Nikon F100 Almost as Good as The F6

I don't think I had a shutter problem but since a part of the curtain broke down, the shutter didn't want to release. It only did after so many pressures in both cases.

I guess I was unlucky.

The F100 is one of the best cameras Nikon has made. There's not much more I'd want in a film camera - it would be nice to have the improved AF module of the F6, but the F100's AF is no slouch - when I went digital with the D70, the lower spec AF (like the F80/N80) was a bit of a disappointment. The D300 had more focus points, but didn't seem that much faster than the F100. The F6 also does i-TTL/CLS and is therefore compatible with recent flashes, which lack the film TTL mode - the SB-800, which works with both film TTL and i-TTL, is a good flash for F100 owners who also shoot digital. I think both cameras have the same lens compatibility, so no problem with AF-D, AF-S, G and VR, but neither will work with electronic aperture E lenses or AF-P. It's a shame we will probably never see an F7 that brings compatibility up to date.

But of course the F100 is older and probably harder to service. It's a real pity about the plastic catch, which if broken means the whole back has to be replaced (though you can keep and re-mount the multi-selector and pressure plate if necessary), and spares are hard to find. Many of the parts bodies on ebay have already lost their backs, presumably donated to other cameras. The data back, which was a retail rather than a service part, is easier to find. The data features are pretty useless, but it's a perfectly good back!

To me, the evolution from the F100 to the F6 is pretty clear. The D1 is kind of a weird amalgamation of a digital F5 body with some of the changes/improvements made to the F100 incorporated in it.

I read somewhere it was the other way round. Though I think the F100 was released first, development at Nikon was already focused on the D1, and the F100 'inherited' some of its features.

After F90 I tried my acquainted photographer's F100. They are worlds apart. F100 is much better made of better materials. Let alone AF and shutter sound. But he used crappy AF film era Sigma zooms, and I used 50/1.4 AF so my pictures were sharper and better. :rolleyes:

As for D6 - does it have scratch proof rear display? Hardened glass or not? :oops:

. . . . the F6 drops the eyepoint down to 19mm. That's a bit disappointing. . . ..

I felt the same way! I am very demanding when I spend that much money.

I do believe D750 should have been in the form factor of F100 (magn. alloy, no flash, 1/8000 etc.).

After 19-20 years, modern cameras are no way better then F100/F6

After F90 I tried my acquainted photographer's F100.

I still haven't got to the F100, but the F90 is a transitional machine with some peculiarities. The F80 (US N80) (despite the numbers, it's later than the F90) on the other hand, is still cheaper than the F100, and works very well in my opinion (LINK).

I still haven't got to the F100, but the F90 is a transitional machine with some peculiarities. The F80 (US N80) (despite the numbers, it's later than the F90) on the other hand, is still cheaper than the F100, and works very well in my opinion (LINK).

The F90 is a great camera too. I went from the N80 to the F100 because I got a great deal on the F100, otherwise I would have bought the F90. Today the price on these babies are crazy good. I need to get one for my collection - to have.

Best,

Henry

After F90 I tried my acquainted photographer's F100. They are worlds apart. F100 is much better made of better materials. Let alone AF and shutter sound. But he used crappy AF film era Sigma zooms, and I used 50/1.4 AF so my pictures were sharper and better.

There's nothing WRONG with the N90(s)(what Nikon called the F90 in the US) but I always find the mirror/shutter a bit jarring. Otherwise, it's a good camera that's compatible with modern lenses provided that you're okay with P and S with G lenses. Also, the AF-to me-seems a bit worse than the F4. It's slow and tends to hunt unless you put the sensor where it has a decent amount of contrast, and even then it's loud with screwdriver lenses.

The N8008 is a lot like the N90, but without the AF-S compatibility.

One of the nice things about the N90, F100, F5, and F6 for the "modern" film photographer is that all have internal data logging. Probably the easiest way(IMO) to access it is with the Meta35 system, as Nikon's Photo Secretary software is not only hard to find but has limited compatibility with modern computers(forget it if you're a Mac user unless you have a beige Mac running OS 9 or earlier sitting around). Also, the F5-and presumably the F6-turn data logging "on" by default. This is one of the "hidden" custom functions only accessible via Photo Secretary or Meta 35(there are I think 3 of them on the N90, and maybe 5 on the F5 and F100) and you have to use one of these programs to turn it "on" before data is saved in both the N90 and F100.

Incidentally, IIRC(I haven't looked in a while, and when I got my N90s out a bit earlier this evening I found that the batteries were dead in it) I think that the other two custom functions are 1. how much shooting data is recorded and 2. the AF confirmation beeper(thankfully off by default).

Also, the AF-to me-seems a bit worse than the F4.

I used to read reviews where F90 AF regarded better/faster than 1988 Nikon F4. F90 has a very fast AF with 50/1.4 AF.

F90 is made of sleek plastic. It catches scratches very easily. It ts dense/heavy-ish but on time I found micro scratches in linking parts. Rear door coating is just horrible.

F100 is made of thick magnesium alloy (esp. bottom part and prism area) and it has a rubber pad for a tripod underneath! Worlds apart in tactile feel also.

"F90 is a transitional machine with some peculiarities": the matter that F90 was a concept of late 1980s in body design (plastic) but F100 opened a new concept for semi-pro cameras making them pro with no reservations.

. . . .

One of the nice things about the N90, F100, F5, and F6 for the "modern" film photographer is that all have internal data logging. . . . .

 

I didn't know the F90 had this feature! Also, another vote for Meta35. I didn't even bother with the Nikon cable or software.

 

Best,

Henry

I had to replace the stupid plastic aperture follower on my F100. Horrid job, but it's worked perfectly since then. I love the camera, except for the fact that I can't change the focusing screen.

Yes, just like the stupid plastic back latch! I wish they had used a better grade of plastic, or resin. Still if you can keep it going, it is a fine camera.

And a package from Smyrna, GA is on its way to me :)

I got a package from them today too! Canon 70-200/2.8 IS something or another. :-) I love KEH!

KEH listed one in BGN condition, and it taunted me for a week...now I just need to get it loaded and go out and shoot with it.

It's very similar in size to the F100, but is much more solid feeling(my F100 is sitting at a funny angle in this photo because of the QR plate on it)

KEH listed one in BGN condition, and it taunted me for a week...now I just need to get it loaded and go out and shoot with it.

 

 

 

It's very similar in size to the F100, but is much more solid feeling(my F100 is sitting at a funny angle in this photo because of the QR plate on it)

 

Nice. Very nice.How does it smell?

Nice. Very nice.How does it smell?

Like a woman. ;-)

That was my point because besides from having the same film size and lenses the F100 is no where near the F6.

Always that one....

KEH listed one in BGN condition, and it taunted me for a week...now I just need to get it loaded and go out and shoot with it.

 

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It's very similar in size to the F100, but is much more solid feeling(my F100 is sitting at a funny angle in this photo because of the QR plate on it)

 

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After you went out and shoot with it tell me if they are close except for the 2 both use 35mm film and Nikon F mount lenses.

Haven't finished my first roll through it yet...

The difference between it and the F100 isn't huge, but the ergonomic differences/improvements made since the F100 was designed are noticeable.

In a lot of ways, it is like using a D2x, although obviously a lot smaller and lighter.

Of course, I don't expect any difference in IQ, aside from the fact that the meter is certainly a lot better than the one in the F100.

FWIW

Error in link to Nikon F80 (N80) in coment above LINK

I've owned the F6, and now own an F100. I wouldn't compare the two.

The F6 is a "natural" successor to the F5. I added the MB-40 grip because I like the heft of my F5. The F6, while a great successor, has no options for software upgrades for a camera sold in the 21st Century. While timing is a factor, the F6 won't handle the newer E/M apertures, but it does a lot.

For me, the F100 is a successor to the F90X/N90s model. I just added one to the stable yesterday, and my first impressions dry firing it, setting exposure modes, etc., seems to be what I expected. I didn't expect an "F6 Light", but the F100 does have a lot going for it. The A/F is lightning fast. Time will tell.

I'm probably biased because of the length of time I've owned my F5, I just never got to love the F6. I traded it in on a Hasselblad 500 C/M, and got cash back.

I've owned the F6, and now own an F100. I wouldn't compare the two.

 

The F6 is a "natural" successor to the F5. I added the MB-40 grip because I like the heft of my F5. The F6, while a great successor, has no options for software upgrades for a camera sold in the 21st Century. While timing is a factor, the F6 won't handle the newer E/M apertures, but it does a lot.

 

For me, the F100 is a successor to the F90X/N90s model. I just added one to the stable yesterday, and my first impressions dry firing it, setting exposure modes, etc., seems to be what I expected. I didn't expect an "F6 Light", but the F100 does have a lot going for it. The A/F is lightning fast. Time will tell.

 

I'm probably biased because of the length of time I've owned my F5, I just never got to love the F6. I traded it in on a Hasselblad 500 C/M, and got cash back.

This is probably one of those things that will always be contentious, but I do think that the F100/F6 comparison has merit.

I have both of them, along with an F5, and like all three for different reasons.

Before I had the F6, I grabbed the F100 in favor of the F5 almost every time because I liked the smaller and lighter size of it. I have an F100 battery grip but never use it-I'm happy with the 4-cell in handle grip, much as I generally run my F3s, F2s, and FM2s without motors. I also have both the F4(4 cell) and F4s(6 cell) and use the plain F4 90% of the time.

The F6 gets me all of the nice little tweaks that happened between the F5 and F100(illuminated AF points, etc) plus the D2 series focus module. I don't really do a lot that calls for more AF points(especially not on film), but do appreciate the fact that the center point both needs less contrast and works in lower light than the F5/F100(I lump those two together for this since the AF module is the same). In addition, I like that it has a reasonably easy to use/intuitive data back that can do a whole lot(between the frame imprinting, exposure data, etc, not just in frame dates like the F100 back) and isn't a rare-as-hens teeth expensive accessory like the equivalent for the F5.

Also, I REALLY like the fact that I can get things like the fully featured data back and pro build quality(no plastic rewind fork, thank goodness) in a package that's only slightly larger than the F100.

There again, it's not a camera for everyone, and I'll freely acknowledge that. The differences between it and the F100 are minor at the end of the day, and the argument for paying $1K+ for a used F6(or $2600 for a new one) vs. $100-200 for a used F100 can be REALLY tough to make. Still, though, I think it's worth it and use my F6 a lot. That doesn't mean that it's the right decision for everyone.