Nikon F5's are selling real cheap

[markbarendt]

But I don't autofocus.

Yet.

 

[Johnkpap]

I now have a AF lens for my $150 F5.....

I bought a 24-50mm D lens at the Swap meet It is in good condition and the AF feature
on my F5 is VERY VERY fast.

Can anyone suggest any other AF lenses I should look at buying that sell for under $200.00, also which Speed light works best with the F5?

I also have read in the manual that the camera can be modified to take F series lenses, would by any chance the F3 ring might fit on it?
Can the modified ring be still bought from Nikon?

Johnkpap

 

[John_Nikon_F]

I think Nikon still stocks the parts, but, not sure if Nikon Australia has decided to go the way of Nikon USA and only sell parts to authorized service centers. Supposedly the ring is the same one used to modify F6 bodies. Probably is an F4 ring.

If you want a normal lens, the earlier rubber focus 50/1.8 AF works quite well. The 70-210/4 sometimes can be had for cheap and is a decent lens. SB-26 was what was originally sold for it, but the SB-28 is a little better on an F5 - the SB-26 dates from the F4 era and has the rear curtain sync switch on it, whereas the F5 can do the rear curtain sync mode selection with the later flashes. Probably the best choice would be an SB-800, if you can find one cheap. Works on pretty much ALL Nikon bodies, doing non-TTL auto on manual bodies; regular TTL on the FA, FE2, FG, FM3a, N2000/2020 (also N4004 series), F3 with AS-17 adapter; matrix-balanced TTL on the earlier and lower-end modern film AF bodies, like the F4, N8008, N6006, etc; 3D matrix-balanced on the N90 series, F100, F5; D-TTL on early Nikon D series bodies, and i-TTL on anything F6 or newer.

Right now, I've an SB-600 that needs work, and will be picking up both an SB-17 and an SB-15 for use with my manual focus bodies. The SB-600 will be used on the F4s, F5, and D200.

-J

 

[markbarendt]

The SB80dx works great on the F5

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Yep, that it does... One of my previous F5 bodies... The SB-80DX is the SB-800, minus the i-TTL circuitry. Otherwise, it's pretty much identical.



-J

 

[xtolsniffer]

F5's are cheap, but F100's are cheaper and have almost the same functionality. Mind you, F90's are being given away, I got mine 'free' with a lens!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

F5's are cheap, but F100's are cheaper and have almost the same functionality./QUOTE]

Same AF speed?

 

[micwag2]

I'd like to find a cheap F5. Haven't been fortunate enough yet.

 

[pentaxuser]

I'd like to find a cheap F5. Haven't been fortunate enough yet.

You must live in that part of Eastern Pennsylvania that is part of the U.K. where F5s sell for what our U.S. Apugers want to pay for F6s

pentaxuser

 

[giannisg2004]

Makes sense.
F5s were photojournalist and sports cameras, and those niches are long gone to digital.

For the rest of us, why carry medium format bulk and weight to shoot 35mm?

 

[TheToadMen]

Makes sense.
F5s were photojournalist and sports cameras, and those niches are long gone to digital.

For the rest of us, why carry medium format bulk and weight to shoot 35mm?

Because I like "bulk and weight"?
The F5 is also very nice to hold and handle: no need for an extra grip to give my last two fingers also a resting place.

 

[BradleyK]

Makes sense.
snip... For the rest of us, why carry medium format bulk and weight to shoot 35mm?

I must be a glutton for punishment: I frequently carry two when out shooting. And, on occasions when covering events where I may want (or see potential) shots for my oft-delayed website, I add a D800 to the load. Granted there are times when it is nice/preferable to travel light, but I have never felt that carrying a couple of cameras to be an inconvenience or a burden in any way. Hmm...maybe I am just super-fit...lol!

 

[John_Nikon_F]

I've yet to come across a medium format camera that feels as light as an F5, unless it's a Holga or a folder, etc. Even the Super-size Spotmatic (the Pentax 6x7) feels heavier.

-J

 

[giannisg2004]

Rule 34 I guess, there's an audience for anything.

In 35mm SLRs, I prefer small and compact, like the OM line, or the Pentax MX.

As for light MF systems, the Bronica and Fuji 645 RFs are roughly similar in bulk (to the extent one can compare them) to an F5 (or 1V, etc.).
Of course, they're very different cameras.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

In it's place nothing comes close to the F5. A real 7FPS with the AF to match with that matrix meter it is a tool that will help you get that difficult action shot. I love it for motocross and road racing. It does have an affinity for consuming a roll of film rapidly if you're not paying attention. No MF has the capability to hang in that neighborhood.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^Yup, and with the MN-30 nicads, 8 fps. 7.6 with lithium AA batteries, 7.4 with regular alkalines. Mine typically remains in single shot mode. Don't need to blow through a roll of film like there's no tomorrow in my case.

I do recommend adding a RRS or Kirk QR plate to the bottom. Helps stabilize the camera when it's sitting upright with a fast 50 or a short tele mounted. Currently have my K-type 85/1.8 mounted. With the RRS L-bracket, it sits vertically without problems. Without, it's a little wobbly.

I also just equipped it with a J screen, so I now have a normal manual focusing aid. It's not the L screen that I'd love to have, but it does make focusing easier, even though there is the electronic rangefinder.

-J

 

[NB23]

The F5 is a crazy machine. Couldn't believe the crazy build when I held one. My F6 isn't close to that.

 

[micwag2]

I want one of these behemoths.

 

[vpwphoto]

Yet.

(Remarked on Autofocus)

I reallllyyyy like the F6 finder. And it is a sublime thing with my 105 1.8....

It took me most of a month to use a 36 count roll on TX in my F6.
The "rewind" was so nice. Neat that the crank was there too... I guess I'll try that next time.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

^Yup, and with the MN-30 nicads, 8 fps. 7.6 with lithium AA batteries, 7.4 with regular alkalines. Mine typically remains in single shot mode. Don't need to blow through a roll of film like there's no tomorrow in my case.

I do recommend adding a RRS or Kirk QR plate to the bottom. Helps stabilize the camera when it's sitting upright with a fast 50 or a short tele mounted. Currently have my K-type 85/1.8 mounted. With the RRS L-bracket, it sits vertically without problems. Without, it's a little wobbly.

I also just equipped it with a J screen, so I now have a normal manual focusing aid. It's not the L screen that I'd love to have, but it does make focusing easier, even though there is the electronic rangefinder.

-J

I want an L screen bad but cannot seem to find one. How well does the J work?

I tend to keep mine in S as well. I have used it at full speed a couple times just to see what it was like. DAYUM!!!! You cannot get your finger from the release fast enough. I have the CL slowed down to 3 FPS which is usually sufficient for anything I do.

Been looking for the MN-30 at a reasonable price. Found someone that rebuilds 'em relatively inexpensive. I'd like to see what an honest 8FPS looks like. I have some expired stuff I'd sacrifice to see. Well that and racing season is in session.

I'm still looking for another F5 in as good a shape as my current one at the right time when the cash is available. Maybe even a "beater" F5 that only has 100K clicks left.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

I want an L screen bad but cannot seem to find one. How well does the J work?

I tend to keep mine in S as well. I have used it at full speed a couple times just to see what it was like. DAYUM!!!! You cannot get your finger from the release fast enough. I have the CL slowed down to 3 FPS which is usually sufficient for anything I do.

Been looking for the MN-30 at a reasonable price. Found someone that rebuilds 'em relatively inexpensive. I'd like to see what an honest 8FPS looks like. I have some expired stuff I'd sacrifice to see. Well that and racing season is in session.

I'm still looking for another F5 in as good a shape as my current one at the right time when the cash is available. Maybe even a "beater" F5 that only has 100K clicks left.

It works pretty well. Better than the A or the L for slower lenses, since it just has the microprism spot, like an earlier Nikkormat FTn.

Yep, I found that it was very easy to accidentally fire off two shots when I only wanted one. I do like how the camera sounds a bit like an F3 when it is set to the Cs mode. Shutter and mirror box sound similar.

They do pop up from time to time. Bought a setup for my original F5 for ~$30. Battery pack was fine, as was the charger. Just got it for very little.

Re: a second F5, my old body may still be at Camera Clinic in Shoreline, WA (the one I was selling last summer). If so, you may want to give them a call at 206-367-2440 and get it. They're open 10-2 PDT Tuesday-Saturday.

-J