Nikon F100

[Ricoh]

Just purchased a Nikon F100 in pristine condition for peanuts.

Although I wouldn’t normally consider a film camera with electric motors for film advance etc, it fits perfectly with my plans for multiple exposure and the ability to advance the film without having to disturb the camera.

Another nice feature is the rangefinder focus confirmation using manual focus lenses (a white circular symbol illustrates).

But, and there has to be a but I suppose, the shutter button is really sensitive, and without a lot of care I could be firing frames unintentionally. The problem is there’s very little difference in pressure between a half press to see what’s going on in the viewfinder (eg to adjust shutter speed in Aperture priority) and the pressure to actuate the shutter. I feel it’s one big weakness and it would be possible to waste film

Anyone have an F100 who can offer any tips regarding what I’ve mentioned, ie the use of shutter release to prevent inadvertent activation?

 

[peterm1]

Just recently I have been fiddling with my old Nikon f801s with a view to making some film shots (I have been exclusively a digital shooter for a decade now). I found something similar with that camera and its shutter button......an inclination to fire very easily. Perhaps later cameras had a more clearly defined half press detente. I am not sure. No answers I am afraid other than the thought that perhaps its typical of that era.

 

[Freakscene]

The F100 is my favourite AF 35mm camera.

The half press feel depends on the individual camera - my two F100s are fine and have a quite defined half press but I have used another that seemed like it fired much more readily.

If you’re doing multiple exposures on a tripod the MC-30 cable release is fantastic and has a very defined half press.

Marty

 

[Austintatious]

You can set the camera to focus using the AF-ON button on the back. Then use shutter button to make a photo.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

F-100 is a great camera. Enjoy!

 

[Ricoh]

The F100 is my favourite AF 35mm camera.

The half press feel depends on the individual camera - my two F100s are fine and have a quite defined half press but I have used another that seemed like it fired much more readily.

If you’re doing multiple exposures on a tripod the MC-30 cable release is fantastic and has a very defined half press.

Marty

Sounds like variation in copies of the same camera and I’ll have to live with it, and practice. But if I could get the display to spring into action (both the viewfinder and top plate) without touching the shutter half press... thought I read something somewhere I’ll have to revisit.
At the minute and for the foreseeable future I’ll be using manual lenses but that said I’ll look for an MC-30.
Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[John Bragg]

You can set the camera to focus using the AF-ON button on the back. Then use shutter button to make a photo.

+1 to this advice. In the custom settings set the shutter button to fire only and use the af on button to wake the camera up. This has the advantage that if set to continuous "follow" focussing, you can keep the back button pressed to follow focus and simply let go to lock focus, eg for portraits. Easy peasy.

https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/specroom98/f100/f100csmset.htm

 

[Freakscene]

Sounds like variation in copies of the same camera and I’ll have to live with it, and practice. But if I could get the display to spring into action (both the viewfinder and top plate) without touching the shutter half press... thought I read something somewhere I’ll have to revisit.
At the minute and for the foreseeable future I’ll be using manual lenses but that said I’ll look for an MC-30.
Thanks for the replies guys.

If you are using manual lenses, using the the AF Start button on the back is perfect - you don’t have to lock the AF if changing the focus is a problem, but pressing the button starts the menus in the VF and the top LCD.

Good luck,

Marty

 

[Ricoh]

+1 to this advice. In the custom settings set the shutter button to fire only and use the af on button to wake the camera up. This has the advantage that if set to continuous "follow" focussing, you can keep the back button pressed to follow focus and simply let go to lock focus, eg for portraits. Easy peasy.

https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/specroom98/f100/f100csmset.htm

That’s great, done it and I’m happy with the solution. Hail all on RFF!

 

[Ricoh]

If you are using manual lenses, using the the AF Start button on the back is perfect - you don’t have to lock the AF if changing the focus is a problem, but pressing the button starts the menus in the VF and the top LCD.

Good luck,

Marty

Works a treat, Marty. Thanks!
Hopefully the only wasted frames will be of my own making, and not finger trigger issues!

 

[Freakscene]

Works a treat, Marty. Thanks!
Hopefully the only wasted frames will be of my own making, and not finger trigger issues!

Great. Enjoy your F100.

Take a look at the rewind fork - if it is the old triangular type, buy a replacement: http://procamerarepair.3dcartstores.com/NIKON-F-100-REWIND-FORK-1K631-045-2_p_809.html for when the triangular one fails. Nothing else too much goes wrong with them if you take care and use it normally.

Marty

 

[Ricoh]

Great. Enjoy your F100.

Take a look at the rewind fork - if it is the old triangular type, buy a replacement: http://procamerarepair.3dcartstores.com/NIKON-F-100-REWIND-FORK-1K631-045-2_p_809.html for when the triangular one fails. Nothing else too much goes wrong with them if you take care and use it normally.

Marty

The one on mine looks like the one in the picture. Might be worth getting a spare, just in case.

What gets me is how cheap these F100’s are. I think I read it was placed between the F5 and F6, but aimed at the serious amateur market instead of professional.

 

[p.giannakis]

Nothing else too much goes wrong with them if you take care and use it normally.

Marty

There are two things that put me off from buying one - first i have the F5 and the F90x so i dont get too tempted.

But for the few times that i did get tempted to buy one (and that is reason #2) i see that there are so many with a broken back door latch. Same to some extend but not so much with the F80, F75 and F65 - Nikon must have changed something as this was not a problem with previous Nikons.

 

[Ricoh]

There are two things that put me off from buying one - first i have the F5 and the F90x so i dont get too tempted.

But for the few times that i did get tempted to buy one (and that is reason #2) i see that there are so many with a broken back door latch. Same to some extend but not so much with the F80, F75 and F65 - Nikon must have changed something as this was not a problem with previous Nikons.

I’ll have to be ultra careful. Why they constructed the camera out of magnesium and then add a plastic film door doesn’t make sense, plus a plastic film rewind fork!

 

[hilltime]

My F100 has been on the shelf now for about 8 yrs. I bought it new for the ridiculously low price of $750 as I couldn't bring myself to spend over $1400 for an F5. I do believe retail selling price was over $1000 when released.

My struggle has been to spend the $75 for anew back door as the latch failed and the door became very sticky like most of the generation. If I ever fell the need to get it going again, I might have to bite the bullet, but again I have a virtually new N80 which has seen about 3 rolls of film!

 

[p.giannakis]

If you keep pressed the button whist closing the door, it adds to it's longevity.

 

[Ricoh]

If you keep pressed the button whist closing the door, it adds to it's longevity.

The camera back lock release - is that the one?
I’ll do that.

 

[p.giannakis]

The camera back lock release - is that the one?
I’ll do that.

Yes, so you press the door release button whilst closing the door and leave it once it is closed. Of course there is always the risk of the plastic latches breaking if you drop the camera but we shouldnt be dropping cameras on the floor anyway.

 

[mcfingon]

Door latch problem on F401S as well. I just bought one and broke it in 5 minutes giving the back door a hefty slam like the Nikomat’s. You can buy the latches for the F401S so it must be a common problem. I will hold the latch release button open like the man says above in future. In the meantime cloth tape holds it shut well 🙂
John Mc

 

[John Bragg]

That’s great, done it and I’m happy with the solution. Hail all on RFF!

You are most welcome. Enjoy your camera.