicated to the F4.

I hope this is useful.

 

I use the DR-4 Right-Angle Viewing Attachment on my F4 and F5.

nick