Mad Nikon F4 prices

xtolsniffer · Jul 24, 2019

I've just had a little peek at current prices for Nikon F4's - I don't need one, I have one and it's great, but for such an amazing camera, compared with the price of an F3 (which is also great), they are just so cheap. Is everyone put off by the LCD leak issue do you think? Is it that common on F4s? They are often cheaper than an F100.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 24, 2019

I have two F4s cameras; both are fine regarding the LCDs. The cameras are bargains today.

Regarding the LCDs, of which there are two (body and finder), be aware of this:

abruzzi said:
If you look through the viewfinder, the LCDs above the frame are on the body as far as I can tell. The LCD below the frame is on the viewfinder. The point being, if the lower LCD is bleeding and unreadable, you can replace the viewfinder, but if the upper LCD is bleeding and unreadable, you need to swap out the camera.

LiamG · Jul 24, 2019

Honestly I think it makes a lot of sense that they're cheaper than an F100, especially if you have mostly autofocus lenses- it's really no contest in terms of usability there. All Nikon SLR prices are low right now, I don't think the F4 is a standout there, I recall them being fairly cheap a decade+ ago, too. They offer more functionality compared to an F3, but I think they're a lot less collectible, for whatever reason- it's rare to see anyone waxing poetic about the f4, and are heavier in any configuration, unless the F3 has an MD4 attached. I have both, but mostly reach for the F3 myself, and if I had to keep one, that's what I'd keep- the F4 AF is too limited to be useful, and it's ideal use case (in my opinion- fast shooting with MF lenses to take advantage of all it's exposure modes, matrix metering, superb finder, and motor drive), isn't something I do much anymore. I don't think their LCD issues are any more common than on the F3, and they don't have the dreaded "sticky rubber" problem that catches up with nearly all F100s, F5s, and D1-3 cameras.

Honestly, right now, with nearly every professional Nikon body extremely cheap, the market is probably a bit saturated for the less popular options. You'll still pay dearly for an F6, FM-3A, or nice FM2n though!

Theo Sulphate · Jul 24, 2019

Ken Rockwell has called the F4 the "Rosetta Stone" of compatibility for Nikon lenses. Indeed. Whereas some Nikon's are too old and some are too new, the F4 is positioned where it does work on everything from pre-AI through G, with some restrictions.

It is the last Nikon pro camera with singly dedicated external controls for all functions.

The weakness is the reliance on numerous electronic subsystems and motors. Like most modern electronic cameras, a failure in just one of these subsystems can render the camera unusable.

Pieter12 · Jul 24, 2019

The F4 was mainly a professional workhorse. Most of what is out there has been used way more than an F100.

Ariston · Jul 24, 2019

When I was looking for an affordable AF film Nikon, pretty much every article I read said that the F4 had inferior focus to even the N90s, so I ended up picking up an N90s for my AF needs. It did have the sticky back problem, but that was so easy to fix that I hesitate to even mention it.

I still consider picking up the F4 sometimes because I prefer dials to buttons. But if it doesn't focus well, it won't really be useful to me. I have plenty of manual focus Nikons with dials.

Sirius Glass · Jul 24, 2019

The F4 came to market before the F100. The F100 has features that I prefer and it is lighter. I do not need cameras to provide me with a physical fitness program. Also I have no need to use a camera to pound nails into 2x4s.

awty · Jul 24, 2019

They are great, I have 3. The last 2 I bought just for the lens they were selling with. I think they devalued the lens as they were cheaper than what the lens sold by itself.
Apart from the size and weight and slow focus, they are an excellent camera. I can hand hold a good 2 stops slower than any other SLR camera I have. I use fp4 at 80 iso no worries.

swchris · Jul 24, 2019

I have F2, F3, and F4 (among other Nikon bodies). The F2 is my all-time favourite 35mm SLR camera, but sometimes I'm picking the F3 or F4. And it seems I'm taking the F4 more often than the F3. Cannot tell why, maybe because of the LED illuminator being quite fiddly on the F3, or the support for AF lenses. But normally I'm only using AF lenses when I'm in P&S mode, not when taking "real" pictures.

If you shop for an F4, check the aperture lever which stops down the lens. That's a weak point. Set the lens to its smallest aperture (16, 22, or 32) and, without film, trigger the camera. Doing that, look into the lens whether it really stops down to the selected aperture. Sometimes the manual stop-down button doesn't work similarily, but sometimes it does work, but exposures don't stop down. So check with triggering an exposure. (I think exposure time doesn't matter, so you could use the "B" setting.) From what I know, the fix is not a big deal (clean up some parts inside the camera), but the camera has to be dismantled to get to the problem area and a fix is therefore rather expensive. I had sent my camera to an official repair center and paid $$$ to get it fixed. Here in Germany I think only the repair center in Berlin still can fix analog Nikon cameras.

chip j · Jul 24, 2019

Does a F4 give you MATRIX metering with MF lenses??

swchris · Jul 24, 2019

Now, if I could find a reasonably priced 250-exposures back for my F4, everything would be fine. The prices on Ebay are inflationary...

LiamG · Jul 24, 2019

chip j said:
Does a F4 give you MATRIX metering with MF lenses??

Yeah it does- it's pretty primitive matrix metering compared to what we got later, but it always did well for me. Makes it quite useful for action work if you're using a MF lens in my opinion. I think the F4 and the FA are the only Nikon bodies that have this particular trick.

CMoore · Jul 24, 2019

In no way am i a Nikon Expert, but.....i thought (at this point) the F4 "suffered" in its lineage.
I have NO experience with the F4 or F5. This is simply the impression i have gotten over the last 4-5 years.
For those wanting a "manual mode" camera, he F3 offers aperture priority and is smaller, and does whatever people want from that type of 35mm SLR.
The F5 offered much faster auto focus and "better" metering. It has remained more desirable for people looking for a more modern film camera.

Huss · Jul 24, 2019

I have an F3P and Ltd but where the F4 is much better is the shutter - 1/8000 and 1/250 (I think) sync - and the much better exposure read out. Also I wonder why so many complain about the AF in the F4. It focuses way quicker and more accurately than my manual focus efforts w my F3 (or any other mf camera).

Chan Tran · Jul 24, 2019

To some people the F4 is their favorite among the F but for me it's the one I like the least.

awty · Jul 24, 2019

Huss said:
I have an F3P and Ltd but where the F4 is much better is the shutter - 1/8000 and 1/250 (I think) sync - and the much better exposure read out. Also I wonder why so many complain about the AF in the F4. It focuses way quicker and more accurately than my manual focus efforts w my F3 (or any other mf camera).

It labors a bit on AF compared with some of the later SLR's and also the focus assist is in an awkward spot on the top right compared with others that have it on the lower line with exposure. The view finder on the f4 is brighter than my f3.

See a lot getting parted out, worth more money in spare parts than complete.

xtolsniffer · Jul 25, 2019

I shouldn't have tempted fate with this post - I've had my F4 for about ten years now, it's been great, last used it a month ago, picked it up this morning and the frame counter is totally obscured by LCD bleed. It's always been stored in the cool and dry, so if it's going to happen it's just going to happen I suppose.

Ste_S · Jul 25, 2019

I think the F4 is great. Possibly more so than any other Nikon camera it's a toolbox with traditional dials that allows me to do anything I want with manual or af glass and manual or auto-exposure along with flash.

Styling is also unique and it certainly shares the Giugiaro DNA of the Golf, Esprit and Delorean. Not to mention the iconic shutter and autowind sound.

The fact that it's the cheapest Fx body is the icing on the cake.

choiliefan · Jul 25, 2019

An F4 with MB-20 battery grip is much more compact and battery-friendly.

narsuitus · Jul 25, 2019

Nikon F4 & F2 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

The Nikon F was my first Nikon SLR. I replaced it with the F2 in 1971.

The Nikon F3 was my first Nikon SLR with auto exposure control. I replaced it with the Nikon F4 when I needed auto exposure control and auto focus. Today, I still use the F2 and F4.

My F2 and F4 both work well for low-light shooting. Both have viewfinders and/or focusing screens that I can remove and replace with whatever I need for low-light shooting. Both have 100% viewfinder accuracy which I find very useful when shooting medical and scientific subjects, flat artwork, and architectural subjects.

When I need to use a built-in light meter, the F4 is my preference because its standard viewfinder has a built-in light that illuminates the viewfinder information.

One problem I have with the illuminated viewfinder in the F4 is that there is no way to turn off the light. When the illuminated viewfinder interferes with my ability to see under very dark conditions (such as when the camera is mounted on a telescope), I prefer to use the F2.

The fast lenses that I usually use for low-light shooting are the Nikon 35mm f/1.4, the Nikon 50 mm f/1.4, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4, the Nikon 135mm f/2, and the Nikon 24mm f/2.

Alan9940 · Jul 25, 2019

I bought my F4 brand new way back and it's still going strong today! I have none of the issues commonly related to this camera. Personally, I like the small rectangle focus target because it enables me to lock focus exactly where I want it, then re-compose for the shot. Using my 35-70/2.8 and 80-200/2.8 autofocus lenses, I've never noticed any issues with obtaining correct focus. Occasionally, I do find it a bit tough to see the focus confirmation light with manual focus lenses, but if I shift my eye just slightly I can see it fine. I, also, have an F2 and I like both cameras equally. I do find the F4 to be more enjoyable to use with the MB-20 grip.

Ste_S · Jul 25, 2019

narsuitus said:
One problem I have with the illuminated viewfinder in the F4 is that there is no way to turn off the light.

You're talking about the LCD illumination, right ? You can turn it off with the switch under the shutter speed dial

destroya · Jul 25, 2019

i replaced the focus screen to a split prism as I prefer manual focus lenses. but I can use AF lenses as well and they perform with no issues. with the small battery pack it is much more portable than with the larger pack, but still for me, a little to large. I shoot 35mm to keep my camera small enough to fit in my cargo shorts/pants pocket and the F4 is too large for that.

the camera itself, for what it is and does, really changed 35mm bodies going forward. built in battery, auto re-wind, auto focus and so on, right up to digital bodies. the F4 was early, and nikon perfected it with the F5 and F100. so the F4 is viewed by some as an early generation AF model. yes the AF is so on some lenses, but at the time it was amazing. so i feel that new film shooter, possibly used to their cameras, are gravitating towards the more modern models and that leaves the F4 on the sidelines. which works for me. I love the F4 but use it less and less as my 35mm shooting wains.my dad bought his cameras new, so the F, F4 and F5 I have are in like new condition with light use. He only put 50 rolls thru his F4 before he got his F5. I try to use it every 4 months or so just to pay honors to it and my dad.

it seems that most film bodies are increasing in price while the F4 is dropping. yesterday on craigslist I saw a good looking F4 for $125, a fair price for a great camera, while he also listed an FA for $250 and an FE-2 for $300. go figure

nbagno · Jul 25, 2019

I've had a F4S with 1.4D lens on CL for weeks. Not a bite, and it's at a pretty good price I thought. $225. Has a little bleed in the viewfinder but maybe with so many other alternatives people just don't want a camera with any issues at all.

Dennis-B · Jul 26, 2019

I own, and use my F4S regularly. While the AF isn't the fastest (or smoothest), it does fine for my uses. I also own the F2 (and some variations), F3HP (x2). the F4S, and F5. I read some time back, that the F4 was the greatest manual focus camera ever built, with AF stuffed in to boot.

I'm fortunate; mine doesn't have any viewfinder LCD bleed (fingers crossed), but I also found another which doesn't have LCD bleed, kept as a spare.

Mad Nikon F4 prices

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