EOS shooter curious about the F100 and the F6

I don't know anything about color matrix metering. Never used it or cared about it. I always sorta figured even the most basic metering in any 'contemporary' (90s and later?) is good enough.

I also started out as a Canon shooter, when i got into AF cameras. First Canon was a 1n or 1v — can't remember which. I later decided i hated the control dial for selecting focus points, so i moved to the EOS3. This was 20(?) years ago, and the EOS3 is the only camera i've kept since then, while i've bought and sold a trillion other cameras. Not because i love it, but because there are no significant compromises with it. That said, i don't love it because of the look and feel of it. I don't dislike it, but i don't 'crave the touch of it.' If that means anything.

All along, though, i've had a 'thing' for Nikon film bodies. I eventually bought a few. Don't remember where i started, but i eventually bought an F100. Then moved 'up' to an F6. Then back to the F100. Somewhere along that path, i got an FE2, tried an F4, and now have the F100, F3, and the same FE2.

If not for favoring Canon lenses over Nikons, i'd probably have switched completely to Nikon. I prefer the bodies. Aesthetically and feel, although i do think, somehow, the highest-end Canons are equal or better than the Nikons when speaking of the digitals. Whatever.... I just never liked the bokeh from Nikon AF 50mm lenses. Until the 50/1.8G, which i now have. But, yeah, i'd decide based on the lenses.

And, i'd recommend the F100 over the F6. Not that it's 'better,' but it's dead cheap, and it's 95% of the F6. The F6 is lovely, but i never liked the LCD panel on the back. Just made it feel a bit too precious for me. If you don't care about babying your cameras, maybe that's less of a concern. For me, i kinda felt like 'i spent 1200 for this, and because i like keeping resale value in my cameras because i don't keep them all, i'd better keep this thing scratch-free.' The F100, for about $100, feels solid, and chunky in a good way, and i just want to USE it.

F5s feel great, but i stopped using battery grips on cameras for the most part, so the 5's size didn't make a lot of sense for me.
 
CK Dexter Haven said:
The F6 is lovely, but i never liked the LCD panel on the back. Just made it feel a bit too precious for me. If you don't care about babying your cameras, maybe that's less of a concern. For me, i kinda felt like 'i spent 1200 for this, and because i like keeping resale value in my cameras because i don't keep them all, i'd better keep this thing scratch-free.'
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I bought LCD protector panels for my F6, so they won't get scratched up.

Very cheap off ebay.
 
I understand the look after syndrome, there is a pride in ownership, but I buy cameras to use myself not to run them in gently and preserve them for the next owner.
If I wanted to do that I'd buy one in box as new, keep it in the box for a couple of years, sell it on at a loss, and know the next owner was getting a deal.

On the % I do read the F100/F6 ratio is 90-95%, frequently quoted. IMHO on build quality, handling, controls, general feel, it has to be 75% max, but seeing they both can use the same sensor and same lenses for the end result that has to be down to how comfortable and confident you feel individually. I would not dispute with anyone who took an F100, or F6 equivalent six of them, by choice. If I dropped and broke my F100 I'd buy another, drop the F6 I'd be gutted, not on cost just feeling for the camera, how subjective is that?
 
ChrisLivsey said:
I understand the look after syndrome, there is a pride in ownership, but I buy cameras to use myself not to run them in gently and preserve them for the next owner.
If I wanted to do that I'd buy one in box as new, keep it in the box for a couple of years, sell it on at a loss, and know the next owner was getting a deal.

On the % I do read the F100/F6 ratio is 90-95%, frequently quoted. IMHO on build quality, handling, controls, general feel, it has to be 75% max, but seeing they both can use the same sensor and same lenses for the end result that has to be down to how comfortable and confident you feel individually. I would not dispute with anyone who took an F100, or F6 equivalent six of them, by choice. If I dropped and broke my F100 I'd buy another, drop the F6 I'd be gutted, not on cost just feeling for the camera, how subjective is that?
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^agreed! :))

Getting back to the original question...

Why all the discussion about either/or? Battery cost?etc? Unless of course no one has anything better to do than relax and just talk of course. Not a bad thing, talking but banal at times.

Here is the deal. For less than $700 anyone can buy both a wonderful F100 AND the much better F6. BOTH for less than $700.

We really do live in the best of times.:D
 
I'm really pleased how this thread has taken off and that so many are sharing their views and experiences. I find it extremely helpful, esp where there are comparisons with the EOS system.

I agree it really is the best of times to try film cameras. I'm wondering about getting an F6 and an F100 for (the equivalent of) 700USD, though. At least going the dealer route here in Europe that would not be possible. For instance, Ffordes has F6s for 700GBP and F100s for 120-150GBP. But on eBay it might be possible of course.
 
Huss said:
I wouldn't get an F6 and an F100. You'd never use the F100 if you have an F6.
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That's probably true. My point, though, is that the F6 is just overkill. Of all the (fashion) photographers i've ever seen who shot Nikons, none bothered with the F6. It was always F100s or F5s. A few even used the cheap but still fantastic N80/F80.

re: the OP's situation— $700-1000 for an F6, versus $100 for an F100. The 6 is not 7-10x better than the F100, and the F100 is already a pro camera, in every sense.
 
CK Dexter Haven said:
That's probably true. My point, though, is that the F6 is just overkill. Of all the (fashion) photographers i've ever seen who shot Nikons, none bothered with the F6. It was always F100s or F5s.
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I know several fashion photographers using the F6.
Once you have used the F6, you will not go back to the F100 or F5. The F6 is a class of its own.
I am talking from my own experience, and the experiences from other Nikon photographers.

Cheers, Jan
 
HHPhoto said:
I know several fashion photographers using the F6.
Once you have used the F6, you will not go back to the F100 or F5. The F6 is a class of its own.
I am talking from my own experience, and the experiences from other Nikon photographers.

Cheers, Jan
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As am I. I started with an F100. Then went 'up' to an F6. Went back to the F100. Class of its own, sure. Okay. The point is, though, who needs that class? Kinda like telling someone considering a Hasselblad that he should only consider a 205TCC.

But, whatever. I have no dog in the fight. Just thought it would be unfortunate it the OP came away with the impression the F100 was a 'poor cousin' or some such. It isn't.
 
I own both the EOS 1V and the F5, with the Canon in my bag first. I was never quite enthralled with the shutter vibration of the EOS, even though it matches the Nikon in every other way. A year later, I bought a F5 and I couldn't be happier. The reason why I prefer the F5 over the EOS 1V or the F100 is the shutter mechanism - it just feels perfectly dampened and balanced. It is noisy compared to today's DSLR, but it feels extremely smooth and free from vibration. I feel like I can shoot at very low shutter speeds without worries of vibration ruining the shots.

The Nikon F5 is a heavy camera, but you can mitigate the weight issue with lithium AA batteries which are very light. But because it draws quite a lot of power, I use mine with rechargeable Eneloop batteries which works very well with it. I also prefer to use small AF-D prime lenses like the 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm so it doesn't become too heavy to hold for long. What I really like about the F100 and EOS 1V though is the selected focus point which is lit in red, whereas it is difficult to spot it in the F5.
 
The best analogue AF pro Nikon is the F4 as a previous poster stated there is no lens (one or two exceptions) the F4 can't meter with. It is also a bargain and I find the much criticized knobs very intuitive and good. The AF might be slower than more modern cameras but the camera is a superb tank and was used by many fashion and wildlife photographers. The Color Matrix metering is a Gimmick. The F6 might be a class in itself but both the F4 and the F5 are more versatile cameras regarding accessories and finders.

That said the F6 is the current flagship analogue Nikon and if you want the best AF and newest metering the F6 is the only choice.
 
On the F100, does anyone know where I can get a replacement battery holder? I stupidly left the batteries in mine for years.
Dan
 
Nelson Tan said:
I own both the EOS 1V and the F5, with the Canon in my bag first. I was never quite enthralled with the shutter vibration of the EOS, even though it matches the Nikon in every other way.
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This tallies with my experience also. The shutter on my F4 feels much more 'damped' than either of my 1Vs.
 
CK Dexter Haven said:
Just thought it would be unfortunate it the OP came away with the impression the F100 was a 'poor cousin' or some such. It isn't.
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Of course it is. Much more plastic in construction including a completely plastic rear door. That means it does not use foam seals in the door channels. Which allows much easier ingress of dust. Then there is the plastic rewind coupling fork that has had failures. Then there is the lens mount which isn't stainless steel like on the pro F cameras. Then there is the worse AF. Then there is the smaller viewfinder. Then there is the cheaper body rubber that degrades and gets sticky. Then there is the no mirror lock up. Then there is the...

Look I get it. It is a fantastic camera for the price. For the price.

But the thing about film cameras is that more so than digital, they are pretty much just a light tight box that all use the same sensor. No matter the cost.
If you can slap on the same lens, they will take the same pic.
 
Thanks, I just ordered one. I have recently returned to film with my Leica m7 and look forward to using the F 100 which was a great camera and for which I have several lens.
Dan
 
Honestly- for all that people complain about the F100, there isn't much that I'd consider a deal breaker (minus the stupid rubber melting on the back - I'll deal with it) - pair it with a nice set of 1.8gs and you really don't need much else for general photography
 
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