Workhorse Replacement?

[KPtheamateur]

My 135 workhorse is a much loved and much-abused Nikon F-801s. It's a great and economical camera that does almost everything I need - the only thing missing is a mirror lock-up function for when I do landscapes.

However, like a lot of things that are as old as I am, it's not all it once was. At shutter speeds of over 1/1000 a scratch appears across the film, and the other day the battery compartment fell off so it is now being held together with the amateur photographer's best friend, gaffer tape.

So I need a new workhorse on almost no money. The question is, should I go for another F-801s, which I can afford, or save up for something a bit better? And if something better what should someone who mainly shoots landscape, family portraits and a bit of macro and still life aim to get? Has to be Nikon to go with the glass. Thoughts, comrades?

 

[ChristopherCoy]

If you can take a photo so intuitively with this camera that you don't have to think about it and have worn this body to the point of gaffers tape, and can afford a "new" one, why complicate things by switching to a different model? You'll have to learn how to control an completely new camera with a completely new layout.

 

[cramej]

The next step newer is the F/N80 with the MB-16 grip to use AA batteries. Cheap-ish and plentiful, good metering and decent AF. It has a lower x-sync and top shutter speed than the 801, though.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I'm with Christopher -- you answered the question. You wore this one out, and it does everything you want except mirror lockup -- just get another one.

BTW, if you're shooting longer than 1/2 second, you can always use B and a "black hat" over the lens...

 

[shutterfinger]

F4.

 

[KPtheamateur]

Donald and Christopher make a good case, and the f801s is truly a lovely machine. On the other hand, when disaster strikes it does awaken my GAS, and after all the grass is always greener on next door's lawn...

 

[ChristopherCoy]

.... and after all the grass is always greener on next door's lawn...

That's only cause the neighbor has more bull $H!+ for fertilizer.

 

[KPtheamateur]

So better the F801s you know than a smelly F4s?

 

[ChristopherCoy]

So better the F801s you know than a smelly F4s?

All I can tell you is what I would do if I were in your circumstances. My first digital was a Nikon D90. I wore the hell out of that camera, much like you did. Some of my best photographs ever were taken with that camera. And then I contracted GAS and its only been downhill from there. There has never, ever, been another camera that I have known as intuitively as that D90.

I'm hoping I'll get there with my newly acquired F5, but I have years of shooting it ahead of me before I get back to that point.

 

[Paul Howell]

N90s with battery grip. If you want a real step up F100.

 

[John Bragg]

N90s with battery grip. If you want a real step up F100.

What he said, although be prepared to remove the dreaded sticky back that blights most of these bodies. I have one of each and they are both great in their own ways.

 

[shutterfinger]

So better the F801s you know than a smelly F4s?

I buyed mine new in 1991. So glad I didn't sell myself short by getting a 8008s (F801).
The new smell eventually dissipated but I did not mind it.

 

[awty]

F90x / N90s its a significant step up from the 801, faster auto focus and other things. You don't need the battery grip, I dont use mine. I prefer it to my f4 on most applications.
Unfortunately they seem to be increasing in value, but I still see them for under $100 in good condition.

 

[Ariston]

N90s with battery grip. If you want a real step up F100.

I agree with this, kind of. Since the N90s does some things the F100 doesn't and is a fraction of the cost, I would recommend the N90S.

 

[KPtheamateur]

I was thinking about an F100 or F90x but if I'm changing from a body I know well I would want it to have multiple exposure and mirror lockup and I didn't think either camera had that? Faster autofocus isn't really something I value, it's just a nice extra. I keep looking at the F4s, but bodies in good condition are a bit pricey so it'll be a save-up job.

Also, can the DX reading be overridden on the F100? A nice thing about the F801s is that I can just tell it what ISO the film is and it will meter accordingly...

 

[awty]

F4 is very solid and smooth, dont even need mirror lock up most of the time, but its there if you want. The main aspects I dont like is the weight, which is even worse with the mb-21 and data backs. I prefer the basic model with just 4 batteries and plain back. Also it labors to focus and the focus assist is awkward spot for me.
Its best 35mm camera I have (have three working f4) for using a long lens hand held and or slow exposures, but too big and heavy to run around with.
Make sure you get one without a bleeding LCD panel.
I paid $200 for my first, $100 for the second and $12 for the third, lots of them out there, just need to be patient.

 

[John Bragg]

I was thinking about an F100 or F90x but if I'm changing from a body I know well I would want it to have multiple exposure and mirror lockup and I didn't think either camera had that? Faster autofocus isn't really something I value, it's just a nice extra. I keep looking at the F4s, but bodies in good condition are a bit pricey so it'll be a save-up job.

Also, can the DX reading be overridden on the F100? A nice thing about the F801s is that I can just tell it what ISO the film is and it will meter accordingly...

DX reading easy to override. It is like a Baby F5 and has many custom functions.

 

[shutterfinger]

I took a look at ebay UK and saw this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-F4...393916?hash=item23d598757c:g:HogAAOSwGFVeoiOQ
Not a bad buy but its missing the caps for the PC socket and Motor Drive socket. I would ask the seller for a picture of the body with the back open and the inside of the back before buying. Signs of wear - skip it, clean and smooth without obvious wear buy it IF it fits into your budget.
Yes there are some price gougers/ profiteers listing F4e for more than the F4s. I saw good pricing from Japan and dealers over there can be trusted. I bought a D300 from Japan with free shipping for $150 less than I could get it for here in the States a few months ago and it has a low shutter count. I'm aware you have a VAT tax but I don't know what percent it is. Don't overlook those offerings as a good one with shipping and tax may fit your budget.
Check local stores if possible and put a F4 or N90 in your hands.

 

[John Koehrer]

The N90 was a popular wedding photographer's camera before the F100 came out, I like it because it's not menu driven
but uses easy to read & adjust dials.

 

[KPtheamateur]

Thanks everyone who has weighed in. I've been giving this a lot of careful thought. Having learned photography on Nikon and all my glass being Nikon I didn't want to spend my limited budget on a camera that was an unknown quantity or I'd have to relearn from scratch, and you've all given good cases for different models.

I also didn't want anything that might be unreliable and unpredictable, or turn out to be basically a brick.

So I've bought a FED-2 with a 50mm f/3.5 Industar.

...

...

What?

 

[awty]

You'll be back.

 

[KPtheamateur]

Yes I will! I just decided I could keep using my gaffer taped F801s for a while and have fun with a new toy

 

[Donald Qualls]

I also didn't want anything that might be unreliable and unpredictable, or turn out to be basically a brick.

So I've bought a FED-2 with a 50mm f/3.5 Industar.

Well, I'm glad you got that out of the way. At least you can get good glass for it, fairly cheaply. Soviet M39 glass is often quite good, and usually pretty cheap.

 

[SilverShutter]

Thanks everyone who has weighed in. I've been giving this a lot of careful thought. Having learned photography on Nikon and all my glass being Nikon I didn't want to spend my limited budget on a camera that was an unknown quantity or I'd have to relearn from scratch, and you've all given good cases for different models.

I also didn't want anything that might be unreliable and unpredictable, or turn out to be basically a brick.

So I've bought a FED-2 with a 50mm f/3.5 Industar.

...

...

What?

Quite the switch I'd say.
But I agree with other posts in this thread, upgrading is great if you have the need for specific features, but staying with the same model is also a good idea. When my EOS300 broke I went and bought another one for a fiver, I could have upgraded to a 30 or 30v, but I had grown so used to it that I didn't see the point.

 

[mgb74]

Sure, you could take the easy way out and get another f801 (N8008 in the US), but where's the fun in that? Seriously, I would consider the N90s/F90x. Everything your f801 is and a bit more. At least on this side of the Atlantic they don't sell for much more than the 8008s. Treat yourself.