Viewfinder Markings

The KatzEye™ focusing screen for the Nikon D2X has no effect on existing viewfinder information. All active viewfinder information, including focusing points and High Speed Crop markings will still function normally. The standard KatzEye™ screen is equivalent to the Nikon Type B screen, which has no markings for the High Speed Crop area. In the D2X, the corners of the High Speed Crop area will light normally, but there will be no lines connecting the corners. If you wish to have the lines which complete the border of the High Speed Crop area (equivalent to the Nikon Type V screen which is installed by default), they are available as an option. D2Xs users should select the Type B screen, which will show the active High Speed Crop masking with no other markings for the High Speed Crop area.

Metering Information

The KatzEye™ focusing screen for the Nikon D2X shows only a very minimal effect on light metering. In our testing, the KatzEye™ screen tested within +/- 1/3 stop of nominal. The only exception is when using spot metering mode with lenses having a maximum aperture slower than f4.0 (higher numerical f-stop). With lenses slower than f4.0, it is advisable to use either centerweighted average metering or matrix metering to preserve accurate meter response. In the event that spot metering mode must be used with a slow lens, it is advisable to set an appropriate exposure compensation by reading the histogram of a test shot.

The “Plus” Prism

The KatzEye™ focusing screen for the Nikon D2X is available exclusively in the KatzEye™ “Plus” version . The “Plus” version has a unique prism design which delays the prism ‘blackout’ phenomenon until well after f11. Ordinary split prisms will black out by about f5.6, rendering them difficult to use with slower zoom lenses, teleconverters, or in extreme macro photography... but not the KatzEye™ “Plus”. More information about the KatzEye™ “Plus” can be found here.

Installation

The KatzEye™ screen is a direct replacement for the original and no modifications to the camera are required. Because the D2X was designed with user replaceable focusing screens, the installation is quite straightforward. The correct installation tool will be provided with your purchaase and installation instructions can be found in your factory owners manual.

If you do not wish to perform the installation yourself and you do not have a trusted local shop, we’d be happy to install your new focusing screen for you here at KatzEye™ Optics. Please see the Installation Service page to order installation with your focusing screen. Installation service at KatzEye™ Optics costs $65, plus the cost of return shipping of your camera.

Brightness Enhancement

Like all screens made by KatzEye Optics, the D2X screen can be OptiBrite brightness enhanced for the ultimate appearance. The OptiBrite treatment affects only the matte portion of the screen; it does not change the prism in any way and it will have no significant effect on light metering in the D2X. Click here for more information about the OptiBrite treatment.

Composition Aids

All KatzEye™ focusing screens are available with optional guide patterns to aid in proper composition. We have a variety of standard patterns of grid lines and crop guides available or we can provide a custom pattern to your design. In the Nikon D2X, grid lines and crop guides will be based on the full sensor area, and not the high speed crop area. If you want your composition aids based on the high speed crop area, please contact us for a special order. Click here for more information about our grid line and crop guide options.