Used Nikon F5 or a DSLR?

[w3rk5]

I will be in the market for a new camera sometime in the new year. I'm trying to decide on either a used Nikon f5 or maybe a new Pentax K10D. I know they're two different beasts and the prices are off but I'd just like to get one over the other for now.

I don't own a SLR so my buying decision won't be influenced by any lenses that I don't have. One main reason "for me" wanting to try a DSLR or a SLR is so I can focus more on composition, and the subject instead of worring about focusing (fast enough or sharp enough), and exposure settings.

Does this makes sense to anyone? Is this a cRaZy idea? Anyone in the same boat? Thanks for any feedback/advice.

 

[vodid]

If you wanted to get both in one camera, you could buy a used and no longer in production Kodak DCS 760 (Kodak bought a bunch of Nikon F5's from Nikon, and put their own digital backs on them). Personally, I keep flogging the digital cameras, but it hasn't been all that satisfying...all of the ones I've had have had annoying idiosyncracies for a guy that likes a simple manual camera. If you decide on the K10D, which many seem to be happy with, you could also buy a nice older SLR for pretty cheap, and have both the film and digital experience. Good luck with your choice...I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever camera you buy.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

FM3A will do most of what the F5 will do (except AF) and have a much much smaller profile. The F5 is rather sizeable.

 

[Athena]

Hmmm...

Thread title: Used Nikon F5 or DSLR

Now is this an invitation for a F v, D or what?

What would possibly make someone thing this is a real choice otherwise?

Geez - aren't these F v. D threads kind of boring by now?

 

[ChrisN]

Come on over to DSLRExchange for a good chat!

I'd look at it as buying into a system - which system has the lenses you want to use? What focal lengths do you want? Do you need fast glass? Do you want image stabilisation with all your lenses? Are you after particular lens characteristics?

 

[w3rk5]

vodid.......funny you should mention about the Kodak DCS 760, I was looking at the about a year or two ago.

Tom.....the Nikon FM3A sounds like a solid camera but I'd like to get all the "bells and whistles".

Chris.......I will take you up on that chat one day. I've been following your thread on your K10D. I'm just having problems registering. I agree with you about buying into a system. I have no preference since I'm new to the whole game anyway. I'd like to start off with a nice 50mm prime and see from there.

 

[amateriat]

Okay, I'm pretty much out of the SLR loop, but here's my take:

The Nikon F5 (along with the current F6) was pretty much Nikon's ultimate "take" on the film-based SLR. They put everything they had into it, with bombproof build quality to back it up. For a digital "equivalent", you'd have to at least reach to an early D1 or later, and even that doesn't quite hit the mark. The F5 lets you pick your emulsion, your palate, if you will, and is truly built to last. And one leg up over the FM3a (from a bespectacled viewpoint, if you'll indulge me) is it's high-eyepoint viewfinder.

With the F5, you don't get into the How Many Megapixels Is Enough rut. Kodachrome, Ektachrome, Fujichrome, Portra, Superia...there's a lot to explore, a lot to play with. You're not "stuck with the sensor they stuck into it".

Not to knock dSLRs completely – a number of them deliver the goods quite handily, but it depsnds on what you pick, and how far up the product ladder you care to go. Yet, given that F5 bodies in reasonably good shape run around $600-700, you'll go to great lengths finding a dSLR body that holds a candle to it.

Just one person's opinion...


- Barrett

 

[MadMan2k]

High end film SLR's are great to use, but if you want to use digital you'd have to pay a lot more to get an equivelant body... The K10D seems like a good camera, but there isn't a really high end model in their line-up yet like there is with Canon or Nikon, so if you decide you need the features and you have a collection of Pentax lenses you'd have to sell them to switch.

Pentax has some awesome prime lenses out though, the 31mm, 43 and 77 limited ones.

 

[peterc]

One main reason "for me" wanting to try a DSLR or a SLR is so I can focus more on composition, and the subject instead of worring about focusing (fast enough or sharp enough), and exposure settings.

If what you're looking for is AF and AE, you might want to consider a Nikon F60 with an AF 50/1.8 to try it out.
You should be able to pick up the pair for about $200CDN. Even and F80 and the 50mm will only run you $350 to $400. Both have Nikon's matrix metering and built-in speedlights. This will let you try out the metering, AF and AE and help decide if an SLR is for you without the expense of buying an F5. If you decide you like the SLR, you can then buy the F5 (the lens will transfer over) and you'll have a spare body.

Peter

 

[w3rk5]

Barret........we're kinda on the same train of thought with your post. 🙂

MadMan2k.....I guess the only real reason for me wanting to go digital is to get instant feedback. With it I think it could help me understand this craft we practice better.

Peter.........that's a solid advice. I might just do that. I think my bro might have a F50 I can borrow.

To be honest.......I kinda favor getting the F5. We'll see. I'm gonna find out if I can borrow the F50 and see if I wan't to make a jump to SLR.

Thank you for everyone's advice.

 

[kshapero]

For an excellent discourse on this subject see Stephen Gandy's article.
http://www.cameraquest.com/nikonslr.htm

 

[flipflop]

The F50 is the absolute worst excuse of a camera I had one as my first camera ever back in early 90s or whenever it was released...prob mid 90's the AF is so sloppy its annoying...the metering is decent the build quality is horrible. If you want a camera that is AF start with at the least a F80 I would really reccomend a N90s F4 or F5...please do not make your decision based on the N50/F50...its crap

 

[ghost]

eos 1v...and wait for canon to make a smaller 1 series dslr.

 

[Ororaro]

F100! Just the real deal!

I own the F5 but the F100 is the one that would fit yuour needs best, IMHO!

 

[funky1]

How much are you planning to pay for an F5? Take a look at the N90s. It is a great auto focus film camera that gives you plenty of room to grow into. It should be cheaper than a F5 and if you get to the point where you feel you need it you can get an F5. Than you will have the super duper F5, a good backup body, and a collection of lenses that work great with both.

 

[w3rk5]

kshapero..........thanks for the link. A good read.

The F50 is the absolute worst excuse of a camera I had one as my first camera ever back in early 90s or whenever it was released...prob mid 90's the AF is so sloppy its annoying...the metering is decent the build quality is horrible. If you want a camera that is AF start with at the least a F80 I would really reccomend a N90s F4 or F5...please do not make your decision based on the N50/F50...its crap

Puhahaha........just had to laugh at this post. I know the F50 isn't the pinnacle of anything. But it does have auto focus and 3 metering systems. I know the F5, F100, N90 will be faster and better metering. I'm just gonna see how much easier those features will help me in taking better pictures. I won't make my decision based on it. 🙂

ghost.......I was looking at the Canon EOS-1v also. 🙂

NB23........I've heard good things about the F100 also. That was my second choice. Please tell me the main reasons why you like it more if you got some time. 🙂

funky1.....I guess I'd expect to pay approx $500-$600. I'll look into the N90s. It's been mentioned by flipflop also.

Thanks again for these great suggestions.

 

[Ororaro]

F100 is light, smaller, it's the very best handling Nikon body to my taste (no F5, F4, F3... will match it), it's super snappy and meters with manual lenses. And it's cheaper.

The F100 is hard to beat.

 

[emraphoto]

don't overlook the d1x. it is extremely afordable on the used market ( i paid $700 cnd for one with all the goods and 6 months warranty). it is an extremely tough, reliable and capable machine. essentially a digital F5. it is only 5 1/2 megapixels but with some sharp primes it can provide excellent results. it also produces large files at it's highest setting so can be used for magazine/editorial work. get a copy of genuine fractals and you can easily print very large.
i would say the only issues i have had so far are...
1/ it eats the original ikon battery for breakfast. get a couple batteries.
2/ the high iso (1600 to 3200) will need noise ninja if you plan on working up there a lot. BUT with an f1.8 50 iso 400 to 800 will suffice for me.
3/ nikon raw files are kind of tricky to work with so a copy of nikoncapture 4 (or whatever version) is advised.
4/ you really need to practice the "expose for highlights" digital mantra
if you do a little research you'll EASILY be able to produce excellant images with the 5 1/2 megapixels.
if you want to see any files etc. let me know and i'll send some over.
cheers and good luck
john
ps the last image (matt) was shot at iso 800

 

[mw_uio]

Maybe going to rent the F5 and a lens from Vistek to try it out, and see how you like.....

Cheers

Mark
Quito, EC

 

[w3rk5]

NB23.......thank you.

emraphoto.......nice shots. I like the first one best. 🙂 I've just read some reviews on the d1x. It does sound sweet. Regardless of the megapixel count, I think any decent camera can put out award winning pictures. 🙂 Like you mentioned, the only thing that worries me is how it seems to eat batteries. Yikes!

mw_uio.......that would be a good idea also. I just don't think I can afford to rent it till I get a true feel of it. 😱