Hibbs
R.I.P. Charlie
Looks like the electronics have gone in my Nikon FA. My first inclination is to look for something like an FM of FM2 but the lenses I have are autofocus. A 50 1.8 and a 35 - 105 Macro.
Seeking advice about replacing the FA with something else like a F601 or F801 from around the period when I got the two lenses?
Thanks in advance...
Seeking advice about replacing the FA with something else like a F601 or F801 from around the period when I got the two lenses?
Thanks in advance...
css9450
Veteran
If those lenses worked on the FA, they'd do just fine on an FM or FM2. I assume they have an aperture ring?
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
When I was looking for a body (years ago) I researched the FA then after comparing the FA to the F4s I bought the F4s...I was sold on the AF ability of the F4...
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
So, do you want an autofocus camera this time?
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Only the F4 will offer the functionality of the FA with your lenses, plus autofocus of course.
But you can use those lenses on any Nikon that is Ai capable. An FM or any of its offspring will work perfectly.
Phil Forrest
But you can use those lenses on any Nikon that is Ai capable. An FM or any of its offspring will work perfectly.
Phil Forrest
Robert Lai
Well-known
Complex electronics tend to die. Minolta cameras were notorious for an electrolytic capacitor that died, rendering the shutter inoperable. Not a hard fix, but nevertheless....
There are no circuit boards for the Leica M6TTL, or the Nikon F3 either.
For that reason, many of us have reverted back to the old reliables:
Nikon F, or F2.
Perhaps an FM, or Nikkormat.
There are no circuit boards for the Leica M6TTL, or the Nikon F3 either.
For that reason, many of us have reverted back to the old reliables:
Nikon F, or F2.
Perhaps an FM, or Nikkormat.
TEZillman
Well-known
The two lenses that you have are fine lenses, but they are fairly common and, in my humble opinion, shouldn't dictate what you should invest in now that your FA has failed. The combined retail value of the lenses you have is in the $150-200 range. As they're Nikkor lenses, they are pretty easy to sell or trade in. Decide how you want to shoot and build a system around that choice rather than around a couple lenses that you happen to have. There are literally thousands of camera models to choose from.
If you really like the lenses that you have and want to keep and use them on an AF body, there are somewhere around two dozen Nikon AF film body models to choose from. Everything from the original AF model N2020 to the F6. The pro model variations, F4, F5 and F6 are more dependable and more expensive. With the exception of these and the F100, most any of the rest can be purchased for less than than $50, many in the $20-30 range. Dependability is more a function of how they have been cared for and/or stored than based on any particular model. Be careful of a the models that have rubber like coatings, particularly the N70, N80 and N90 varients. The coatings have often begun to deteriorate and are very sticky to the touch. Cleaning this off or trying to stabilize the material is a pain. The older models with the smooth finish do not have this problem.
The price range is so narrow that a higher end model with far more features can cost all of $10 more than the lower end model. For example, I would certainly purchase a N8008s over a N4004 for the few dollars difference in cost.
That's my two cents worth.
If you really like the lenses that you have and want to keep and use them on an AF body, there are somewhere around two dozen Nikon AF film body models to choose from. Everything from the original AF model N2020 to the F6. The pro model variations, F4, F5 and F6 are more dependable and more expensive. With the exception of these and the F100, most any of the rest can be purchased for less than than $50, many in the $20-30 range. Dependability is more a function of how they have been cared for and/or stored than based on any particular model. Be careful of a the models that have rubber like coatings, particularly the N70, N80 and N90 varients. The coatings have often begun to deteriorate and are very sticky to the touch. Cleaning this off or trying to stabilize the material is a pain. The older models with the smooth finish do not have this problem.
The price range is so narrow that a higher end model with far more features can cost all of $10 more than the lower end model. For example, I would certainly purchase a N8008s over a N4004 for the few dollars difference in cost.
That's my two cents worth.
B-9
Devin Bro
Why not a N90s? cheap and powerful.
Steve M.
Veteran
I recommend the F801s, which has spot metering added to the other metering options. They're also known as the n8008s. Great cameras. Mine is used with manual focus lenses, but it's an AF camera. It's tons better than the N40 with it's small and dark viewfinder (in comparison) and its inability to manually meter with a lot of lenses. Paid $35 for mine and love it.
The N90s is a good camera, but considerably bigger and taller than the n8008s. The f801s has a high eyepoint finder too for easier focusing if you wear glasses. An F4 is like a medium format compared to the much smaller and lighter n8008s cameras. These cameras can be used in stop down AE and Program metering or manual metering modes w/ non Nikon lenses like the Leica R lenses w/ adapters.
The N90s is a good camera, but considerably bigger and taller than the n8008s. The f801s has a high eyepoint finder too for easier focusing if you wear glasses. An F4 is like a medium format compared to the much smaller and lighter n8008s cameras. These cameras can be used in stop down AE and Program metering or manual metering modes w/ non Nikon lenses like the Leica R lenses w/ adapters.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
N90s or F100. Why not, excellent bodies, reasonable prices.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Funny, I had an 8008, and I don't remember it as being any smaller than the n90s I have now. What I remember is that there were times when I would press the button, the lens focused just fine, but the camera would not shoot. And I wear glasses, and I feel I can see the whole finder screen easily on the n90s.
The F100 has a sticky back! But I do like the choice of three metering modes: center-weighted, multi-area, or spot!
If the OP wants an AF, I imagine either model might fill the bill.
The F100 has a sticky back! But I do like the choice of three metering modes: center-weighted, multi-area, or spot!
If the OP wants an AF, I imagine either model might fill the bill.
Hibbs
R.I.P. Charlie
Thanks for everyone's comments. As TEZillman pointed out, the two lenses are nice but not anything out of the ordinary.
I am thinking that I may gift them to a friend in Saigon who has a new(ish) NIKON AF rig; just because I just have way too many cameras to excercise.
I am thinking that I may gift them to a friend in Saigon who has a new(ish) NIKON AF rig; just because I just have way too many cameras to excercise.
Contarama
Well-known
Nikon F/F2 F3 block & pre ai, ai, ais, some afd is a powerful kit at a great price. Price is going up too
css9450
Veteran
I think any noticeable extra bulk in an N90/N90S is in its beefier top panel which has two angled "fillets" on each side of the prism which make it look fatter than the N8008. I doubt the camera itself is any taller or wider than the N8008.
Hibbs
R.I.P. Charlie
Just an update. Local craiglist had an 801s that I was going to get.
Before I did, I decided to clean battery holder in the FA and load fresh batteries.
Bingo!!!...meter came back to life. All modes working.
Originally I had thought the meter switch (under advance lever) had failed.
I am so happy to have the FA back. Gotta praise Nikon for these rigs from that era.
~ Hibbs
Before I did, I decided to clean battery holder in the FA and load fresh batteries.
Bingo!!!...meter came back to life. All modes working.
Originally I had thought the meter switch (under advance lever) had failed.
I am so happy to have the FA back. Gotta praise Nikon for these rigs from that era.
~ Hibbs
Jeremy Z
Well-known
Thanks for following up!
By the way, I just picked up a Nikon N90s (F90x to you, I think) on ebay. They're going cheap now, something like $30 for a nice one. The F90x was the successor to the F801s, I believe. A little bigger, but incrementally better in every way, esp. ergonomics.
It would be cheap to add one to the stable in addition to the FA.
Many cameras have been saved by cleaning battery contacts.
Side note: Don't put alkaline batteries in it. Use silver oxide (2xSR44) or lithium. (1/3N) That way if you forget about it for awhile, it won't wreck your baby.
By the way, I just picked up a Nikon N90s (F90x to you, I think) on ebay. They're going cheap now, something like $30 for a nice one. The F90x was the successor to the F801s, I believe. A little bigger, but incrementally better in every way, esp. ergonomics.
It would be cheap to add one to the stable in addition to the FA.
Many cameras have been saved by cleaning battery contacts.
Side note: Don't put alkaline batteries in it. Use silver oxide (2xSR44) or lithium. (1/3N) That way if you forget about it for awhile, it won't wreck your baby.
Hibbs
R.I.P. Charlie
Thanks Smaug...I'll keep an eye out for a F90x. was the spot meter dropped after 801s?
I think I'd like to find some older lenses with character for my FA.
~ Hibbs
I think I'd like to find some older lenses with character for my FA.
~ Hibbs
james.liam
Well-known
If one is going to get an AF film Nikon and doesn't want to drop a cool grand on a used F6, just get the F100. Really. These goofy looking 90's 'plastic fantastic's may be "the deals of the decade" but the F100 is built to more solid spec.
santino
FSU gear head
I think the F90 is better build than the F100.
Just got an N8008, for less than a $2 roll of film...solid camera with a really great viewfinder, easy to focus manually, AF is quite sufficient for film use; accuracy is a priority over speed. Never paid any attention to AF Nikons below the F100 (have had a few of those) but the consumer models are fantastic bargains...