f4s? any good!

[skyva]

Hi all. I am thinking of doing a proper course on fotografy, and it seems the lecturers like a film camera. I recently took some great shots of my work xmas party with a d70 and 50mm 1.4 with in built flash. Crapped on a 20d in same light (really dark). It was way too long though, even though it gave great shots. Anyway, with a 50mm 1.4 and a 28-200g I thought a f4s would be useful as a learner.
Wot u think?
I like my d70, and apparently so does everyone else who I shot!
Should I go f4 as a back up or go for somethng more compatible with my beloved d70?
Thanks
from a noob
Skyva

[MattC]

Just a quick question. Does the F4 take "G" lenses - the ones without the aperture ring??? I did a quick check of camera specs - no mention of G lenses so I assume that the F4 has been around a bit longer than those lenses. If not, then the 28-200 may be seriously disadvantaged and it could be worth picking up a 24/2.8 or some "D" midrange zoom.

Cheers

[LostDingo]

F4s is a great camera but you may want to look at a newer model such as a F100 or F5. The cost will still be relatively low and these are great cameras.

[gstark]

Any Nikon body that permits control of the aperture from the body should wear a G series with no major issues: my old F801 takes G lenses, but it's quite slow on the AF.


You'll need to bear in mind that with older bodies you will suffer a performance hit in terms of AF and also in terms of film transport - something we don't need to concern ourselves with when using digicams.

And some cameras will only have manual film transport.

[birddog114]

Any Nikon body that permits control of the aperture from the body should wear a G series with no major issues:

What? G String?

[Antsl]

The F4 is a great camera, I have worn out a couple of them in my time however you will only be able to use it with a G series in the Shutter Priority and Program modes only. Chances are if you are going to do a course you will need to be able to use the camera in Manual mode.

The F100 is the camera type that I am using now and it will work in all modes with the G-series lens, simply because you it has the sub command dial for controlling the aperture. Worth noting is that the F4 has features that the F100 lacks though including mirror lock up, cable release socket (located on the rear of the camera), manual rewind and my favourite ... the removeable prism.

Hope this is a help!

[Dug]

I have an F4 body in good condition I hate to sell an old friend but if it was to go to a good home I would feel better about it.

I have used the F F2 F4 F100 F5 and D70 & D70s I love the F4 it is a solid brick of a camera.

I live in Maroochydore Queensland.

cheers doug

[Digidegs]

The F4 is a great camera. Had mine for a number of years.
Mine is the F4s. Feels great in ones hand, good balance and weight.
Interested?
In Sydney