Re: [Leica] OT: Nikon F4

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

One minor addition, the F3 shutter is adjusted in 1/2 stops ( in A priority)
while the F4 shutter is adjusted in 1/3 stops (in A priority and P)

John Collier

> E Nitka wrote:
>> 
>> I think I have sucumb to the charms of a lone used F4 in my local camera
>> emporium.  I just like the way it feels.  I have not given up my R8 but
>> am interested in peoples likes/dislikes with the F4.
> 
>Randy replied
> I've been using Nikon's since '73 and used almost everything but the
> F5.  Here are my opinions of the F4s I had for a couple years and then
> sold.
> 
> Good points:
> 
> 1.  Built like a tank and makes a good weapon.
> 
> 2.  It never failed me.
> 
> 3.  It's controls are user friendly and in the right places, if you're
> used to older cameras and don't like the thumbwheel controls of newer
> cameras.
> 
> 4.  1/250 second flash synchronization, the first Nikon pro camera to
> have it.
> 
> 5.  You can still rewind the film by hand if you want to.
> 
> Bad points:
> 
> 1.  It's too dang heavy for a 35mm SLR.  I learned to loath carrying it.
> 
> 2.  It's AF system is rather slow and the AF sensing area in the finder
> is way too small, causing AF lenses to "hunt" for focus if the tiny
> rectangle isn't on the subject.  Later AF Nikons have selectable size AF
> sensing areas.
> 
> 3.  It's too dang heavy.  The mirror lockup feature is almost
> unnecessary because of the weight.
> 
> 4.  The metering system is good, but obsolete when compared to the N90
> and later cameras.  It cannot make full use of the "D" series AF Nikkor
> lenses which provide focused distance information to the metering
> system.  This capability is of particular advantage with a Nikon SB25 or
> later flash when performing daylight balanced fill-flash.
> 
> 5.  Did I mention that it's too dang heavy?  Trying to lighten it by
> using the smaller battery holder (4-AA) just makes you have to carry
> more extra batteries (excuse me, "cells") in your bag and change them
> more often.
> 
> 6.  Changing batteries (6-AA cells) in the normal F4s configuration is
> akin to fiddling with a "Rubik's Cube".
> 
> 7.  It actually makes a better manual focus camera than AF, but it's
> still too big and heavy.  (I much prefer the F3HP for manual focus.)
> 
>> Any insider tips about what to
>> watch out for and more importantly what would those Nikon folks think are
>> the sentinel lens that are a must either AI or AF.  any thoughts appreciated.
> 
> What to watch out for:  If the used F4 body you are considering does not
> have "US" preceding the serial number, Nikon USA will not work on it at
> all.
> 
> Favorite lenses:
> 
> 1.  AF Nikkor 20/f2.8D (or non-D)
> 
> 2.  Nikkor 24/f2.8 AIS
> 
> 3.  Nikkor 35/f2 AIS
> 
> 4.  Micro Nikkor 55/f2.8 AIS
> 
> 5.  AF Micro Nikkor 60/f2.8D
> 
> 6.  AF Zoom Nikkor 35~70/f2.8D
> 
> 7.  Nikkor 105/f1.8 AIS
> 
> 8.  Nikkor 300/f4.5 EDIF AIS or AF Nikkor 300/f4D.
> 
> Randy Holst
> Boise, Idaho