Nikon F5
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| Pro | I purchased the F5 a year ago and this is what I think. I take better pictures with the F5, let me clarify, at an air show, while whale watching and of course all the people shots I would have missed if it were not for the speed of the auto focus and the wonderful metering system. If it sounds like I use the camera as point and shoot camera sometimes I do exactly that. I think it is one of the attributes of this camera the ability to get the shot, quickly and accurately.
Battery Consumption: Battery consumption has not been a problem for me. My purchase is a late model production camera and I am aware that the earlier models did have a battery consumption issue. Weigh: The F5 is a heavy camera but I like the weight and feel of the camera. I think because of the weight the camera balances nicely in your hands and the F5 is a dream to hold. I am able to hand held this camera at a lower shutter speed than I could with other cameras. The craftsmanship is superb and I enjoy how well the F5 is made. Familiar Controls: I like the ability to go from one Nikon to another and most of the controls seemed familiar. Weather Sealing: I have taken the F5 while on a sailboat in Kauai in 15 foot swells hanging on to the boat with one hand and just pointing the camera with the other (program mode) and guess what I got some good shots. I don’t hesitate using this camera in adverse weather conditions and just wipe and clean it. | ||
| Contra | I wish the focus area brackets in the viewfinder illuminated in red similar to the N80 and F100 | ||
| Thoughts | Some comments I have read lead to believe that some people have walked in from the street and purchased a two thousand dollar camera. That the person never picked the camera up and realized how heavy the camera is. Not that the F5 is that heavy look at some medium format cameras. If you are looking at this camera I’m sure you already are aware of peoples comments good and bad. It would hard for me to believe that someone will purchase the F5 as a first Nikon camera. I would assume that the person who made this purchase has an assortment of Nikon products and knows what they are doing.
The F5 was introduced in 1996 and was a top of the line 35mm camera and in 2004 it still is the top of the line. I know other manufactures make great cameras but eight years later this camera is still at the top of the list. This camera will be that last film camera that I own. It is not because I’m going digital, because I’m not at the moment. It is because this is simply the best film camera you can purchase from Nikon and it just might be the best film camera you can own. | ||
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| Pro | Confident that it could handle continuous heavy usage. RGB metering is absolutely fantastic. Great for eyeglass wearers. I am a big man and I do not notice the added weight. Mirror lockup. | ||
| Contra | Pricey for a middle class American to purchase. F100 is a bit more user friendly. | ||
| Thoughts | I just put my F5 through its 3rd year of use/abuse. Just came back from driving nearly 6000 miles and shooting 20 rolls of Velvia and Kodak E100VS through it. Every slide was nicely exposed using the Matrix metering. From Ravens against the blue skies of Utah to the snow caps of the Rockies truly looking white snow. I had to do minimal to no exposure compensation. Used one set of batteries for this. Used the Mirror lock due to exposures of 1/20 @ F16. There is no presence of mirror vibration.
If you want one of the best film cameras around, the F5 is an excellent choice. I still prefer film over digital due to the tonal variations film offers. The only reason I see to switch to digital is for more personal control of your images from start to finish and for instant gratification. I also own an F100 and a F3hp and each of these camera's have their place but if left to using only one camera, it would be my F5. Tom...... | ||
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| Pro | The RGB metering which is the main feature I was looking for has not disappointed me. Battery is not problem either. | ||
| Contra | none. | ||
| Thoughts | Today is Sept. 1, 2003 and my friends asked me why am I still buying film and not digital SLR. My answer is that DSLR camera price is like computers, the pixels will rise and the corresponding prices will fall as the technology changes. A D100 today will be obsolete next year. Look at Canon 1D and 1Ds. F5 is the one I wanted because of my research on internets and magazines about this top of the line camera and I knew that a lot of photographers are going to dump the film camera and go for digitals. I bought mine used, reasonably priced but in near new condition. I have no problems in its weight or having any defects mentioned in this forum or other forums. | ||
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| Pro | Great metering system/Fast focusing/Build quality.Meter is spot on. Focusing on a racing motorcycle ,60-70mph in the esses from 50 feet, the guy loses it and I track the bike (35-135mm). Everything is tack sharp. I purchased a Tokina 24-200 and the damn thing can`t even focus on dragsters going horizontal. BUY NIKON LENSES ONLY! | ||
| Contra | Criminal the way it eats batteries(30 rolls/lithium). Vertical shutter release should not move in the locked position. How many times have pushed the button dimayed that there is something wrong with the camera only to say, "D`OH!" 5 seconds later. Disgraceful that photo secretary not packaged with camera ($244.00). | ||
| Thoughts | All the weenies that complain about the weight....thank God you He(she)-Men never had to lug around 2 F2as` with motordrives. No OP-TEC straps back then either. | ||
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| Pro | fast motor drive, good feel | ||
| Contra | I have had lenses disconnect several times unexpectedly...Also, this is my 2nd F5 body which has had episodes of jumping to max. shutter speed and hopping through whole sequences without exposing film...very upsetting stuff. | ||
| Thoughts | As soon as I can get glass, I will begin using my R8 and park everything that says Nikon on it. | ||
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| Pro | Build qaulity 10/10 features 10/10 User friendly 9/10 Feel 9/10 This camera has it all and considering it is quite a bit older than the new pro canon 1 v it still manages to keep up or even still beat it. The matrix metering is fantastic, 8 frames a sec with lock on, manual rewind, what can l say. You get what you pay for, lm happy l paid the extra cash for it, wouldnt use anything else!!! | ||
| Contra | Only two things l wasnt mad about, one the custom/flash sync/ buttons on the cameras back are two small. two view finders not that bright, even with 1.8 and 2.8 lenses, thats pretty much it though. | ||
| Thoughts | All round an amazing camera, and in the end you'll be happy you paid that much. has everything you need for 15 years to come and will last even longer. | ||
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| Pro | Built like a tank! A super camera! I like the feel, the operation, features and controls, and everything else. It is truely a professional camera. AF is FAST! No hunting at all! And cannot be competed. Very quiet operations! I cannot feel any slight shake when the mirror flips during firing. The sound of it is also solid, compared to N90s or F100, even the F4. I thought the F100's shutter is quiet, until I tried the F5. It has to do with the massive body itself. The F100 is light and you can feel a slight mirror movement---but still quiet, much better than the N90s. 8 fps is awesome; not I use it that much, but it's good to have it. Variable center-weighted metering is superb---no other camera in the world has this feature. I appreciate this feature a lot because I often shoot portraits. 3D color matrix metering is also superb! Manual rewind capability is a BIG plus for me. The list goes on and on. The bottom line: this is THE ONLY 35MM CAMERA to own. It's so nice to know that the F5 still reigns in the 35mm world, even after 6 years it has been introduced. | ||
| Contra | I have only two complaints (but these a very minor): 1) Five focus area selection: would be nice to have the selected area light up in red like the F100. Or Nikon could have updated that screen to have similar feature. In dim light it is very difficult to see which AF area is selected. 2) Direct aperture readout: It doesn't make sense that the top LCD (F--) cannot provide aperture setting when controlled by the aperture ring of the lens. And you have to look through the aperture direct readout to get that information. Of course, the direct readout window would be a logical reserve for using a manual focus AI/AIS lens (without CPU chip). In dim light situation this is very difficult to see anyway. If the N6006, N8008 series, N90 series have this capability why not F5? I like to look at the LCD than the direct readout; plus with a variable-aperture zoom lens, the direct read-out is useless. This is when the F100 has its advantage. | ||
| Thoughts | I like to hold this camera more than I shoot. It never seizes to amaze me of its texture and feel. I used the F100 before I decided to get the F5. My reason was due to its massive body and price. Many people argue that the F100 is a better choice, since (of course) it is the "F5 light". I really don't think that is a true statement. Both cameras feel great in your hand. The bigger buttons on the F100 are probably better to handle, but still I don't have problems with the F5's buttons. Of course, it's nice to carry the F100 around your neck walking in a park on a Sunday afternoon taking snap shots than the big F5. In terms of handling and features I think the F5 is still at the top...at the top of ALL cameras (not just Nikon). | ||
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| Pro | All the best ! 100% coperture, very robust, easy to use, professional, | ||
| Contra | Price :o( | ||
| Thoughts | I Love My F5 ;o)) | ||
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| Pro | Tough, accurate, speedy | ||
| Contra | Heavy, large, hard to travell | ||
| Thoughts | I have travelled with this camera at least 10 countries, loved it, except it's way too heavy and large. My next would be F100 | ||
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| Pro | fast, Fast, FAST!!! DAMN FAST!! I would recomend it to any serious pro. | ||
| Contra | Sure batteries may be drained quickly but you did spend two grand+ so, look at the work this camera does. Batteries shpuld be the least of your worries. | ||
| Thoughts | This camera is a dream and I should tell everyone to get the 28- 70 silent wave and the 80- 200 silent wave a dream of any action photographer. Again VERY FAST! | ||
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| Pro | 3D RGB Matrix Metering | ||
| Contra | Battery life. But this is not an issue batteries are cheap and I buy them at a discount when ever I see them on sale. | ||
| Thoughts | This camera has the best metering system made. 3D RGB Matrix Metering is the main reason I purchased this camera. There is no comparison to any other camera including the F100. This is a Pro level camera the F100 isn't. Where is the mirror lock on the F100? Mirror vibration is meaningless if you have mirror lock. Where is the stainless steel mount on the F100? Just wait till the plating starts to come off on your mount and land on the mirror or inside your camera. Has no wisdom to identify a smaller subject before a contrasty background?????? You must be kidding, I have never had that problem it focuses on whatever I want it to. My advice to any one that is thinking about buying an F5 is DO IT!!!! You won't be disappointed. This is the best camera I have ever owned. I will bet money the person below that said the F5 has three serious defects has never owned or used an F5. | ||
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| Pro | Superb tool. Well made, Well Balanced. Easy to use. RGB metering is excellent. | ||
| Contra | One too many control locks(the on lock). Using the vertical grip is not as sure handed as F100 or N90s. | ||
| Thoughts | A camera for the serious photographer. You wouldn't take it on a vacation, unless that vacation included a photo safari. The F5 is the best photographic tool I know. | ||
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| Pro | I have owned all of the F series camera's and by far this is my favorite. | ||
| Contra | >Battery life could be better. But when you consider all the functions this camera performs I dont mind buying a few extra batteries. If you are using a camera in this league you should be able to afford them. | ||
| Thoughts | Tough,Excellent Quality, Fantastic Metering | ||
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| Thoughts | If you use Alkaline batteries, you are inviting trouble. The F5 will eat them for dessert. Use rechargable NiMH or Lithium Ion, if you can get them. More expensive...yes, but You've purchased a $2000.00 camera. The lithium's will last you for a 100+ rolls (Nikon says 250 ha) Two or three dollars a set more shouldn't break you | ||
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| Thoughts | The F5 is like a Formula 1 or Indy race car. It is a high-speed high-performance machine. You'll only get 1-3 miles to the gallon with the race car just like you'll only get a handful of rolls with the F5. | ||
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| Thoughts | f you photograph often in the most adverse and meanest codition, the solution is Nikon F5. I do shoot in the rain, in the snow,and even in the typhoon, F5 gives me the exact picture that I want. I mean it's a pro tool that endures every torture inflicted by some bad-tempered pros like myself. So if you are worried about eating too much battery, better get some EOS-5. | ||
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| Thoughts | I went to F5 after Pentax Z-1p. My impressions are: it is really solid, simple and robust camera for those who understand what is he doing and what it is being done for. Great auoto focus system, great metering system! Batteries? buy a special block. Expensive? Your are at the top level. Nobody wonders to a WRC car for $1M, why do you wonder to $400 for battery block? Again, it is a professional's level: you must pay for everything! | ||
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| Thoughts | I think F5 has at least three serious defects: 1.Mirror vibration is much harder than that occurs in F100. (When you compare F3 with FE2; F4 and F90x, you will find that is a genetic sick in Nikon's professional model) 2.Has no wisdom to identify a smaller subject before a contrasty background-it will focus on the background directly (The same job does by F100 will be much better) 3.Viewfinder Brightness is too dark when compared with F100. | ||
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| Thoughts | 3D Color Matrix Metering makes F5 the State Of Art in Photo. I like F100 very much but 3D Color Matrix Metering disqualified all other cameras on the market. I think it's not fear to compare F5 with other cameras that do not have 3D color metering. F5 is, to my opinion, The Best Camera in the World today. | ||
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| Thoughts | I have used an F5 for over two years and it is a superb camera. I have no regrets about buying it, however I would not buy another one. I recently replaced my F90X with an F100 (which wasn't available when I bought the F5) and for my needs it is a much better camera. It is lighter and whilst it lacks mirror up, 8fps drive and removable prism, I have never used any of those features in anger. The auto-manual switch is irritatingly small on the F100, but most of my lenses switch on the lens these days. | ||
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| Thoughts | A fine companion. Nicest Nikon I have ever used. The new EC-E screen is a excellent addition, well worth the money. Should get years of service from my partner. If you need pro level results, this a excellent choice. | ||
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| Thoughts | F5 is nice and solid. Some drawbacks: F100 and even N80 have better focus sensor LCD indicators on view-screen. Buttons for AF-start and Exp Lock are hard to press/find with thumb. Cannot remove vertical grip like on F4/F100/F90. Alkaline batteries not recommended by Nikon (they ONLY like expensive lithium or NiMH). No AI-S matrix metering and F-stop display capability (biggest drawback for me!). No mechanical shutter release like F4, FM2. Feels less solidly built than F4s, might not be true though. Autofocus always needs small manual correction for best focus on my AF-S 28-70 1:2.8 zoom, especially on non cross-type focus sensors. Relies on large LCD displays, life-time thus limited to 10-15 years before LCD's die, and limited high-temperature capability (LCD goes black at high-temp), and still has less information in viewfinder than F4s. I still love this camera though! BTW: previous email re. why no AF-S motor in new 14mm 1:2.8 lens: at that focal length, you almost do not need to focus at all! These lenses have such huge DOF. I found AF-S to be more quiet, not necessarily faster than camera motor. This camera focuses so fast with non AF-S lenses anyway. The AF-S motor makes the lens diameter (and price) explode to ugly proportions. So my choice is no AF-S motor below 35mm lenses. | ||
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| Thoughts | I love this camera. I considered the F100, but the F5 just had a much more solid feel and the higher firing rate cinched it for me. You can see photos I created with my F5 and other cameras at http://members.aol.com/jhbanda/index.html. | ||
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| Thoughts | The darkened focusing sensor and illuminated arrow(s) in the viewfinder are useless in low light level situations. Canon never had this problem when the Nikon F5 was introduced. This is bad engineering from Nikon. The placement of the focusing sensor thumb shift on the back of the F5 is another bad design. I sometimes accidently shift the focusing sensor and will shoot several frames before I notice the error. The lack of a main dial adjacent to the vertical shutter release is another lousy omission. A few important shots have either been missed or wasted by the above problems with the F5. Nikon just announced an AF 14 mm f/2.8 D ED lens. Why no AF-S motor? Canon and third party versions have their own motors. What is going on with Nikon? I should have sold my existing Nikon stock and switched over to Canon in 1998. | ||
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| Thoughts | Oh boy.... I think there is a better and less expensive way to give your muscles a workout. Is it really necessarily to make photo camera THAT BIG AND THAT HEAVY? Other than that - impressive tool, not for me though. | ||
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| Thoughts | I wanted another Nikon AF body in addition to my N90s. I was choosing between the F5 and the F100. After spending some time researching and comparing the two fine cameras, the hands-down winner was the F5. These are some of the deciding factors:
1. 3D color matrix-metering 2. Mirror lock-up 3. Faster FPS 4. Interchangeable finders for added versatility 5. Eyepiece shutter (and N90s) 6. Built-in vertical grip 7. Optional control back with the ability to add copyrighting I know that the F100 is less expensive, but when you add the vertical grip, the F100 is within a few hundred dollars of the F5. To make my decision easier, there was a rebate for $250 for the F5 and a new lower price at the time. The F5 is big and heavy but it balances so well that you forget that this is an anchor disguised as a camera. It is a pleasure to use and it takes beautiful pictures. I just wished that the optional screens were electro-chromic (just like the standard screen). This way, it will be easier to see which focus point I've chosen instead of looking at the arrows. Not a big deal. I am very impressed with the workmanship, choice of materials,features and ergonomics of this camera and still basically scratched the surface of the potential and capabilities of this fine machine. | ||