I have only the F6 and begrudgingly it is the best film camera that I have ever owned. Maybe not as exciting as others but really the pinnacle of it all. That said, I do find myself going for my manual ones a lot more often.
@@KimHojbergJensen Of course, the F6 isn't the king. It wasn't even designed for professional photographers. The F5 was the last Nikon Flagship. The next Nikon Flagship was digital. The F6 was for film enthusiasts, not Pros. I completely agree with you regarding the FM2. Superb camera.📷👍
Happy user of an F4 here. It takes my legacy glass and all the modern stuff I have for the DSLRs. Reading accounts of the F4 when it came out, people complained of a slow AF. When I fit a modern AF-S lens on it, it's as fast as I could want. Obviously, these weren't around at the time, but Nikon had it up their sleeve.
My preferences: F: the granddady of all Nikon Fs FM3A: apperture priority if battery is provided, otherwise is still fully functional mechanically F100: to use auto focus lenses (F5 is bulkier, F6 is a bit pricey)
Hello, very nice presentation of the Nikon camera history! I really liked that! I started with a Nikon F2 Photomic in 1988(from 1971) and in the last two years I bought the Nikon Zfc and this year the Nikon Zf to take the next step into the To make the digital age. With the appropriate adapters, you can still use your old lenses, which is what I do too! Nikon is a big player in the camera world, but the nice thing is that all other camera manufacturers do They produce their cameras at a high level!📸 The selection these days is fantastic and there is something for everyone! Thank you for the introduction and greetings from Germany!! Greetings Matthias📷
Your video has so much value. Your explanations and kind presentation are much appreciated. But what is really spectacular and fantastic? It's your photos when here. Wow! I started photography with a F80 about 20 years ago and switched to digital a couple of years later with a D70s. After shooting now about a year only with Fuji, I got a Zf two weeks ago and I am feeling back home having a Nikon in my hands again. Now I am considering getting a F3 and have fun with film again and concentrating more in the shot and the moment than on the technology and pixels. Thanks again for the great video.
A nice overview of the F cameras, i own several. On 750 exposures: that was only possible with the mythical MF-2 back for the F2 camera (try to find one...) F6 downside: no interchangable finders.
I recently bought an FM2N and an F4 from an acquaintance. I think the FM2N is close to the F3. I love the film advance on it. It feels so good to turn the lever. The F4 didn't work at first. Then I watched a video on it and the guy in the video said you have to use good quality batteries in it for it to work. I had cheap batteries in it and had to swap them out. There was already a roll of slide film in the camera. It was on the 10th frame. The woman I bought them from had inherited it. I think she said he was get mom's ex husband or something like that. I got both cameras, a PB-6 bellows, 12 rolls of Fujii slide film (some of it is Velvia 50), an older Lowpro backpack and a few other accessories that I'll never use, all for $400 US. The F4 goes for around $275 from what I've seen and the FM2N sells for around $300. Both are in near mint condition. I think the film is nearly $20 or $25 a roll of I'm not mistaken. Even if I can only get $15 a roll I can still make some money off it. I have no need for slide film. I guess I could shoot it and then scan it. I want an F3.
Great video, I really like your enthusiasm. I own all bodies except the F. Hard to tell, which I like the most. For "easy" light conditions the F2 and F3 do a great job, for more complex light I go for the newer bodies. Keep on going with your channel, it is really amazing.
Great video as always! I recently picked up a Nikon F3, and I can’t stop shooting with it. Honestly, it’s got to be one of the best 35mm SLRs ever made. For those times I want something with a more 'digital' and convenient feel, I’ve been using the Canon EOS 30V/ELAN 7NE, and it’s been great for that. :)
This was a great summary of the F series, concise, with all the important facts, and great recommendations. Especially about the F5 .. it is awesome but carrying it around for a day is exhausting.
I have mine already, the FM, bought in 1980’s when I turned 18. Now it’s a decor on my bookshelf , still loved and revered but retired for the “brainless consumer” digital cameras. As a money-struggling student, the cost of 35 mm film, and the numbers of ruined shots (which you still had to pay for) became a real incentive to retire the old workhorse in the 1990’s for a 4 MP Sony compact, and now a F5500 digi-junk. I still hold and clean my FM on the weekends, and remember the moments it captured when I got married and had a child. Even the hefty weight of it is a pleasant memory!
I use Nick carver metering method which is based on the zone system. I use sun lit or shade grass as middle tone depending if the subject is in the shade or not.
I own all of them except the F6. Personally like the F2 and F5 the most. The F2 for it’s simplicity and the mechanical feel. The F5 is great with modern lenses and feels familiar if you also shoot a Nikon DSLR. That being said, they all have their charm. The F feels so indestructible, the F3 has such a smooth film advance, the F4 is like the perfect hybrid between mechanical camera’s with dials and modern camera’s with AF and a great meter.
Used an F801 extensively, then replaced it with an F801S, at about 1/3 of the price of an F4 with the same metering and AF, it was perfect. Later in life I got a used F5, and I have to agree, with the 8 batteries in there it is heavy, but love the feel of it.
I have to disagree with you on the best version of F2. A much better, and rather rare, choice is the F2 Sb with the DP-3 meter prism. It's a Silicon Blue cell meter just like the DP-12 but it's designed to fully function with any Nikon lens featuring an aperture ring. BTW all of my AF Nikkor's have had that metering prong added. Final it uses the old string and display wheel method to show the lens aperture and if you ever compare the DP-11 or 12 aperture display to that on the DP-3 you'll understand the benefit of the older design.
Glorious workhorses. Unless someone is paying me I use smaller things by Olympus/Leica. Is the F6 significantly smaller/lighter than the F5? It looks nice.
With this, what should I buy next? Nikon F Apollo 7407954 (March 1973), focusing screens A, D, E, viewfinder Photomic FTn NIKON F-501 AF 5525997 NIKON F4 2183147 (January 1989), focusing screen B, DP-20 viewfinder Probably a pyramid viewfinder for the F and a new viewfinder for my F4 because it has LCD bleed. And my setup for digitizing slides is good, but gives positive vignette when doing negatives so maybe a better rig there
Best Nikon F single digit: The answer is quite simple. Nikon only released a new single digit F for innovation, not looks. So get the newest version you are willing to spend. So that’s F6 with only drawback being lack of old school compatibility such as interchangeable finders & non-Ai out the box. Although non-Ai can be (when new) ordered on F5 & F6 & added later at a cost. Otherwise, F4 standard is best of all for usability vs used cost performance. Outdoing any “for looks” mechanical in its price. It does it all and more then F2/F3 for less w/ all the major functions where they’re expected to be & have been for 60 yrs so anyone old & new to film will feel at home. But add the multi-back & brings next level of features matching F5 N90 It does everything you probably need only missing I-TTL & 3D Color Matrix Multi Area Focus & optional GPS data print & few miscellaneous. If u didn’t know, then u probably don’t need it. (: but F6 has all that
Nikon placed a great deal of attention to looks and design. They employed the skills of automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro for the F3 and F4 and are now historically noteworthy examples of industrial design.
Nikon FM2n kicks all the classical Nikon camera’s asses. If you don’t wanna spend too much money but want a good autofocus Nikon camera, also compact, the Nikon F100 is the camera you are looking for. Btw, I own most of the cameras on the list, except the Nikon F6 and F5
I have my Nikon F, for pretty landscape photography and I have an FM2N for fast photography / low light photography. Honestly the FM2N is the best fully mechanical camera Nikon made imo; although it's quite complicated
Sold my F2 for the FA back then. Kept my F Found an F4 and an F75 with lenses for next to nothing. F6 is too expensive these days. Ah yes I got the F-801 too as it came free with the 24 AF lens. Just works. Underrated. . . Ok I have a Nikkormat Ft2 and a Nikomat El as well. Guilty.
I doubt anyone has ever regretted buying an F6 (apart from the GBH it does to one's bank account!). I've used all sorts of manual and electronic Nikons, including the F3, FM3A, FM2N and F5 and, for me, the F6 is the best film camera made by Nikon (or anyone else for that matter). My example has the non-AI conversion fitted and this was done in 2022 by sending it back to Nikon UK who forwarded it on to Nikon Europe. So, a couple of years ago at least, it was still possible to get this conversion done. Not sure if they still have the parts now though - might be worth enquiring if you have an F6 and want the option to use some vintage lenses.
I would have it done, I sent mine to nikon Japan via JCH for the internal battery repair and they could not do it, Ill contact Nikon EU and see if they can.
lots of gear, safari's and visits to Japan, you must work hard to afford all that, don't feed the deer dude. I shoot an F90 and an f90x and love em, better af and metering than an f4, lovely and robust, and cheap secondhand to boot.
"Prosumer junk"😂😂😂 in fact I own some of this junk. F-301 since 1986, FM2n since 1988 - I can tell u, though I do love my F3HP I would'nt want to miss these two (nor my Nikkormats EL, FT2, FT3). And btw, pls don't forget that F3 has got an auxiliary mechanical shutter release just in case u ran out of LR44😉
Consider the resurgence of film camera, I really hope Nikon could make a F7, with the looks of a F3, but with the autofocus of the D6. I also hope it could provide an option to take square format photos like the Robot Royal 24.
I wanted an F3 for years but got detered by the electronic shutter and high price. i ended up going with a flawless finaly production year F2a for $175
I was a Nikon fan for many years, until they decided to refuse to fix my F3, even for money, as it was a "grey-market" camera. I didn't knowingly purchase it as such; I was lied to by a N.Y. store. But they don't care. I will never buy another thing from them, but I still have the F3, and an FTn.
Its a great camera, I broke the AI tab on mine and had to replace it, There is a video on my channel somewhere for it. I only sold it when I got the F6
"Prosumer junk" Ha! I know we are a diverse bunch. I know some of us can't settle for anything less than fully mechanical.... However, I'm continually baffled by the hype around FM2/3A when the F3 is alive and well. Keep up the good work!
AI compatibility on F2 prisms is so overrated and overpriced. As long as there are rabbit ears on the lens, the DP-1 is the best of both worlds and never needs stopping down to meter, which can't be said for the other meters. Also, the Nikon F is a perfect 35mm camera, and attaching a tripod or tripod plate is pointless. Carry that brick as it was intended. Around your neck. Into battle...
![Overrated: Camera features that don't matter [ft Gerald Undone]](/img/1.gif)
I can see a part B in your cupboard with derivatives of these professional cameras for serious amateurs such as the F-801 and F-100
I've had all the F's except the F6. The one remaining is the one I like using most, the original F with plain prism.
Good choice 👍📷
I have only the F6 and begrudgingly it is the best film camera that I have ever owned. Maybe not as exciting as others but really the pinnacle of it all. That said, I do find myself going for my manual ones a lot more often.
F2as is my choice
I got a nikon f301 and even tho it was ment to be for the average consumer it is a great camera in my opinion
Nice, I have the F3-F6.
Of course the F6 is the king, but If I want small, I use the FM2n before the F3.
@@KimHojbergJensen Of course, the F6 isn't the king. It wasn't even designed for professional photographers. The F5 was the last Nikon Flagship. The next Nikon Flagship was digital. The F6 was for film enthusiasts, not Pros.
I completely agree with you regarding the FM2. Superb camera.📷👍
Same ! Sold my F3 (should have kept it as part of my collection) and bought my FM2n
Happy user of an F4 here. It takes my legacy glass and all the modern stuff I have for the DSLRs. Reading accounts of the F4 when it came out, people complained of a slow AF. When I fit a modern AF-S lens on it, it's as fast as I could want. Obviously, these weren't around at the time, but Nikon had it up their sleeve.
Great video thank you. Nikon for life
My preferences:
F: the granddady of all Nikon Fs
FM3A: apperture priority if battery is provided, otherwise is still fully functional mechanically
F100: to use auto focus lenses (F5 is bulkier, F6 is a bit pricey)
Hello, very nice presentation of the Nikon camera history! I really liked that! I started with a Nikon F2 Photomic in 1988(from 1971) and in the last two years I bought the Nikon Zfc and this year the Nikon Zf to take the next step into the To make the digital age. With the appropriate adapters, you can still use your old lenses, which is what I do too! Nikon is a big player in the camera world, but the nice thing is that all other camera manufacturers do They produce their cameras at a high level!📸 The selection these days is fantastic and there is something for everyone! Thank you for the introduction and greetings from Germany!! Greetings Matthias📷
Your video has so much value. Your explanations and kind presentation are much appreciated. But what is really spectacular and fantastic? It's your photos when here. Wow! I started photography with a F80 about 20 years ago and switched to digital a couple of years later with a D70s. After shooting now about a year only with Fuji, I got a Zf two weeks ago and I am feeling back home having a Nikon in my hands again. Now I am considering getting a F3 and have fun with film again and concentrating more in the shot and the moment than on the technology and pixels. Thanks again for the great video.
A nice overview of the F cameras, i own several.
On 750 exposures: that was only possible with the mythical MF-2 back for the F2 camera (try to find one...)
F6 downside: no interchangable finders.
I recently bought an FM2N and an F4 from an acquaintance. I think the FM2N is close to the F3. I love the film advance on it. It feels so good to turn the lever. The F4 didn't work at first. Then I watched a video on it and the guy in the video said you have to use good quality batteries in it for it to work. I had cheap batteries in it and had to swap them out. There was already a roll of slide film in the camera. It was on the 10th frame. The woman I bought them from had inherited it. I think she said he was get mom's ex husband or something like that. I got both cameras, a PB-6 bellows, 12 rolls of Fujii slide film (some of it is Velvia 50), an older Lowpro backpack and a few other accessories that I'll never use, all for $400 US. The F4 goes for around $275 from what I've seen and the FM2N sells for around $300. Both are in near mint condition. I think the film is nearly $20 or $25 a roll of I'm not mistaken. Even if I can only get $15 a roll I can still make some money off it. I have no need for slide film. I guess I could shoot it and then scan it. I want an F3.
Great video, I really like your enthusiasm.
I own all bodies except the F.
Hard to tell, which I like the most. For "easy" light conditions the F2 and F3 do a great job, for more complex light I go for the newer bodies.
Keep on going with your channel, it is really amazing.
SP, F3/T, F4 and F6 is my collection.
I love all my Nikon film cameras. F100, F2, L35AF (Red D)
Great video as always! I recently picked up a Nikon F3, and I can’t stop shooting with it. Honestly, it’s got to be one of the best 35mm SLRs ever made. For those times I want something with a more 'digital' and convenient feel, I’ve been using the Canon EOS 30V/ELAN 7NE, and it’s been great for that. :)
This was a great summary of the F series, concise, with all the important facts, and great recommendations. Especially about the F5 .. it is awesome but carrying it around for a day is exhausting.
Get an F, F2 and F5 and you're good to go. If you can only afford one, get the F2. I'm 71, been shooting since 1971 and thats my best advice. ☕📷👍
the d700 is a fine machina de photographica but NO nai for full frame with my old lenses its a choice
Great gear. To honor them I bought a Z fc.
I have mine already, the FM, bought in 1980’s when I turned 18. Now it’s a decor on my bookshelf , still loved and revered but retired for the “brainless consumer” digital cameras. As a money-struggling student, the cost of 35 mm film, and the numbers of ruined shots (which you still had to pay for) became a real incentive to retire the old workhorse in the 1990’s for a 4 MP Sony compact, and now a F5500 digi-junk. I still hold and clean my FM on the weekends, and remember the moments it captured when I got married and had a child. Even the hefty weight of it is a pleasant memory!
Great video! I have an F3hp, F4s, & F5. Looking to grab a F2a then the F6. I'd only waste my money on a mint F1.
I love the F3, it’s middle of the road! 2nd Favorite is my F2 and the least used is the F5, it’s great with the modern lenses.
My FM2n is my favorite SLR ever. I'm not in the market for a F100 since I loved my Canon EOS 1n so much back in the days.
I used an F3, for years, absolutely beautiful camera. I still have an F, don't use it much. But it is a fantastic camera from the past
In Adams zone system, grass in full sun is placed as zone 5 or same as an 18% gray card.
I use Nick carver metering method which is based on the zone system. I use sun lit or shade grass as middle tone depending if the subject is in the shade or not.
Great video, well presented.
I regret selling my F2 😢
Great cameras - great shots.
Nice video... what is your opinion for f80? I just bought a 'new' one.. I like it.. haven't developed any film.. 350 euro..Greece
I own all of them except the F6. Personally like the F2 and F5 the most. The F2 for it’s simplicity and the mechanical feel. The F5 is great with modern lenses and feels familiar if you also shoot a Nikon DSLR. That being said, they all have their charm. The F feels so indestructible, the F3 has such a smooth film advance, the F4 is like the perfect hybrid between mechanical camera’s with dials and modern camera’s with AF and a great meter.
Used an F801 extensively, then replaced it with an F801S, at about 1/3 of the price of an F4 with the same metering and AF, it was perfect. Later in life I got a used F5, and I have to agree, with the 8 batteries in there it is heavy, but love the feel of it.
F3P and F100 for film. D7100 and iPhone for digital.
I have to disagree with you on the best version of F2. A much better, and rather rare, choice is the F2 Sb with the DP-3 meter prism. It's a Silicon Blue cell meter just like the DP-12 but it's designed to fully function with any Nikon lens featuring an aperture ring. BTW all of my AF Nikkor's have had that metering prong added. Final it uses the old string and display wheel method to show the lens aperture and if you ever compare the DP-11 or 12 aperture display to that on the DP-3 you'll understand the benefit of the older design.
I didnt even know that existed.
On Leica cameras the removing of the bottom plate to load is a feature not a bug ;)
Have your peasant boy hold the plate whilst you reload. Or simply toss the used camera away. It’s still cheaper than an F5 on continuous shutter
Glorious workhorses. Unless someone is paying me I use smaller things by Olympus/Leica. Is the F6 significantly smaller/lighter than the F5? It looks nice.
F3 for joy, F6 for fun & zF for everything else 🎉
With this, what should I buy next? Nikon F Apollo 7407954 (March 1973), focusing screens A, D, E, viewfinder Photomic FTn
NIKON F-501 AF 5525997
NIKON F4 2183147 (January 1989), focusing screen B, DP-20 viewfinder
Probably a pyramid viewfinder for the F and a new viewfinder for my F4 because it has LCD bleed. And my setup for digitizing slides is good, but gives positive vignette when doing negatives so maybe a better rig there
Nikon F2/FM/FM2/F100/FG/EM is my collection right now, looking to get the F3 and F to complete! (For now...)
F3 has loads of spare bodies 😮
Best Nikon F single digit:
The answer is quite simple. Nikon only released a new single digit F for innovation, not looks. So get the newest version you are willing to spend.
So that’s F6 with only drawback being lack of old school compatibility such as interchangeable finders & non-Ai out the box. Although non-Ai can be (when new) ordered on F5 & F6 & added later at a cost.
Otherwise, F4 standard is best of all for usability vs used cost performance. Outdoing any “for looks” mechanical in its price. It does it all and more then F2/F3 for less w/ all the major functions where they’re expected to be & have been for 60 yrs so anyone old & new to film will feel at home. But add the multi-back & brings next level of features matching F5 N90
It does everything you probably need only missing I-TTL & 3D Color Matrix Multi Area Focus & optional GPS data print & few miscellaneous. If u didn’t know, then u probably don’t need it. (: but F6 has all that
Nikon placed a great deal of attention to looks and design. They employed the skills of automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro for the F3 and F4 and are now historically noteworthy examples of industrial design.
You forgot the fm3a
Nikon FM2n kicks all the classical Nikon camera’s asses. If you don’t wanna spend too much money but want a good autofocus Nikon camera, also compact, the Nikon F100 is the camera you are looking for. Btw, I own most of the cameras on the list, except the Nikon F6 and F5
I have my Nikon F, for pretty landscape photography and I have an FM2N for fast photography / low light photography. Honestly the FM2N is the best fully mechanical camera Nikon made imo; although it's quite complicated
The FM2 with the MD12 has perfect ergonomics and the meter is extremely accurate 👍✅
F80. The most underrated nikon ever
Nikon F100 user here.
Sold my F2 for the FA back then.
Kept my F
Found an F4 and an F75 with lenses for next to nothing.
F6 is too expensive these days.
Ah yes I got the F-801 too as it came free with the 24 AF lens.
Just works. Underrated.
.
.
Ok I have a Nikkormat Ft2 and a Nikomat El as well.
Guilty.
I doubt anyone has ever regretted buying an F6 (apart from the GBH it does to one's bank account!). I've used all sorts of manual and electronic Nikons, including the F3, FM3A, FM2N and F5 and, for me, the F6 is the best film camera made by Nikon (or anyone else for that matter). My example has the non-AI conversion fitted and this was done in 2022 by sending it back to Nikon UK who forwarded it on to Nikon Europe. So, a couple of years ago at least, it was still possible to get this conversion done. Not sure if they still have the parts now though - might be worth enquiring if you have an F6 and want the option to use some vintage lenses.
I would have it done, I sent mine to nikon Japan via JCH for the internal battery repair and they could not do it, Ill contact Nikon EU and see if they can.
very risky intro scene... you could have damaged the floor :)
Very good cameras of course, but I prefer the Minolta 9 to the Nikon F5 or F6 and for weightless photography the FM3a
The F5 and F6 are meaty cameras.
lots of gear, safari's and visits to Japan, you must work hard to afford all that, don't feed the deer dude. I shoot an F90 and an f90x and love em, better af and metering than an f4, lovely and robust, and cheap secondhand to boot.
VERY COOL VIDEO !!!
Nice video!
"Prosumer junk"😂😂😂 in fact I own some of this junk. F-301 since 1986, FM2n since 1988 - I can tell u, though I do love my F3HP I would'nt want to miss these two (nor my Nikkormats EL, FT2, FT3). And btw, pls don't forget that F3 has got an auxiliary mechanical shutter release just in case u ran out of LR44😉
Consider the resurgence of film camera, I really hope Nikon could make a F7, with the looks of a F3, but with the autofocus of the D6. I also hope it could provide an option to take square format photos like the Robot Royal 24.
I would take the d850 and jam a film transport into it.
I wanted an F3 for years but got detered by the electronic shutter and high price. i ended up going with a flawless finaly production year F2a for $175
Gotta be happy with that!
I was a Nikon fan for many years, until they decided to refuse to fix my F3, even for money, as it was a "grey-market" camera. I didn't knowingly purchase it as such; I was lied to by a N.Y. store. But they don't care.
I will never buy another thing from them, but I still have the F3, and an FTn.
The age old question
If you're on a budget? F4. If you're not? F3 if you don't need autofocus, f6 if you do
F100 under sold in this video. Very inexpensive and great tech
I had 2 F100s years ago. I definitely regret selling them. I will be buying another one soon though.
Its a great camera, I broke the AI tab on mine and had to replace it, There is a video on my channel somewhere for it. I only sold it when I got the F6
"Prosumer junk" Ha! I know we are a diverse bunch. I know some of us can't settle for anything less than fully mechanical....
However, I'm continually baffled by the hype around FM2/3A when the F3 is alive and well.
Keep up the good work!
@@matthewjeffries4621 The FM2 over the F3 every day of the week.
I hope my sarcasm came across.
can your camera take nai you lose F4 "FAT CAT"
None, ever
AI compatibility on F2 prisms is so overrated and overpriced. As long as there are rabbit ears on the lens, the DP-1 is the best of both worlds and never needs stopping down to meter, which can't be said for the other meters.
Also, the Nikon F is a perfect 35mm camera, and attaching a tripod or tripod plate is pointless. Carry that brick as it was intended. Around your neck. Into battle...
Spicy take
@ what, specifically?
a warning ahead of the lion shot in the f6 segment would have been good. I was not ready to see something like that in a camera review.
oh cmon its nature
Ah, Nature is a bitch, eh?
@@12gauge_shawtyy For vegan (or particularly sensitive) viewers I guess it could be alarming. It isn’t to me but empathy exists.
@@mynewcolour fair enough
show-off
Love all the F Nikons.
Pity the F6 doesn't have removable prisms like the others.
Strange all your kangaroos all seem to four legs ...🦘
They do hop at a run tho.