Trying out an F5

[StepheKoontz]

I have some interesting primes for my newer cameras that I want to try out on film, specifically a 24mm, a 35mm, and a 58mm f1.4G that obviously can't be used on old mechanical bodies. These all have lovely bokeh and I'm hoping will work well with B&W film. I was kinda shocked at how reasonable F5 bodies are, I guess I shouldn't be. Might be fun to try some portrait work with my 85mm f1.4D and my 105mm F2 DC on film too. Having AF does make shooting portraits with fast glass less stressful and easier to interact with the model. I've never used an AF film camera before, I used OM film cameras back then. This should be interesting

 

[Ariston]

Sounds fun! Post some images.

 

[mshchem]

F5 handles like a D3, even D5. Focusing is fast, I've got a 85 1.4 D. Right at home on the F5. I've got a D5. I really like the AF-D lenses. AF-S motors die, VR isn't as needed with digital bodies with native ISO of 100,000.
F5 prices are crazy. I have 2 bodies, 1 I've had forever the other I bought mint for under 400 bucks.

 

[LiamG]

The F5 is my favorite Nikon SLR, so nice to use, capable, but still very simple. I found it really excellent with the 105/2 DC you've got- it's great with all the Af-D screwdriver lenses. The AF system is fairly simple, but it pays to read the manual or some other guide to understand how it works in the various modes, and play with the camera a bit to get a feel for how big the focus points are- I always found that they were slightly larger than indicated in the finder.

Getting used to the somewhat primitive display of the active point can be a trick too- as the LCD just makes the active point a little darker, rather than highlighting it in red. In practice, I would sometimes have issues if I bumped the selector in the back and moved away from the point I wanted, it was hard to tell in the moment which one was active. My solution was just to lock the camera to the center point nearly all the time, and use the focus mode that let the AF system automatically switch points to track- which worked amazing for the action I usually photographed. Just check it out, get a feel for how it works, and hopefully have some fun! I'm going to dig out one of mine and run some rolls through it, too.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... I was kinda shocked at how reasonable F5 bodies are ... Might be fun to try some portrait work with my 85mm f1.4D and my 105mm F2 DC on film too. Having AF does make shooting portraits with fast glass less stressful and easier to interact with the model. ...

Go for it. They're so inexpensive.

I've used the 135/2 AF DC exclusively for model portraits of my young daughter-like friend. An aperture of f/5.6 with the DC ring at R 5.6 is magic for background bokeh.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I love my F5. Nikon had confidence in it and offered a 3 year warranty with it. The $6500 D5 only gets 1 year.

 

[Huss]

I use my Sigma Art lenses on my F6. Fun having that lens tech on film. I also use those lenses on my $8 Nikon N75 so you dont need a high end camera to use them! FYI I cant tell the difference with them whether I use the F6 or N75.

 

[Colin Corneau]

I remember buying an F5 new, back in the day, for full price -- $3500!! It's crazy to see the low prices now, but guess what: it's still the same excellent camera.

 

[monkowa]

Such a beautiful beast of a camera. I just loaded mine with some PX-125 and I've never gotten a bad exposure out of it.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I remember buying an F5 new, back in the day, for full price -- $3500!! It's crazy to see the low prices now, but guess what: it's still the same excellent camera.

Do you still use the Nikon F5? - your SLR shots here are from a Canon 5D.