Hi--

>I possess an old Nikon F3 with a K focus screen, but its focus screen is
>quite dark (I have also a FM2n to compare with). I am often out early
>mornings, and I find that the focus screen is almost black, and very hard
>to focus on. I use lenses from 20/2.8 to 420/5.6 (300/4 + TC14b). I would
>like to have split image on the focus screen.
> "Niklas Nikitin"

Hmmm... generally F3 VF's are a tad brighter than FM2 VF's - I would
remove the prism and have a good look at it, the screen, and the mirror.
If all are OK (hard for me to believe...), try a newer screen.
The "red dot" screen is a subtle touch brighter than the non-"red-dot".
The F4 screen is a subtle touch brighter than the F3 screen, but
with some lenses/finders may not appear as sharp (the trade, with
screen brightening...).
(Personally, I hate those "focus aids" - they get in the way of the
sharpest part of the screen (the center), are harder/slower to use
than a matte surface, and they black out with slow lenses, or when
viewed off-center. I prefer the matte "B", or similar grid "E"
for quick, easy focusing with all lenses...)

>I have read alot of old messages in newsgroups, and I find it hard to
>descide witch focus screen to choose! F4:s focus screens? F3 with "red
>dot"...?
>Could you give me some advice?

Always there with advice...:-) The F4 screen gives the most problems
with the Sports Finder, so maybe if the screen is the problem, I
would get the F4 screen for an older F3...

>Thank you very much in advance.

You're welcome!
David Ruether (hoping to have a web page running soon...;-)