I can't leave well enough alone: Nikon F5

markbarendt · Sep 30, 2016

It's not all about the frame rate, although on occasion it's handy.

The auto focus and metering options are a definite step up from the older cameras.

One of the big reasons I choose an F5 was for the matrix balanced fill flash capability. The F100 can do that too but the older cameras you list blockend, aren't near as capable.

Chan Tran · Sep 30, 2016

What is it so big a deal with 8AA? They are cheaper than 2 EPX76. When I have to replace them I burned a lot more money on film and processing.

blockend · Sep 30, 2016

Chan Tran said:
What is it so big a deal with 8AA? They are cheaper than 2 EPX76. When I have to replace them I burned a lot more money on film and processing.

If you don't know what 8 x AA batteries does for the body of a miniature format film camera, nothing I say will change your mind.

MartinCrabtree · Sep 30, 2016

The F5 is nowhere near as narrow focused a piece of equipment as you portray it. Tell of experiences not your prejudices. Don't like it? Don't buy one.

blockend · Sep 30, 2016

markbarendt said:
One of the big reasons I choose an F5 was for the matrix balanced fill flash capability. The F100 can do that too but the older cameras you list blockend, aren't near as capable.

Not as capable of measuring flash? I use flash on old folders, through matrix metered Nikons, to modern m*rrorl*ss cameras. It doesn't require a camera body the size of a small dog to balance flash and ambient light. Begging the question is treating a conclusion as a proposition. If people want an F5 (conclusion) they'll find a reason to buy one (proposition). It doesn't have to be a good reason. I'm talking about a reason to carry an F5 that isn't met by other cameras. The F5 was designed to fire frames quickly with a high focus and exposure hit rate. If someone still requires that, the Nikon F5 is their camera. Realistically such people moved over to D-cameras that gave even higher frame rates, better focus tracking and more sophisticated exposure, leaving film for other duties and different cameras.

markbarendt · Sep 30, 2016

blockend said:
Not as capable of measuring flash? I use flash on old folders, through matrix metered Nikons, to modern m*rrorl*ss cameras. It doesn't require a camera body the size of a small dog to balance flash and ambient light. Begging the question is treating a conclusion as a proposition. If people want an F5 (conclusion) they'll find a reason to buy one (proposition). It doesn't have to be a good reason. I'm talking about a reason to carry an F5 that isn't met by other cameras. The F5 was designed to fire frames quickly with a high focus and exposure hit rate. If someone still requires that, the Nikon F5 is their camera. Realistically such people moved over to D-cameras that gave even higher frame rates, better focus tracking and more sophisticated exposure, leaving film for other duties and different cameras.

Blah, blah, blah. Yeah I can balance flash on older cameras too, I can even use A mode with old cameras and get nice results, but it's more work and takes thought that I'd rather put toward composition and conversation with my subjects. The difference is that the F5 or F100 can do a lot of work for me, very reliably, and that's darn handy.

The vertical grip with buttons to shoot and focus under the appropriate fingers is also darn handy on the F5.

I regularly slide off the prism so I can see what I'm aiming at when shooting from a low camera position.

Just because you don't use these features doesn't mean the rest of us don't.

blockend · Sep 30, 2016

markbarendt said:
Blah, blah, blah..

Pardon me for introducing logic into a Gas driven thread

MartinCrabtree · Sep 30, 2016

Door is that way>>>>>>>

Use it.

Terry Breedlove · Sep 30, 2016

One thing I might add my F100 was a bit unbalanced with the 80-200 f2.8. My D2x which is built very similar to the F5 was much better with that heavy lens. Might be something to think about.

Terry Christian · Sep 30, 2016

The F5 has a bad reputation for being heavy, but in my own humble opinion, if you're used to lugging around a DSLR, the F5 is about the same size and weight. It's probably the camera most Nikon DSLRs are patterned after, actually. Because they're not a particular old model, I'd think that one would find them in better condition on average than other F models.

Theo Sulphate · Sep 30, 2016

The F5 will let you use VR lenses. The F6 will also and, in addition, the F6 will matrix meter with AI lenses (the F5 won't). That may not matter to you.

Of course, the F5 was designed for the professional photographer; the F6 maybe not so much (e.g. can't remove prism).

Having VR might make the F5 worth it to you.

mshchem · Sep 30, 2016

I have 2 F5s have used for at least 14 years. I am a big fella so F-5 fits me perfect, I have F-100s as well, this is what I take on vacation to shoot slides. I like using prime lenses. With my F-5s 2 lenses I use the most are 50 1.4 and 85 1.4. These lenses were contemporary to the F-5 and are magic on the camera. The rechargeable NiMH packs work great and the charger is a real big time charger that allows you to recondition the battery packs , which you DEFINITELY need to do from time to time. I have a couple packs that have been recelled by "The NiCad lady" most of the rechargeable packs have been scrapped, they are hard to come by. If you are paying 10 bucks for a roll of Fujichrome and at least that much to process and mount you can buy a hellva lot of AA cells. To my thinking the F-6 has better autofocus but was clearly intended for changing demographics (more Women professionals) but also to reduce the cost of the camera. By ditching interchangeable finders and using less expensive electronics the F-6 was sustainable until the Digital tsunami hit faster than anyone could have imagined .
I have an 80 to 400 VR lens I picked up cheap, put that thing on the F-5 it looks like you are hoisting a shoulder fired Stinger missile

F-5 with a 50 mm lens, fits me like a glove.
Best Mike

Chan Tran · Sep 30, 2016

blockend said:
If you don't know what 8 x AA batteries does for the body of a miniature format film camera, nothing I say will change your mind.

Of course not I like it because it uses 8 AA instead of 2 button cells.

Craig · Oct 1, 2016

I went from am F4 to an F6, skipping the F5. I liked the different battery packs of the F6, I can make it quite light, yet the frame rate is plenty high enough for me. I thought the AF on the F6 was a big step over the F5, and that was my main reason to buy it. The matrix metering is also improved, but I didn't find it as big a leap as the AF. Matrix on an F4 is quite good, the F6 is better, but not massively so.

Before you buy an F5, I would compare to an F6 and see which suits your needs better.

BMbikerider · Oct 1, 2016

For me I have owned a F4 (several) F6 (current) and a D700 (sold last week). I have never even considered a F5, not because of the weight, but the sheer phyisical bulk with the battery pack permenantly attached. It is just too big (not heavy) to be carried for any distance. I have no doubt that it is a very capable camera, but it isn't one that I would put on my Christmas wish list. It isn't the number of frames per second it can fire, or the up to date flash capability, for me it has to be a fully usable all round tool. I have never used the F6 on motordrive or use flash more than infrequently. My syle of imagery doesn't require it.

Of the others, the D700 with a decent lens, say a 20/35AFD is also a big lump and isn't particularly well balanced. (plus it wasn't a film camera) My F6 with the same lens just suits me perfectly.

In the early 70's, Pentax had a an advertising slogan which ran:- 'Just hold a Pentax'! Well the advertising got it right and the same can be applied to the F6 - a well balanced tool with almost any lens.

blockend · Oct 1, 2016

BMbikerider said:
For me I have owned a F4 (several) F6 (current) and a D700 (sold last week). I have never even considered a F5, not because of the weight, but the sheer phyisical bulk with the battery pack permenantly attached. It is just too big (not heavy) to be carried for any distance. I have no doubt that it is a very capable camera, but it isn't one that I would put on my Christmas wish list. It isn't the number of frames per second it can fire, or the up to date flash capability, for me it has to be a fully usable all round tool. I have never used the F6 on motordrive or use flash more than infrequently. My syle of imagery doesn't require it.

Of the others, the D700 with a decent lens, say a 20/35AFD is also a big lump and isn't particularly well balanced. (plus it wasn't a film camera) My F6 with the same lens just suits me perfectly.

In the early 70's, Pentax had a an advertising slogan which ran:- 'Just hold a Pentax'! Well the advertising got it right and the same can be applied to the F6 - a well balanced tool with almost any lens.

Very well put.

blockend · Oct 1, 2016

Terry Christian said:
The F5 has a bad reputation for being heavy, but in my own humble opinion, if you're used to lugging around a DSLR, the F5 is about the same size and weight.

I agree, people who came to film from full frame DSLRs will find the F5's size and functionality unremarkable. However 1990s SLRs, especially the professional models, were completely out of kilter with 35mm ethos of compactness, and many people thought so at the time. Compare current values of a Nikon F5 with an equivalent rangefinder to see how the 2016 market values each. That doesn't make the F5 a bad camera, but when cheerleading is in full flow witch burning is never far away.

Few people today really require what the F5 offers over the alternatives, but that may not be their reason for buying one.

chuck94022 · Oct 1, 2016

I've collected a few Nikons. I have an F4, F5, and FM3a. (I have a few digi-Nikons as well...) Don't listen to the naysayers. Every one of these cameras is fun in its own way. Regarding the F5, I love that it can rip through a roll of film so fast! It shoots faster than my fastest digi-Nikon (D800). It's heavier, yes - but hey, that's also stability. I like to use it with my massive 200mm f2.8 cannon of a cast iron lens. It doesn't get much heavier than that. I added the MF-28, an absurdly over the top bit of additional capability.

Of course I don't need it. I don't need most of the stuff I own. That's irrelevant. It's an F5, man! It's the pinnacle of pro 35mm film cameras! There are plenty of nice, pristine, amateur-owned F5's around. No need to get an old beater.

The only annoyance to me is the AF-ON button. I'm addicted to AF-ON with my modern DSLRs, but on the F5 the button is just a bit too small. It takes conscious effort to activate it. On newer Nikons, the button is larger and easier to press. With the F5, I usually resort to using my thumbnail, rather than the meat of my thumb to press it.

(If you don't program your more modern cameras to disable auto-focus on the shutter and move it exclusively to the AF-ON button, give it a try. For many it makes a huge difference in focus control.)

megzdad81 · Oct 1, 2016

My F5 worked better than my F2, F3HP, and those plasticky Nikon thingys. It has not caused me to put on as much muscle as the 8x10, and it's the only affordable method for using color slide film. Go for it.

MartinCrabtree · Oct 1, 2016

blockend said:
I agree, people who came to film from full frame DSLRs will find the F5's size and functionality unremarkable. However 1990s SLRs, especially the professional models, were completely out of kilter with 35mm ethos of compactness, and many people thought so at the time. Compare current values of a Nikon F5 with an equivalent rangefinder to see how the 2016 market values each. That doesn't make the F5 a bad camera, but when cheerleading is in full flow witch burning is never far away.

Few people today really require what the F5 offers over the alternatives, but that may not be their reason for buying one.

No dead horse is safe in your neighborhood. I get it. You find certain characteristics of the F5 unsuitable for your use. Again in case you missed it don't buy one. There are those of us who enjoy ours and like to share that with others who agree. So why are you here?

John Bragg · Oct 1, 2016

chuck94022 said:
(If you don't program your more modern cameras to disable auto-focus on the shutter and move it exclusively to the AF-ON button, give it a try. For many it makes a huge difference in focus control.)

Makes a huge difference. You can instantly choose between focus modes simply by using your thumb !

blockend · Oct 1, 2016

MartinCrabtree said:
No dead horse is safe in your neighborhood. I get it. You find certain characteristics of the F5 unsuitable for your use. Again in case you missed it don't buy one. There are those of us who enjoy ours and like to share that with others who agree. So why are you here?

Well that's a slightly more polite contribution than your last, but still comes across as overbearing when I haven't been rude at any point and kept completely on topic. This is a public forum on the merits and disadvantages of cameras, and apart from your own angry responses has been conducted in the spirit of the discussion. Have you considered that you might be investing a 30 year old camera with too much emotion?

Chan Tran · Oct 1, 2016

30 year old? Which camera is that? The F5 is 20 year old.

blockend · Oct 1, 2016

Chan Tran said:
30 year old? Which camera is that? The F5 is 20 year old.

Correct. The point stands. APUG gets more like DPreview with each passing day.

Eric Rose · Oct 1, 2016

I've used an F5 for years and have not found it to be a battery sucking pig. Great camera, but heavy.

I can't leave well enough alone: Nikon F5

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