Nikon film camera body with depth of field preview

<p>An AF zoom lens is difficult to disassemble and reassemble - there are a ton of small parts that are likely to come out, and you're likely to get elements misaligned when trying to reassemble them. It might be repairable, hard to say without knowing exactly what's on them, but... what's the aperture of the lens? I think there's such a thing as a Sigma 70-210 f/2.8, which would be an expensive lens that might be worth having repaired (though I don't know if it was ever made in Nikon AF) but if it's one of the variable aperture consumer models it's certainly cheaper to replace than repair. If it's the f/4-5.6, that's a $40 lens on Keh.com, and if it's the 3.5-4.5 APO macro that's a $115 lens. I can't imagine you can have a decent repair job done for less than that, and if you buy a lens from Keh and there's something wrong with it they're good about returns.</p>

<p>The F6 does have a fixed finder. And if you don't use a battery grip it doesn't shoot 8 frames a second like the F5, and the battery/vertical holding grip isn't included by default, but it does have a newer version of the AF sensor and the meter... Actually, okay, I could type a lot here but there's this web site that you can't name on the Nikon board because the forum software will yell at you, but it's done by a fellow named Ken Rockwell and if you Google his name it will bring you to the site. Normally I wouldn't call it a recommended read because he's quite opinionated and a lot of what he writes isn't very good advice, unless you're a beginner who needs to be talked out of spending way too much on a camera, but if you go to the Camera And Lens Reviews part of his site and click on Nikon, and scroll down to the 35mm Cameras section, he gives pretty exhaustive descriptions of the F5 and F6.</p>

<p>But if you were to consider an F6 I'd recommend also reading up on the F100, because it's much less expensive and many of the F5 features that seem important to you that the F100 doesn't have are also features the F6 doesn't have. </p>

<p>Thanks, I just check at keh and my Sigma Zoom AF 70-210mm F4-5.6 only cost $35.<br>

Can anyone tell me why Nikon F6 cost so much more than Nikon F5 or Canon 1V HS? Even for a used one.<br>

Is Nikon F6 really much better than Canon 1V HS too? <br>

Would anyone please kindly to tell me is there anything Nikon F6 can do Canon 1V HS can't?</p>

 

<p>“John I'm curious. Is t normal to engage mlu and then focus or set other parameters? I always hook up mlu as the last step, having already set exposure and focus. Nonetheless, it seems the F4 has a lot of quirks for use with G lenses, maybe not the best choice for anyone who needs an automatic camera. I must say though, in M mode, I love it:)”</p>

<p>Shawn,</p>

<p>I am not sure what is normal. I just want to make sure that Lee has an idea of how some of the features he asks about either work or not work together.</p>

<p>When I use mirror lock-up, I normally put my camera in manual exposure mode. In manual exposure mode, I can change the shutter speed and/or f/stop with the mirror in the up position.</p>

<p>However, the manual exposure mode on the F4 does not work with the G lens. I do not consider this a quirk of the F4. I consider this a quirk of the G lens.</p>

<p>By the way, as a matter of full disclosure I must say I do not like G lenses and try to avoid them. I do own two G lenses (14-24mm f/2.8 AF FX and 18-55mm f/3.5 to f/5.6 AF DX) but I wish the 14-24mm had an aperture ring so I could use it on my F2.<br>

.</p>

The F6 is the newest pro film camera, most would say it's the best in its size class, it is more desirable to the people who are still buying expensive 35mm cameras new. And something to do with market, I guess. Since so many pros bought F5s then sold them after switching to digital, there are more of them on the used market, or something to that effect. Anyway, those F5's and 1V's aren't exactly cheap - an F5 in good condition costs several hundred dollars, and a 1V isn't even available from Keh and it would cost you close to $1000 to get one on Ebay.

BTW, if you're serious about looking in the F6 price class, might I suggest an upgrade to that telephoto zoom. A Nikkor or Tamron 70-300 VR/VC lens is a lot better than that Sigma.

<p>Nikon F6 is too much for me. May be F5, F4 or even F100. I think for now. Thanks for the recommendation.</p>

<p>Yee, for someone new to film photography, you are asking a lot of questions about things that do not make a huge impact with most photographers, such as MLU. I don't know about others, but I have used MLU very rarely, and if your camera is on a tripod and you use a remote release, it's not a factor for 99% of the images. I see you asking about pricey, pricey cameras and then about really cheap lenses. Put the money into a capable body and buy good glass. Buy an F100 or even an N8008s. A 50mm 1.4 lens, and a reasonable short range zoom and see where that takes you. My favorite is the Nikon 24-120 AF D lens. </p>

<p>F4 or F100 both have DOF buttons. And both will work with G series lenses. However, if you have a lot of these lenses, i would go with the F100. <br>

Unless you have money to burn, in which case go ahead and get yourself an F6.</p>

<p>Hi Yee,<br>

I agree with Mark, I have used Nikon SLRs since 1972 starting with the Nikkormat FT2, F2, also had the 801, 601, F70, F90, FM2 and finally the F5 and maybe used mirror lock up very rarely, no more than 3 times at most and MLU is not an issue 99.999% of the time. Don't get hung up on MLU. <br>

If you just want to experiment with an older SLR body and dof and a G lens then just buy a reasonably good SLR body, an upscale one like you said I would start with the D/N 90, F4 or F5 that should be enough and these are quite cheap and are very good cameras. The N/F 90 is much lighter.<br>

Except for my FM2 and D90 all my film SLRs have been sold. My lenses from the film days are still usable with my DSLRs (my old D70) and my current D700. I have only FX lenses.<br>

Remember film is gradually getting harder to find and more expensive to buy and process. Kodakchrome has already become a memory. Put your money into a good digital SLR body and good glass. I have not shot film for maybe 8 - 10 years now and don't miss it at all. The 24-120 AFD is a good lens, it was my primary multi purpose lens for a long time but just at Christmas I got the 28-300 VR and that is going to be the multi purpose lens for me now.<br>

Hope this helps, have a good 2011 - year of the Rabbit<br>

Eb</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thank you all for all the very helpful info and hints. I am really appreciating it all and I will take it all very seriously consideration.</p>

<p>Is there a Nikon film camera body has depth of filed preview button and mirror lock up cheaper than F5, F4, F3.... and a bit more feature than F100? and may be with self timer build in too.</p>

<p>If not, I may go for a used F100, FM10 or cheaper model and forget about Mirror lock up, G lens, VR and use good old Nikon mechanical lens with aperture ring.</p>

<p>Is the there such thing call. “Color Bulk Film for 35mm format”? I was only able to find 35mm B&W bulk film in b&h.</p>

<p>Just FYI, Chinese New Year goes by Luna Calendar and Year of Rabbit start on Feb 04, 2011.</p>

 

For Nikon film bodies, only the single digit F bodies have mirror lock up. And among those, only those with aperture

control dials will work fully with G lenses. So you are limited to the F5 and F6. You should be able to find F5 for cheap

in the 2nd jand market or eBay.

 

Forget the FM10, it's made by Cosina, not Nikon, and is mostly plastic. I'd go for a used FM2n instead.

<p>I just got Nikon N8008 and I like it very much. It have depth of field preview, which what I want and it use AA, but do not have mirror lock up. Thank you very much for the recommendation. </p>

<p>I will look into Nikon FM camera body series next. Would anyone please kindly to recommend any good Nikon FM camera body? I am thinks about FM2 or FM3. I hear they use special hard to found battery, but I could be wrong about this. Would any Nikon FM camera body able to use AA battery grip?</p>

<p>As for mirror lock up feature, I want to use mirror lock up for macro photography and very long exposure with long lens and that will be in the future for Nikon F5.</p>

<p>Thank you very much to you all to give me very useful info, hints and recommendation. Please keeps it coming. Thanks</p>