the early bird gets the worm

<p>so, 2 weeks ago, I woke up early enough to be 3rd in line for a large estate sale here in town... I originally went to look at the fountain pens so i could get a gift for my father.... junko stuff... i also noticed there was a big khaki and leather bag filled with camera stuff ~ as soon as I saw the camera, I knew i had to have it... it was the one nikon camera I've wanted for 20 years...</p><p>I've had the f100, and the f90x and possibly the n50,n65, and a few others in that series... have mostly been shooting leica for the past 8 or 9 years...</p><p>but there in that bag as the morning sun was shining a beam of light onto MY bag.... was a nikon f4s with 24-120 lens ~ the price tag said $165 and there were 3 or 4 guys eyballing the gear...</p><p>I went ahead and bought it.... i've taken it out for a few spins now... after 20 years, it's still a dream camera, it's a tank... and really nice to finally have one of these....</p><p>so, now my bag weighs an extra 10 lbs.... still getting used to it.... reading the manual and learning the settings</p><p>a different experience than my leicas, but nice...</p><div></div>

<p>Nice. It's a great camera..... Now keep your eyes open for the compact battery holder and grip, the MB-20. You won't be disappointed.</p>

<p>I loved my F4 with the MB20 but those grips are hard to come by and pricey.</p>

<p>I have an F4s and have handled it with the MB-20 too. In my opinion MB-21 feels better, the camera feels more balanced and I have a better grip of it. </p>

<p>I still use it frequently, still a dream camera for me too.</p>

<p>blake, congratulations! it's a great camera. i have two! the surprisingly negative review of this classic by philip greenspun, the founder of photo.net is still attracting comments, right on this site, after more than a decade. enjoy the marvel!</p>

<p>blake, check this out and offer your views after you try out the beauty...</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/equipment/nikon/f4</p>

<p>haven't even put the batteries in the mb23 ~ not a fan of data imprinting ~ but i do like that it can write info between the neg spaces ~ i don't see myself hunting down photo secretary... not really sure if i'll use any of the data functions there...</p>

<p>it has the mb21 drive ~ which is really quite nice</p>

<p>most importantly, it's getting some great images</p>

<p>i like it, but i'm prone to big clunky cars ~ mercedes 240 d, jeep cherokee, volvo station wagon</p>

<p>will post pics from the next few rolls as fall is starting to happen</p>

<p>now I'm looking to get a slew of good inexpensive lenses ~ am dying to get a 500mm or longer for some serious moon shots</p>

<p>and probably a 55 micro, any other good micros?</p>

<p>and really want to cover the 21-300 with fast lenses (primes or fast zooms)</p>