So just how tough is a Nikon F5?

EdColorado · Mar 5, 2011

I have a new to me F5 that I'd like to use when out on a motorcycle and I'm concerned about durability issues. I'm thinking of getting a Pelican case of the right size and bolting it to the bikes luggage rack. I'd use fitted foam on the inside to carry the camera a lens or two and a SB-28 flash. I'm concerned about vibration, not just engine vibs but also all the bumping and banging from riding off road. The bike is a KTM 950 Adventure which is a large dual sport, for on and off road, and much, most really of my riding with the camera will be off road. Anybody have any experience beating on an F5 in this manner? I know its supposed to be tough but just how tough?

PhotoJim · Mar 5, 2011

An F5 will certainly fare better than most cameras in this situation, but I've never subjected my F5 to such conditions.

My instinct would be to carry a mechanical body like an F2A/F2AS, personally - that way you don't have to worry about electronics. You do lose some convenience, though.

CGW · Mar 5, 2011

EdColorado said:
I have a new to me F5 that I'd like to use when out on a motorcycle and I'm concerned about durability issues. I'm thinking of getting a Pelican case of the right size and bolting it to the bikes luggage rack. I'd use fitted foam on the inside to carry the camera a lens or two and a SB-28 flash. I'm concerned about vibration, not just engine vibs but also all the bumping and banging from riding off road. The bike is a KTM 950 Adventure which is a large dual sport, for on and off road, and much, most really of my riding with the camera will be off road. Anybody have any experience beating on an F5 in this manner? I know its supposed to be tough but just how tough?

It's an F series camera, always over-engineered and way tougher than anything else in the line. Always baffled by the abiding suspicion that an elderly mechanical camera would outlast a newer electronic model, especially one as nearly bomb-proof as an F5. I've beat the living crap out of several lesser N90s bodies that never so much as blinked. Provided your F5 is tight and snug in its case, there shouldn't be any problems. For me--and despite the F6--the F5 really was the last of the pro Nikon film bodies.

lxdude · Mar 5, 2011

Consider putting it in a tank bag on top of some foam. Besides being more accessible, it will take less direct vertical jarring being away from the same vertical plane as either axle.

EdColorado · Mar 5, 2011

lxdude said:
Consider putting it in a tank bag on top of some foam. Besides being more accessible, it will take less direct vertical jarring being away from the same vertical plane as either axle.

Excellent point lxdude, something I should have thought of myself. Not sure my tank bag is bag enough but I can certainly try it. If it will fit I can just cut a chunk of foam to fit and turn the tank bag into a fitted camera bag.

EdColorado · Mar 5, 2011

PhotoJim said:
An F5 will certainly fare better than most cameras in this situation, but I've never subjected my F5 to such conditions.

My instinct would be to carry a mechanical body like an F2A/F2AS, personally - that way you don't have to worry about electronics. You do lose some convenience, though.

I do have an F2, and I also thought about my early Canon F1 but I value those more due to their age. I also want the speed of the F5 as many of my photos will be of fast moving bikes. I guess I shouldn't be to concerned really as F5s are pretty easy to find but it could get expensive if I have to keep replacing the things.

Colin Corneau · Mar 5, 2011

lxdude said:
Consider putting it in a tank bag on top of some foam. Besides being more accessible, it will take less direct vertical jarring being away from the same vertical plane as either axle.

+1 as well.

Tank bag, foam, then Pelican case..THEN the foam inside.

You should be fine unless you're jumping Snake River canyon or something.

M.A.Longmore · Mar 5, 2011

Colin Corneau said:
+1 as well.

Tank bag, foam, then Pelican case..THEN the foam inside.

You should be fine unless you're jumping Snake River canyon or something.

.
Why would anyone want to jump the Snake River Canyon ?
.

lxdude · Mar 5, 2011

Colin Corneau said:
+1 as well.

Tank bag, foam, then Pelican case..THEN the foam inside.

You should be fine unless you're jumping Snake River canyon or something.

That's a mighty big tank bag!

lxdude · Mar 5, 2011

Ron LarFor4X5 said:
.
Why would anyone want to jump the Snake River Canyon ?
.

Because they're Evel?

Markster · Mar 6, 2011

I'd be more worried about the lenses. Pad the heck out of them as listed above. The camera? Probably could take that for 100 years without blinking from the reputation it has.

Colin Corneau · Mar 6, 2011

lxdude said:
That's a mighty big tank bag!

There are various sizes of Pelican or similar cases...I should have been more clear and said any pack anywhere. I guess a back seat offers a similar amount of vibration as a tank!

The F5 certainly does live up to its lineage far as durability and trustworthiness goes, that's for sure.

TSSPro · Mar 6, 2011

The camera will fare just fine if it holds up as well as mine have- I have abused them to no end. Much film and much abuse have been issued to this camera and it has never stopped working, or given the least bit of issues. Mud, sand, grit, fine dust and being attached to various climbing harnesses (Warning carabiners will break the LCD on the back )

I have even seen some one hammer in a decking nail into a 6x6" piece of lumber with an F5 before- impressive to say the least.

Wishy · Mar 6, 2011

Consider the F90X/N90X if you don't need the extra features of the F5. They're also very tough, but they're much cheaper so if you trash one its not going to belt your wallet so much.

keithwms · Mar 6, 2011

I bet the F5 will hold up perfectly!

dehk · Mar 6, 2011

How tough is the F5? Consider the F5 will be your best bet.

slumry · Mar 6, 2011

IIRC there is a story about Bjorn Rorslett, who used F5s for many years, about breaking through the ice and getting caught under it. The only thing he had was his F5 which he proceeded to use to break though the ice and escape. I believe the camera survived the event just fine. Unfortunately, I cannot find a link to the story.

EdColorado · Mar 6, 2011

Wishy said:
Consider the F90X/N90X if you don't need the extra features of the F5. They're also very tough, but they're much cheaper so if you trash one its not going to belt your wallet so much.

Might not be a bad idea actually. I've never handled an N90 but it looks like it might be worth a try for this use. Its smaller so setting up my tank bag will be easier and it certainly is cheaper. Bargain grade from KEH at $25 is hard to beat. Coupled with a cheap Tamron lens and I could have a good setup for on the bike for a good deal less than $100...hmm...

phirehouse · Mar 7, 2011

how about wearing the F5 in a camera back-pack. that's what i do when i do not carry a passenger. you will then have a great portable set-up for your gear when you arrive at your destination.

EdColorado · Mar 7, 2011

phirehouse said:
how about wearing the F5 in a camera back-pack. that's what i do when i do not carry a passenger. you will then have a great portable set-up for your gear when you arrive at your destination.

I could, and I do have a Camelbak I wear for water (which sometimes also carries the recorder for my VIO helmet cam) but I try to keep things off my back. In the event of a fall hard things on the body can lead to some serious injury. I killed a Ricoh P&S once and it did its best to hurt me too. That was a great little camera, sharp, excellent colors, a nice little lens on it. In the end it broke a couple of my ribs..
I'm hoping that if I fall the water in the Camelbak will help protect my back (along with a good back protector). The F5 though, or an N90 as I'm starting to like that option too, is just more than I want back there. Also, many shots are grabbed in a hurry and I'm liking the tank bag idea for its ease of access.

djacobox372 · Mar 8, 2011

PhotoJim said:
An F5 will certainly fare better than most cameras in this situation, but I've never subjected my F5 to such conditions.

My instinct would be to carry a mechanical body like an F2A/F2AS, personally - that way you don't have to worry about electronics. You do lose some convenience, though.

Heck, an F2as cost as much as an F5 these days.

So just how tough is a Nikon F5?

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