Nikon F-801s - experiences?

[jarski]

questions for you Nikon experts. F-801s' seem to go at price of disposable cameras these days. even ones with good condition.

is it fair to conclude that it was F100 category camera, ten years earlier? or small F4? or how to ballpark it to contemporary models and brands?

is finder good enough for manual focus? AF probably works with screwdriver lenses only. quirks to be aware of?

 

[Takkun]

I shot with an N90, which was the model that replaced the N8008/F-801 and was in turn replaced by the F100 (which replaced my N90). They all fall into the same class, of being the compact pro model below the F series. The contemporary analog would be the D700/800.

It's a ridiculously solid body and I've heard pretty reliable. You can get new focusing screens for it, but you're correct in that it only works with mechanical-linked AF lenses.

Two quirks I can think of offhand--it takes a 2-pin remote release like the first-generation AF cameras and not the later 10-pin used from the N90 on. The second is the lack of spot metering.

If you can swing it, I'd just jump straight to the N90/F90. Same body, greatly improved guts--it was essentially a stop-gap model between the F4 and F5. Better flash + matrix metering and AF. My favorite quirk of that was the unusual addition of custom exposure modes you'd usually see on entry-level cameras, but they hardly get in the way.

 

[Steve M.]

I was just out shooting mine today w/ a Leica R 90 lens. I like these cameras more than the F100s. They have a user serviceable focus screen that can be switched out in about 20 seconds if you need a split prism, but I just use mine w/ the standard AF screen w/ a manual focus lens. There's a focus confirmation light that helps a lot. If you look in the SLR forum here I have a recent review of the camera, w/ a comparison w/ the Canon T90. While the T90 may be the better featured camera, the F801s has more features than I'll ever need, and I would much rather be out shooting the Nikon due to it's smaller size. Make sure you get the s version, as the F801 does not have a spot meter, just center weighted and matrix.

 

[Michael I.]

I used one for a couple of years, its autofocus was bad and loud, so I used it with manual lenses. If your eyesight is good, its a good camera.

 

[peterm1]

I still have an F801s that I used for years but have not used now for a while (even though I am sure there still is a film in it). Worked great with manual focus lenses. AF lenses of the era are relatively slow to focus in AF mode by today's standards though but overall it was a great camera in its day. I would not actually say its AF was especially "bad" as per the post below - its just that in that time all AF was pretty ordinary by today's standards.

The 801s was one of the first Nikon cameras with a spot meter as standard (I think the lower specc'ed f601 beat the original 801 by a whisker which is why they brought out the 801s with spot metering as a minor upgrade to that line of camera bodies - the 8 series being the top non pro camera body of the day). In its day I craved an upgrade to an F90s but I am glad I never did since as it turns out the F801s actually was a longer lasting body - the F90 series had a body covering that deteriorated over time. In fact, it failed quite quickly. It is said that many pros used the F801s as their back up for the Nikon F4 of the day. I have no grumbles about the camera. Its only (small) quirk I remember is that in humid conditions the camera's electronics could short out. But all that was necessary was to remove the batteries (4 x AA cells - another advantage) and reinsert them to reboot the thing. I had experience of this occurring once or twice and can vouch that it was an actual small issue that was really fixed that easily.

 

[OurManInTangier]

When I first started working we used F4 bodies and the F90 was a back up but I ended up getting myself a F801s as my backup - I too preferred the smaller size and shape. Peter has covered pretty much everything I would have said though I felt compelled to add another voice regarding the deterioration of the F90 covering. In my experience it often didn't last long at all (so bad is it that I think I still have one somewhere that I can't shift at almost any price it looks so bad.) Whereas the F801s was a sturdy little beast that was a serious little contender at the time, AF being pretty much equally bad across all manufacturers and models back then it wasn't an issue. Though I only use mine manually when I take it out - the grinding noise of the AF is too much to bear nowadays.
I've heard of the electronics not doing well in humidity but I've never experienced any issues personally and mine spent three months in the jungles of Sarawak - though this could be dumb luck added to a little care as much as anything else.

Personally, if I was to buy an old Nikon model and use it manually I'd always go for an FM2 but as you say, the 801s can be bought for pennies and theres no reason you can't have years of excellent use from one - hard to overlook that.

 

[Fraser]

They are so cheap you cant go wrong, or just go for the F4 which is my fave😉
I remember when I was a student buying a F90x and a 28-70 3.5-4.5 (I think) cost the best part of a £1000 now you could probably pick the lens and camera up for about £80!

 

[Stuart John]

I've got one, the AF is really loud on mine. It works fine though. I picked mine up used years ago for 20 euros. I've got the F100 too which is a much more modern camera but there's nothing wrong with an F801.

 

[Mark C]

I had the 6006 (601) recently and was amazed at how nicely made it was and how well it functioned. I didn't need it and it took a couple years to find somebody to take the thing.

The one thing that bothers me now on all the non-pro bodies is the less than 100% viewfinder. You'd have to look up the spec for the 801 (I used to know), but I think most FE, 6006, etc are around 92%. For a great many people that isn't an issue, and could even be an asset if getting commercial prints, or scanning in holders that cut a bit of the edges. I darkroom print full frame and it bugs me.

They are certainly a tremendous bargain. 6006, 8008, N90. Oh, somebody else may have mentioned the sticky body syndrome. If not, check that out. The N90 certainly seems prone and my F80 had it, but my 6006 was fine so not sure when that issue started.

 

[leica M2 fan]

I've had my 8008 and 8008s since they were new in 1989 and '90. They have always worked exceptionally well for me all these years. They were my go to cameras until I got the D70. I used the 8008s for B&W and used the spot meter function. The other I used for color especially Provia 100. I lent them to a young photographer just trying to get into it and he loved it. I'm very happy that my time with Nikon SLR's started with the wonderful 8000 and 8000s models. Another thing, I never experienced the slow AF that so many grumbled about. It was and still is a great camera!

 

[Mark C]

And this, not a whole lot there, but a source I like:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepa.../2012/01/eagerly-awaiting-the-new-camera.html

 

[p956lh]

I like mine. It's smaller, lighter and has a better grip than my F90/X, and the AF is ok as long as you use fast lenses with it.

IIRC they're quieter than the N6006/F601 by a noticeable bit.

 

[jarski]

thank you all for input! well, I got it! S-version and SB23 flash for small money. my Nikkors been idle for few years, but no more.

earlier, been having both FE and F100. nothing wrong with either, except FE meter failed on me. hope F-801s electronics don't start showing signs of aging yet.

in my childhood in -80's, this style of cameras were state of the art. remember them from shelves of camera stores. not even allowed to touch by a kid 🙂

auction pic:

 

[Colin Corneau]

I'd back up these points -- it along with the F/N90x was a very underrated camera and it seemed to me the 801s was like a forerunner to that camera.
I used both in my job as a newspaper photographer and they saw a lot of film through them - not treated roughly but definitely not a quiet life!

Both cameras lasted many years and I never had a problem with either (I still have the F90x and it's great).

The spot metering is really useful, and if I recall this camera also had a rangefinder focus confirmation, which was useful for manually focusing lenses.

Slow AF by today's standards but a very nice film camera if you can find one in good shape.

...Worked great with manual focus lenses. AF lenses of the era are relatively slow to focus in AF mode by today's standards though but overall it was a great camera in its day. I would not actually say its AF was especially "bad" as per the post below - its just that in that time all AF was pretty ordinary by today's standards.

The 801s was one of the first Nikon cameras with a spot meter as standard (I think the lower specc'ed f601 beat the original 801 by a whisker which is why they brought out the 801s with spot metering as a minor upgrade to that line of camera bodies - the 8 series being the top non pro camera body of the day). In its day I craved an upgrade to an F90s but I am glad I never did since as it turns out the F801s actually was a longer lasting body - the F90 series had a body covering that deteriorated over time. In fact, it failed quite quickly. It is said that many pros used the F801s as their back up for the Nikon F4 of the day. I have no grumbles about the camera. ....

 

[RandyB]

During the 90's I used a pair of 8008s bodies for commercial/advertising photography. Never had a problem with them. Others have mentioned the slow AF compared to the F100, this is true, but I found that the AF is fast (for the 8008s) with new fresh batteries and gets slower after about 30 rolls.