How accurate is the electronic focussing spot on the Nikon F4?

chip j · Jan 23, 2015

I'm just interested in how well it works w/manual-focus lenses. Thanks, Chip.

ruby.monkey · Jan 23, 2015

I always found mine accurate enough to nail focus with a 50mm f/1.2 wide open.

chip j · Jan 23, 2015

That's Impressive!

gone · Jan 24, 2015

A lot depends on the lens you're using, and the distance. You're talking about the focus confirmation light, right? I've personally never gotten bad results using it, but there IS some wiggle room w/ the light, as you can plainly see when you focus the camera. Would you see any difference in the prints? I haven't seen it on any of the Nikons w/ that feature. By the by, an 8008s/801s is about 90% of an F4 for a lot less money, and weighs a lot less too. For $20, it's a HECK of a bargain!

chip j · Jan 24, 2015

Thanks, momus. I'll get a 8008s brochure!

NedL · Jan 24, 2015

Does the 8008s have a focus confirmation light that works with a manual focus lens, like my 50 AI or 24 AIs?
My eyes aren't as good as they used to be and I've been wondering if I should begin to prepare for the inevitable need to use some kind of autofocus.

dynachrome · Jan 24, 2015

For another $5 you can get the later N90S/F90X.

JW PHOTO · Jan 25, 2015

NedL said:
Does the 8008s have a focus confirmation light that works with a manual focus lens, like my 50 AI or 24 AIs?
My eyes aren't as good as they used to be and I've been wondering if I should begin to prepare for the inevitable need to use some kind of autofocus.

I have several Nikon film cameras and two of my tops are the F4s and the 8008s cameras. The 8008s does have "focus confirmation". The only reason I have both the 8008s and the F4s is because they fell into my lap for next to nothing. The total outlay for both cameras was under $75.00, which made it impossible to pass them up. I still do my own B&W darkroom work and bulk-load film, so these cameras do get used. If I didn't have a darkroom I'd be shooting digital only. B.D. (before digital) I used medium format, but for 35mm I used my Nikon FE2 and F2AS. The only camera I have ever shed a tear over when I sold it was that F2AS. It was a fantastic camera and that DP12 finder was the best there was. After getting my F4s with battery pack I have to say it is my new Nikon love. A really, really great camera. Slightly heavy, but worth it's weight in gold. That said, the 8008s is no slouch either. So many good 35mm cameras out there it makes your head spin. John W:crazy:

NedL · Jan 25, 2015

The last time I used an F4 was in 1987. It's kind of hard to believe that was 28 years ago. Like you I bulk load and print here at home. I might start looking at options like the 8008s or N90s for my more blurry-eyed future. Though an F4 would be more familiar. Actually, on my F3 and FM2 I still seem to do pretty well with the "scintillating prism" or whatever it is called around the split... I seem to use that as my focus aid more and more. Thanks!

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 25, 2015

NedL said:
The last time I used an F4 was in 1987. It's kind of hard to believe that was 28 years ago. Like you I bulk load and print here at home. I might start looking at options like the 8008s or N90s for my more blurry-eyed future. Though an F4 would be more familiar. Actually, on my F3 and FM2 I still seem to do pretty well with the "scintillating prism" or whatever it is called around the split... I seem to use that as my focus aid more and more. Thanks!

Ned, a simple Google search for the F-801/S manuals would tell you the AF confirmation light is present on these cameras.
If you used a F4 in 87, then you must have worked for Nikon: the F4 was only presented to the press in late 88.
The F-801/N8008 was introduced early 88 and introduced a host of new features for TTL flash as well as being the first Nikon with an external LCD.
I have a F-801 that has been banged a lot, the external plastic over the LCD is cracked, it makes a lot of noise, has missing screws and a button. But it works great!
The difference about the F-801 and the -801S is the Spot metering. Otherwise they have the same spec.

Chan Tran · Jan 25, 2015

I think the F4 AF is slow and limit to 1 central point. It also likely to hunt but I think it's as accurate if not more than a current camera. I think newer cameras analyze the phase difference and can figure out just how much and in which direction to move the lens. I think a lot of inaccuracy with new cameras because they don't recheck focus after they move the lens in position.

JW PHOTO · Jan 25, 2015

Chan Tran said:
I think the F4 AF is slow and limit to 1 central point. It also likely to hunt but I think it's as accurate if not more than a current camera. I think newer cameras analyze the phase difference and can figure out just how much and in which direction to move the lens. I think a lot of inaccuracy with new cameras because they don't recheck focus after they move the lens in position.

Yes, I never said it was a speed demon in the focus department. My D200 is much better with respect to speed. Heck, my old Fuji S2 Pro is even faster, but I agree that they don't seem anymore accurate than the F4s is. I can get by just fine with the F4s and use both manual focus and auto-focus lenses with no problems.

NedL · Jan 25, 2015

Ricardo Miranda said:
...
If you used a F4 in 87, then you must have worked for Nikon: the F4 was only presented to the press in late 88...

Wow. My dad must have got his hands on a pre-release model, which is possible. I have photographs made with that camera that Summer, and an autofocus lens that took them. I'll ask my dad about that the next time I see him.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 25, 2015

Ned, see this page: http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history-f4/
Yes, it might have been possible. Commercial production started early in June 87. Don't know why it was only put on sale in September 88.
I also read somewhere, or got impression of it, that pre-production models were somewhat different.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 25, 2015

I think the F4 AF is slow and limit to 1 central point. It also likely to hunt but I think it's as accurate if not more than a current camera.

Yes, the AF is a bit on slow side, but it also depend on the lens. Put an AF-S lens and it will be as fast as the lens can be.
Yes, there is only 1 point, which might be a plus for some.
It also is the first Nikon AF with Focus Tracking whit "Lock-on" capability.

NedL · Jan 25, 2015

It was July 1987 and the camera was new. We missed a lot of photographs because the autofocus often missed by a tiny amount. I think the camera was owned by my Dad's lab, which may have purchased it or may have been given a camera by Nikon for testing. Now I'm curious and I'll ask him the next time I see him! I have the lens in my closet, I think it is 35-105mm AF. The last time I looked at the lens, I could see a bunch of tiny oil droplets on the inside of the outermost lens... I have no idea if it can be cleaned or made usable again.

Sirius Glass · Jan 25, 2015

I like the Nikon F-100 better.

chip j · Jan 25, 2015

The plastic back-locking clasps on my F100 broke off--what a piece of shit design!

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 26, 2015

The F90X is a better proposition.

chip j · Jan 26, 2015

Yes, I have a new one of those!

NedL · Apr 6, 2015

NedL said:
It was July 1987 and the camera was new. We missed a lot of photographs because the autofocus often missed by a tiny amount. I think the camera was owned by my Dad's lab, which may have purchased it or may have been given a camera by Nikon for testing. Now I'm curious and I'll ask him the next time I see him! I have the lens in my closet, I think it is 35-105mm AF. The last time I looked at the lens, I could see a bunch of tiny oil droplets on the inside of the outermost lens... I have no idea if it can be cleaned or made usable again.

I remembered to ask my father about this when I saw him on Saturday. Well, my memory was all wrong. I guess the part I remembered correctly was that it as Nikon's first autofocus camera. But the camera we used was an N2020, not an F4. Then he went and found the N2020 and gave it to me, so it's sitting on my desk!

How accurate is the electronic focussing spot on the Nikon F4?

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