F100 tips

[rossb]

<p> I think I am going to add a F100 to my gear. I am familiar with the camera and it will make a good companion to my D200. I was wondering if anyone had tips on how to tell a newer model from an older model and if there is anything that I should check that might be a week spot. I am familiar with the rewind forks and to look for the one with the flat tip. Thanks.</p>

[User_5050610]

<p>Ross--thanks for the post--I, too, am looking for an F100.<br>

But--I am NOT familiar with the 2 issues you mentioned.<br>

Could you elaborate, or point me to the proper info?<br>

Thanks!<br>

Paul</p>

[rossb]

<p> The take up spool inside the camera came in two ways. The first camera's had a take up spool that was pointed on the end and once in a while it cracked during rewind. Some of them were fixed with a spool with flat tips that were stronger. After a while the F100's just came with the flat tips. That's about my understanding on it. I don't think it's a big deal but I figure I may as well get one with the flat tips. I do not know of a second issue with the camera. The camera's were expensive back in the day. You can still buy new/old stock at BHPhoto for $750.00. I was figuring on $250.00 or less however for a nice used one. I just started looking today and checked out the only camera store around that has used film stuff but they were of little help. They had an old beater F100 for a big price and I passed on it. I guess I also want a warranty for at least 30 days.</p>

[DWScott]

<p>I got a BGN Nikon F100 from KEH for about $125. I would have rated it VG+, as it's not brand new but has no scuffs or obvious marks. Works perfectly, and has the flat (newer) rewind forks.<br>

If you can wait around a bit before buying, check KEH regularly. The price on F100s seem to ebb and flow like the tide....</p>

[bgelfand]

<p>KEH has them in stock with EX condition cameras selling for $199<br>

<a href="http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-NA029990339960?r=FE">http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-NA029990339960?r=FE</a></p>

[jwittenberg]

<p>Just a data point - 10 years ago I bought a used f100 with the older rewind fork. It's still working fine, the fork has not failed me; granted, I'm just an amateur, and I've got multiple cameras, so it's not like the f100 gets a real workout. Still, no problems after 10 years. I keep thinking maybe I should send it to Nikon for a fork replacement, but I don't really think it's going to fail on me ...</p>

<p>In short, I'm not terribly concerned about the fork failure issue. Has anyone on pnet actually had the f100 fork fail on them? i.e., not " a friend of a friend's failed", but you yourself? I'd be interested in knowing that.</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>/joel</p>

 

[photo5]

<p>My first F100 was an early model, serial number 202xxxx. My current F100, bought used on ebay from a pawn shop for $150, and in mint condition, is serial number 222xxxx. It is simply a brilliant film camera. I'd love a digital F100, which means a digital Nikon SLR with exactly the same size and weight as the F100. D300 is much larger and heavier. </p>

[jim_momary]

<p>For rewind fork identification, just Google 'Nikon F100 rewind fork' under the images tab.<br>

The first two pics show the new and the old, respectively. They originate at the below website -<br>

<a href="http://www.camerahobby.com/Review-F100.htm">http://www.camerahobby.com/Review-F100.htm</a><br>

I luv my 'bought used' F100.<br>

Jim M.</p>

[steve_levine]

<p>The whole "rewind fork failure", issue was blown way out of proportion, IMHO. I shot untold hundreds of rolls at weddings for several seasons with a pair of F100's. Both of which I was later told upon selling them, had the troublesome rewind forks.</p>

[vlad_stan]

<p>Issue #2 (more dangerous):<br />plastic teeths on camera back, for engaging body.<br />Prone to braking, thus disabling camera back closing.<br />Btw recently saw 2 bodies in local camera exchange with this issue.</p>

<p>So check camera back.</p>

[rossb]

<p> When you say check the camera back do you mean just closing and opening the door? Can you see the teeth with the door open?</p>

[michaelchristensen]

<p>Good choice. Great camera. I own two F100s which were purchased prior to acquiring an F5. Still own them. They are very reliable cameras that produce accurate results. I used to complain about the custom settings .. always needed a cheat sheet to remember them .. but my use of digital made this point of contention mute.</p>

<p>I have no problems with the rewind fork, both my samples are later production models. On one of my F100s the meter switch seems to be a bit of a problem in that it sometimes wants to remain in "center weighted" metering mode despite my switch to spot. I recommend frequently exercising the switches/buttons .. keeping all contacts clean. The weather sealing of the camera is not as robust as the Nikon F5. And, general construction of the camera itself, while well done, it won't take kindly to being dropped. The back door is plastic (never caused my any problems).</p>

<p>I've shot a lot of slides with this camera and that demands accurate metering. The F100 does it quite well. I'm content to rely upon the matrix meter in this camera and seldom use spot metering. I've used in every mode possible .. and well, this camera rocks. I thought it well worth the $700 spent on my first sample, and the $300 with battery pack on my 2nd sample. Today, digital cameras have seemed to steal the thunder from these reliable "old" film cameras .. but the proof is in the picture. I believe at the time of the F100s introduction it was Nikon's reply to the Canon EOS3 (also a fine camera .. but the F100 feels better to me).</p>

<p>I do use center-weighted metering for low light shooting without flash (believe it is recommended in the owner's manual) .. and I have the D200 too, but that is quite a different little beast. I don't know if I would consider this a companion camera, but I've been known to carry both to an outdoor shoot with a model.</p>

<p>Get the Thom Hogan ebook for the F100 .. it is about $20-30 (sometimes on eBay for $5-10).. and you'll learn so much about this camera in short order. Then again, the F100 is so simple to use, you can simply load it, set your ISO, leave it in matrix meter mode and select either P-S-A-M .. and you're good to go. Unlike other camera books that are mostly telling you what the camera manufacturer told you .. Thom's books are much more in-depth and useful .. providing advice on real world shooting situations and selection of custom menu settings.</p>

<p>You want full frame, automated metering, quick and precise autofocus, and the photoshop built-in the film cartridge .. the F100 will do it. (pun intended) </p>

<p> </p>

[rossb]

<p> Thanks for all the tips. I went ahead and purchased a model from KEH.com. I decided on the LN- model. It is kind of expensive but I feel I will have no worries with it. I guess I was figuring on the companion thing in that I can share lenses (except the one DX lens I have), flash gear, filters etc. I doubt I would ever carry both camera's at the same time due to the weight of the bag but you never know what you may want to do. KEH is sure expensive on their shipping it seems but I do not buy much gear overall anyway. This may be my only purchase this year for camera gear.</p>

[vlad_stan]

 

<p>>When you say check the camera back do you mean just closing and opening the door? Can<br>

>you see the teeth with the door open?</p>

<p>Yes, they are easily visible. There are 2 plastic teeth on single lever.<br>

Sometime is only one broken, sometime booth.</p>

 

 

[kmahler]

<p>I absolutely love my F100 even though the shutter hasn't been cycled in over 7 years. I still own a Seacam housing for it and my best dive photos ever were taken with that camera.</p>

<p>I took this with my F100, 60mm Macro in a Seacam housing at about 60ft, in Fiji, at night with two Nikon SB-105's on Fuji Velvia and scanned on a Coolscan III. Yes direct to digital on my D1X or D700 is faster but, I just love the quality of the F100. This guy is about 1/4" big. Check out the red eye lashes he has. </p>

<p><img src="http://pics.kmahler.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=566&g2_serialNumber=2" alt="" width="480" height="640" /></p>

<p>More images can be seen here. http://pics.kmahler.com/main.php?g2_itemId=385<br>

Everything in that album was shot with an F100 on Velvia and scanned on a Coolscan III.</p>

<p>Kevin</p>

 

[photo5]

<blockquote>

<p>I absolutely love my F100 even though the shutter hasn't been cycled in over 7 years.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That statement makes no sense to me at all. Not firing the shutter on a camera for over 7 years will do more harm than good. You should exercise the shutter in a camera a few times a year at least, or the lubricants will dry up and the shutter will fail.</p>

[kmahler]

<p>Dave it was less of an accurate statement and more of a dramatic statement. The shutter on my F100 has been fired recently even though there was not film in the camera. I have not actually taken a photo with the F100 for many years but more because I have moved around a lot and been more focused on my digital life. I consider the F100 as a bit of a classic car. It won't be my daily driver, but I'll take it out on special occasions and enjoy it when I do.</p>

<p>But, you point is a good one. I do still love that camera. </p>

<p>Kevin</p>

 

[rossb]

<p> Thanks Vlad, when I receive my camera next week that will be one of the things I check out. I have two weeks to determine if there is a problem with the camera per KEH rules. I feel confident that the camera will be great. LN- is a very high rating from KEH. I mentioned buying new old stock from BHPhoto for $750.00 but my wife gave me the fish eye so I dropped it. It would have had a factory warranty however.</p>

[dennis_d._hardenburger]

<p>I bought a brand new F100 from a local camera store last year for $275, it had been sitting on the shelve for a very long time and they just wanted to get rid of it.<br>

If you are looking for an F100 it is worth looking at all the smaller stores you can.<br>

Other that an F6 I feel the F100 is Nikons all time best camera.</p>

[vlad_stan]

<p>With LN- there is no reason to worry!</p>

[rossb]

<p>Well I looked at the KEH.com website and they dropped off the F100 EX and the one I bought is the LN- is still posted for sale on the webpage, so it makes me uncomfortable that I will get the wrong camera. They are closed today but I will call in the morning to straighten that out. I hope I can clarify my concerns before they ship it. The last camera I bought from them showed up with a caved in dome and a missing eye piece so if this order falls apart I will not use them again. It's a fine line right now.</p>

[bgelfand]

<p>Hi Ross,</p>

<p>There is probably no need to worry. There is probably someone other than you purchasing cameras from KEH. They also probably have more than one F100 in LN- condition. Just because the one in EX condition came off the web page, does not mean it is being sent to you.</p>

[rossb]

<p> Thanks Brooks, I called Keh and they explained that exact same thing. They said they have 4 LN- F100 in stock right now. </p>

[bgelfand]

<p>Hi Ross,</p>

<p>I am sure you will enjoy your F100 as much as I enjoy mine. It is a great camera.</p>

[rossb]

<p> The F100 camera showed up today from Keh.com.. I am very pleased with the camera. Kind of amazing how nice it is.</p>