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

[Les Sarile]

I picked it up for $100 with the PBE2 motor and TC-80N3 remote. I don't mind disclosing it now since I traded it all for a Pentax K 50mm f1.2. . .

 

[agphotography]

OHHHHHHHHH MY GOD.

Ok yeah if I could get a 1V for $100 I'd be all over it. That's a bargain and a half!

 

[Les Sarile]

That's what I said when I saw it posted locally! Even if I had no intention of keeping it, I figure it would be a quick sell or trade!

 

[dehk]

EL2. Look it up.

 

[agphotography]

Hmm, came across an F2A in nice shape for about the same price I was expecting to pay for the F4. I'm not quite ready to buy just yet (later this month) but that had me wondering...

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Hmm, came across an F2A in nice shape for about the same price I was expecting to pay for the F4. I'm not quite ready to buy just yet (later this month) but that had me wondering...

Eh? What was I saying?? It's a sign!

 

[Aja B]

You have an F3. How about a different flavor altogether such as the FM2N? Otherwise I'd need a definitive reason to lug an F4. In fact, make it an F100 instead. But for general shooting?

I shoot a raft of Nikons. My shortlist includes the light, compact and reliable FM2N.

 

[agphotography]

I do like the FM2n & it would probably meet my needs just fine, but there are two things going against it for me.

1) its small size (I have large hands)
2) it's 92% viewfinder coverage (I rather like the 100% coverage in my F3)

 

[SamSpade1941]

I want an F4s or an F4e (mb23?) so badly it kills me but it seems like every time I find one on the net they are gone before I can say I will take it , or I am broke. More often than not as of late I am broke, and I have more pressing things to spend my money on a lot of the time as we are often at the hospital when the spouse is getting chemo. Eventually I hope to get one within my budget. The F4 was the Ferrari of 35mm cameras that I only dreamed about back in the 80's.

 

[mablo]

A new F4s user here. What a magnificent SLR camera it is! I think I'll need the smaller battery grip and definitely the waist level finder.

 

[agphotography]

That's a good point, and Tilt/Shift lenses are on my list, but I would be purchasing Canon's versions

The FM2n threw an interesting wrench into the mix as I kind of like the battery independence aspect of it and 1/4000 shutter speed would be sufficient enough. I also keep hearing that its darn near indestructible, I like that too.

As I mentioned though, I don't think the size / weight of the F4 with the smaller MB-20 grip would be an issue, I'm 6'3" and I've got reasonably large hands, I'm also fairly accustomed to large & heavy cameras. Not that I prefer that, I'm just used to it.

When I had my 1n and 1V I had all of the grip options for them, but I found I definitely preferred the smallest battery grip as the other options just added too much weight. Are the dimensions of the F4 similar to the 1N or 1V?

I guess at this point it's between the F4 and the FM2n, I would need to find a K or P screen for the f4 most likely and the FM2 would just work.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions..

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Buy an FM2n, F4 and F2. Use for 3 months. Sell the two you like least for probably about what you paid.

 

[fotch]

Buy an FM2n, F4 and F2. Use for 3 months. Sell the two you like least for probably about what you paid.

Caution! You may like all of them.

 

[BradleyK]

I personally wouldn't but it's more due to its size than its features. When I first saw one I found it hard to believe that it wasn't medium format and only produced postage stamp sized 35mm negatives.


Steve.

+1. I won an F4S body on ebay sometime back (two years, perhaps); I had bid on a whim, and somehow managed to win the thing (around $100, give or take, if memory serves). From the start, I was impressed with the camera's metering capabilities, viewfinder display (especially its brightness), the built-in diopter adjustments, its multi-mode capabilities (far more than I would ever need, but still impressive) and the quickness of the camera's motor drive (I often shoot wildlife photography). However, I could not get passed the awful ergonomics of the F4S: the thing is big, chunky and awkward. Holding it in my hands, I thought the F4S to be the most gratuitiously oversized piece of 35mm equipment I had ever used. Needless to say, the beast did nor stay in my possession for long: after one roll of film, I gave it away to my sister - also a Nikon shooter. Her reaction was near the same as mine (she shoots with a pair of F3HPs and a D700); one roll and then up on the shelf. A few weeks later while visiting her, she returned the camera with a "thanks, but...". I took the thing back - with more that a little hesitation - stuck it up on the shelf. A month or so later, seeking a new home for the camera, I gave the thing to my nephew (F2A and F3, no digital - a very enlightened 18 year old!) who accepted the thing with more than modicum of hesitation ("soo...this is an F4...thanks..."). While he and I have been out shooting together in Banff at least half a dozen times since I gave him the F4S, the camera has yet to put in an appearance. When asked about it, he told me he keeps the camera as a "spare." Given that he shoots with two of the most reliable cameras ever built, I assume that this particular F4S has been consigned to a lengthy stay in camera purgatory...

 

[agphotography]

Hahaha logically that makes sense, but I don't really have the budget to pull that one off (still saving up for my next Hasselblad lens as well )


Edit: Bradley, what did you find ergonomically awkward about the camera?Would it be remedied by me having larger hands? I am not a fan of uncomfortable cameras, but that's the first I'd really read about the F4 being uncomfortable.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Hahaha logically that makes sense, but I don't really have the budget to pull that one off (still saving up for my next Hasselblad lens as well )


Edit: Bradley, what did you find ergonomically awkward about the camera?Would it be remedied by me having larger hands? I am not a fan of uncomfortable cameras, but that's the first I'd really read about the F4 being uncomfortable.

Well my take on all our comments is that the size seems not a major concern to you then get the F4. Buy at a good price and likely you can sell at little if any loss if you do not like it and get a nice FM2n.

I talk like I'll sell my FM2 but its got great sentimental value (was the first Nikon model I used way back when), its got such an awesome rep, I love using it (even though I now prefer the F3 and F2) but what little I'd get for it these does I might as well just keep it. Plus mine's one of the more uncommon honey-comb titanium shutter models. So I tell myself its rare, don't sell! Ha.

 

[Terry Christian]

I have small hands, and I like my F4S because it's so large I can hold it steady for longer speeds, but I feel like I'm Weegee with a Crown Graphic! Despite the weight and size, though, in feel it's rather comfortable to hold. I think most of the bad-ergonomics talk I'm reading about has to do with its having a button or dial or switch for everything: no menus, no LCD screen on the top like other AF cameras I've seen.

And if it's dark and stormy outside, I can snuggle up with it like it's a teddy bear.

 

[BradleyK]

Two issues, Sir: Firstly, the camera seems a little too wide (I make this remark as some one who grew up using Nikon F2A/F2AS/F3HP cameras); and, Secondly, holding the camera for vertical shooting just feels "odd." Here, I am not sure if it has to do with the particular design of the drive - the long groove in the motor drive itself or, perhaps a disproportionate amount of the cameras weight on its right?

That said, you may well be ok if you are one of those fortunate enough to have been blessed with "big mitts" (I wasn't!). My usual advice to folks considering the F4 is to have a look at the F5 (great build quality, fast drive if/when you need it, multi-mode/multi-metering capabilities, bright and accurate viewfinder, built-in diopter adjustments and possibly the best ergonomics of any 35mm camera to date). The prices, of course, can be somewhat - but not always - higher. Two of my bodies were picked up on ebay for $250 and $292.50 respectively. If you remain ambivalent about a second body, there is, of course the F2 or F3 option (you already showed good judgement in selecting an F3!).

 

[agphotography]

I have shot with an F5 before (borrowed a friends once) and it was highly impressive but it is far more than I'm looking for. The F4 with the small grip is about as big as I'd want to go in all honesty.

I do like small cameras its just that sometimes they are ergonomicaly awkward for me. Even the F3 feels a little small in my hands sometimes.

 

[Terry Christian]

I just measured my F4S to kinda give you an idea of how big it is. It is 6-1/2" wide, 5-1/4" tall including the prism, and 2-1/4" thick at the thickest point, which is the grip.

 

[BradleyK]

I just measured my F4S to kinda give you an idea of how big it is. It is 6-1/2" wide, 5-1/4" tall including the prism, and 2-1/4" thick at the thickest point, which is the grip.

Perhaps more a potential weapon than a photographic tool?

 

[agphotography]

I just measured my F4S to kinda give you an idea of how big it is. It is 6-1/2" wide, 5-1/4" tall including the prism, and 2-1/4" thick at the thickest point, which is the grip.

That doesn't sound too bad. With the MB-20 it'll be practically the same size as my 5DmkIIs. I think I'm at a middle of the road point between the two cameras. I like the sound of both but I suppose I'll buy one and if I don't like it, sell it and buy the other.

 

[Les Sarile]

Actually, there seems to be a very compelling reason to get the F4 to use with older lenses according to Photography in Malaysia F4 review as it states the following.

Lense compatibility issue - the best kept secret
To many old time photographers (and all those cost conscious smart ass photographers .. hehe) - one of the most attractive feature in the F4 is its linkage to bridge two generations as a MF and AF Nikons - as no other Nikon models offers you with such a GREAT system compatibility. It is the ONLY professional grade Nikon that permits your to enjoy Matrix metering with Ai Nikkor lenses - probably well over hundreds of them in different lens types and versions ! Similarly, it is also the sole AF Nikon that permits the use of any non-cpu Nikkor lense while all three metering patterns (spot, matrix, center-weighted) can still be able to retain full functionality, great stuff, huh ?"

 

[EASmithV]

FWIW, the F6 is amazing with MF lenses, it's practically all I use.

 

[Terry Christian]

That doesn't sound too bad. With the MB-20 it'll be practically the same size as my 5DmkIIs.

From Wikipedia:
F4 MB-20 1988 4.0 frame/s 4 AA most compact
F4S MB-21 1988 5.7 frame/s 6 AA vertical shutter release
F4E MB-23 1991 5.7 frame/s 6 AA or Ni-Cd (MN-20) largest pack, vertical shutter release, 250 exposure Bulk Film Multi-Control Back MF-24 terminal

So with the MB-20, it would actually be a bit smaller than the measurements I quoted from my F4S (with MB-21).