Talk me out of an F4

shutterfinger

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
5,020
Location
San Jose, Ca.
Format
4x5 Format
I bought my F4s new in March 1991 and don't regret it.
Its big.
Its heavy.
It has lockouts on controls so you cannot accidentally switch to a setting you don't want.
Its battery check lies.
It fits my hands nicely.
It works well with extension tubes.
It has interchangeable finders and screens.
Can be used to fend off would be theifs if needed without fear of damaging it.
You want something newer.
 

awty

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
3,646
Location
Australia
Format
Multi Format
They certainly got there moneys worth out of Guigario, still essential using his design.

They are big and heavy and the meter/focus lock button is a pain to use.
 
Last edited:

vlasta

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2010
Messages
140
Location
Europa
Format
Multi Format
Do it and you will be happy with it !

 
Last edited:

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,818
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
The price of the F4 kept me from owning one back then. I bought the F2AS for $550, The F3HP for $460 but the F4S was selling for $1700. A big jump in price
But to be fair I didn't know what really happened to the economy but cameras prices were going down from the mid 70's to early 80's. But after the mid 80's cameras prices went up a lot.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,369
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Sirius Glass said:
Do not do it. The F100 is more advanced and lighter. Just do not use the F100 to play rugby. GAS is good.
Click to expand...

John M Austin said:
Skip the F4 and go straight to the F5. I did and never regretted it. I sold my F100 which was better than an F4 anyway.
Click to expand...

There it is. Buy the F100. In face with the money you would save, buy two: One for black & white and one for color.
 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format
I like the F4 so much I have two. I have seen ones with leaky LCDs, as well as F3s with leaky LCDs, but neither my F4s nor my F3s have leaky LCDs.
So I wonder why that is, how it happens etc?
 

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
Horatio said:
Probably not, but it looks really cool, especially compared to the F5.
Click to expand...

The F4 is like the 1989 mustang. It bore the mustang name but it was the ugliest mustang of all the mustangs before, or after it.
 

ChristopherCoy

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,599
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
I would skip the F4 and the F100 and get an F5. I have an F100 and an F5 and I recently learned that I cannot use my Helios 44-2 on the F100 as it will not meter. I can however still use the F5 with the Helios and have full meter operability.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,369
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Huss said:
I am just glad no-one mentioned the paper mache camera backs on the F100.
Click to expand...

They are so cheap that you can buy spare ones.
 

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,818
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
Of all the Nikon F's series camera the I like the F4 the least but... I can't talk the OP out of it. He wanted it he had to have it. Trying to talk him out of it would only make him buys it.
 
OP
OP

Horatio

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 13, 2020
Messages
964
Location
South Carolina
Format
Multi Format
Chan Tran said:
Of all the Nikon F's series camera the I like the F4 the least but... I can't talk the OP out of it. He wanted it he had to have it. Trying to talk him out of it would only make him buys it.
Click to expand...

Actually, I haven't bought one. Yet.
 

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,818
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
Horatio said:
Actually, I haven't bought one. Yet.
Click to expand...
A
Yeah but if I try to tell you how bad I think the F4 is, it would make you to buy one immediately.
Any way my 2 cents. Being able to have matrix metering with AI lenses because the matrix metering system on the F4 is a lot primitive compared to that of the F5. Also I think the F4 is the one Nikon that let the Canon took the lead.
 

SchwinnParamount

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
1,774
Location
Tacoma, WA
Format
4x5 Format
Yep. Totally agree. One of the things I like about my f5 is the matrix metering. Another is the brighter viewfinder. Skip F4 and go straight to F5 if you can live with the mode button and the lcd control display. Personally, I don't have a problem with it. I set a mode and leave it that way for pretty much ... ever. I shoot either manual or shutter priority.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…