Nikon F4 Review - Blending the Eras

In today’s episode, Jules and I review the Nikon F4, a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1988. The F4 was Nikon’s first professional camera featuring a practical autofocus system. The F4 accepts almost all of Nikon’s manual focus or autofocus lenses from 1959 to the present day.
Like its predecessor F3, it was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. But while the F3, already introduced in 1980, was built until 2001, the F4 was already discontinued in 1997 shortly after the new flagship model F5 hit the market in 1996.
In terms of its size, handling and control layout, the F4 could be described as a “transition camera” retaining some features of a traditional manual focus and manual film advance camera but already introducing features which became wide-spread during the auto-focus and automatic film advance era. The F4’s electronics, LCD display in the viewfinder, programmed auto-exposure, and matrix metering were quite future-oriented while the camera still retained dedicated dials for shutter and aperture speed, metering and focusing modes as well as exposure compensation.
We took the camera out to an aircraft museum around Munich - almost exactly four years after our first trip there for the Olympus OM-1 review. We also took a little photowalk in the English Garden and shot a few macros of a watch dial. In total, we exposed two rolls of Delta 400 and one Kodak E100.
Gear used:
Nikon F4 with MB-20
Nikon F4 with MB-21
Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AF-D
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-D
Nikon 24-120mm f/4 AF-S
Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S
Nikon PB-6
Films used:
Ilford Delta 400
Kodak E100
If you enjoy our videos and like to follow us on Instagram, find us here: / analog_insights

[@dodahlberg]

This channel is doing nothing to break my addiction buying film cameras! I just ordered an F4 body for $213 US.

[@davidbucci973]

Just bought a F4s with 50 lens today. Wanted one since early 90s. Can’t wait to get it.

[@francescomazzarella4601]

Anch'io mi sono preso una brutta - dipendenza - ed ho trovato in qualificato negozio a Mailand Italy una buona F 4 +. zoom a 250€ ed una F 5 a 520 € con box e card Nikon

[@coastie792]

Great video! I bought my F4 around 1989 and it traveled the world with me during my military service. It was in storage for years now after I switched to digital, until recently. I dug it out of storage in my garage, and brought it back to life with a bunch of electrical contact cleaner and batteries. It was like having an old friend back and I'm looking forward to using it for many more years. Thanks again for the great video.

[@jbnitpou9942]

This camera is a dream …. A little heavy dream but a true one. 😀 I love my both F4 and F3 ….. forever.

[@ronaldsand3000]

The F4 was a huge revolutionary step away from the traditional cameras of the past For the price this versatile high quality camera is an absolute bargain Great comprehensive review

[@bhop.builds]

Great video! When I was a teenager, I dreamed of the F4 when I saw it in photography magazines. It'll probably always be one of the most beautiful Nikons to me. (I know that's probably not a popular opinion) Now i've got two (4 if you count the dead ones) and love to use them from time to time.

[@Film_Fog]

Thank you so much for making this video. This was a camera that i wanted to buy back in the early 1990’s, but couldn’t afford to as i was a typically poor University student at the time. Looking back at it now, it is like remembering a past love.

[@richardlui4358]

I used a Nikon F4 in the late 1990s. It is my favorite Nikon film camera. My favorite feature is the ability to rewind the film by hand. I used this feature to keep the film leader from winding into the film canister to make it more convenient to trim the film for processing. Great video.

[@dylanhill6736]

The two F4's that I own are still valuable members of my camera arsenal. Truly a pleasure to use after all of these years.

[@khanscombe619]

Just brilliant! I came from the already amazing Nikon F2P but quickly got hold of this handed me down & still use it. My grandfather loved it as it was every bit welcoming as a modern digital electronic modern AF but with all its important functions exactly where you expected them. No burred menus to find what you need every day. Manual rewind, power rewind w/ leader stop (keeps it from going all the way in for quick loading into processing can in a dark bag in the field. The remarkable F801/801s was in every bit, its respectable little brother. F4E had the most vast array of optional accessories then many others I used of that vintage utilizing most of what F3 had and some. This was the last Pro SLR to use the ADR & allow manual movement of aperture ring in A or manual mode & visually see in viewfinder, F5 on you use command wheel and lens must always be locked in "orange" auto mode

[@mariotraversi479]

This is perhaps Nikon's greatest manual focus lens. Yes, I said manual focus! The viewfinder is large and bright, and the rangefinder and matrix metering with MF lenses means that it works much better than the later F5, that really ditched support for older pre-ai lenses, and didn't offer Matrix metering with MF.. The dials mean all controls are readily available and quite well placed. The locks become second nature after a while, although they may seem annoying initially. However it's true that later cameras lost these, and now it's a lot easier to make a mistake on newer cameras. If you do want to use it with MF lenses than look for the very difficult to find P focusing screen, which has a cross-hair and split rangefinder, that makes focusing much easier. Very hard to find though. One thing that is a bit difficult to do is hold the camera, because of the bulky batteries in the grip. The shape is hexagonal, so seems very wierd. The larger batter grip has a small lip where your fingernails can cradle the camera, which makes it easier to hold, whereas the smaller battery pack without vertical grip doesn't have this lip, and the camera becomes noticably harder to hold hanging down, as you need to grip it harder. I get really pleasant feeling when I use it. The F5 is technologically superior, but not nearly as satisfying to use. Great in-depth review guys!

[@lensman5762]

Ah, my most favourite Nikon SLR bar non. This camera was a revolution when it was launched and a lot of Nikon Pro users didn't like it. How wrong they were. This camera set the blue print not only for future Nikons but for almost every other brand that we can now see today. Superb tool.

[@baxtermarrison5361]

I still have and use a pair of F4s bodies. The fact that it has such a wide compatibility with Nikkor glass makes it a useful addition to my bag when shooting digital to give me the option of shooting film without carrying duplicate systems. I love the F4s, and, as you say, still a capable camera after over 30 years.

[@lensman5762]

So do I. I too have two of them and I still use them. Superb cameras.

[@Ryan-lc4bl]

@Baxter Marrison I'd like to know what do you think about the autofocus system of the F4, is it really slow like everyone says ?

[@baxtermarrison5361]

@@Ryan-lc4bl By modern standards it is slow, even at the time of its launch it was not as good as the Canon, that said, it is reliable and totally usable. Don't expect it to keep up with fast moving subjects, but for me, as a portrait photographer, it is more than capable.

[@Ryan-lc4bl]

@@baxtermarrison5361 Thanks ! It seems like everyone likes to ignore the fact that it has AF, and instead just use MF lenses.

[@wayneandrews3128]

I got my F4S in 1990 and still have it to this day. I find it great to use as it has incredible metering and that 1/8000 lets you shoot wide open anywhere. I love it.

[@PerroneFord]

A walk down memory lane. My first Nikon, and the first camera I bought after turning pro. It was WAY ahead of it's time. I hate that I sold mine and would love to own it again. Maybe next year.

[@SteveMorton]

The lack of a screen and menu system is a bonus for me. A quick look at the camera and the switch positions, you can see exactly the settings you are in.

[@jvladcliff4083]

Love my F4, MB-20 is the way to go with these.

[@KirkDurstonquest]

I love your reviews of vintage film cameras. I would be thrilled if you did an episode on the original Canon F1 and the Nikon F2.

[@dylanhill1640]

I love my F4! Being in the press pit elbow to elbow with fellow photographers was awesome. Still it is a valuable piece of gear in my kit. A+

[@anthonymiller8979]

Great review. I owned both the F4 and F5 at the same time and just came to enjoy the old school dials more than control wheels and LCD display. Sold the F5 and have not looked back. Looking to grab a second F4 as a backup. Mine has the MB-21 battery pack but typically shoot it minus that to stay more compact

[@autisticlife]

Thank you a very enjoyable video. I remember the F4 when it was new and read a lot about it. I recall an articla from a fashion photographer who found her F4 and its metering so relaible and consistent she hotographed in auto and did not dial in any compensation and got the exposures she wanted all the time. She said it took time and in the end she found the 3D matrix metering reliable. It took her a while to come away from the habits of a lifetime and trust automation. Thank you for this intelligent look at the F4 3+ years on. It is interesting to see something re evaluated and gain insight.

[@GSchmitable]

Great thoughtful review nicely filmed and edited....agree, love the F4, such a beautiful piece of design and ergonomic perfection. Very good pro-auto features yet has manual tactile buttons and dials of a 70s camera. Gives beautiful results on film.

[@richardsimms251]

Thank you for a great presentation again. Plenty of interesting details. RS. Canada

[@AnalogInsights]

Thanks for your kind comment. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. :)

[@thebrouhaha1]

nice review! I love my f3 and f5, but the f4 feels special to me. I can't imagine not owning one especially for the price they go for.

[@selectiveimagery]

Believe it or not I am thinking of adding this to my "working" camera collection and I'm glad I looked back at your older videos and came across this, it seems to be an amazing camera. Thanks so much for your content. - Jeff

[@elfoares]

Great video, as always. Glad to see finally more about Nikon here. Your touch in the reviews is always nice. Great camera but I'm more a F3 fan than F4. Would be great to see it also here since it's a important historical camera. Apropo, frohes neues Jahr! Auf Wiedersehen!!

[@steveverhoef5667]

The gear used list at the end is a nice touch

[@aristoioannidis7490]

Happy New Year Max and Jules. Great review. The aircraft museum is an ideal backdrop for this review. Kudos. For me the F4S and F4E is best suited to the 20-35mm f/2.8D and the 85mm f.1.4D lenses. As for speedlights I use the SB-23 for fill in flash and the SB-25.

[@karankshah]

I have an F5 and an F4 MB-20. Both are great cameras - interestingly enough while the F4 is only slightly less bulky than the F5, that is enough of a difference maker that I’ve run a lot more rolls through the F4 than the F5, with just two cheap AF-D lenses, compared to the more modern kit that is compatible with the F5

[@CalumetVideo]

Same here, I also have the F4 and F5 and have ran more rolls through the F4 than the F5, I think it’s the size and form factor.

[@mikedesimone1783]

Alex, Great Camera I used four of them back in the day/ still have one left in the box' and works great' Thank you for a great review' Happy New Year. 🎉🏅📷

[@donwillette4520]

Thank you. Have a great 2022. Cheers guys!

[@jbliborio]

That's was a camera I would love to have had in the 80s but was out of reach . Fortunately my dream came true last year and I cant be happier. Thanks for this video.

[@boristrouserkov]

Delighted with my F4. I’ve got the MB 20 & 21 grip - certainly makes a difference! Thanks for highlighting the cable release I missed that 😊 Highly recommended camera & I’ve not had any AF issues.

[@HonJazzz]

I really want to try one of these cameras soon. For me the body design is a really great combination of modern features and tactile controls. Cheers!

[@homesickphotographycomau4107]

do it won't regret

[@cathydixon5852]

I love my F4 its all dials and knobs with no menus. And it feels good in the hand

[@CalumetVideo]

Thank you for the video Max and Jules! I have the F4 and find it to be the perfect 35mm camera for me when making slides.

[@thomasluk1913]

Love the shots of the longines flagship as well! Such a clean watch. Perfect for every occasion

[@TimR123]

Great review. I was amused by the choice of E100 as that was what I used in my copy to really exercise it the first time. Since positive film likes proper exposure so much and I was going to shoot an outdoor sports event, I couldn't imagine a better body to use. It didn't let me down. It has to be the most 'solid' body I've ever felt. Much to your point. It simply feels of one piece like it couldn't be broken.

[@edinburghtumuran916]

I can testify to this great Nikon F4! I own one and using is like using a DLSR with FILM! This is the forerunner of all Nikon DLSR cameras. Perfect for fast actions and very enjoyable too! But it feels 100% an analog camera and my F4 will stay with me for a longer period of time! Awesome!

[@joerg_koeln]

I think that the F4 has the best ergonomics of all Nikon cameras ever. Most of the important functionality can be set with knobs and dials instead of digging in multi-layered menus like the later F5 or F6.

[@keldmikkelsen5246]

Thank you for the review!🙂 What a wonderful camera! If some photographers were sceptical about this new camera in the late eighties, this scepticism indeed applied when electronic cameras replaced mechanical cameras. And also when manual focusing was replaced by autofocus. And again when film was challenged by digital technology. Remember the replacement of the LP record by the CD. Not everyone was happy with the new medium - the same phenomenon. However, analogue photography is (still) here. "It's alive!" (as Dr. Frankenstein said about his monster).✌

[@dennislim2891]

You explain so comfortably and clearly for the F4 camera's attractive nice points a lot. Very thanks to you.^^

[@joefaracevideos]

A wonderful review of a fascinating camera.

[@baladino]

Happy new year Max and Jules. And may I hope both of you remain well and have fulfilling photographic projects to come. This video remains as usual filled with customary attention to detail and cinematography. Thank you. May I also request a Leica M3 review ? Only if you feel it would be a service to your viewers.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you so much for all your kind comments and please excuse my late response. A Leica M3 video is definitely on the list for some future time. I loved my personal M3 back then and might get one again at some point. We will then certainly review it. :)

[@Jayysam95]

Great review on the camera, I really enjoyed the format. I got a F4 recently to supplement my FE2 and for the low price they're going for it's a very good deal.

[@peterkin1010]

It is for me the best handling camera of all time. I'm lucky enough to own a virtually 'as new' F4E and love it.

[@mattdavis9986]

Great video as always, Max. I mainly shoot in inclement weather so bought my F4 for this very reason. My intention was to use it with a Tamron 28-200 so that I don’t have to change lenses when it’s pouring with rain. The autofocus with this lens is shocking to say the least but when using my Nikkor AFD primes, it’s more than acceptable. I have quite a habit of buying and selling cameras, however this one is here to stay.

[@Seapatico]

What a wonderful review

[@sputumtube]

I had a Nikon F4s for about a year. I loved everything about it except the weight. Add a couple of lenses and a flash unit to your camera bag and you really need a trolley with wheels..!!

[@71supa]

I prefer using smaller, lighter, fully manual cameras like my Olympus OMs or Nikon F3, but honestly the F4 is my favorite. Having automatic film advance, rewind, and auto focus really shifts my attention to capturing more thoughtfully composed images. Plus something about the size and mass of the F4 makes slow shutter speed hand held shots turn out sharper. The ergonomics are quite good too. It really is a wonderful camera to use as long as it's not hanging from your neck all day.

[@stonehenges5722]

Thank you. Great that you do these videos. F4 looks almost perfect to me. When it came out late 80s I thought it looked a bit odd when it didn't have advance lever. Now I have bought few F4 cameras because I just love the design ..performance is not bad either. All the best!!

[@blainegauvin9458]

Happy new year to all of you guy's at Analog Insights...cheers

[@davewalker5706]

My dream camera back in the day..

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Thank you for this video, this is my Favorite!! film camera that I own.

[@karinmuhlberger7069]

A great review and also very interesting fotos.

[@kevinmarkham6385]

Yay more Nikon love. I had an f4 but sold it when I got an f5. The autofocus is terribly slow when compared. As a really advanced manual focus slr its great especially with matrix metering for old lenses. I also hated the shutter sound lol. And the automatic rewind on mine was broken so I had to use the crank.

[@ianssight2785]

Very enjoyable and appreciate the lens choice

[@DPImageCapturing]

I just purchased a F4S a few weeks ago! I am shooting B&W and I do my own processing. It has been great and I will continue to utilize it. I love the aviation museum, I work on B737’s & B767’s pretty much everyday here in the US, CHEERS!

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Bought an f4 a couple months ago cheap from a thrift shop had a quick look around it such a lovely camera his week I’m putting my first roll through fingers crossed it wasn’t cheap for a reason 😂📷 great video again mate cracking work cheers

[@jerrysyder]

Great review, thanks. I love my F4

[@AnalogInsights]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@homesickphotographycomau4107]

Absolutely love my two nikon f4s mb21 and nikon f4e mb23 (7.5 frames) waist down viewfinder great, Cameras for a life time.

[@sophietucker1255]

I recently got back into serious film photography and I was able to get Nikon cameras. I had always wanted them back in the day but lacked the money. When I had the money I really needed auto-focus so I went with the Canon EOS system. I now have a Nikon F, F2, F3 and the F4. I love them dearly. I have the 24-120 and a 80-200 for the F4. The weight is a little much at first but you do get used to it. All my digital stuff is Canon and so recently I got a EOS-1N RS. it is just as heavy as the F4 but I do have all my EF lenses that will work on it. Would love to see a video on the Canon 1N series and the 1N RS in particular.

[@johnbragg]

One of my favorite Nikon cameras. Simple to understand and strong as an ox. I feel it may outlast me, if not my FM2n.

[@mohammadvarzideh780]

Really great and affordable camera . With todays film price it's More collectible than practical use.

[@morg7736]

Just got my f4. Best camera I've ever used oddly enough. Just a little too big. Maybe with a small battery pack it would be manageable

[@Jo-mm3vo]

for me it's not so big, I shoot usually with my RB67 pro so it's seems lighter next to it, but what camera! love it

[@steveverhoef5667]

It’s a perfect size for a large lens.

[@morg7736]

@@Jo-mm3vo I shoot 35mm 90% of the time, but I am sure it seems like a point and shoot in comparison to the RB haha.

[@Jo-mm3vo]

@@morg7736 of course ', I understand no worries, yes 35mm are more lighter and more easy to carry 😂

[@borislebeau524]

The only one I kept before turning to hybrid cameras 10 years ago, and as I just got a Nikon Df, it’s gonna get back to service next week. With my new Voigtlander 20 and 28 mm, it will gonna be a good duo with the Df. Watching to get another right now with the MB20.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

I am so lucky to find this video. It prompted me to pull out my mint F4 MB-21 and check it out. I was worried I had left batteries in it but check it out and because there is zero trickle current when locked they were fine and it powered up without a problem. My other Nikon film body is an FM2n so I only have one 35/2 AF-D lens. Now I am motivated to find another. I will need suggestions (my AI-S lenses are 50/1.8, 50/1.2, 28/2.8, and 135/2.8). Thank you so much for this video.

[@bleddyndavies6827]

Great review ... always wanted one of these and this has really encouraged me to go for it. I live in London but I love visiting Munich (a favourite city of mine an my wife Jeni ), so I may keep my eyes open for a good example at Foto Presto. Cheers !!!

[@JL-vk1rs]

fantastic review

[@MrLukealbanese]

What a wonderful channel you have. I would love you to review the Nikon F2AS and perhaps a Nikon F Apollo!!

[@minisla]

Beautiful design

[@agnethaladuff8559]

Very good video, I didn't know that there was a bellow that can be used with this camera.

[@hamish5214]

The Nikon F-801 is also a very good camera that came out around the same time as the F4. But the F-801 is the one I can afford so I went and bought that camera instead of it's slightly more professional buddy. And after all... It's more about the glass than the body ;)

[@TillyOrifice]

Me too, and my F-801s did me for 16 years, which isn't bad. But I eventually got an F4. Ex-USN, and $250. Have to admit it's a better camera.

[@hamish5214]

It had the better features like viewfinders, I agree. I like to keep my set a bit lighter though.

[@RogerHyam]

I had an F4 to use at work but when I left (early 1990s) I bought myself a F-801s that for all intent and purposes did as good a job. Wasn't as cool as the F4 though.

[@glenbard657]

I tried to buy a used F4 from B&H several years ago. It was defective, so I sent it back and they sent another one. The second one was defective too. It makes you wonder if they ever check out used equipment before they sell it. We used to have a camera repair shop in my town that was great. That shop was about the only place I could trust to sell used equipment that actually worked. It was a big loss when that shop closed.

[@efreutel]

Superb! 👍Thank you.

[@odukar2315]

My Nikon F4 has an MF-23 Multicontrol Back which monitors and displays all several programable settings. All over it's a heavy beast,

[@RobertFalconer1967]

Giorgetto Giugiaro's masterwork!

[@adrianmcgrath1984]

I think the F4 is when Canon rose in stature as a pro camera? The studio I was working at had a contract with a hockey magazine, an F4 was bought and tried for a couple of games. Then abandoned and hockey shooting went back to FM2s. Manual focussing gave a much higher percentage of in focus shots and the FM2s had the advantage over the F3 in flash synch. - I don't even know what the system for hockey photographers is now, but back then NHL rinks had strobe systems attached to the lighting rig, and photographers were limited in numbers, each assigned a flash synch cord by their spot. Several linked strobes banked along with the TV lighting ensured even coverage, with the ice working as the perfect reflector. - I don’t think you see strobes at sports events anymore?

[@petepictures]

yep, they are lovely

[@tadeusz1]

Is this the camera that, on looks alone, is the basis for all subsequent digital cameras?? An observation that is often overlooked in my opinion. Love the fact that all the controls are on the exterior. I still have 2 of them, one with the waist level finder. A work of art.

[@kiwipics]

I have a Canon bias, and love my EOS1 .... yet another body that was the basis for a companies digital range.

[@vicequi8785]

@@kiwipics I would argue that the Canon T90, not the EOS-1, set the industrial design for the subsequent EOS line, starting with the EOS 650.

[@bhop.builds]

I think you're thinking of the F100 and F5 bodies. Nikon's DSLRs all have the same dials and menu setups. I can go from the F100 to my Nikon D3s without missing a beat since everything works the same... but I enjoy the knobs and dials of the F4 more.

[@peetje28021970]

One of the nicest and best cameras ever.

[@RFStarkJapan]

When I lived in Germany in 1988 to 92 this was my dream camera, but way out of my semi-professional budget. Now I own every variation with the F4S being my favorite. I can only describe this camera as "Sexy"

[@janw.jensen2490]

I have never used F4, but at the time I wanted one badly. And I remember the F4s had a Tungsten-Alloy Shutter Balancer to absorb the vibration.

[@homesickphotographycomau4107]

get one

[@KimHojbergJensen]

This is my favorite, but I have an F6 on the way in shipping 😊

[@gabriel67roman]

I was wondering if you guys could also make an analysis on the Rolleiflex 3003 and/or the Rollei 6008 Integral, or any of the 6000 series.

[@jeffreyabelson7171]

I love my F4 - my neck hated it: I learned after spending a lot of money that cameras are mostly light-tight boxes and that lenses are where the real action takes place :)

[@studiomarand]

Hi Max, when you say that the metal focal plane shutter became the standard for 80s and 90s cameras, you mean some sort of specifically balanced shutter? Because Pentax already did use a vertical titanium 5-blade shutter made by Seiko on the 1975 "K2" ranging from 8sec to 1/1000s with 1/125s syncro-flash. Very informative video as always!

[@ivaa7777JAWA]

Great video

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you! Really appreciate it. :)

[@flowermaze___]

Inspiring review! Tempting by an F4 now... I am curious on your thoughts to the Nikon FA. A similar blend of eras, minus autofocus 〰️

[@Hunter-nu7uw]

Nice review. Have you considered doing a review on the Nikon F2? Many consider it the most versatile mechanical camera of superb quality ever made. Just a suggestion.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your comment and suggestion. The F2 is definitely on the list as well.

[@captainbackflash]

Hab mir vor einigen -tagen eine F4 ersteigert. Hatte bisher nur die Nikon F und wollte mal was modernes haben!

[@Beckkerable]

Thanks a lot for your very informative report. While Nikon started with this camera into the autofocus era Canon had done so a year before (EOS). Do you have knowledge/experience about these both AF systems? Was one of them ahead?

[@RogerHyam]

I actually bought and used one of these new when it first came out (with MB-20 and data back). I was a photo technician rather than a press guy and used it for science and institutional stuff for a couple of years. It was amazing but probably wasted on me and my skill set at the time (I was in my early 20s). I wonder where it is now? Funnily enough I just bought an F90 for old times sake so I could have an autofocus film camera to play with. Did you mention that with G lenses you can only really use it in program or shutter priority - or at least I presume so.

[@luisespinoza6597]

What I noticed is that you can't use program modes (A, S or P) with the mirror lock lever active, the camera just reads the light as if you were pitch dark. I intented to cheat the camera with the mirror locked, since it stops down the lens, because you have to do it that way if using Ai lenses.

[@1111undici1111]

That was a nice review of classic Nikon F4. However, I personally think that the iconic Nikon F2 Photomic AS is the best of all Nikons.

[@dg3831]

Hi Max. Have you ever heard of the possible phenomenon of electronic statistic on the film while winding or unwinding the film inside the camera body? Specifically the speed at which the film is moving inside the camera.

[@jd5787]

Hi! Can I adapt lenses on this camera? I have a chunk of contax zeiss and olympus zuiko on hand. Manual focus of course. Thank you

[@Stefan94Bree]

When using the F4 with newer G lenses in S or P mode, does it show at what F stop it's using in the viewfinder? Got a 58mm 1.4 and would love to try on a film camera. :)

[@robertstacy8438]

It is an excellent and comprehensive review of a camera that I owned for nearly two decades and pulled thousands and thousands of rolls through it. I truly admired this walk down memory lane. With that said, I think you missed two incredibly important aspects about the camera that are worth noting. The first is that it has a little switch on it that allows you to make double exposures easily, as activating the switch prevents the film advancing when you take the first photo. Elegant and nice if you want to be creative. Second - while you did mention the exposure compensation dial when shooting slide film, the really great thing about this camera is that it is the ultimate camera to use when shooting slide film. This is because if you use the matrix metering function, as opposed to spot or center, and under expose the film -1/3 a stop, you almost never fail on delivering perfect exposures, except for extreme contrasts. I bought mine in 1992, but had it stolen in Mexico in 2002. I replaced it with an F5 at the time, but as you note, that is when Nikon started that transition to less locks etc., and the design was different. I was never enamored with the F5 in the same way. But the downside of both cameras, is they are beasts to carry - so heavy, so when I want to do slide shooting now, I use a Nikon F100, which has the same great metering system in it and is a reasonably sturdy camera, though not the tank that the F4 is.

[@FookFish]

is that berlin gatow?

[@alberte58]

Nikon made before the F4 the F3AF professional camera with two autofocus lenses a 80mm and a 200mm. Both lenses works also on the F4, not the F4s or the F4e.

[@StylusDrop]

The Nikon F4 is a great camera but also consider the far cheaper F90 and F90X (or N90 & N90S in the USA) which can do most of what the F4 can and are also more robust than the later F100.