I can't leave well enough alone: Nikon F5

Clumsy Eddie · Sep 28, 2016

Hello, everybody.

I'm now looking at a Nikon F5 to add a little bit of zip to my collection, which includes a gorgeous Nikon F3 HP. Aside from the weight (which I sneer at), what has been your collective experience with the F5, especially used F5s? Are most of the used ones well-used to the point of being decrepit or can I get one with some life left in it?

Thank you to all who reply.

With best regards,

Stephen

MartinCrabtree · Sep 28, 2016

Mine was purchased on APUG in mint condition. 4 years and many rolls later it still is. It takes awhile to acclimate to the controls but once you're there it's an easy camera to use. And it is a far better camera than I am photographer but that helps me considerably. For sports and other fast moving subjects it's awesome in every sense of the word. I'll likely buy another.

John Bragg · Sep 29, 2016

It is a rock solid camera and in many ways, the pinnacle of Nikon design. I bought mine about 3 years ago and have not used it as much as I should but it is in near mint condition with only a scuff on the bottom rubber from tripod use. It is more camera for the money than I ever dreamt I would be able to own, given its original price when new. There are quite a few good examples around since it came late in the day for many Pros with the switch to digital. What also surprises me is the lack of noise in using it. The shutter is quiet and the wind on inaudible and the mirror so well damped that there is almost zero vibration in use. It uses 8 AA cells but if you invest in a set of Eneloops then running costs are negligable. I would reccomend it as a camera to keep for anyone interested in a true pro spec camera that is reliable and capable of taking heavy use in its stride. Good luck in finding a good used example.

blockend · Sep 29, 2016

John Bragg said:
I bought mine about 3 years ago and have not used it as much as I should

There's probably a reason for that. The F5 is a battery sucking professional lump that performs the same job as much lighter, better handling cameras in 2016. A camera more appreciated than used from a modern perspective, but go for a well-loved amateur model if you must own an F5.

MartinCrabtree · Sep 29, 2016

I've not seen battery usage as a problem. Nonetheless I am seeking out an MH-30 charger and MN-30 battery pack for mine. I don't shoot hundreds of frames a day either.

Paul Howell · Sep 29, 2016

Although not a F5 I did upgrade to a Minolta 9, to really get the best of a pro body I had to buy a few pro level AF lens, it doesn't make much sense to buy a F4 or 5 and use manual focus lens if you have a F3. If you plan of sticking with MF Nikon glass look for F3P which is somewhat weatherized F3 with a build in hot shoe. My other thought is a used F6 which are coming down in price.

frank · Sep 29, 2016

Aside from auto focus (which I don't use) the Nikon F4 was IMO, the pinnacle of Nikon cameras with its traditional controls.

Terry Breedlove · Sep 29, 2016

Can not go wrong with an F100. I have owned two and they are great. Accurate meters and light weight.

frank · Sep 29, 2016

Terry Breedlove said:
Can not go wrong with an F100. I have owned two and they are great. Accurate meters and light weight.

They felt flimsy to me (compared to F/F2/F3/F4.)

Chan Tran · Sep 29, 2016

I don't use my F5 much so it's in like new condition. I bought it new in 2002 and I think I have 2000 shutter actuations the most. I like the F3HP better so I used it much more often than the F5.

blockend · Sep 29, 2016

MartinCrabtree said:
I've not seen battery usage as a problem. Nonetheless I am seeking out an MH-30 charger and MN-30 battery pack for mine. I don't shoot hundreds of frames a day either.

The F5 takes eight (8!) AA batteries, and unlike its predecessors there is no detachable pack-free alternative, it's all integrated power. In a 1990s press scrum that made perfect sense, but subsequent pro cameras opted for single unit rechargeable cells. It isn't for me to say whether carrying that much energy is a practical proposition or not, but having handled a couple of F5s I know I'd be reaching for something lighter once the novelty had worn off. The F4 was the last professional Nikon to take AF and non-AF lenses, and function without a power pack, which makes it a more flexible tool for the majority. None of these things will matter if someone has an F5 shaped craving or a hole in their collection.

k.hendrik · Sep 29, 2016

Well zip & zest you get with this machine! The ultimate camera for weight/speed/handling. I use it mostly with AF 80-200 2.8 ED; this thing is really 'alive' in your hands. What are you guys meaning 'eating batteries'?

blockend · Sep 29, 2016

k.hendrik said:
Well zip & zest you get with this machine! The ultimate camera for weight/speed/handling. I use it mostly with AF 80-200 2.8 ED; then this thing is really 'alive' in your hands. What are you guys meaning 'eating batteries'?

The F5 requires 8 of them. Useful firepower for covering a presidential resignation, overkill for most stuff. Does anyone still use film for the duties the Nikon F5 was designed for?

Terry Breedlove · Sep 29, 2016

frank said:
They felt flimsy to me (compared to F/F2/F3/F4.)

Definitly not as tough as my F3hp but I never had an issue with them. The F100 meter is very much more accurate.

k.hendrik · Sep 29, 2016

I have an F5 shaped craving in my mind & the same hole in my hands and the girls like 'm too! +/- 24 films/one set of 8 rechargeable batteries.

Sirius Glass · Sep 29, 2016

Terry Breedlove said:
Can not go wrong with an F100. I have owned two and they are great. Accurate meters and light weight.

+1

Theo Sulphate · Sep 29, 2016

frank said:
... the Nikon F4 was IMO, the pinnacle of Nikon cameras with its traditional controls.

Totally agree. Every function has its own dedicated external knob, lever, button, or switch.

John Koehrer · Sep 29, 2016

blockend said:
The F5 requires 8 of them. Useful firepower for covering a presidential resignation, overkill for most stuff. Does anyone still use film for the duties the Nikon F5 was designed for?

Gee Whiz! I guess most of us get the point. You don't like the F5.
Dismissing all of your observation/complaints doesn't mean that someone shouldn't
buy one to fit their wants.

John Bragg · Sep 29, 2016

blockend said:
There's probably a reason for that. The F5 is a battery sucking professional lump that performs the same job as much lighter, better handling cameras in 2016. A camera more appreciated than used from a modern perspective, but go for a well-loved amateur model if you must own an F5.

That was not what I meant when I said I havent used it as much as I should. The camera is not particularly heavy on batteries. The extra heft actually helps when using it in low light with slow shutter speed hand held. I have been using it this week and enjoyed it very much. I recently added a 50mm f1.4 af D to my collection just to use with the F5.

Alan W · Sep 29, 2016

The F5 is a wonderful camera and an excellent bargain today.Rarely used examples in good condition are readily found online.For maximum effect use it with an autofocus D lens,my 24mm stays on mine most of the time.Metering is superb,film advance is very quiet.Film rewind is fast.It uses 8 AA batteries-so what!

MartinCrabtree · Sep 29, 2016

The weight doesn't bother me in fact it is reassuring and adds to the balance when a large AF lens is attached. Having 16 inch biceps and 13 inch forearms may contribute to the ease of use.

markbarendt · Sep 29, 2016

The F5 is truly sweet.

Jeff Bradford · Sep 29, 2016

The F5 has eight 1.5V batteries. While not enough current to start your car, it's the same voltage. I would love an F5, but I just don't need that much zippity-doo-dah in a camera. I have a Pentax SF1N for auto-focus and electric winder mayhem, and I still don't shoot frames quickly enough to need all that. My F3 is fast enough for me, but I bought a FE2 anyway, just in case...

Retina49 · Sep 30, 2016

Here's my take on it: I like it, and I recommend it to anybody who wants one. It's more camera than I need, but it's a lot of fun to use. It's a beast--in a good way. The one I picked up from the auction house was gently used. The lens I use on it most often is a 180mm f/2.8 AF. It's well balanced, and feels good in my hands. I have not had trouble with battery life. With the right strap and bag, it's comfortable to carry. It's not a better camera than my FM3A. It's different. If I had the money, I'd like to try all of the other pro film Nikons, F through F4, with the F6 thrown in for good measure.
Good luck, and have fun!

blockend · Sep 30, 2016

John Koehrer said:
Gee Whiz! I guess most of us get the point. You don't like the F5.
Dismissing all of your observation/complaints doesn't mean that someone shouldn't
buy one to fit their wants.

You're creating a straw man. What I'm saying is the F5 is a very focused (sic) camera built to do a particular job at a particular time. Most of what it does well - things like getting through a roll of film in 4 seconds or so - became the job of d*g*t*l cameras. It's a very well built camera, but so are the F, F2, F3 and F4 and they don't require 8 AA cells simply to function. I would imagine it's appeal is mainly to nostalgists who also yearn for autofocus and multi-mode exposure settings, which is pretty niche, or people who think more is more. Of course people should buy what camera they want, I'm saying why other options might be better. It's called discussion.

I always work on the assumption that people want a camera to use, and people who buy professional cameras want to use them a lot. If people buy film cameras to try, or add to a collection, they're not looking for objective information.

I can't leave well enough alone: Nikon F5

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