NIKON F5 and F100

[Ade-oh]

The F90x was also a camera I really liked. I sold mine when I bought a D70 when they came out. It's only failing today is that it doesn't fit in with using multiple bodies. ie D3, D700, F5, F100 which all share the same basic control and menu layout. I like being able to just pick up any of them and not have to wonder what button does what. A lot of words are written about how complicated these Slr's are but once they are set up, they are the easiest thing to shoot with.

The 'top-of-the-range' AF Nikons are all pretty fantastic, imho. It's hard to beat an F5 or F100 as a more-or-less foolproof point and shoot, albeit that they're quite heavy!

 

[sanmich]

I think the F5 is plain too big and heavy.
F4/F6/F100 seem ok.
The F5 is really a beast.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Yes, it is a beast, but not unnecessarily so.

You can change the size of the metering area (applicable when using the average, not the matrix meter). You can tell the camera what to do after loading, you can dial in your preferred shutterspeed for fill-flash, you can even have two sets of settings and alternate between them as you please, you can also trust that the shutter will test itself after a number of operations (I believe 100,000) and correct any anomalies found...

The list of things the camera can do for you as a photographer is impressive. And, needless to say, it will withstand fierce temperatures, humidity and cold, as well as bumps and falls. In fact, you can resort to using it as a weapon should there be a need.


Yes, it is a beast, but what a nice beast. 🙂

 

[filmfan]

My F5 spent the night outside (turned on) in a severe tropical storm that those who live right on the water considered a hurricane. The location where it was left out was 100 yards from the beach on a tripod which was blown over into a puddle and then covered in branches from nearby trees. I was having a party that night and forgot about the camera after one too many rum drinks but was surprised to find it the next morning still turned on underwater. I picked it out of the messy debris and fired off 10 frames of the wreckage around me. I then left it inside near a heater to dry out with all the compartments open and the camera still works fine to this day (although the plastic 50mm 1.8 lens was ruined).
The F5 is a beast, but it pays off in the end.

 

[sanmich]

Yes, it is a beast, but not unnecessarily so.

You can change the size of the metering area (applicable when using the average, not the matrix meter). You can tell the camera what to do after loading, you can dial in your preferred shutterspeed for fill-flash, you can even have two sets of settings and alternate between them as you please, you can also trust that the shutter will test itself after a number of operations (I believe 100,000) and correct any anomalies found...

The list of things the camera can do for you as a photographer is impressive. And, needless to say, it will withstand fierce temperatures, humidity and cold, as well as bumps and falls. In fact, you can resort to using it as a weapon should there be a need.


Yes, it is a beast, but what a nice beast. 🙂

I perfectly understand that.
It sure is a great camera at the moment you push the button.
I just can't haul a camera like this, and the needed replacement batteries, for very long.
even two F3 with three lenses where a pain to haul for a day walk, and I was 15 year younger...
I just love leicas for the size/weight factor

 

[nikon_sam]

I have the F4e, that's the Barry Bonds version of the F4..it is big but can be used as an event shooter...I also have an F5 and although it's big it's still smaller that the F4e...
If I had to pick just one of these Nikons I would take the F5 in a heartbeat...
But even after saying that when shooting with both I tend to use the F4 more...maybe a 2:1 ratio when it comes to changing rolls...
When shooting an event I'll have these two bodies each with a SB-25 and a slew of lenses...I'll mostly use the 24, 35, 50, 85 & 180mm

 

[grainhound]

A Nikon F4 weighs 42.370 oz. / 1,201.2 g with the smaller, hard to find MB20 battery grip. That’s according to Rockwell, and I guess that doesn't include batteries.

An F4S with the MB21 calls for 6 AAs, whereas the F5 calls for 8, so add 2 batteries’ worth of weight to the F5 over an F4S.

A Nikon F5 without batteries weighs 42.7 ounces / 1210g, not what I’d call a big difference from the F4. The F5 also feels just right in the hand for me. I have an F5 because I got one for a good price, and wasn’t seeing F4s from vendors I trusted, so I can’t comment on using an F4. I still smile in disbelief that I could afford to shoot with a camera like the F5.

 

[sanmich]

I have the F4e, that's the Barry Bonds version of the F4..it is big but can be used as an event shooter...I also have an F5 and although it's big it's still smaller that the F4e...
If I had to pick just one of these Nikons I would take the F5 in a heartbeat...
But even after saying that when shooting with both I tend to use the F4 more...maybe a 2:1 ratio when it comes to changing rolls...
When shooting an event I'll have these two bodies each with a SB-25 and a slew of lenses...I'll mostly use the 24, 35, 50, 85 & 180mm

I find incredible that you are shooting events on film.
If you don't mind: what kind of events?

 

[robert blu]

Before the rangefinder virus hit me Nikon had a great place in my heart (and brain). When I decided to replace my F-90 I had the opportunity to use an F-5 for a day, at the end of which I ask if bodybuilding lessons were included in the price! Great camera but too heavy for me and my choice the F-100, which I still use (sometimes).
robert

 

[gho]

The F100 is one of my favourite cameras. In terms of features and ergonomics it is just great.

 

[Joe AC]

Do these work well and meter with MF lenses or are you better off with the F4?

Thanks
Joe

 

[filmfan]

I am selling my F5. I love it, but I no longer need it. It's a user but works perfectly and will come with a Nikkor 28mm f/3.5 AI and 50mm f/1.8 AF-D lenses. $425 total

 

[nobbylon]

After numerous rolls I can definately say that the F5 has the best meter of any camera I've ever used. When used in matrix mode I can just point it anywhere and it will give perfect results, even with strong backlit situations.

 

[nikon_sam]

The Nikon F5 and a roll of B&W...WOW!!!

 

[Joe AC]

After numerous rolls I can definately say that the F5 has the best meter of any camera I've ever used. When used in matrix mode I can just point it anywhere and it will give perfect results, even with strong backlit situations.

I didn't know that the F5 would matrix meter with manual focus lenses.

Thanks
Joe

 

[Ade-oh]

I didn't know that the F5 would matrix meter with manual focus lenses.

Thanks
Joe

It doesn't. With MF lenses the F5 works fine in most situations using centre-weighted metering, but it won't do matrix metering with them.

Does this matter? I doubt it: any more than the fact that an F3, F2, FM, FM2, FE, FE2 or F won't do matrix metering with them either. It's still the apotheosis of hardcore professional film cameras. I've got two and they're great!

 

[nobbylon]

I didn't know that the F5 would matrix meter with manual focus lenses.

Thanks
Joe

I didn't say I was using it with manual focus lenses for these rolls. So far I have used my 50 1.4 and my 24-70.
The F100 has been my main manual focus platform so far.
My old F4 would matrix and I believe the F6 will with manual lenses.

 

[sykotec]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't. If I mount AI/AIS lenses, when set to matrix metering mode, it reverts to center-weighted and indicates such in the viewfinder. Center-weighted or spot can be manually selected if you wish.

That said, I love my F5, but still don't have a 50mm I love for it. Wicked camera though, it's my 'point and shoot' when I need such a thing. Gotta love odd combinations like a faster motor than the F100, yet it's still got a rewind crank if needed.

I didn't know that the F5 would matrix meter with manual focus lenses.

Thanks
Joe