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CAMERAS IN THIS
SECTION |
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MANUFACTURING COUNTRY |
Japan |
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DATE OF AVAILABILITY |
1996 October |
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SUGGESTED PRICE |
325000 yen |
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TYPE |
electronically controlled 35 mm auto focus single lens reflex |
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LENS MOUNT |
Nikon F mount |
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SHUTTER SPEEDS |
30 to 1/8000 seconds |
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BUILT-IN FLASH |
no |
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BATTERIES |
8 x Type AA batteries |
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DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT |
158 x 149 x 79 mm 1210 g |
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In October 2004, Nikon F6, the sixth in F single-digit series was
introduced.
The fifth in line, F5, became an old model.
At first, I was glad that Nikon decided to continue its flagship film
camera line in the advent of digital SLR cameras. Then I realized that a new
camera meant that the old model will soon be put out of production.
Obviously, when a product goes out of production, you will not be able
to purchase it new. You have to get is second hand.
That was something I desperately wanted to avoid in case of F5.
I wanted a brand-new F5, but funds were limited, so I searched for a
shop that sells the F5 for around 200000 yen.
After looking everywhere, I came across an on-line shop. This was a
shop where I once placed an order for a lens (Nikkor 80-400mm VR), and
received a curt reply stating that it was out of stock.
Though feeling a little apprehension, I placed an order. The shop's
response was surprisingly positive, and the F5 arrived at my home.
I had been using digital SLR D100
with battery grip attached for some time, so F5 didn't feel especially large
or heavy. In fact, it felt incredibly light and compact, considering its
performance and durability.
Nikon F5 is the fifth professional camera produced by Nikon (often
referred to as the F single-digit series), and the second in the series with
auto focus integrated from the start.
Auto focus system in the mid-1980s and early 1990s were rather
primitive, and F4's (introduced 1988) AF is no exception. In
fact, AF of Nikon F-401, a consumer-grade model (i.e. cheaper) introduced a
few months after F4, was more advanced than the one adopted
for the flagship model.
In that respect, F5 is the true professional-grade auto focus camera
produced by Nikon (AF of F5 can still compete with the latest AF cameras
introduced nearly a decade later). Since its successor F6 shifted its target
to amateur use as well, F5 can also be considered as the last true professional-grade auto focus film
camera. |
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PROS |
1. Solid,
high-quality construction. 2. Made in Japan. 3. Metal casing. 4. Rather compact considering its performance and
durability. 5. Fitted with vertical release. 6. Using proprietary battery, firing rate of 8 frames per
second is possible. Even when using AA batteries (8 batteries required), 7.4
frames per second is possible. |
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CONS |
1. Although as not as much as the F4,
every buttons and dials seems to have locking mechanisms that supposedly
prevents accidents. This makes the camera cumbersome. 2. It is compact when considering its performance and
durability, but as a camera, it is large and heavy. Vertical grip, unlike its
predecessor F4, can not be detached. Therefore, the user
has no option of reducing size and weight of the camera even if the user is
willing to sacrifice its performance. It seems many users complained about
this fact, and succeeding F6 reverted to vertical grip that is detachable. 3. Neck strap included in the set is shockingly
cheap-looking. 4. It requires 8 type AA batteries, therefore the
camera overall becomes hefty |
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Packaging of F5. Rather
compact |
Front view |
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Front view |
Top view |
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View around the
shutter button |
Rewind crank |
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Rear view |
With rear cover open |
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