FA meter vs F4 meter?

chip j · Jan 22, 2015

They are both 5-segment, but I read that the FA's was not so hot w/vertical shots or contrasty situations.

chriscrawfordphoto · Jan 22, 2015

I have an F4s, which I bought new 20 years ago. The matrix meter in it has sensors that detect when the camera is vertical or horizontal, and the algorithm takes that into account. Honestly, it doesn't matter though. I found it inconsistant; the tech just wasn't 'there' yet. Many years later, I had a Nikon D70. Its a digital camera, but it incorporated a much more sophisticated meter that was similar to that used in the later Nikon film body, the F6. It was VERY accurate. I haven't shot an F6, but I would guess its matrix meter was at least as good, if not better than that in the D70. The technology was more mature by then.

I used the centerweighted or spot meters in my F4. I knew what I was getting with them. The Matrix meter just didn't do well with many types of scenes.

chip j · Jan 23, 2015

Thank you. I was suspecting that was the case. I have a new N75 whose meter is similar to that of the F6. Ken Rockwell calls it a poor man's F5/F6!

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 23, 2015

I never had a problem with any of my F4s. You just need to remember that it is a 1988 camera.
It is still very consistent.
The FA has not a better meter, but how it exposes the film, it is different. It has a close loop and can correct for aperture differences in exposure.
The F4 has an open loop and can't correct for any tiny differences in the aperture blades.
So, the FA can deliver more consistent exposures.

macfred · Jan 23, 2015

About the Nikon FA - Metering System http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfa/fa5.htm:

RalphLambrecht · Jan 23, 2015

chriscrawfordphoto said:
I have an F4s, which I bought new 20 years ago. The matrix meter in it has sensors that detect when the camera is vertical or horizontal, and the algorithm takes that into account. Honestly, it doesn't matter though. I found it inconsistant; the tech just wasn't 'there' yet. Many years later, I had a Nikon D70. Its a digital camera, but it incorporated a much more sophisticated meter that was similar to that used in the later Nikon film body, the F6. It was VERY accurate. I haven't shot an F6, but I would guess its matrix meter was at least as good, if not better than that in the D70. The technology was more mature by then.

I used the centerweighted or spot meters in my F4. I knew what I was getting with them. The Matrix meter just didn't do well with many types of scenes.

In my experience, Nikon's metering systems are about as good as any system can be.I haven't used anythin else in years.I'd trust it or make minor adjustments in the ISO settingor exposure compensation if I detect a trend.For example ,I set my D700 and 800 to -1/3 EV to protect the highlights.

destroya · Jan 23, 2015

yes the FA doesn't do as well for vertical shots as landscape. but if you do rely on the meter, you learn either how to use the camera to get the results you want or to use center weighted for those shots. with the few test shots i did do with my FA on vertical shots, there was a minute difference between matrix and CW metered shots.

Not sure why, but I still favor the FA over all my other manual focus Nikon's.

chip j · Jan 23, 2015

I shoot mostly verticals lately---I don't plan it that way, it just happens. If I have to use CW, I'll just stick w/my F3.

zanxion72 · Jan 24, 2015

destroya said:
yes the FA doesn't do as well for vertical shots as landscape. but if you do rely on the meter, you learn either how to use the camera to get the results you want or to use center weighted for those shots. with the few test shots i did do with my FA on vertical shots, there was a minute difference between matrix and CW metered shots.

Not sure why, but I still favor the FA over all my other manual focus Nikon's.

The F4 has sensors that get the rotation of the camera and adjust its matrix metering accordingly giving a higher weight to the lower portion of its matrix. The FA does not have that, but I don't think it really matters. I had the F4 and sold it for an FA. I did not regret it at all. Accurate, lightweight, metering with any lens and a pleasure to handle. My only complaint is the lack of exposure lock.

FA meter vs F4 meter?

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