Cheap Nikon camera option with data

Montanawildlives · Feb 11, 2019

So I bought a Nikon Fe a while back and I've been playing with it but I find it really impossible to make any progress in learning how to use it because when I get the pictures back I never know the shutter speed or aperture or anything. I know there are data backs for certain cameras. I found some information online but I'm basically looking for the cheapest and simplest way to get aperture and shutter speed information along with the negatives when they are returned to me. I would want to stay in the Nikon world but basically I'm wondering which camera I might try that would provide this information with the appropriate back. I think the date of back for the Fe only does a date and time stamp or something. I suppose it would be too much to ask to also have ISO and exposure compensation along with it. If it gets too expensive then honestly I think some of the Fuji medium format 120 cameras can do this or around $400 so I wouldn't want to spend that much or else I would just go with the medium format. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

Dan Fromm · Feb 11, 2019

Not to insult you, but there are pocket notebooks and pens and pencils with clips that will fit in breast pockets and can be attached to t-shirts. Have you tried taking notes? Remember, 35 mm film has edge numbers so you can easily match notes to frame.

MattKing · Feb 11, 2019

Make notes - either in a notebook, or using one of the smartphone apps setup for that purpose.
Back in the day, I used to have cards that I designed and printed up myself (I was working in a print shop at the time) that had room for 20 exposures and listed the apertures and common shutter speeds, so I could circle the ones I used.
You might, however, find it more useful if you record notes about what you metered from, and how you interpreted the reading. The actual shutter speeds and apertures will vary with the light, but your exercise of judgment is something you can learn from.

Johnkpap · Feb 11, 2019

The camera that I have used that can do this best is the Nikon F5 they can be found on line ect for between $200-400 the data back is extra, the least expensive way is called pen and paper method. You write your film number on a note pad and photograph it as your first frame, then record in the notepad what settings you used.

Johnkpap

Montanawildlives · Feb 11, 2019

Thanks for the replies. I had thought of a pen and paper but I don't know... I'd certainly like to avoid that if possible but maybe that would be the best thing since I am trying to do this to slow down and be a little more thoughtful about my compositions anyway.

Chan Tran · Feb 11, 2019

If it's important to you memorize it! Make conscious decision of how and why you arrive at the settings then you would remember it. I have the Nikon F5 and I only use the Photo Secretary software to delete the data and not read it.

r-brian · Feb 11, 2019

Back when I was shooting 4x5, I had a micro tape recorder. When I made the shot, I would hit record and put in relevant info. Nowadays, you just hit record on a cell phone.

shutterfinger · Feb 11, 2019

8008/N801 with a MF-21 ; N90/N90s with a MF-26; F4 with a MF-23 will imprint shutter speed/aperture between frames or exposure compensation.
Check the MF (Multi Function) back instruction manuals at https://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon.htm for further information on what the backs do and which camera they fit.

jimjm · Feb 12, 2019

r-brian said:
Back when I was shooting 4x5, I had a micro tape recorder. When I made the shot, I would hit record and put in relevant info. Nowadays, you just hit record on a cell phone.

I also use a digital voice recorder for large-format and some medium format photography, especially if doing night or long exposures. Works pretty well. I would think you could you could use a voice recorder app on your phone in the same way

blockend · Feb 12, 2019

Smart phones have a voice memo facility. I think there's software available to give EXIF style feedback for some film cameras, no idea how it would work. Not sure why you'd need precise feedback on settings, the out of focus effects tell you whether you were shooting open or not. Or just maintain one aperture and adjust shutter speed, or vice versa. That will reduce the variables, and you'll begin to understand the effect of light on the negative.

Chan Tran · Feb 12, 2019

My first reply may be a bit rude so I apologize for that! The data you asked for are all exposure related so focusing and composition doesn't come into play here. I think if you make note to work on your exposure problem either a notepad or voice memo is much better than data from a camera including those like the F5, F6 etc.. The reason is they only record the settings but not the lighting condition and not your reasoning at the time on why you set it that way. For example if you set your EC you should make a note as to why you feel you want to do it. That way you can determine later if your reasoning was right or wrong.

darkroommike · Feb 12, 2019

Was there a data back for the FE? If so it would be a primitive beast that probably would only record frame number and the date on the film, and not on the rebate between frames. I have an MF-21 for my 8008s and rarely use it but it does communicate much more effectively with the camera. Still, can't beat paper and pencil. I recommend the Write in the Rain Notebook and a Fischer Space Pen. I rarely write anything down but can remember exposure and processing data for images I made 40 years ago.

Chan Tran · Feb 12, 2019

darkroommike said:
Was there a data back for the FE? If so it would be a primitive beast that probably would only record frame number and the date on the film, and not on the rebate between frames. I have an MF-21 for my 8008s and rarely use it but it does communicate much more effectively with the camera. Still, can't beat paper and pencil. I recommend the Write in the Rain Notebook and a Fischer Space Pen. I rarely write anything down but can remember exposure and processing data for images I made 40 years ago.

The FE doesn't have the ability to transmit its setting to a data back. So the data back only record the data which is on the back which are only date and time. The FE in fact never actually knows which aperture it is set at.

Wallendo · Feb 12, 2019

It is easy to become spoiled by the great amount of information captured in digital exif files.

Since the right exposure is dependent on many factors including amount of light, temperature of the light, angle of light, time of day, etc. I think a better investment would be an inexpensive light meter instead of an expensive back. After using a meter for a while, you will get a better feeling for proper exposure.

If film is being sent off for development, scanning/printing choices made by the developer can give a false impression of the appropriateness of exposure.

I would consider a phone app as most people now keep their phones with them most of the time so it's always handy.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 12, 2019

shutterfinger said:
8008/N801 with a MF-21 ; N90/N90s with a MF-26; F4 with a MF-23 will imprint shutter speed/aperture between frames or exposure compensation.
...

Yes. To that, I'll add the F6 has the ability to place shutter speed and f-stop information between the frames.

However, I'll vote with others for the mini notebook - many of us did that for decades and still have that information. The notebook is useful for adding other photo notes or observations as well.

Trask · Feb 12, 2019

I’m sympathetic to the OP’s interest in a databack that will record aperture/shutter speed/exp comp, as I’ve long wanted the same capability. I have a Command Back for my Canon T90 which IIRC does not print data on the film but retains it in memory; getting it back out of the databack is a bit time-consuming (but it holds like four rolls worth). And Contax makes the D-9 databack for my Contax Aria that does exactly what I’d like to have, but it’s almost impossible to find one. I appreciate reading the info that various Nikon models have the required capability, as I have a lot of Nikon gear so adding another body would be easy.

As for pen and paper, yes, that’s possible, but if you’re shooting a wedding or doing street photography, stopping after every exposure (or set of several exposures) to note data really gets in the way of what you’re trying accomplish. Camera on a tripod, doing more deliberative shooting, it’s fine. Kind of depends on the tempo of your photography.

benveniste · Feb 13, 2019

Do you have autofocus or manual focus lenses? If the former, you may wish to look for an N75QD/F75QD/U2. They are a bit scarce, but can often be found for $100 or so.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 13, 2019

Montanawildlives said:
So I bought a Nikon Fe a while back and I've been playing with it but I find it really impossible to make any progress in learning how to use it because when I get the pictures back I never know the shutter speed or aperture or anything. I know there are data backs for certain cameras. I found some information online but I'm basically looking for the cheapest and simplest way to get aperture and shutter speed information along with the negatives when they are returned to me. I would want to stay in the Nikon world but basically I'm wondering which camera I might try that would provide this information with the appropriate back. I think the date of back for the Fe only does a date and time stamp or something. I suppose it would be too much to ask to also have ISO and exposure compensation along with it. If it gets too expensive then honestly I think some of the Fuji medium format 120 cameras can do this or around $400 so I wouldn't want to spend that much or else I would just go with the medium format. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

I use a voice -tape data recorder and write it onto a card when back home; the data recorder is quick and more convenient than pencil and pad in the field

klownshed · Feb 14, 2019

i have an F801 with an MF21 data back. F801s are available ridiculously cheap for what they are.

They're a bit of a bargain but make sure the battery holder is OK, it's the weak spot. You can always use a battery grip if the holder is broken if you don't mind the huge size...

darkroommike · Feb 14, 2019

Chan Tran said:
The FE doesn't have the ability to transmit its setting to a data back. So the data back only record the data which is on the back which are only date and time. The FE in fact never actually knows which aperture it is set at.

I think that's what I said but I went to MIR and got the straight scoop. "The MF12/MF16 is a very straight databack. It provides three imprinting modes: year/month/day (up to the year 2100), day/hour/minute, or picture counting (up to 2000); each mode is displayed on the data back in the LCD numerals and printed by LED's, on the photo in red numerals. Serving as a handy clock, a quartz timer with alarm is incorporated." The MF-12 was for the FE/FM, the MF-16 for the FA/FE2/FM2. https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fefmshared/html/databacks.htm

darkroommike · Feb 14, 2019

Trask said:
I’m sympathetic to the OP’s interest in a databack that will record aperture/shutter speed/exp comp, as I’ve long wanted the same capability. I have a Command Back for my Canon T90 which IIRC does not print data on the film but retains it in memory; getting it back out of the databack is a bit time-consuming (but it holds like four rolls worth). And Contax makes the D-9 databack for my Contax Aria that does exactly what I’d like to have, but it’s almost impossible to find one. I appreciate reading the info that various Nikon models have the required capability, as I have a lot of Nikon gear so adding another body would be easy.

As for pen and paper, yes, that’s possible, but if you’re shooting a wedding or doing street photography, stopping after every exposure (or set of several exposures) to note data really gets in the way of what you’re trying accomplish. Camera on a tripod, doing more deliberative shooting, it’s fine. Kind of depends on the tempo of your photography.

If you're doing street or wedding photography you should be working on your creations rather than recording the exposure data fro each frame, you should already know what you're doing rather than trying to learn as you go.

Trask · Feb 14, 2019

darkroommike said:
If you're doing street or wedding photography you should be working on your creations rather than recording the exposure data fro each frame, you should already know what you're doing rather than trying to learn as you go.

Exactly — I’m in full agreement, as regards photography in fast-moving environments. Hence my interest in a back that will automatically record the exposure data while I focus on....focusing and such. Too bad more manufacturers don’t provide the capability.

Ste_S · Feb 15, 2019

@Montanawildlives You're probably overthinking this. You certainly don't need to know shutter speed and aperture data to 'improve'. Improvements come from taking a LOT of photographs and understanding composition.

The metering on the FE is pretty good (I love mine), and film latitude takes up the slack. Just go out and shoot.

darkroommike · Feb 15, 2019

Trask said:
Exactly — I’m in full agreement, as regards photography in fast-moving environments. Hence my interest in a back that will automatically record the exposure data while I focus on....focusing and such. Too bad more manufacturers don’t provide the capability.

Also needs to be said that with the exception of a few very high end cameras, the data back records data on the image not in the rebate between frames, so you'll have lots of "improved" images with shutter and aperture numbers written into the frame.

CMoore · Feb 15, 2019

Montanawildlives said:
So I bought a Nikon Fe a while back and I've been playing with it but I find it really impossible to make any progress in learning how to use it.....

I am assume you are speaking "figuratively" .?
You should not be at a complete loss.
Until quite recently, most cameras never had that capability.
As others have mentioned, what will be equally, if not More Important is to know What/Where you metered, and what you did with the info the meter gave you.
A small voice recorder sounds like it will be a good fit with your needs.
Good Luck

Cheap Nikon camera option with data

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