Nikon F4s odd problem

Astintyme · Jan 18, 2016

Hello all:
I have a Nikon F4s that looks virtually new and functioned perfectly up to a month or so ago. I have been working on a new book and decided I needed to use only film images and wanted to use all my film cameras to shoot them. I expected to use the F4s the most because it is my favorite 35mm SLR.
The problem is this: When I turn on the F4s, it will instantly focus, all the functions work and it takes the photo. Immediately after I release the shutter button, it no longer will focus and the shutter button does not work. The power remains on, but nothing works. I tried manual focus as well as auto focus, I've tried different lenses and this problem occurs with each one.
I have cleaned all the contacts on the lenses and on the body: lens mount, battery chambers, viewfinder contacts, etc.
The F4s always works the first time I turn it on, and then this problem occurs.
I have not found anything on the Internet about this problem and I am hoping some very experience Nikon F4s photographer may be able to help me here.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 18, 2016

Welcome!

Have you changed the batteries?
Has the red light on top panel come up after the first shot?

Sirius Glass · Jan 18, 2016

Welcome to APUG

Astintyme · Jan 18, 2016

Thanks.

The batteries are fresh alkaline. The red exposure compensation light appears in the viewfinder after a shot. I have reset the exposure compensation dial to "0." The red indicator still appears in the viewfinder. Is that the red light you mean?

Thanks for your help.

Sirius Glass · Jan 18, 2016

I do not have a F4, but the F100 has all kinds of setting relating to when it focuses. The F100 focuses when the shutter release is depressed half way. Check the user's manual. If you do not have one, you can get it at http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon.htm [he does this as a hobby and a service, so if you find a download useful, please send him $3].

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 18, 2016

No, it isn't.
It is on the top plate left side, just next to the rewind knob.
You would see and notice it as it flashes to indicate malfunction.
I suggest you to read the manual cover to cover a few times in order to familiarize yourself entirely with your camera.
Manual is available at Butkus.org as usual.

Try this: no lens, no film, ISO on 400, Manual mode, sutter at 1/250 or higher and Ch for the drive.
Try a few bursts.
Does it take more than 1 shot?

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 18, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
I do not have a F4, but the F100 has all kinds of setting relating to when it focuses. The F100 focuses when the shutter release is depressed half way. Check the user's manual. If you do not have one, you can get it at http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon.htm [he does this as a hobby and a service, so if you find a download useful, please send him $3].

A F4 is very different to a F100.
There are no CF to blind you.
The F4 always do AF with the shutter half depressed.

Astintyme · Jan 18, 2016

OK, it's time for me to feel really stupid.

I had just put new, fresh batteries in the F4s a week ago. I thought the problem with the camera was some complex oddity, so I tried everything else. Just because you mentioned it, I thought, well, it can't hurt to try different batteries... I opened a fresh pack of batteries and, well, as I said, I feel pretty stupid.

So thank you all. I am sorry for wasting your time.

Sirius Glass · Jan 18, 2016

We have all Bin Thar Dun Dat. Do not feel badly. After all that is why we are so highly paid to serve you.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 18, 2016

Yeap, the lack of the typical red alert was puzzling me.
Like any camera past 10 years, keep using it is better for its health than leaving it for months or years untouched.
A camera that looks as new after 20 years is as likely to have problems as much as one that looks well used.

Chan Tran · Jan 18, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
Yeap, the lack of the typical red alert was puzzling me.
Like any camera past 10 years, keep using it is better for its health than leaving it for months or years untouched.
A camera that looks as new after 20 years is as likely to have problems as much as one that looks well used.

Is the shutter release button stuck down to the first stop?

Theo Sulphate · Jan 18, 2016

Astintyme said:
OK, it's time for me to feel really stupid.

I had just put new, fresh batteries in the F4s a week ago. I thought the problem with the camera was some complex oddity, so I tried everything else. Just because you mentioned it, I thought, well, it can't hurt to try different batteries... I opened a fresh pack of batteries and, well, as I said, I feel pretty stupid.

So thank you all. I am sorry for wasting your time.

Yeah - after being off, the old batteries just had enough power for the first shot. The problem with Nikon's two-LED battery check is that it's not testing the batteries under load. You'll find the same issue with the MD-4 drive sometimes: both LED's lit but not enough power to make the camera or drive function.

shutterfinger · Jan 18, 2016

I bought a F4s new in 1991. I was relying on the battery check when idle and it started pausing between frames. I asked at the store where I bought it and they suggested sending it to Nikon for a check up under warranty. I came back about a week later with a note to change the batteries. Solved the problem.
A few years ago ( 4 or 5 ) I was scanning craigs list and there was a Nikon F4s for free. The listing said it started stalling between exposures and the batteries were good. I responded stating I would gladly take it off his hands but explained it probably only needed new batteries. I got a reply thanking me for the tip about the batteries and that he was going to keep the camera. About a year later a bad batch of Duracells ruptured and damaged the battery grip on mine. The batteries had been fine less than a month before. I found a cosmetically worn MB21 0n ebay to replace my pristine one. I no longer leave batteries in it more than a week when its idle.
Turn the camera on, depress the shutter button half way then press the battery check button while the electronics are active, not as much load as a motor but more accurate than when the body is inactive. The battery check lights will go off with fresh batteries when the wind motor runs and come back on when the wind function stops. This is normal operation due to the load the motor places on the batteries.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 19, 2016

Chan Tran said:
Is the shutter release button stuck down to the first stop?

Chan,
There's no problem with anyone's camera.
You need to read the thread properly from the beginning.

I was just referring that a camera, any camera might get problems from lack of use.

cabrito · Jan 21, 2016

nikon f4 tossing its goddamn cookies!

hi i have a nikon f4 film camera. when i put film in it, i can take one photo then it seems to get stuck and won't advance to the next frame. does that mean that the take up spool is broken? or is there a button that releases the film? when i set the different shooting modes without film it works perfectly and the shutter fires normally. what could it be? i read the manual front and back but it doesn't say anything about troubleshooting.
please help me find a solution for this.
thanks !!

cabrito · Jan 21, 2016

hi,
i seem to be having the same problem with the camera. i tried what you suggested to the gentleman and it takes more than now shot with no lens no film and on all the different shooting modes. i need to test it with film and a lens because i haven't yet, but what do you think the problem would be beside the battery problem?
thanks ricardo

Sirius Glass · Jan 21, 2016

First of all welcome to APUG.

I do not own a Nikon F4, but I would recommend replacing the batteries would be a good test and provide more information for the F4 experts.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 21, 2016

2 words: lack of use.
Clean as best you can and do it a few times the back compartment where film goes.
Use a small blower, not a canned one, and go around the take up spool.
Use a very soft brush and place the camera with lens throat upwards, hold it in the air so you can work on the underside of it and clean the rails, film compartment and take-up spool very gently.
Any debris should fall down on your table.

The F4 doesn't work properly with a film and you'll need to set the ISO to a number, not to DX.
Good luck!

fotch · Jan 21, 2016

Hello Astintyme and welcome to APUG.
[h=2][/h]

John_Nikon_F · Jan 21, 2016

Astintyme said:
OK, it's time for me to feel really stupid.

I had just put new, fresh batteries in the F4s a week ago. I thought the problem with the camera was some complex oddity, so I tried everything else. Just because you mentioned it, I thought, well, it can't hurt to try different batteries... I opened a fresh pack of batteries and, well, as I said, I feel pretty stupid.

So thank you all. I am sorry for wasting your time.

BTDTGTTS with my old F4E.

Except, in my case, I noticed that things were shutting off as soon as I'd take a photo. Essentially, it was acting like an FE2 without a motor drive. Take a shot, shutter fires, mirror drops back down. But, no advance. When lithium AA batteries die, it goes from normal function to almost completely dead like a switch being turned off. Grabbed six good batteries, popped them in, and it started working again.

-J

cabrito · Jan 22, 2016

Thanks for the rapid answers. i started the cleaning process. i put film in it but the red light comes on on the lever to the left. it stays on for about 5 seconds then goes off and it rewound the film after trying to take more photos. the batteries are new but then again the lack of use might be the problem. i will keep on cleaning it and using it until i get it to work properly. any other advices on how can i make it work?
thanks a lot for your help.

shutterfinger · Jan 22, 2016

The F4 uses tension sensing to know when the end of roll has been reached. When loading film once the film advances to frame 1 turn the manual rewind lever in the direction of the arrow until tension is reached. Loose film in the cassette can bind causing the camera sensor for rewind to activate.

I would use canned air to blow out the film chambers. Hold the canned air steady while moving the camera. Use in short bursts. The back of the F4 is easy to remove making the debris removal easier.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 22, 2016

While it's true that the F4 uses tension to sense the end of the roll, rewinding is not automatic: both the R1 and R2 levers need to be turned to activate motorized rewind.

If the camera is turning on the red LED and doing an automatic rewind after a few shots, I suspect the switch or sensors are faulty.

ronnies · Jan 22, 2016

If you have the film speed dial set to DX and there are no DX contacts on the cassette (or no film in the camera) it will flash that red light at you. Does it work if you set the film speed manually?

Ronnie

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 22, 2016

I have already said the ISO should be left in a number not on DX.
I assume he has done that.

I've had a Nikon F80 that has a very different transport system doing an automated rewind or just stop after a few shots.
It was lack of use and dirt under the take-up spool.

Cabrito
Use an old film if you can or sacrifice a roll and use it to practice and test cameras.
Put it through the camera a few times, rewind it, pull the leader out, use it again.
But, a CLA by a reputable repairer would be the best.

Nikon F4s odd problem

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