Workhorse Replacement?

KPtheamateur · Apr 28, 2020

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 · Apr 28, 2020

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 · Apr 28, 2020

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 · Apr 28, 2020

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 · Apr 28, 2020

KPtheamateur · Apr 28, 2020

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 · Apr 28, 2020

KPtheamateur said:
.... 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 · Apr 28, 2020

So better the F801s you know than a smelly F4s?

ChristopherCoy · Apr 28, 2020

KPtheamateur said:
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 · Apr 28, 2020

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

John Bragg · Apr 28, 2020

Paul Howell said:
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 · Apr 28, 2020

KPtheamateur said:
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 · Apr 28, 2020

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 · Apr 28, 2020

Paul Howell said:
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 · Apr 29, 2020

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 · Apr 29, 2020

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 · Apr 29, 2020

KPtheamateur said:
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 · Apr 29, 2020

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 · Apr 29, 2020

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 · May 1, 2020

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 · May 1, 2020

You'll be back.

KPtheamateur · May 1, 2020

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 · May 1, 2020

KPtheamateur said:
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 · May 2, 2020

KPtheamateur said:
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 · May 2, 2020

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.

Workhorse Replacement?

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