Second AF body to backup F4?

[ken_ford1]

I�m enjoying the heck out of my new-to-me F4 (currently in F4e

configuration � I have all three battery packs), and I�m considering

a second AF body as a backup. This second body would also be used as

a travel body with a (gag) superzoom � as much as I enjoy using my

gear, a sixty pound camera bag is a real pain when I�m on vacation.

Also, the spousal unit prefers a lighter, simpler camera for

vacations.

 

I�m thinking either a used N90s or a new N80. They�re comparable in

price, although the N80 would have a factory warranty. Neither offers

the same control interface as a F4, unfortunately. My original

thought was to use my old F3/MD4, but that�s a bit of a moose for a

backup, and would be overkill for travel. My F2s are all dedicated to

street shooting with no meters, so they won�t work for this purpose.

I suppose I could use my wife�s FE, but I want it to be AF. I�m not

worried about AI compatibility with this second body � it�ll be for

use with AF glass only.

 

I�m leaning to the N80 at this moment, but the N90s has a powerful

appeal, too.

 

Those of you that are using a F4 as a main body � what are *you*

using as a backup, if any?

[patrick smith]

I would heartily recommend the N80 with the AFS 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G EDIF (I think that's right) as a good, easy-to-use travel setup. The N80 goes from full manual to glorified point-and-shoot nicely. Also, it has those nifty on-demand gridlines. Your travel horizons will forevermore be level. I think the N80, as it is near the line's life, will be compatible with any of the future products (D, G, VR, AFS, &c.) Yes, the N90s has appeal, and I think it was the backup to the F4, much as the F100 is the backup to the F5. However, remember that the N90s has already been replaced and Nikon has moved on. That shouldn't matter, but it might. The N80 does not have the option to change finders and it doesn't have MLU, but that shouldn't matter too much for vacation pictures and the like. I don't mean to demean vacation pictures, nor do I mean to trivalize needs; however, I think you want a decent, user-friendly camera. Those things can make things needlessly complex. Good luck with your quest.

[john_n._wall]

A second F4 -- the controls and performance are the same, which is important when you want to guarantee results. Keep it in MB-20 format to deal with the weight issue. Works for me.

[astcell]

I had the F4E, drove 320 miles for the battery pack and databack. With the prices today, get a 2nd F4E. Ebay baby!

[david_h._hartman]

I used an FE2 as a back up to my F4 then I bought an F5 and use the FE2 as a backup to the F5. Then I bought an F100 and still used the FE2 to back up the F5. Finally I bought an F3 with MD-4 and now I don�t know what I use to backup what anymore.

 

I could not stomach a super zoom. The frustration of dealing with an f/3.5~5.6 or f/3.5~6.3 lens would be too much. I�d take a 20/3.5 AIS, (AF 35~70/2.8D or 25~50/4.0 AIS) and an (AF 50/1.4D or 50/1.4 AIS). For a camera I�d take a Nikon F100 or Nikon FE2. I�d have to buy the AF 50/1.4D.

 

If you must take only one lens then I�d take a AF 28~105/3.5~4.5D and an AF 50/1.4D. Sorry I just could not be stuck with a f/4.5, f/5.6 or f/6.3 as my only lens. I also could not stomach the distortion of the super-zooms. The three zooms mentioned are pretty placid as far as distortion goes.

 

Best,

 

Dave Hartman.

[nick_withers]

Having listed weight as an issue for you I doubt that another F4 really apeals to you. The I would prefer an F/N90(X/S or not) to an F80, its specs are very similar but it is slightly more robust. Also, for somwe this is an issue for others not, it would take any old MF lenses, which an F80 would not. Also have you considered an F801s/N8008s (definitely the S), very similar to the F90, but smaller, older and cheaper. Alternatively, and probably to ask a stupid question, why not take the MD4 of the F3?

[frankl]

back in the day when the F4 was the big daddy of all cameras, the F801s/8008s was the most common backup a pro would carry along with the F4. I had a 801 for years before upgrading to a F80, I wanted the on-demand grid screen, and the improved 3D matrix fill flash was important to me. The UI on the F80 isn't like the F4 though, but the 801s's UI is similar. The 801 and F80 are way lighter than an F4, which would make for less tired shoulders on those travel days..

[david_h._hartman]

Ken,<br>

<br>

Here is my infamous list of Nikon Camera weights. This started as

a tongue in cheek reply to Phil Greenspuns review of the F4s.

All camera weights are with NiMH AA batteries and 1" Nylon

neck strap except as noted. I found Phils review unfair and

in particular I wanted to point out that the F4s is not as heavy

as a brick as some assert ;)<br>

<br>

I know there are those who moan over the weight of a Nikon F2As.

Since you dont seem to be one of those, note the weight of

the F100 with lithium batteries is just lighter than the F2As and

just heavier than the F3HP. The F100 is a good camera to consider

for your use. The down side for the F100 is the finder image size

is just 0.7x with a 50mm lens focused to infinity. Since you plan

to use AF lenses this is not really a consideration.<br>

<br>

Commercial Brick, Traditional Clay = 2,695g *(w/o strap and

batteries).<br>

Common Brick, Traditional Clay = 2,270g *(w/o strap and batteries).<br>

F3HP w/ MD-4 = 1,487g (weighs approx. half that of a commercial

brick, 55%)<br>

F5 = 1,447g (weighs approx. half that of a commercial brick, 54%)<br>

F4s = 1,443g (weighs approx. half that of a commercial brick, 54%)<br>

F3HP w/ MD-4 = 1,384g *(w/ Energizer L91 batteries)<br>

F5 = 1,344g *(w/ Energizer L91 batteries)<br>

F4s = 1,366g *(w/ Energizer L91 batteries)<br>

F3 (DE-2) w/ MD-4 =1340g *(w/ Energizer L91 batteries)<br>

F4 = 1,215g<br>

FE2 w/ MD-12 = 1186g<br>

<strong>F4 = 1,164g *(w/ Energizer L91 batteries)<br>

</strong>FE2 w/ MD-12 = 1083g *(w/ Energizer L91 batteries)<br>

F100 = 912g (63% of the weight of an F5 or F4) <br>

F2As = 877g *(w/ two S-76 batteries and AR-1 Soft Release)<br>

<strong>F100 = 861g *(w/ Energizer L91 batteries)<br>

</strong>F3HP = 790g *(w/ two S-76 silver oxide batteries)<br>

F3 (DE-2) 746g *(w/ two S-76 silver oxide batteries)<br>

FM2n = 574g *(w/ DL-3 Lithium battery and AR-9 Soft Release) <br>

<strong>Elph Jr. = 150g *(w/ APS 25 exp. film, lithium CR2

battery and wrist strap).</strong><br>

<br>

The Elph Jr. is a good friend to have along.<br>

<br>

Hope this helps,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[jim_interlicchio1]

I had an N8008 which became the back up for my F4. I traded in my 8008 for an N90S. After that the F4 became the back up for the N90S. I usually would have a wide angle(20,24 or 35) on the F4 anything larger I'd put on the N90S. My last purchase, an FM3A is lately being used most and is what I will be taking with me to Europe in a few weeks with the 24, 35 and an 85.

 

I'd avoid superzooms, use a few primes if you got them. and I would have to repeat Nick's question -how about the F3 sans MD-4?

 

Of the two the N80 or N90S in my biased opinion, I'd go with the latter.

 

Happy travel shooting

[vgoklani]

Just get an F4 with the MB-20 grip, a 28-70 lens, and set the camera to matrix metering and put it on P mode. Fire away.......

[loreneidahl]

My original backup was my N70 which has since become my wife's favorite since it was easier for her to figure out than my N90s.

 

For me: my choice would depend upon the type of shooting that I intend to do.

 

For my concert stuff my Primary is the F4s, my second camera is the N90s/mb10, my complimentary camera is my F3/MD4 .

 

For Astro work my primary is an F2 and backup is an F2.

 

Given the choice between an N90s and an N80 I would go with the N80 based on your stated usage intentions for the tool.

[ken_ford1]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. I think it'll be a N80 - it seems to be a good compromise of price, weight and features for a backup and travel body.

 

Thanks again!