Would you buy an F4 if you only use MF lenses?

maso-arts · Jan 5, 2013

I've shot with my F4s for years, and it is the favorite of any camera I have ever used. It rarely sees any AF lenses (occasionally the 80-200ED 2.8), 90% of the time it's ai or ais. The viewfinder is 100%, big and bright. I have a half dozen or so different screens, and this past summer treated myself to a DA-20 prism ( LN w/original box, packaging and papers- $250).

F4s w/DA-20 and Nikkor 180 2.8ED ais

agphotography · Jan 5, 2013

Cool guys thank you all so much for the ideas and information. I'm definitely getting one of the two in the next month or two. Someone made a good point to me that the FM2 should be fine in my hands because I get along fine with my Hexar AF. I'm still kind of torn between them but I have to consider the fact I'd have to track down a focusing screen for the F4 if I go that route. Can anyone 100% confirm that a K screen from an F3 will work properly in the F4?

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 5, 2013

agphotography said:
Can anyone 100% confirm that a K screen from an F3 will work properly in the F4?

This page discusses this in one of the sidebars. Does not seem like it to me.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/screens/index.htm

BobD · Jan 7, 2013

I think the F4 is a wonderful camera but it's so big & heavy for a 35mm. There are lighter medium format cameras.

flatulent1 · Jan 7, 2013

BobD said:
I think the F4 is a wonderful camera but it's so big & heavy for a 35mm. There are lighter medium format cameras.

It makes a great defensive weapon.

PKM-25 · Jan 7, 2013

Throughout my career, I bought brand new and used the heck out of the F3HP, F4S and F5 and out of all of them I loved the F4S the most as it indeed did matrix metering with AIS glass and paired with an SB-25 was just fantastic for flash. I also loved the controls and manual film rewind option. It also did fairly well with AF-S lenses.

At one time I had two, one was a huge F4E and I even had an underwater housing for it, stellar camera, but I hardly shoot 35mm anymore.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 7, 2013

rich815 said:
This page discusses this in one of the sidebars. Does not seem like it to me.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/screens/index.htm

Rich,
sorry, but I can't see on that page where it says you can't use F3 screens on the F4. It refers F4 screens on a F3 and F5 screens on the F4. If you would like to quote the sentence/s that refer to the F3 screens, I would appreciate that.
I never used any other screen on my F4s as I never needed them, but I remember to read elsewhere that you need to remove the F3 screen from its mount and use a F4 mount to be able to use them.

Christiaan Phleger · Jan 7, 2013

Rich, I've discussed (spouted, nay, hollered even) about the F3 screens in F4 bodies. It can be done ONLY if you dismantle the F3 screen from the frame and place it As Is into the empty F4 screen frame. Its the imperceptible differences in the frames that Will cause focus errors. BUT IMO unless you absolute need a screen that you either can't find or something that wasn't offered (the H series) its best to stick with the F4 screens. The Red Dot F3 screens use nearly the same if not the exact screen material preparation so the brightness is the same or nearly so. The Non-Red Dot F3 screens are noticeably less bright, but do have a nice contrast. Its my understanding that Nikon changed to the Red Dot design to Upgrade the F3 during the mid to late 1980's as the F4 and N8008 came out with the improved screens. Both the F3 and F4 have screens that are the same designations except the F4 does not have the H series, again its my understanding that the Matrix metering (using the DP-20) had problems with the full microprism surface. Pity tho', the H series was my Secret Weapon to sharp low light sports photos in the 80's and 90's at the newspaper I worked at. Now I must have 25 screens for the F3 and F4! The B, the J and the U get the most use.

dreamingartemis · Jan 8, 2013

kreeger said:
Owned one a year ago. Wanted to always have one. Ultimately it is way to heavy for my taste, wish it weighed 1/2 of what it does. Sold it to another happy Nikon guy.

Did the same thing, got an F6 instead to replace my old F4

agphotography · Jan 8, 2013

Hmm ok so of I go the f4 route I won't bother trying to adapt an F3 screen.

Separate question: 55mm f/2.8 AIS, worthwhile?

PKM-25 · Jan 8, 2013

agphotography said:
Separate question: 55mm f/2.8 AIS, worthwhile?

Yes, nice and sharp, light, smooth focus and often a great deal used but not as sharp as the 60 Micro which unlike the 55, focuses as close as 1:1 without an extension tube. The 55 will need a PK-13 to get to 1:1, otherwise it is a respectable 1:2.

agphotography · Jan 8, 2013

I don't care too much about 1:1 macro to be honest, closer focusing would be nice though and I've heard that its a pretty good performer.

Well anyways everyone, again thank you all for chiming in and offering opinions, you were all really helpful and totally answered my questions. I like the idea of the F4, the features that it offers and how darn sturdy it seems to be, but the more I think about it, it may be "more camera" than I am looking for right now, and I mean that only in a physical dimension and noise sense. Personally I don't think I'd mind the weight, but I imagine a camera like that would hardly be discreet for shooting on the street (not that it would be the only environment I'd shoot in, and not to mention I have other equipment better suited to the task).

I think I'm going to give some serious thought to the FM2n, but when the day comes that I'm ready to buy, we'll see, I may still wind up with an F4 only time will tell.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 8, 2013

Ricardo Miranda said:
Rich,
sorry, but I can't see on that page where it says you can't use F3 screens on the F4. It refers F4 screens on a F3 and F5 screens on the F4. If you would like to quote the sentence/s that refer to the F3 screens, I would appreciate that.
I never used any other screen on my F4s as I never needed them, but I remember to read elsewhere that you need to remove the F3 screen from its mount and use a F4 mount to be able to use them.

You're right. Sorry.

Ricardo Miranda · Jan 8, 2013

You're ok, Rich!

agphotography · Jan 8, 2013

Everytime I see something on KEH for a good price and I don't buy it right then and there it disappears. (F4 w/ MB-20 - Gone. 55mm f/2.8 - Gone.)

Still have time to think and search.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 10, 2013

agphotography said:
Everytime I see something on KEH for a good price and I don't buy it right then and there it disappears. (F4 w/ MB-20 - Gone. 55mm f/2.8 - Gone.)

Still have time to think and search.

Know that feeling. Was on KEH a couple months ago. Added a 135/2.8 Contax lens I'd be considering for a long time to my Cart, then went to see about maybe adding a hood or perhaps some cheap used focusing screens for my F2 to piggyback on the shipping. Found a few more minor items and then went to check out: the 135 lens no longer available! Argh!

Leighgion · Jan 15, 2013

The Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 AIS Micro is excellent. I love mine.

The F4, excellent rep aside, does seem like a bit much for this scenario. None of Nikon's pro film SLRs fall into what I'd call "discreet." My F100 is probably the trimmest and it's just as big as my DSLRs. For general urban use, I prefer my FE2.

agphotography · Jan 15, 2013

Agreed, thanks to all the wonderful tips and advice on the pages of this thread I got some great answers and have decided to shop for an FM2n later this month (in a week or two). I may get an F4 down the road someday, but I'll likely be set with the F3 and FM2n for many years.

agphotography · Jan 20, 2013

Fm2n on the way thanks again guys.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 20, 2013

agphotography said:
Fm2n on the way thanks again guys.

Terrific! Enjoy!

agphotography · Jan 24, 2013

*Sigh* just not my luck of the draw with KEH lately, don't know what's going on. First my 105 and now the FM2n.

Seems to work just fine, but there's a nice fat dent in the prism which wasn't described in the listing. I guess as long as it works...

Boy I sure got spoiled by the film advance on the F3 though, the FM2 is nowhere near as smooth. BTW mine came with the Titanium shutter blades, anything to worry about?

ksa66 · Jan 25, 2013

Buy whatewer yuo need. Think of the images yuo will get whith that camera.
Yuo people here act the same as the mass in digitalfoto. Yuo discus cameras and what used cameras to buy next. No better than to discus the latest dslr.
Just my thinking dont take it personal.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 25, 2013

ksa66 said:
Buy whatewer yuo need. Think of the images yuo will get whith that camera.
Yuo people here act the same as the mass in digitalfoto. Yuo discus cameras and what used cameras to buy next. No better than to discus the latest dslr.
Just my thinking dont take it personal.

Comparing two quite different, older and discontinued, cameras, (one auto-focus and the top of the line professional, while the other manual-focus and fully-manual in operations), and with quite different feel, weight and features is nothing like discussing one DSLR to the immediate next generation one with minor updates.

one90guy · Jan 25, 2013

The only camera I have sold and regretted to this day. When money is available I will replace it.

agphotography · Jan 26, 2013

one90guy said:
The only camera I have sold and regretted to this day. When money is available I will replace it.

Which one? The F4?

I'd still like to try one out someday to see how it handles, but I went out to do some shooting with the FM2 today and it handled just fine.

Would you buy an F4 if you only use MF lenses?

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