Nikon F4

[FrankS]

I received my $50 Nikon F4s today, and took some pictures with it. It was offered on a FB group as non-working and I decided to gamble on it. It's lower battery tray is broken and might be the source of the problem. It was! When I fitted the battery tray from my own long-owned F4s, this one worked. 🙂

I paid $2700Cdn for my original F4s when they first came out almost 30 years ago now. It saw me through my weekend wedding warrior phase without ever letting me down. With this second $50 F4, I'll be less fussy when using it.

Currently, the working battery tray is in the new camera. I wouldn't likely to be using both at once, but wouldn't mind finding a replacement battery tray. Has anyone got a spare or a source? (Yes I am watching eBay.)

Full disclosure: This new F4s cost me $100Cdn, factoring in shipping and currency conversion.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Congratulations, Frank. That's a nice score.

 

[FrankS]

Thanks, it's my favourite electronic Nikon because it preserved traditional control dials. No menus.

 

[kxl]

Nice score. I used to have an F4e (different pack) -- one of my favorites and an incredibly versatile camera.

 

[nikon_sam]

Congrats on your gamble paying off...I got my second F4s under similar circumstances...paid $99 for it...missing the back door, battery holder and prism...I had everything but a spare prism...bought a WLF for it and it works just fine...

 

[shimokita]

Just to clarify, are you looking for a replacement / new old stock battery holder (MS-21) from bottom portion (MB-21B) of the Nikon MB-21?

 

[sepiareverb]

Sweet. The best F IMO. Dials. Need we say more? On a tripod this is by far the most capable 35mm camera because of the real controls, in the hand easily in the top 5.

My bread and butter for a good long time, I still have one body, old Red, that I shot some untold number of frames with.

 

[narsuitus]

I received my $50 Nikon F4s today...

Congratulations on your $50 Nikon F4s.

I have been using a Nikon F4 and Nikon F4s for some time.

The F4s (in back) uses an MB-21 battery pack (holds 6 AA batteries), fires at 5.7 frames per second, has a socket to accept a mechanical cable release, has a socket to accept an electronic remote control, and has an extra shutter release that is useful when shooting in portrait orientation.

The F4 (in front) uses an MB-20 battery pack (holds 4 AA batteries) fires at 4 frames per second but sacrifices some of the MB-21 features such as electronic remote control socket and extra shutter release in order to reduce the size and weight.

 

[nikon_sam]

My two...

 

[FrankS]

Just to clarify, are you looking for a replacement / new old stock battery holder (MS-21) from bottom portion (MB-21B) of the Nikon MB-21?

Yes .

 

[p.giannakis]

Good luck with your quest for the battery holder. The F4s is one of my favourite cameras, I very often pick it up instead of the F5 when going out and about.

 

[ronnies]

I got my replacement MS-21 on evilBay so they do appear there occasionally.

Ronnie

 

[wakarimasen]

Great! A thread to remind me how great the F4 is, just when I was thinking of selling mine! 😀:bang:

Not sure about in Canada Frank, but here in the UK, Grays would be a good place to try.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I would e-mail some of the repair shops, ideally one you have dealt with, they most likely have F4 bodies dead beyond repair kept back for bits.
Admittedly a dead F4 is rare!!

 

[froyd]

Not sure if you want to sink more money nin the second F4s, but how about swapping the bottom for an MB20? The ergonomics are not as nice, but it would give you a lighter camera for when you don't feel like slugging your original F4s.

The weight is one of the few reasons why I often chose to carry a different camera with me instead of the very capable Nikon sledge hammer. However, everytime my hands wrap around the F4 I have a big idotic grin on my face.

 

[FrankS]

Thanks for your comments everyone! I want this body to be something I can use without thinking about its welfare so the cheapest solution will be the most appropriate in this case. I saw a complete MB-21 (grip, bottom, battery tray) for $100US on eBay, but for now I'll switch out the battery tray from my other F4. I've glued together the broken tray and later today I'll see if that works.

As I mentioned, I bought an F4s when they came out and it inspired so much confidence during my semi-pro days. It's a workhorse that just kept and keeps delivering. I can't love a camera with menus because there were none during my formative years and menus feel foreign to me.

 

[Prest_400]

The weight is one of the few reasons why I often chose to carry a different camera with me instead of the very capable Nikon sledge hammer. However, everytime my hands wrap around the F4 I have a big idotic grin on my face.

$50 is a heck of a deal. Out of entretainment I often check local classifields for numerous models. F4 and F100 range $120-200 here.

I'd like to try one. I have a battle Nikon F80, which being cheap it is nice to use rather carelessly around but hasn't got the heft of an F100 or F4. For weight, I do have Medium format though.

 

[FrankS]

For light weight "battle cameras" (I like that term) I enjoy my Nikon FG's and 801s/8008s.

 

[wakarimasen]

Out of curiosity, what are your lenses of choice Frank?

 

[FrankS]

Short answer: 28f2.8 and 50f1.4 = most used, individually and as a combo

Long answer:

All AI Nikkor: 20f2.8, 20f3.5, 28f2.8, 35f2, 50f1.8E (best value), 50f1.4, 50f3.5 Micro, 100f2.8E (much lighter than the f2.5)

I also have a few 50f2 non AI for my non-AI bodies.

Along the way I got some zooms but I don't use them much. Vivitar Series 1 28-90, Kiron 70-210.

An FG with 50f1.8E is a great lightweight and capable combo.