How do you focus on an off-center subject with a Nikon FM2 film SLR?
Asked 6/10/2019
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I’m using a Nikon FM2 with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D lens. Unlike newer digital cameras, the FM2 doesn’t have selectable autofocus points. What’s the correct way to focus on a subject that isn’t in the center of the frame?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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The FM2's default focusing screen is a split prism with a microprism ring around it. This is a mechanical film camera with no electronic focus aids. Am I assuming correctly that is what you have?
One thing to remember is that mechanical film cameras expected you to sometimes focus using just the plain focusing screen and it was designed for that. As as long as you have a reasonably bright lens (and it seems you do) you should be able to get usable focus by just looking at the ground glass if what you want to focus on isn't in the center.
The second option would be to center the view on the item you want to have in focus, use the split prism to focus and then recompose to put the focused object in the right place in your composition. Be careful not to move the camera towards or away from the subject while doing this and remember that depending on the shot even small changes in camera orientation can change the focus.
You could also do a mix of those two options, focusing first with the split prism and then checking your focus in the ground glass once you have recomposed the shot.
When I was shooting with an FM2 I found the split prism distracting, and got a focusing screen that didn't have one. I was still able to get in focus.
Originally by user2228. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2228
7y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. On an FM2, off-center focusing is typically done in two ways:
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focus-and-recompose: place the subject in the center of the viewfinder, focus using the split-prism/microprism screen, then recompose and take the shot. Try not to move closer or farther from the subject while recomposing.
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manual focusing on the screen: the FM2’s focusing screen is designed so you can also judge focus on the plain ground-glass area, not only in the center aid. With a bright lens like a 50mm f/1.4, this can work reasonably well.
Keep in mind that focus-and-recompose becomes less accurate at very wide apertures like f/1.4, especially at close distances, because even a small change in camera angle can shift the focus plane. A tripod may help reduce movement, but it won’t eliminate the geometry issue.
So the practical answer is: use focus-and-recompose for most shots, or manually focus using the ground glass when the subject is off-center and precision matters.
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