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Multi-Meters Finder DP-20 The Multi-Meter Finder DP-20 is the Nikon F4(s) standard finder and highly recommend as it optimizes performance of the F4. It offers a high eyepoint of 22mm and virtually 100% picture frame coverage. Unlike any of the other eye level finder(s) designed for the previous F-models, the DP-20 multi-metered prism is a high-tech viewfinder that delivers many enhancements. In addition to the metering system selector, the following functional parts have been incorporated: <<< ---- Image from my copyright-free image collection. Malaysian Internet Resources

The metering system in F4 is comprised of TTL Matrix, Center-weighted and Spot metering. You can calibrate full aperture exposure compensation as well as electrical exposure compensation. The metering range (with 50mm f/1.4, ISO 100) starts from EV0-EV21 (up to EV16+ 1/3 stop) with TTL Matrix metering; EV-2 ~ EV21 (with AE Action Finder DA-20) in Center-Weighted Metering; while spot metering is effectvelly operative at EV-2 ~ EV21 in TTL Spot Metering.The Metering algorithm is similar to that of the previous F801(s).

The DP-20 will revert itself as an Electronic Rangefinder in situation when the Nikon F4 is operated in Manual Focus mode. This feature will work with AF-Nikkor, Ai-type Nikkor (which includes Ai-modified Nikkor and even Non-Ai Nikkor) with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster. Although most of us know how to handle manual focus on our own, the electronic rangefinder is just a focusing guide to tell you which way to focus (direction(s) in turning your focusing ring) and when the subject is sharply focus, the green in-focus symbols lights up - that is all, nothing fancy with the sexy term that it carries. However, but an advantage the F4's electronic rangefinder presents is - it works down to as low as EV-1 (single candle light source), a feat which is useful when some of you who may be struggling to focus with slow speed tele-lenses and/or specifically for people who starts to develop deteriorating eyesight syndrome (such as me). ..hehe.. <<< ---- Image from my copyright-free image collection. Malaysian Internet Resources

In addition to the metering system selector, the following functional parts are incorporated:

Metering Pattern Selector Dial he three available metering system: Matrix, Center-Weighted and Spot metering can be easily switch back and forth via a handy selection dial located just at the top right hand side of the prism. The three symbols , and represent: the spot, CW and multi-segments metering available for handling accurate ambient light measurement.

Diopter Adjustment Knob Diopter is built-in on the Nikon F4. Located just next to the metering pattern selector dial, the knob enables near-or far-sighted photographers to adjust eyepiece diopter within a continuous range of from -3 to +1. Pull the knob and rotate it to either direction until focused image appears sharp, then push back. For diopters beyond this range, Nikon eyepiece correction lenses for F3HP can be used with the F4.

Eyepiece Shutter Lever This was first used on the Nikon FA back in 1983. During self-timer operation, as the metering cells are located inside it is always recommended to use the eyepiece shutter which will prevent light from entering from the rear section which may adversely affecting the automotic exposure meter reading during self timer operation and/or shooting macro or unmanned with tripod. Simply just turn the lever to the left to close the shutter. The eye piece shutter is painted red to provide a visual reminder that it is in use.

Exposure Compensation Dial for Interchangeable Focusing Screens This feature is located in the finder, it may be neccessary to compensate the measured value when using certain interchangeable focusing screens. Compensation is possible within the range of -2 to +0.5 EV steps.

To adjust, remove the finder from the camera body and rotate the screw-like dial with the screwdriver provided, while referring to the compensation value scale window and the instruction manual for the screen concerned.

Specification of Nikon Multi-Meter Finder DB-20

Viewfinder: Removable type Pentagonal roof-prism Eye-Level viewfinder
Field of viewfinder: 100+0, -2%
Viewfinder diopter: -3 to +1 DP (adjustable by dial operation)
Magnification and Eyepoint (from the rear of eyepiece lense)

Diopter (DP)	-3	-2	-1	0	+1
Magnification	0.72	0.71	0.70	0.69	0.67
Eye Point (mm)	17.6	19.6	22	24.7	27.6

Inside viewfinder (when mounted on the body)
Top section of the focusing screen: (1) LCD indicators on the body (exposure compensation value, frame counter with data back); (2) Aperture value (direct reading); (3) LED indicators on the body (AF focusing information, exposure compensation mark, flash ready-light)
Bottom section of the focusing screen: Built-in LCD indicator in viewfinder, viewfinder illuminator (green) (Exposure information, metering mode, exposure mode, analog display (in M mode), and AE lock indicator). * Viewfinder illuminator lights up in shutter pre-release operation.
Eyepiece Shutter (built-in): Red colour, two-blades construction
Eyepiece Unit: Eyepiece lens system (3 elements in 3 groups optical design, central lense is movable)

Electrical Signal Contacts: Viewfinder display (Bottom Section) | Full Viewfinder Display |

Power Consumption: Approx. 20mA for the viewfinder only. Approx. 26mA when illuminator lights up. Max. available voltage: 4.8V to 6V
Exposure Metering Range: EV1 to EV21 (at ISO 100 f/1.4)
Exposure metering mode Selector:
(1) Spot metering mode: Metering with spot metering FPC mounted in the bottom body (equivalent to spot metering circle (5))
(2) Multiple metering mode: Multiple exposure metering by five-separate area
(3) Center-weighted mode: Exposure metering by central part of five-separate area SPD (equivalent to counterweighted metering circle (12))
Focusing Screen Compensation: -2, -1-1/2, -1.0, -1/2, 0, +1/2 (compensation value is displayed in the window of the inside viewfinder)

Screen compensation s NOT necessary	Type J, K, P, B, E
Screen compensation is necessary	Type C, M, G1, G2, G3, G4, F, U

* Note: a. Multiple exposure metering is available only on the focusing screen which does not - as a rule, needs any exposure compensation; b. Select compensation value by the combination of the focusing screen lenses.
Dimensions: 117.3mm (height) (camera body); 55mm (viewfinder width), 76.6mm (depth of viewfinder)
Weight: 170g

Accessory Shoe Other than the metering function, actually is one of the most significant improvement made to the F4's finder system. It was actually the decision to revert back to universal ISO-type accessory shoe design. The Nikon F4 was the first pro F-series model that adopted the mainstream flash shoe design instead of following a proprietary accessory shoe design used in all previous F-series models of Nikon F, F2 and Nikon F3. This has enabled the Nikon F4 to be compatible with other Nikon AF cameras and it is even be able to tab on numerous Nikon speedlights designed over recent years.

<<< ---- Image from my copyright-free image collection. Malaysian Internet Resources

The universal accessory shoe of the Nikon F4 is located at the top of the Multi-Meter Finder DP-20. The Standard ISO-type hot shoe allow; direct mounting of a wide range of Nikon dedicated electronic speedlights, including the early dedicated AF-flash, SB-28, SB-27, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24 and others such as SB-23, SB-22, SB-20, SB-18, SB-16B and even the SB-15. Naturally, other subsequent Nikon speedlights such as SB-26, SB-27, SB-28 etc. may also be used. Other non-ISO standard Nikon speedlights can also be mounted with a compatible Nikon flash unit coupler. The four electrical contacts in the shoe provide the following when used with a compatible Nikon Speedlight: proper synchronization of the flash unit, automatic flash output stops, identification of a TTL flash unit and both viewfinder ready-light indication and automatic switching to the proper sync speeds with Nikon dedicated Speedlight units.

To remove the finder, push the viewfinder release lever towards the finder and, at the same time, slide out, away from the lense. To attach the finder, slide the finder in until it clicks into place. As removing the finder is needed in order to change focusing screen types, so one way or another, you must learn this process. Anyway, the operational sequence of changing prism and screen in a Nikon F4 cannot be designed more simple than what it is, you should get accustom to it easily - all you need to remember is the location of the viewfinder release lever.

The finder side has a few intentionally cut-steps of hooks on the left hand side of the metal railing which mates with the prism releasing pin on the camera section that provide safety releasing of the prism from the camera. So, the camera does provides two layers of secure releasing of finder. Note: some reports said earlier version of the DP-20 may not have this additional added on safety feature.

NOTE: Some time ago, there was a surfer that asked me this interesting question: What if a Nikon camera such as an F4 with the finder removed, can it still takes pictures ? Well, as long as you don't need metering and with simply the focusing screen intact - there are two things you would need to assure yourself. Focusing and metering. Focusing via focusing screen is difficult, inaccurate and it can only serve as a compositional guide. Camera without the metered finder DP-20 means you can only make use of the spot meter in the camera - but without a proper finder attached it may potentially post another problem - light from the finder-less top may affect accuracy of the highly sensitive spot meter, so don't be a hero ...unless situations around you absolutely does not permit you to do so and always use smaller apertures to insure adequate depth of field coverage (and/or use the lense's distance scale to estimate the require distance.

| previous | NEXT | 2/3 Various optional finders designed for Nikon F4 and some handy accessories for the prisms.

Relative: Prisms for Nikon F Series | Finders Group for Nikon F2 Series | Viewfinders for Nikon F3 Series | Nikon F3AF's DX-1 AF finder

The Camera Body - Features | Reliability | Focusing | Metering | Exposure Control | Lense Compatibility | Interchangeable Prisms | Data Film Backs | Various Power Sources | Focusing Screens | Flash Photography | Other system accessories | Cases for Nikon F4 Series | Remote Control |

| Specification | Main Reference Map | Nikon F4 Variants
Instruction Manual: PDF (4.5M) - External Link

| BACK | to Main Index Page Nikon F4 Series Models

| Message Board | for Nikon F4 Series SLR model(s)
| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Nikon/Nikkor Photographic Equipment

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Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |

Index Page

Special Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

W A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lense, they cannot adjust aperture(s) when operating in manual exposure control even with certain earlier AF Nikon SLR camera models. Similarly, not ALL features provide in a modern AF-S series AF-Nikkor lenses can be utilized fully with a Nikon F4. Please refer to your local distributor for compatibility issue(s).

PLEASE NOTE: Complimentary links are appreciative but it is not necessary, I have limited bandwidth here in this server... So, PLEASE don't distribute this URL to any bulk mailing list or unrelated user-groups, just be a little considerate, thank you. (The more you distribute, the slower this server will response to your requests...). I am NOT a Nikon nor Nikkor expert, so don't send me any mails, use the Message Board Instead. While the content prepared herein should be adequate for anyone to understand and evaluate whether you should invest into a used Nikon F4 pro-camera system for your kind of photography. Well, IF you like what you have seen so far, please help to perfect this site by reporting any broken links or any errors made.

About this photographic site.

HOME - Photography in Malaysia

Credit: Chuck Hester, US for his patience, encouragement and help to setup the various content in this site; Robert Johnson for some of his original images on the F2H-MD appeared in this site; my ex-staff, KiaSu for his superb 3-D logo appeared in this Nikon F2 site; Marc Vorgers from Holland who generously provide me with some of his images of F2AS; MCLau®, who has so much time with me to re-edit the content in this site and not to mention buying a Nikon Coolpix 990 just for this site; Paul Armstrong (pkared@ameritech.net) for his explantion of the FF2 Slidemagic and Nikon F2 Pin Camera Keat Photo, Kuala Lumpur for providing their Nikon F2A to take some images for this site; Mr Edward Ngoh the great camera collector who provides us his collection of F2AS with MD-2; hawkeye.photographic.com for their images on the Speed Magny film backs; Sean Cranor for his image on Nikon F2 25th Anniversary Model; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input on some of the early Nikon bodies; Genesis-Camera for granting permission to use an image of the SS-F2 camera; Mr Sover Wong, Australia for those great images of his rare F2 Gold;CYLeow ®, photo editor of the Star newspaper, Malaysia for some of his images used in this site. Ms Rissa Chan, Sales manager from Shriro Malaysia who has helped to provide some of the very useful input. HiuraShinsaku®, Nikomat ML, Japan for some of his images on various F2 models; my staff, Wati, Maisa, Mai and my nephew, EEWyn®, who volunteered and helping me did so many of the film scanning works; Hong-sien Kwee of Singapore for all the Nikon F2 Pin camera images appeared in this site; Luigi Crescenzi for many of his images on the Nikon F2 Titan; John for two of his images of the Nikon F2/T used in this site; Contributing photographers or resellers: Jen Siow, Foo KokKin, Arthur Teng, Mark Fallander, John Ishii, Ed Hassel, YoonKi Kim, Jean-Louis, M.Dugentas (Dell Corner.com.), Mr "Arsenall", Yang Zi Xiong and a few images mailed in from surfers with no appropriate reference to their origin. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Dedicated to KU Yeo, just to express our mutual regrets over the outcome of a recent corporate event. Made with an Apple IMac.