Nikon F4 vs F4s (MB 20 vs MB 21)

[nikon_sam]

I noticed that the F4 will hunt more when the batteries are getting low or if the situation is either too dark or too bright...find it a sharp edge and it locks on quick enough...
The F5 is better but it eats batteries quicker...

 

[sevo]

The F4 AF is good, and with modern lenses or short primes it even is reasonably fast. What most people coming from a later (or consumer) AF camera object to is that it is purely spot focusing and locked through a dedicated knob - it is not really autofocus as in "point and shoot", but assisted focusing, if you do not learn how to lock focus, you'll end up with either out of focus images or strictly central subjects...

 

[jarski]

about F4 focusing: amazing capability of F4 accepts three different communication systems - one for Nikon lenses with built-in microcomputer (AF and Ai-P Nikkor lenses), one for the older Nikon autofocus lenses with built-in motors (Nikon F3AF autofocus lenses) and one for those older manual focus lenses without any electronic contacts (Ai-S, Ai, Non-Ai) modified AI and Series E).

 

[thirteen]

The F4s with MF23 back is an great package. AF is very capable. I use with a modern G lens (Sigma 35 1.4) in Ph, P or S mode. The MF 23 back prints the aperture and speed between the negs for future reference.

 

[Sid836]

F4 is a great camera in any way. I love the sleek look of it with the MB20, but the MB21 makes it look like a monster.
Unfortunately my F4 has failed after a year. It developed some issue with the film loading. You put film to it, press the shutter button and you get a blinking led. It has been replaced by an F100.

 

[wakarimasen]

The MF 23 back prints the aperture and speed between the negs for future reference.

I'm very interested in this. Do you have any pictures showing an example film?

 

[thirteen]

I'll dig out some old negs - in the meantime look at this page - shows the various modes that can be printed on or between the negs
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/filmbacks/MF24/index3.htm

 

[wakarimasen]

They seem reasonably plentiful in the US, but here in the UK they are a little scarcer.

 

[Fraser]

I know i'll get drawn and quartered for saying this but I really disliked the F4. It felt too wide and the mix of analogue controls with later mode system made it a clunky camera for me. That along with useless AF made me shift it for an F5. They are very cheap now though and if you don't need AF then it's an interesting camera.
What's good for some is bad for others 🙂

Better than the the F3af😉
I've never felt the af was that bad faster than manual focus anyway.

 

[rlouzan]

The F4 with the MB20 combo was the only option available, when first released, in Europe. I remember ordering a MB21 from Del's camera, the only place that had them at the time in the US.

 

[ravilamir]

They seem reasonably plentiful in the US, but here in the UK they are a little scarcer.

If you are talking about the MF-23, yes, they are not easy to find and can be expensive.
But, it didn't took me too long to track one on Ebay UK when I set my mind to get one.
It is a bit of a monster and adds depth to the body.
It can be a nice thing to have: it adds some nice features and it fools some into thinking you have a digi camera. 🙂

 

[wakarimasen]

If you are talking about the MF-23, yes, they are not easy to find and can be expensive.
But, it didn't took me too long to track one on Ebay UK when I set my mind to get one.
It is a bit of a monster and adds depth to the body.
It can be a nice thing to have: it adds some nice features and it fools some into thinking you have a digi camera. 🙂

I have my eBay search set up, and I'm watching the emails......

 

[GarageBoy]

After using one for a day- man this thing is heavy- made my F2AS feel light- the MB20 is fat to grip too
Still love all the controls and the LCDs

 

[bhop73]

I bought an F4s at some point within the past few years, mainly based on my lusting after one as a teenager and not being able to afford one then.

It's a beautiful camera and fun to use, but honestly I don't use it much because it's so heavy. Mine is a shelf queen sadly. Sometimes I wish I had the MB20, but at this point, I don't really want to pay the going rate for them..

 

[maryland_fotos]

Just got hold of a F4S. Its heavy enough, I imagine with the MB-23 back it would be even more to lug around. Haven't tried doing a walk with the F4S yet, will report back how it feels. Have the 55 1.2S on it for now, will try out an AF lens at some point on it.

 

[ravilamir]

George
I found that for my small hands the F4S is actually easier to handle.
Simply because I have a later version of the MB-21 with a finger tip at the top. That makes it a bit easier to grasp. And it is better balanced: the MB-20 has 4 batteries all in the right side. The MB-21 only has 3 batteries on the right and another 3 on the bottom.

Here is a report from the American PP: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=M9MuXhursggC&lpg=PA3&dq=Popular%20Photography%2C%20December%201979&pg=PA48#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[GarageBoy]

Yeah. the MB 20 is a bit fat - and I walk around with the camera in my hand a lot
For the price I paid, I basically got an MB 20, and a body for $30-40
Tempted to get an MB21 to see if it's better for me- it's already heavy, what's another few ounces?

 

[ronnies]

Yeah. the MB 20 is a bit fat - and I walk around with the camera in my hand a lot
For the price I paid, I basically got an MB 20, and a body for $30-40
Tempted to get an MB21 to see if it's better for me- it's already heavy, what's another few ounces?

I don't notice much difference between the weight of the F4 with MB20 or MB21 but the thinner grip on the MB21 fits my hand better. I also use the vertical release a lot.

One other thing is I have unexpectedly run out of battery power with the MB20 but never with the MB21.

Ronnie

 

[GarageBoy]

Yeah, I'm probably going to sell the F4 and grab and F4s- between the chip in the prism, and the grip that doesn't work for me (also read that it doesn't like being powered by my preferred NiMH batteries) I think I want an F4s

 

[ravilamir]

Keep the F4, you'll regret it later.
It has its use as a smaller package.
I bet you have the early MB-20 without the finger tip. There is a later version that improves handling considerably.
If you are going to get a F4S, look for a later MB-21 and the highest serial number you can get.
The F4 during its production run had several improvements implemented bit by bit.