Nikon F100 vs. F5

Hi, I used to be a member of photo.net, but lost my password so I

re-registered.

Anyway, I tried to submit this post earlier, so I apologize if this

is a double post. I have been considering whether to get an F5 or

F100. I'm selling some of my other film cameras in order to

consolidate everything. I currently shoot with an FM2n and an N80. I

never warmed up to the N80 mainly due to the way it feels in my hand

and the build quality. I was wondering whether I would notice a

significant difference if I bought an F100(used) or if I would have to

go to an F5 to feel that I've got a very durable camera. I've never

had a problem with the N80, but I just need better build for peace of

mind, especially since I also shoot with an FM2, which has great build

quality in my opinion. Thanks for any info.

 

Clay

If you don't mind the additional weight, the F5 is unsurpassed. (Unless it is the F6.)

This comes up about every other week. The F100 feels about as solid as the F5, and much

more solid than the N80. I have F100s and FE/FMs and would never think of buying a F5,

because of its size and weight. There are other people that prefer the F5. I psersonally

think that you should handle both before buying one or the other.

I have the F5, F100, & N80. As you probably know the N80 is a very light body which can be great for traveling. The F100 feels nearly as strong and robust as the F5 but without the extra bulk and weight. I would say that the F100 provides the optimal balance and handling for most situations. So when do I use my F5? When I need mirror lockup or when I am shooting with long telephoto lenses such as my 80-200mm f/2.8 ED lens. That is when the F5's built-in vertical shutter release and extra heft will benefit you. If you don't need mirror lockup, you could do nearly as well with the F100 & MB-15 battery grip. If you end up buying the F100, I don't think you will find the build quality disappointing unless you like to hammer nails with your camera.

Hard to beat a mint used F100 for around $450-500 these days. Unless you REALLY need the extra stability/durability/size/weight of the F5. I would easily go with a F100 as an allround film SLR.

As Calvin said the F5 is better for telephoto. there is another reason not mentioned yet: the F100+grip mounted on a tripod is not as solid as the F5. The joint between the body and the grip is somewhat flexible. So like Calvin I prefer the F5 for use on a tripod. Of course one can always mount the F100 directly to the tripod. The simple solution: have both :-P Never before could you buy such high quality at such low prices.

The F5 has the 1005 pixel RGB matrix colour metering which is also found on the D70.Also it has a 100% coverage viewfinder.

 

Since you can get a used F5 for a similiar price as a used F100 why not get one?

 

It is a top of the range camera - just like the F2 is better than an FM.

I doubt that you can easily find a used F100 and a used F5 at the same price AND at the same condition. Used F5's should cost considerably more. If they are at the same price, most likely the F5 is in a much worse condition.

 

Moreover, one doesn't always want the extra weight and bulk of an F5. I have one each and when I go hiking, I used to bring the F100 instead of the F5.

 

I cannot predict how you would feel with either camera. If you really want to know, you should try them out yourself. If you have some really important shoots and want the peace of mind, bring 1 or even 2 backup cameras. Even an F5 can be dropped and broken. I have been shooing Nikon for 28 years and have had 8 different bodies. The only one that is ever completely broken and not functional is an F4.

The F100 is not as solidly built as the F5. First off it has a

plastic back that is not sealed. The F100 doesnt have quite

as good a viewfinder for manual focus. The F100 doesnt

allow stop-down metering via the DOF preview button or have

mirror lockup. It does not allow release priority with AF-S (single

servo focus) or focus priority with AF-C (continuous servo focus).

The lack of release priority with AF-S had implications for flash

photography in very low light. The F5 has all of these and more.

Its clearly the more capable camera.<br>

<br>

The F100s primary advantage is its weight. My F100 weighs

861g with a 1 nylon strap and four AA lithium batteries. My

F5 weighs 1344g with a 1 nylon strap and eight AA lithium

batteries. That 4g more than a Nikon F3 with MD-4 and 40g less

then the Nikon F3HP with MD-4, both of these with a 1 nylon

strap and eight AA lithium batteries.<br>

<br>

I see little purpose in adding a MB-15 to the F100 as it takes

the primary advantage of the F100 away which is its light weight.

The F100 has the ruby red indicators for the AF focus points.

This is a much more useful feature than the imitation found in

the N80s finder. Once the red light goes out its

harder to see the AF points than the F5s under dim

conditions.<br>

<br>

The F100 is far superior to the N80 in build and performance.

Make no mistake there is much more to the F5 than speed and

durability. The weight of the F5 is not as bad as may would have

you believe but it does weight 483g more than an F100.<br>

<br>

My advice check out the spec sheets Ill attach to see which

features you think you will use. If you need the additional

features of the F5 then buy it. If not then buy the F100. I you

sometimes need one or the other buy both. That was my solution.<br>

<br>

Best,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

Here is the spec sheet for the F5...

Here is the spec sheet for the F100...

Like the others, the answer is both!

 

F100's red AF indicators are really nice. It feels almost as solid as the F5 and considerably moreso than the N80. Viewfinder is a big improvement but not quite 100%. MB15 probably isn't very helpful other than the vertical release. Batteries, especially NIMH will last a long time.

 

F5's vertical shutter release is a big help, VF is a little better and also 100%. It's also removeable so you can add accessory finders. I don't have any of the other finders, but sometimes still take the VF off and use it like the waist level finder on a Hasselblad. Sure, you can get a waist level finder for the F5 but as few times as I use it I just use my hand to shield stray light - good enough for me.

 

They're two different cameras. For low light, it's a toss up. The F5's brighter finder is easier to manually focus with, but the AF indicators are very hard to see (use the arrows on the outside of the frame). Other than that, if you don't use long glass and want to travel light, the F100 would be a good choice.

F6 if you can afford it

 

Otherwise F100

I own both the f100 and the f5 and I think Dave has covered my impressions

of the two cameras strengths, the build quality of the f5 is much superior to the

F-100 with the plastic rewind fork and plastic flimsy back, again its all about

how much weight you can deal with, the f5 I have found allows me to steady

my shots much more than the F100, I paid $725.00 for a mint, F5 with five rolls

threw it, life is good, and either one is a fantastic camera, dont buy till you try

both.

Thanks everyone for the informative responses. I'm leaning strongly now towards an F100 because I believe the build will be up to the FM2 standard if not better.(Am I right on this?) plus even though I can get an F5 at a great price now, there's still about $300 difference between an F100 and F5, so that difference could go a good ways towards new glass. Thanks again, do you think $450 is a good price for an F100 that has only been used slightly, no marks at all on camera?

I think that you will really like the F100. I also have an FM2n and a couple of F2's. All

(including the F100) are solid cameras and can take a lot of abuse.

 

Have fun!

>do you think $450 is a good price for an F100 that has only been used slightly, no marks

at all on camera?

 

Sounds good to me. Over here (UK) a nice F100 costs about 400 UKP (about $850!)

The cheapest I have seen a F100 was for 215GBP(!) -if I can remember right- in the London issue of Loot.I have an F90 and a Dynax 5 which serve my current purposes well enough - hence I did not inquire about it.

"I'm leaning strongly now towards an F100 because I believe the build will be up to the FM2 standard if not better.(Am I right on this?)"

 

Hard to say, it's two totally different worlds. It's probably as tough as an FM2 though. F100's do have a plastic rewind fork, but how many people have broken them? I guess there was a problem with the first ones off the line, but I don't know anyone personally who has had a problem with this.

 

"plus even though I can get an F5 at a great price now, there's still about $300 difference between an F100 and F5, so that difference could go a good ways towards new glass."

 

Good point! Good glass holds it's value better than 35mm bodies (or especially DSLR's) and is always a good thing to have.

 

"do you think $450 is a good price for an F100 that has only been used slightly, no marks at all on camera?"

 

Sure. I bought mine new for $1k 3-4 years ago and used ones at that time were between 8-900. Maybe they'll continue to come down, but I think the price of F5's will come down quicker. Pretty soon they'll be the same price. There are a ton of used F5's out there right now. Many F5 shooters are switching to F6's if they're still using 35mm.

F100 is good enuff and can do any job that the F5 does. It is lighter, but doesn't feel cheaper. Go with f100 and get 28-702.8afs and that would be very heavy on your shoulder.

 

goood luck.

F5 F5 F5 --- the best-est camera in the whole world...built like a tank, it never ever fails. Heck, you can use old nikon 'manual' lenses and get metering! If you need something for the long haul, go for this and dont look back....

<br>NN

All of the bodies in question (F5, F100, F6) provide metering with manual lenses. The F6 even matrix meters.

The F5s finder is a notch above the F100 in focus ease,

bite, contrast and/or acutance. Id dearly love the F100 to

equal the F5 but it doesnt.<br>

<br>

Here is a link to a recent discussion of the F5 v. F100. There

are links to spec sheets for the F5 and F100...<br>

<br>

<a

href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00C4f1"

target="_new"><u>http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00C4f1</u></a>

<br>

<br>

I would rather have the features and performance of the F5 all

the time but I dont always want the weight and presence

of the F5. At a sporting event it wouldnt make much

difference but in some locations the F5 says Im expensive.

In others it draws attention when you want to be the fly on the

wall and in others its the weight on the trial.<br>

<br>

If the CR123A batteries can be bought cheaply in bulk then Id

prefer the F6 over the F100. The F5 v. F6 would depend on whether

I want to use the DW-31, 6x high magnification finder or not.

Again Im guessing because Ive never seen an F6 in the

magnesium.<br>

<br>

Regards,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.