Thinking of getting a Nikon

knighthawk

knighthawk

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Barry
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I have realy been missing my old film camera so I am now on the look out for a Nikon F3 F4 or F5...
can anybody give me some tips on them and which one they would recomend
Thanks Barry
 
I have never owned an F5 but I have had a play. It really is a brilliant camera and there are some bargains on ebay. I would like an F6 myself, I really like the memory which records all your settings in a EXIF style...

However I bought an F80 in the end which works with all reasonably recent lenses including VR, G lenses etc I then bought an FM which is my favourite film camera.
 
Like all things depends on what you want to use it for :)

Nikon F3 last of the manual pro cameras before AF. Great machines.

Nikon F4 first of the AF Pro cameras, they did 3 F4, F4s and F4e only difference is the size of the battery pack. Again really easy camera to use has simple matrix metering (when compared to the modern day systems) but works really really well.

Nikon F5 version after the F4 with improved AF and metering systems, first I think to have a 3D Colour matrix metering. Main difference is that it now uses control dials to operate the camera (F4 and F3 everything is knobs an dials).

If you not bothered about weight then the F5 would be the camera to go for.
If weight is an issue then maybe the F3 but you don't get AF with this one.
If you want AF and the best handling camera then go for the F4

Me I have an F3 and F4s they are both great but sometimes the F3 wins simply because it s smaller camera to go out with.
 
If you aren't into flash (1/60th and wierd connector set up) /continuous shooting (a bit of a monster with the MD4 )then I'd say the F3/F3HP, beautiful feel to them and great shutter. I've got an F4s and that has been a fabulous camera to own (maybe selling it soon as moved to the dark side) but its a bit tatty but virtually in the same condition as I bought it, you can pick them up dirt cheap these days the F3 seems to have held its price a bit more
 
I dropped my FM2n..:'( been looking for a replacement...I watched an F3 go for £100 last night.
Looked at another FM, but they go for the same as an F3...:shrug: and f100's are just daft.

This F3 had loads of stuff with it btw, even a waist level finder....beaut



doh..!
 
I fancy all 3 LOL but can only afford to buy the one at the moment....I like the mechanical action of the F3 but I am realy starting to like the idea of the F5......
 
The Nikon F5 represents the peak of 35mm development. The auto focus speed has to be experienced to be believed after a while you start to wonder if you lenses can take the abuse. They must be the film bargain of the moment. Plenty of lightly used examples on the bay with another 1,000,000 clicks left in them, get one while they are cheap.
 
Hi Barry,

The F3 is a beautiful camera and one I use for street work in and around Sheffield! I also have a Nikon F with the Photomic Ftn meter in perfect working order. The reason I mention the F is that it brings about a lot of comment on the street and people are relaxed and do like their picture taken with the camera!

But, why not go for an F3 and a F90 or F100 to go with it and then you have the lot.


Sheffield.

Fascination.jpg


Nice city

Hope this post helps.

Alistair
 
Tricky: there are so many used bargains to be had around the £200-£300 mark...

Kind of depends what you'll be using it for...

If I were going to go back to film for work purposes (like, maybe if laptops were outlawed in a spooky Futureworld scenario): replacing all my DSLRs, I'd get 2x F5 bodies for general-purpose work, 2x F3 bodies & 1x MD-4 for studio and an FM2n as a back-up.

For general-purpose photography, an FM2n with a 35mm f/2 lens. If you 'need' AF then an F5, but it's quite a bit heavier.

I never liked the F4 due to its 'plasticky' appearance and the F6 just seemed a bit silly - too many bells and whistles to appeal to DSLR owners who'd not previously shot film...

For me, Nikon's film-line peaked with the F5, with the F3 probably being their best-made camera ever... I liked the F2-AS, but couldn't get on with the film-back compared to newer models - I dislike that aspect of my Leica M6 for the same reason...
 
Arkady said:
Tricky: there are so many used bargains to be had around the £200-£300 mark...

Kind of depends what you'll be using it for...

If I were going to go back to film for work purposes (like, maybe if laptops were outlawed in a spooky Futureworld scenario): replacing all my DSLRs, I'd get 2x F5 bodies for general-purpose work, 2x F3 bodies & 1x MD-4 for studio and an FM2n as a back-up.

For general-purpose photography, an FM2n with a 35mm f/2 lens. If you 'need' AF then an F5, but it's quite a bit heavier.

I never liked the F4 due to its 'plasticky' appearance and the F6 just seemed a bit silly - too many bells and whistles to appeal to DSLR owners who'd not previously shot film...

For me, Nikon's film-line peaked with the F5, with the F3 probably being their best-made camera ever... I liked the F2-AS, but couldn't get on with the film-back compared to newer models - I dislike that aspect of my Leica M6 for the same reason...
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I'd gladly take the M6 off your hands if you're unhappy with it :D I agree with most of that apart from the F4 bit mine's like a house brick
 
chivers67 said:
I'd gladly take the M6 off your hands if you're unhappy with it :D I agree with most of that apart from the F4 bit mine's like a house brick
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It's not the build-quality - it's the shiny surface a la F90x that I disliked...

Actually, what about a 2nd-hand F100...?
I'd completely forgotten about them...
 
Arkady said:
For general-purpose photography, an FM2n with a 35mm f/2 lens.
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That's where I'd go, maybe an 85 or 105 in a pocket. Swap the FM2 for a Nikkormat and you have a bulletproof and classic street set up. I like the later Pro Nikons but they're bulky if you want to take a camera on the off chance.

004-2.jpg
 
joxby said:
I dropped my FM2n..:'( been looking for a replacement...I watched an F3 go for £100 last night.
Looked at another FM, but they go for the same as an F3...:shrug:
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I got a virtually mint FM with a 50mm f1.8, flash, lowepro case, spare batteries for the flash and camera for ............ £20 ! Oh and he apologised that the strap was missing :lol:
 
Still think that the F80 is much underrated. I bought one of these as it will work with all the modern G and VR lenses. Paid £60 for one from an ex pro tog who bought it as a spare and it had only had 2 films through it and was supplied in it's box. I have been more than happy with it. I used it in the studio for the nudes last week with a lens costing more than 20 times what I paid for the camera :) Would certainly buy another but I think I will probably get an F5 unless I get a silly deal on an F6.
 
alistair.o said:
Hi Barry,

The F3 is a beautiful camera and one I use for street work in and around Sheffield! I also have a Nikon F with the Photomic Ftn meter in perfect working order. The reason I mention the F is that it brings about a lot of comment on the street and people are relaxed and do like their picture taken with the camera!

But, why not go for an F3 and a F90 or F100 to go with it and then you have the lot.


Sheffield.

Fascination.jpg


Nice city

Hope this post helps.

Alistair
Click to expand...

Hi Alistair ......is that the fountain outside the town hall ?
 
Hi Barry,

Yes, that's the fountain outside the townhall.

Can I just chuck a 'leftfielder' in here - have you considered an Olympus OM2n with the standard 50 F1.8. It is a gem of a camera; small (pocket small in a combat (type) jacket) very versatile and fairly quiet. Focusing is quick and large! It's cheap (at the moment)

Just a little more confusion... :thinking:

Alistair
 
alistair.o said:
Hi Barry,

Yes, that's the fountain outside the townhall.

Can I just chuck a 'leftfielder' in here - have you considered an Olympus OM2n with the standard 50 F1.8. It is a gem of a camera; small (pocket small in a combat (type) jacket) very versatile and fairly quiet. Focusing is quick and large! It's cheap (at the moment)

Just a little more confusion... :thinking:

Alistair
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Not sure about the OM 2n...but I really like the OM2sp..i used one for years ..but all my lenses are Nikon and I dont fancy starting again building them up
 
viewfromthenorth said:
Nikon F100 - not as bulky as the F5, but nearly as capable, and a lot cheaper. Get a grip as well if you need more FPS or better balance, and you're still cheaper than an F5.
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I thought that too - it slipped my mind that there even was one as we stopped buying film cameras with the F90X (the F5 bodies were my own).

See my list above? Scratch the FM2n, I'll go for 2x F100 bodies for studio and a F3 for the back-up instead...:lol:
 
just been offered an F5 in really good condition...would you say £300 is a fair price or should I hang on a little longer....
 
knighthawk said:
just been offered an F5 in really good condition...would you say £300 is a fair price or should I hang on a little longer....
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How good is "really good condition" because reasonable ones can be had for £200. If it is mint with a box or has lots of bits and pieces of extras then it make be.
 
Sorry if I offend whoever is trying to sell the F5 but, Barry get two good cameras instead of one i.e. (as I stated in my first post) F3 + F100 - you will not regret it.

Good Luck


Alistair
 
F5's seem to go for £250-350. Anything less is a bonus. It's still a great deal on something that well engineered. If I was a betting I reckon pro film bodies are at the bottom of their market and might see rises over the next 5-10 years. Any quality camera you should be able to shift within 50 quid of what you gave for it if you get bored and some will prove to be a shrewd investment.

The caveat is if it's knackered.
 
the F4 looks realy tasty too and can be had on the bay cheap too
 
how do you all rate the F100..I have been offeres one for £150 with a Nikon 35-80mm lens
 
pepper said:
From all that I've read elsewhere its as good as the F5 but in a much smaller package and if you want the frame rate all you need to do is add a motor drive.
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I looked at the specs and it appears to use the same metering as my F5, has the same shutter, the build-qulaity looks about the same and if you don't need that motor...?
:thumbs:
 
I rate the F100 highly, I've also got a D700, so all the lenses are fully compatible, and they even feel very similar to handle and to hold. So much so that I often find myself looking at the back of the F100 after taking a shot:D

If it's a good 'un, £150 with a lens is a steal, they were about £800 new when production ended.
 
viewfromthenorth said:
I rate the F100 highly, I've also got a D700, so all the lenses are fully compatible, and they even feel very similar to handle and to hold. So much so that I often find myself looking at the back of the F100 after taking a shot:D

If it's a good 'un, £150 with a lens is a steal, they were about £800 new when production ended.
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well I managed to get the D100 with the Nikon 35-80mm and the Nikon F3 & a nikon 135mm as a job lot for £150 although the f3 has a small dint in the finder but works fine:)
 
Sounds like a bargain! I'd keep my eyes open for a 50mm prime if I were you, the 35-80 is a nice lens but probably won't have a large maximum aperture for low light stuff. Dints are fine, you'll worry less about getting another one and use the camera instead of fussing over it.
 
colpepper said:
Sounds like a bargain! I'd keep my eyes open for a 50mm prime if I were you, the 35-80 is a nice lens but probably won't have a large maximum aperture for low light stuff. Dints are fine, you'll worry less about getting another one and use the camera instead of fussing over it.
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I have a few nikon prime lenses kicking around so that's not a problem...I will probably sell the F3 on and put the money towards an F4 or F5 as I have got my head set on getting one now
 
I used a Nikon F4 for a few years - it was a wonderful camera with great build quality. The finish was disappointing though for a camera costing that much dosh- very smooth plastic outer shell which quickly became shiny from cointact with your hands. Consequently most you see today haven't fared well cosmetically and they look frankly awful. The other thing with the F4 was that being an early AF focus camera it wasn't the quickest AF system, in fact the far cheaper (and later) F90 Pro, which I used for back up was a much quicker AF system in comparison.

If I was buying a film Nikon it would be the F5 for practicality - it has to be possibly the best 35mm SLR camera ever made - or for pure pleasure and nostalgia, one of the earlier F models, probably the F3.
 
Having used but not owned the later Fs I'd concur with that CT. The F3 would be the one to go for. Stripped down it's 'normal' camera sized which is important if you take a camera everywhere.
 
knighthawk said:
well I managed to get the D100 with the Nikon 35-80mm and the Nikon F3 & a nikon 135mm as a job lot for £150 although the f3 has a small dint in the finder but works fine:)
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Nice and a bargain! Don't worry about the dent on the finder - if you can sight OK then no problem. I'm betting you use that F100 and before long the F3 will be backup. Try the F100 for 2-3 weeks (give it some wellie - not a snap here and a snap there!) and you'll see.

I would have the F3 CLA'd eventually and start to use that.

Who knows, we may bump into each other in Sheffield.

Good Luck

Alistair
 
I use a combination of a Nikon D90 and F90, both produce superb results and the AF lenses are fully compatible with both bodies apart from the APS-C lenses which only work with the D90 as far as I know, correct me if i'm wrong :)
 
alistair.o said:
Nice and a bargain! Don't worry about the dent on the finder - if you can sight OK then no problem. I'm betting you use that F100 and before long the F3 will be backup. Try the F100 for 2-3 weeks (give it some wellie - not a snap here and a snap there!) and you'll see.

I would have the F3 CLA'd eventually and start to use that.

Who knows, we may bump into each other in Sheffield.

Good Luck

Alistair
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The dints not bad and dont affect the finder a tall,,,but I am picky as I would like to get a mint F3 at some point...you never no we might have bumped into each other at some point
 
chivers67 said:
If you aren't into flash (1/60th and wierd connector set up) /continuous shooting (a bit of a monster with the MD4 )then I'd say the F3/F3HP, beautiful feel to them and great shutter. I've got an F4s and that has been a fabulous camera to own (maybe selling it soon as moved to the dark side) but its a bit tatty but virtually in the same condition as I bought it, you can pick them up dirt cheap these days the F3 seems to have held its price a bit more
Click to expand...

Well if you do decide to sell it let me no....
 
alistair.o said:
Nice and a bargain! Don't worry about the dent on the finder - if you can sight OK then no problem. I'm betting you use that F100 and before long the F3 will be backup. Try the F100 for 2-3 weeks (give it some wellie - not a snap here and a snap there!) and you'll see.

I would have the F3 CLA'd eventually and start to use that.

Who knows, we may bump into each other in Sheffield.

Good Luck

Alistair
Click to expand...
Yes I am well pleased with them Alistair...

here they are ..the F100 is near mint condition
DSCF0052.jpg


DSC_0119.jpg
 
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