F4 and LCD screens

[CMoore]

Is it something that is a problem with LCD in general, or just from "back then", or maybe Nikon had bad screens.?
When looking for an F4 on Ebay, it seems like 50% of them have leaking screens. Is that an inevitable/frequent problem, or just a coin toss, or was it caused by storage in Heat/Humidity.? If you find an F4 with good LCD, is it likely there will not be any problems at this point.?
Thank You

 

[StephenT]

I have several F4's and none of them have the leaking screen. I believe extreme heat can adversely affect an LCD screen, such as might be encountered on the front seat of a vehicle on a hot summer day with no clouds in the sky. I am sure some F4's might have experienced those conditions since they were one of the workhouse bodies. I would not fear it if you find a good body.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I have two F4s's and two F3/T's from the 1980's and their LCD screens are fine.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

With the F4, I'm not sure what causes upper LCD bleed, but lower LCD bleed typically is caused by impact damage. F3 bodies typically don't leak, but instead have issues with either extra digits showing up, scrambled digits (typically a loose connection), fading, or no LCD display at all. The F5 is like the F3, in that sometimes the LCD will just disappear either partially or completely in the viewfinder. I haven't seen any leakage on that LCD, but, have on the top and back LCDs. Not enough experience with the F6, plus it, like the F100, uses negative LCD displays in the finder.

 

[CMoore]

Does the F3 have an LCD.?
It just dawns on me...I own one but have never Used/Had Film In it.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Yup.

See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/94852107@N04/26416508212/in/pool-vintagenikonpr0n

-J

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Maybe time to get a CR 1/3N battery, install that, and load up a roll. I typically use mine in A mode, since it, like the waistlevel and sportsfinder equipped F4, doesn't really have a good meter readout.

-J