Is the Nikon F4 good for anything?

[Eric Rose]

Another thread to ignore.

 

[rrusso]

<puts troll suit on>

Actually, the Nikon Df has even better compatibility. With its external and traditional controls, it is essentially a digital F4.

Well, almost....

Top shutter speed of 1/4000, mirror lock-up is part of the shutter release mode dial, only one sd card slot...

They did include a non-ai tab on the lens mount, and the files I've seen are very nice, but it's apparent that Nikon wasn't interested in making a full-on pro digital F4 (they do have a business to run, after all).

Ok, useless post over.

<takes troll suit off>

 

[Scott Micciche]

The F3 has the motor too and the F4 and F3 motor have the same fps. (provided NiCd is used in the F3 MD-4). Back in the old days, I always use my F3 with the motor drive. Today I feel good that I can remove it when I don't want it.

As an external motor drive, yes. The F4 has an advance built-in whereas the F3 is an optional drive.

 

[Cholentpot]

As an external motor drive, yes. The F4 has an advance built-in whereas the F3 is an optional drive.

But the F3's motor drive sounds so amazing.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

But the F3's motor drive sounds so amazing.

You should hear a 553ELX.

 

[Chan Tran]

But the F3's motor drive sounds so amazing.

Do you use the MN-2 battery pack in your MD-4? If you do you will notice that the F3/MD-4 combo sounds more like the F4. It only sound so amazing if you use AA batteries and it's slower but sounds AMAZING!.

 

[xtolsniffer]

The F4 is a wonderful thing. I use mine for macro photography so having mirror lock-up is a useful feature. You get spot, cw and matrix metering with non-chipped lenses, a real cable release thread, lovely informative viewfinder. It is heavy though. In the F4s incarnation it feels great in the hand, but it's hefty. The F3 is much lighter but the viewfinder is not as informative and you have easier access to more manual focussing screen types. The F100 has better autofocus but no aperture indication in the viewfinder for non-chipped lenses and no mirror lock-up. I eventually found an MB-20 battery pack that reduces the bulk my my F4. Even very good conditions F4s can be had for very little money these days, though for best value the F90 takes some beating. I got a free one because it was attached to the 28-70 AFD I wanted and the seller didn't have a rear lens cap for the lens so threw in the body for nothing!

 

[Cholentpot]

Do you use the MN-2 battery pack in your MD-4? If you do you will notice that the F3/MD-4 combo sounds more like the F4. It only sound so amazing if you use AA batteries and it's slower but sounds AMAZING!.

Cheap half dead AA's. Even nicer is my T50 though. Sounds like the film is tearing each time I take a shot.

 

[fstop]

I like the motor on my F-2, on high the mirror flapping sounds like an ornithopter on amphetamines.
I don't like the F-4 on up because if I'm going to move into auto focus, I'm going to take it right to digital.

 

[Cholentpot]

I like the motor on my F-2, on high the mirror flapping sounds like an ornithopter on amphetamines.
I don't like the F-4 on up because if I'm going to move into auto focus, I'm going to take it right to digital.

I'm pretty near sighted. I have nothing against nailing my focus.

 

[Huss]

..though for best value the F90 takes some beating. I got a free one because it was attached to the 28-70 AFD I wanted and the seller didn't have a rear lens cap for the lens so threw in the body for nothing!

I'll trade you a rear lens cap for your F90. Actually I'll give you two and ignore the fact I'm getting ripped off.

 

[fstop]

I'm pretty near sighted. I have nothing against nailing my focus.

I like that vague impressionistic feel you get with fuzzy out of focus pics, NOT. I can still focus pretty well (knock wood) I just feel if you are going the technology route why not take it to the ultimate step.

 

[Ai Print]

I just feel if you are going the technology route why not take it to the ultimate step.

Right, well...not everyone feels or thinks that way so why not just live and let live regarding what tools or features people choose to make a priority?

 

[Cholentpot]

I like that vague impressionistic feel you get with fuzzy out of focus pics, NOT. I can still focus pretty well (knock wood) I just feel if you are going the technology route why not take it to the ultimate step.

I agree with you to a point but sometimes I just want to nail some Tmax100 wide open at 1.4,8. For all my trying I've not been able to replicate the look of 35mm b&w on digital. I also like having bells and whistles on my camera. Aaaaaand I can't afford a full frame digital. I can't get that nice DOF on a crop camera.

So that leaves me with a electospeedy AF monster camera that takes expensive batteries and can blow through a roll in 6 seconds. It also allows me to keep the same lenses for all my systems. And they're dirt dirt cheap. An EOS camera will cost near nothing but allow me to have every single tip and trick that a $3,000 DSLR has.

 

[Huss]

I just feel if you are going the technology route why not take it to the ultimate step.

Digital is a different medium so it is not the ultimate step. It is a different step.
"Ultimate technology" in film SLRs would be something like a Nikon F6

 

[fstop]

I'm not saying others have to follow my approach. I just followed Nikons progression. When you want to buy a new Nikon, you buy a DSLR. Full frame of course.If you are already at auto focus and auto exposure its a natural progression.

 

[Berri]

Some like it some don't. None can say it's a bad camera. I own two bodies and love them. It does anything you need to take gorgeous pictures, if your pictures looks like cr.p it's not F4's fault! if you need to use lenses with VR capabilities then you have to look at the more recent bodies like f100 or f5 and f6. Compared to the F100 you have mirror lock up, 100% view finder/frame, a much better back wich doesn't allow dust in, interchangeable focusing screen, removable viewfinder. In my opinion the F3 is similar but without motorized functions. All nikon cameras are good at what they are designed for; taking pictures.

 

[Jeff Bradford]

I've had the F1, F3HP with MD4, F4E, FM with MD12, FE2 with MD12, and a couple F90's. I love my F4 with a K screen and MB20.

 

[Ai Print]

This guy does some nice work with F4's using Tri-X, guess they are good for something after all....

http://michaelcrouser.com/

 

[Chan Tran]

Got the F4s since last Sunday. I have a hard time holding it. The strap ring keeps biting my palm. The camera wants to slip out of my right hand. If I hold it with my left hand then it's OK but what the big grip is for? Only to hold battery?

 

[rrusso]

How is the strap ring digging into your palm? How are you holding it?

Having a hard time picturing that...do you mean when your holding it in portrait orientation?

I usually cradle the lens and my palm is pretty much on the front of the camera.

 

[Chan Tran]

How is the strap ring digging into your palm? How are you holding it?

Having a hard time picturing that...do you mean when your holding it in portrait orientation?

I usually cradle the lens and my palm is pretty much on the front of the camera.

I do have to cradle the lens and support all the weight with my left hand then it's OK but then my question what the grip is for? Just a place to put batteries?

 

[BMbikerider]

The F4 in my personal view is the best Nikon SLR since they manufactured the the F2a. I have had several of each over the years and found them both superb instruments. I now have a F6. Whilst it is up to date and still manufactured (just) it does not have quite the same kudos as the other two. Yes it is almost foolproof and utterly reliable but it hasn't the same 'feel' as the other two. (especially the F2a)

 

[rrusso]

...but then my question what the grip is for? Just a place to put batteries?

Same as the vertical grip for any other camera...easier access to shutter, af, etc.

 

[Huss]

Got the F4s since last Sunday. I have a hard time holding it. ... The camera wants to slip out of my right hand.

One reason why I got rid of mine after just a short period of ownership. The slippery bar of soap grip, combined with the heavy weight did not work for me. Terrible ergos. Replaced it with an F100 which is much better to hold.