F5 Gone haywire

[randall paul]

I 've gone from my F3's to an F5 and while shooting on Sunday my

depth of field locked up and bringing my view finder to dark.

Shooting Agfa apx 100 my matrix meter showed a reading of 40th sec @

F1.8 on my 50mm lense I had to manually adjust my exposure to 125th

sec at f7.5 just from experience. Then I unloaded thelfilm after

spending it and loaded in another roll. It loaded it have way then

spooled it up and rewound the whole roll. So I have taken it to a

Nikon service centre to have it checked out. But has anyone ever

experienced strange behaviour with there F5's

[Jerry_]

May one ask: what type of batteries were you using? Are they all the same type; same batch; fresh?

 

 

 

Sounds like the 'voltage' may not be up to par with whatever batteries you had in the camera body. (I've a pair of F5 bodies; never have had a problem >knock on wood< to date.)

[johncrosley]

When I first obtained one of my several F5s, I experienced serious and severe problems with it that were intermittent resulting in shutter release lockup. The camera appeared to be functional with controls "alive", but, alas, it wouldn't take photos. The battery indicator indicated that the batteries were strong enough, and therefore, I ruled out a battery problem. However, as time developed and I searched for a solution, I found that by simply replacing the batteries, (with recharged ones -- which is the only way to go), I was able to restore full functionality, and never have had a problem again. It seems that the battery meter in the F5 does not indicate a battery problem before the functions of the camera are interfered with -- a glitch. I suggest you change your batteries (and if you haven't -- that you invest in a low-cost charger and batteries available at your local big box store, making sure that the charger has a shut-off when full function). This may help you. Beats a trip to the camera repair shop to try this first.

[david_h._hartman]

<em>"May one ask: what type of batteries were you using?

Are they all the same type; same batch; fresh?" --Gerald W.

Litynski<br>

</em><br>

Not only do you risk camera malfunction with mismatched batteries

as suggested here but if one dies early it will be reverse

charged and can over-heat and leak.<br>

<br>

Alkaline batteries do not have a resealable vent, once they leak

they leak. Energizer Lithium AA L91 batteries an better NiMH

batteries have a resealable vents. I use NiMH when Im

knocking around and Lithium for important stuff.<br>

<br>

Since Ellis Vener reported that a cell leaked in a new set of

alkalines Ill only use them in an emergency. His camera was

an F5. As I recall he said the repair was about $300.00.<br>

<br>

Ive had good luck with Energizer L91(s) and Energizer 2100mAh

NH-15-AA(s) in my F5 and F100. The best price in the states that

Ive found is at Wal-Mart. The L91(s) are less than $17.00

for eight and the NH-15AA(s) are about $10.00 for four.<br>

<br>

The earlier F5(s) may indicate that batteries are better than

they really are. Both Lithium and NiMH batteries suffer sudden

death. I recommend carrying a preloaded spare battery holder. The

F5 takes an MS-30 for about $32.00, the F100 an MS-12 for $17.00,

the MD-4 takes an MS-3 for $25.00 and the battery holder for the

MD-11 and MD-12 cost about $23.00.<br>

<br>

If all this seem to much trouble get a Nikon F, F2 or FM2n and

use the Sunny f/16 Rules. ;-)<br>

<br>

I had a short moment of doubt and pain years ago when my Nikon EL2

locked up. I think the solution was to turn the shutter speed

dial to "B" and the mirror came down. Once the spare

battery was in the camera all was normal. Ive had a Nikon

FE2 lock up once or twice but normally I change the batteries

every 12 months and use the old ones up in timers and calculators.<br>

<br>

Try to think of this from the camera's point of view. One moment

you're slip sliding towards that bright light. Everything is

getting peaceful as you float upwards and them bam! The fool

slams another battery holder in your gut and your back in the

grind.<br>

<br>

I do hope the problem is nothing more that low batteries.<br>

<br>

Regards,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[bill_harris1]

I used nothing but liths in my F5...They would last me for forty or fifty rools by customizng...rewind the film manually..a huge saving in battery life...camera shutdown in 5 seconds ,etc..

[randall paul]

Thanks for all the replies Guys much appreciated!

 

On the Battery front I have been using the NiMH's And normally always recharge after shooting or when the battery life indicator on the F5 is showing half life. I have used Alkaline but don't now after hearing a few bad stories. I think it is a valid point on keeping the batteries the same which I don't. I have a collection of the NiMH's and just take what ever ones handy in my charged compartment. Won't do this anymore.

 

David I will try the L91s Thanks for that suggestion! See how it goes. I never change lenses when the camera is functioning, so it is always shut down. I have heard that this can also cause problems for the F5. Luckily The film I shot on that Sunday came out great other than a few frames. Thanks for al the help!

[alistair o]

Yes, This almost is definitely a battery problem. Put in a fresh set and all should be well. My understanding of the problem is that the F5 shuts down when the batteries get down to around 8 volts. This is why they "die" so suddenly.

 

A couple of other suggestions:

 

- If you feel like spending a little money, look out on Ebay for an Mn-30 charger and Mh-30 batteries for the F5. The battery pack can be recelled. Although only 1200 mAh they have 10 cells in them and provide 12 volts. This configuration will also give you full 8fps.

 

- SOme folks add a nineth cell to increase voltage. There is space in the body for this. The additional cell gets clipped onto the side of the battery holder. Do a search on Nikonians and you will come up with a lot of information on this. Personally I find this a little dodgy with a device the quality of the F5 and go the MH/MN 30 way.