Nikon F4

desf

desf

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I'm thinking of getting an F4 (need to sell some other kit first) as I like what I read about the matrix meter.

I'd be using it with my AI and AIS lenses, mainly for land(and city)scapes.

Any down sides? eg battery life, weight. Comments from owners/ex owners appreciated.

Cheers,
Des
 
It's heavy but balances well in the hand. i always found the batteries lasted ages in the one i used to own. Nice bright viewfinder to. I had a 28-105 AFD on it as a great walkabout that you can pickup for around £100.

some disliked the "plasticy" feel of the body but it is a good camera to use.
 
I'm using one now, great camera, big and heavy... it's not for girls!! That sounds sexist but seriously both my partner and sister have picked it up and can't hold it still.
There's no real downsides to it to be honest, you can use G lenses on it but in S mode not A mode and if you use newer flash guns on it (SB800/900) you lose the ability to use rear curtain sync. Apart from that it's a great camera.
 
I was using mine a few weeks ago.

I think it is one of the best designed cameras out there. All the controls just in the right place and built like a brick out house.

It may have only a simple matrix meter when comparied with the later F5 & F6 and the digi counter parts but it is spot on 9 out of 10 times.:thumbs:

Right I am going to use mine this weekend. :D
 
Worst camera I ever used, really slow AF (Always used it in MF,) fiddly and not very well thought out. (Start of the 20 years or so of Nikon lagging behind Canon in the pro market)
I had a FM2 as a backup and always used that instead.

(PS F5 was a lot better)
 
Thanks for the replies folks. Interesting comments. Ed is the first dissenting voice I have heard but useful info too. I'd be using it with manual focus lenses so the AF performance isn't an issue for me. I think the F5 is probably a bit bulky for me.

I can't decide whether to stay with 35mm and go for something like the F4 or spend a wee bit more and buy into medium format with something like a Mamiya 645.
 
desf said:
I can't decide whether to stay with 35mm and go for something like the F4 or spend a wee bit more and buy into medium format with something like a Mamiya 645.
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I'm not a Nikon shooter and know little about the F4, but 35mm and MF are chalk and cheese in terms of both the user experience and the results. I guess it depends on what you want to get out of using either.

If the F5 is a bit bulky, you won't find a Mamiya 645 any smaller. An 80mm standard lens equipped 645AF weighs about 250g more than a similarly equipped F5. A 645 Pro weighs about the same as the F5. The 1000s and other earlier 645s are a bit smaller and lighter, though.
 
The difference in quality between 35mm and medium format is huge. Medium format destroys even top-end DSLR sensors for fine detail. Ken Rockwell goes on about the differences here, but he is a bit of a nut.

"35mm is a strictly amateur format."

"Medium format is great for everything. You can get away with it for landscapes, and shoot sports the next day with it."
 
Thanks folks.

I guess the leap in neg size is the trade off for carrying more weighty MF kit but I feel that will be worth it. I meant I didn't fancy carrying an F5 around for the better meter alone.
 
645? well the neg size is larger than 35mm by I think about 2.5 in size.

If your used to the rectangular framing of the D40 & F3 then 645 mmay be good way to go and the Mamiya system is very comprehensive and there are alot of them about.

But just to throw another stone in the pond, if your thinking MF then why not go with Gods design and go 6x6?

Mamiya 330, Yashica TLR both can be had for the same price of the some of the Mamiya 645 systems (well the Yashica less as it is a fixed lens), then the is the Bronica SQ range again a lot around for not much money.

Square format is not to everyones taste but it is an interesting format to use.
 
***Square format is not to everyones taste but it is an interesting format to use.***

If you can afford it 6X4.5 or 6X7 is the way to go you can crop to sq format in software if req, but the 6X6 guys will say "I can crop too", but you cant get 15 shots from a roll of film.....and the 6X6 die hards will still seek square paper to print in B/W ;)
 
Can I suggest a Nikon FM2n.

It is a great camera, very tough, light, great meter that you can see in the dark, shutter up 4000. It can use AI, AIS, AF lenses etc.

I use one as 'backup' to my F3 (supposed to be backup, but I can't put it down).

You will not be disappointed.
 
Alistair - aye, great camera, I used to have one. Still have an FM as backup for the F3. It was really the matrix meter of the F4 I fancied trying but after some thought and the comments here, I think medium format is worth a try next.

I just can't seem to get on with digital cameras. I'm going to sell the D40, keep my GF-1 for snaps. I'm not a great photograper anyway but I think all those buttons and menus get in my way. I prefer dials, simple cameras and prime lenses. Too many choices seem to confuse me!! ;)
 
If you get a chance to visit any camera shops which sell old cameras, please lift it and see for yourself( regarding F4, F4s, F5 etc)

They are solid workhorses
 
I used an F4, mosrly for weddings, for about 8 years. I liked it - it's a weighty beast, but I like that, and it never let me down despite a lot of heavy use. The matrix metering system is impressive, even when using flash as long as you use a Nikon compatible speedlight.

The downside is it was Nikons first AF flagship SLR and the AF was pretty slow compared to the later and cheaper F90X I used as backup.The smooth matt finish quicky becomes polished by your hands with use, and while it's only cosmetic, they do look shot at very quickly with regular use.

If it's AF you're after I'd go for the F5.

If you're not bothered about AF then I'd definitely get an F3 or an FM2.
 
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As I said it was the F4 meter I fancied trying but I've gone and bought a Mamiya 645 and a couple of lenses as the bigger negative and slowed down way of working appeals.

Thanks for the replies folks.

CT - some great wildlife shots on your website.
 
Thanks. Well, no argument with your final choice from me, MF is a whole gentler, considered way of working. :thumbs:
 
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