Need help picking a Nikon SLR

quixotic · Jan 18, 2017

It'll be strictly for a PC-Nikkor 28mm f4 lens, since I already have a bunch of m-mount lens and adapters for a Sony a7s that I use for non-perspective control shots.

The lens is manual, so I guess I won't need an auto-focus body (though I wouldn't balk at one, either).
I'll shoot a lot on a tripod at small apertures, so options for 2, 4 and 8 second shots on the shutter speed dial would be nice.
a bubble level would be great.
ability to change ground glass to a gridded glass would be great.
a lot of dim interiors, so a nice bright viewfinder would be a must
some sort of metering would be a must

Any suggestions?

Thanks very much in advance.

Evan

pthornto · Jan 18, 2017

F4. It has all the dials you need to make tripod operation easy and a good meter with options for the viewfinder. If you like mechanical cameras the f2 will do timed exposures via the self timer up to 10 seconds (or about that!).

Sirius Glass · Jan 18, 2017

I like the F100. More advanced than the F4 and lighter than the F5. Some do not like the plastic door, but I have not had a problem with it.

rthollenbeck · Jan 18, 2017

I'm sure an F3 can be had at a pretty right kind if price.

Or an FA and a whole list of older manual tanks.

chip j · Jan 18, 2017

You don't get 100% viewfinder accuracy w/anything other than a top Nikon PRO model.

frank · Jan 18, 2017

Nikon F, F2, F3, F4, F5, or F6.

F4 is the sweet spot, IMO.

quixotic · Jan 18, 2017

Thanks folks. I forgot to mention that weight would be a bit of an issue. So the F3 has an advantage there.

quixotic · Jan 18, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I like the F100. More advanced than the F4 and lighter than the F5. Some do not like the plastic door, but I have not had a problem with it.

Thanks SG. It's only about 100 gms heavier than the F3, so that's good. Any idea which might have the brighter viewfinder?

quixotic · Jan 18, 2017

Another thing I forgot to mention is mirror lock-up...preferably without going through a series of menu choices.

jimjm · Jan 18, 2017

If you're using a PC lens, you'll want a body with 100% finder coverage like chip mentioned, and also replaceable focusing screens.

Any of the pro-level F bodies will work, but with the F3, F4 or F5 you can exchange finders and retain metering capability. If you find yourself needing to use a waist-level finder for any reason, this would be a big plus. The F3 finder is pretty bright - get the HP finder if you wear glasses. I think the F4 finder might have been a bit brighter (sold mine a few years ago), the metering display is very good and easy to see in dim light. Never tried the F5, but if it's like my F100 then it's really good also.

I think you can find a shoe-mount bubble level, and most tripod heads also have one built-in.

rthollenbeck · Jan 18, 2017

If your not familiar with the FA, you should at least look into it.

I personally would prefer an F3 but the FA is more advanced in many ways, weights less, and can be purchased at very low prices.

jimjm · Jan 18, 2017

All of the F bodies have mirror lock-up via lever.

quixotic · Jan 18, 2017

I guess I'm leaning towards an F3, since it's a sturdy pro model, but doesn't weigh as much as the later variants.

frank · Jan 18, 2017

Fine choice.

quixotic · Jan 19, 2017

I know I could use a bubble level attached to the hot shoe, but would any of the later models have some kind of levelling feedback visible through the viewfinder?

darkosaric · Jan 19, 2017

Evan, where are you located? If you are nearby Hamburg - I can borrow you my F3 for a day, so that you can test it. I have also original F, you can't go wrong with any of the flag pro models.

Paul Howell · Jan 19, 2017

If you plan on shooting in light rain or mist you might want to think about the F3P, or press, has a built in hot shoe on the finder, weather sealed, not as advanced as the F4 or 5 but better than none.

MultiFormat Shooter · Jan 19, 2017

quixotic said:
...would any of the later models have some kind of leveling feedback visible through the viewfinder?

Unfortunately, no, you'd have to use a bubble level on the hotshoe or tripod.

JimCee · Jan 19, 2017

quixotic said:
I guess I'm leaning towards an F3, since it's a sturdy pro model, but doesn't weigh as much as the later variants.

The Nikon F3, either a F3HP with its "High-Eyepoint DE-3" viewfinder or the original F3 model with the "DE-2 standard viewfinder" would be good choices. You'll probably want to get a Type E viewfinder focusing screen with its etched horizontal and vertical lines. This viewfinder focusing screen would be useful with the lens you intend to use. As other comment has indicated you will not be able to get a focus reference in the screen which displays the level. The Nikon F3, by the way, has one of the largest and brightest screens around (in my opinion, and I own an F3HP, an FE as well as one of those evil "digital" Nikon cameras...!).

Jim

kcham16 · Jan 19, 2017

you won't go wrong with a nice F3- as mentioned above, there are multiple focusing screens, viewfinders, etc. that make this thing not only tough, rugged, fun to use, but also very adaptable to almost any style of shooting. In addition, I think Nikon will be coming out with a really nice digital in July (for their 100th) that the F3 would make a nice addition to.

Alan W · Jan 19, 2017

An FM2n will never let you down.Simple meter,light camera and shutter speeds work whether the batteries are dead or alive.

narsuitus · Jan 19, 2017

I have used my 28mm f/4 PC lens on the Nikon F, F2, F3, F4, N70, and EM. My personal favorite with the 28mm PC is the F4. However, my camera of choice for interior architectural is my 4x5 inch large format monorail viewfinder.

I rarely use the N70 and EM for interior architectural because neither has 100% viewfinder accuracy, interchangeable view screens, interchangeable view finders, or mirror lockup.

I have a grid screen for the F2 but not the F4.

I attach a bubble spirit level to the F4 hot shoe but do not with the F2 because the F2 does not have a standard hot shoe.

The F4 is a heavy camera but it is a lot lighter than my 4x5.

The main reason I prefer the F4 to the others is the built-in viewfinder illumination. I also like having 1-second, 2-second, 4-second, Bulb, and Time settings on the shutter speed dial.

Nikon 28mm f/4 perspective control by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Ap507b · Jan 19, 2017

Adding an AS-4 to a non P F3 will allow you to use a hot shoe spirit level.

RichardJack · Jan 19, 2017

Hi,
I agree with those who said the FA or F3. The F3 will allow you to use the 6x high magnification finder that will give you a beautiful view of your composition. Was that the 28 f4 PC on Ebay a few weeks back? I was watching it but went for the 24mm 3.5 PC-E.
best of luck,
Rick

destroya · Jan 19, 2017

the f3 would be a great choice but as it has no hot or even cold shoe, placing a bubble level there requires another piece. the F4 would be the other equally best option as both have many focusing screens, but the f3 has much cheaper ones. still looking for a split prism focusing screen for my f4 that costs less than a whole body

Need help picking a Nikon SLR

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