Nikon F4s

[unohuu]

I have had both...I sold the N90s because it didn't feel as complete a camera as the F4s. The N90s felt more solid than any camera I had before I switched to Nikon (a fleet of Minolta Maxxums, 7, 800si, etc) but the F4s was the Nikon recommended to me. I loved the balanced weight and the solid feel. When I bought the two F100s, I actually sold this one too, but the buyer couldn't get it to work (it looks like hell and I was glad to get it back) and now I keep it just for grabbing with a 50mm and a 55mm micro. I love the matrix metering with the F4. Hands down it is a wonderful camera. I will have it until there is no more film.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Hear Hear, I'll keep mine for as long as it works and can be fixed. Then I'll pile it over in the corner to sit like those unused droids in Star Wars.

As an aside, my above mod can be shortcut, using a replacement flare shroud from a donor lens of the same F stop.

 

[brian steinberger]

Get an F100, it's cheaper (nowadays) and have F5's innards. Want bulk, get the vertical grip, too heavy? take it off...

Agreed. I have an F4s, but found the autofucus way to antiquated. Got a great deal on an F100 on ebay and love it! I'm still keeping my F4 though...

 

[Don Dudenbostel]

I shot 2 F4's professionally for quite a few years before going to F5's. I totally wore them out from the inside out but only after shooting some 10,000 rolls of film through each (estimate). During the time they were only at NPS a couple of times for meter calibration and a checkup. Excellent cameras! Loved the F5's and had a couple of F100's for backup but liked the F5's better. I shoot less 35mm now but still have a couple of Leica M's and my trusty F2 and FTN Nikkormat. For basic features in a mechanical camera my favorite 35mm slr of all time is the F2.

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

I still use an F4S for some of my work, though mostly I am a 4x5 shooter commercially. Another pro I know use to have a few N90 bodies, so I tried them out, but never really liked the command dials, nor the cheaper plastic feeling of the body. If most of what you shoot is autofocus and programmed exposure, then a N90 body will be more useful to you than an F4S. I only manually focus, and even though mostly Aperture priority, I like being able to see the camera settings without turning on the camera. I also have the waist level viewfinder for my F4S, and use that.

I would say an F5 is the more modern replacement for the F4, much more so than the N90 series. Another choice might be the F100, if you want something more compact, or an F6, if you have the cash to put out for one. An F4 really is a very good manual focus body that does everything, and sometimes is good for autofocus.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Yeah, I agree, the ability to see and adjust camera settings with power off or down is a great point. I like being able to pre-set my manual shutter speed settings, then use it in A at my preferred F-stop, then when needing it shifting by feel to manual. For careful exposing pro's like myself that need a very fast and even more importantly Flexible body, F4 is it. I noticed on the F6 that the metering switch is built with a very tough to change button/dial. Even though I seldom shift it, and even more seldom have it shift on me, the F4's more rapid metering switch works better when working quickly.

 

[nsouto]

Been using mine for years now.

It was originally a F4s. A change of backs to MF23 and grip to the smaller MB20 has transformed it into something much more practical and lighter. Also use a P focusing screen. Don't know what model that makes it in Nikon-parlance, but it's one heck of a package. Got the original F4s for a song in epay.

Haven't yet found a modern camera that is as compatible with my AI-s, AF/AF-D and other third party lenses! Yes, the af can be a bit slow: wouldn't know, when I need "fast focus" I just pre-focus and shoot when it's in-range. Simple, works every time.

I've also got a FE2, F2AS and F100. The F4 is still my first choice 50% of the time, it does everything smoothly and without fuss. The F2As is a close second - I just love its viewfinder and meter, the FE2 gets next slot - small and light when needed - the F100 is last: it's too "automagic" for my taste... Set to manual mode it's a fantastic camera, though.

There is also a very old F - my first slr - I keep for sentimental reasons, or when I need absolute focus accuracy: for some reason it's still the most accurate viewfinder I've seen, with a 55/3.5 micro it's the sharpest gear in my arsenal. Go figure?

 

[Shelley-Ann]

I've used both an F90x (N90s) and an F4s. I really love using manual focus lenses, so I enjoyed using the F4s more. Also, I got it at Henry's Ebay store for a crazily cheap price (much cheaper than the going rate of an F100). My only complaint? it is really heavy. If I want to keep my load light, I use the FE, but I prefer the results I get with the F4s. I never use it in autofocus, though.

 

[Joe Grodis]

I and I'm sure many others would consider the Nikon F4 the sexiest camera ever made. I currently own 22 35mm cameras and my 2 favorites are the Nikon F4 and F5. I still really can't say which I like best. The Nikon F4 is a wonderful camera and I do plan on buying at least one more.

-Joe

 

[John_Nikon_F]

The F4 I would consider more of an upgrade to the N8008/8008s, since it was designed around the same time the 8008 was designed. AF is slower than the N90, and some of the special features that the N90 has aren't on the F4, like the FP flash synch, distance calculations in TTL flash, etc. The F4 is built better, though. LCD bleed is a common problem. Out of the five F4's I've owned, three have had LCD bleed issues. One was major, but was only in the DP-20 prism, so I was able to change the prism out for a good one. The other two had bleed in both the DP-20 LCD and in the body LCD. My current body is one of those two. Doesn't have much, but it's there. I'd recommend getting one with the MB-20 battery grip, instead of the MB-21. Run the Energizer lithiums in it for a speed increase, and for a lighter camera.

I have discovered that the F4 can be stored uncocked. Fire the shutter on "T", turn off the camera, then move the shutter speed dial to a different setting. The mirror won't drop back down, but the shutter will close without cocking and advancing to the next frame. To awaken the camera, turn it on, then depress the shutter release. It'll advance the film and the mirror will drop down.

-J