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Nikon F100 - 35mm SLR camera
A Brief Description
Introduced at Photokina in 1998, the F100 was the successor to the very succesful F90X (N90s) but raised the bar quite substantially for a camera that wasn't really considered to be part of the Pro line of F-series cameras. Any professional who has used the F100 will testify to the fact that this camera, whilst not quite as well sealed as the F5, is in every other respect fully deserving of "Pro Status". It's every bit as fast as an F5 and shares similar ergonomics to its bigger sibling. Traces of this outstanding design can still be found in the current line of Professional DSLR series from Nikon (the D2 series uses the same interface).
Apart from missing a mirror lock-up function, the F100 has most of the features desired by professionals who use their cameras to produce income, as well as some that the F5 doesn't have - instead of the black indicators used to identify the active focus point in the F5, the F100 has bright red illuminators to assist in determining which point is active. There are 22 customisable functions available on the F100 as well as an optional MB-15 battery pack which takes the built-in motor-drive from 4 fps to 5fps. The F100 is also compatible with Nikon Photo Secretary. A 10-sensor matrix metering system, along with center-weighted and spot metering round off a really sweet offering from Nikon.
Basic Specs
AE Modes: Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program & Manual
Shutter speeds: 30sec to 1/8000sec; Bulb & Time
Maximum flash synch speed: 1/250sec
Shutter type: vertical travel, metal
Weight: 785g
Editor's Comments
I lusted after this camera for a long, long time and eventually I got one at a ridiculously low price. As with most things I get, I didn't make enough use of it, but the use I did get out of it was fantastic and resulted in great pictures for me, especially when shooting slide film. I used this camera at the A1GP race here in Durban in January 2006 and it was awesome for that sort of action.
The thing I like most about the F100 is the ergonomics. It feels right and the viewfinder is one of the best you'll ever encounter. Compared to even the best digital SLRs of today it makes looking through them seem like a chore. Everything is very bright and well laid out, giving you more information in the finder than you will find in most other Nikons. The AF is super-quick and precise. Something that will please those of you who use older manual focus glass is that it will offer all manner of metering with any AI glass - a real plus in my book.
I sold mine to help fund the purchase of a Nikon D2h, but if I ever feel the need to buy another Nikon 35mm SLR, this one will be on the top of my list. Sweet indeed.
 
Tell us what you think of the Nikon F100:
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 Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
Began using one of these several weeks ago, having never touched one before that. I used an N90s back when.
And so far I love it. Really, the nicest film camera I've used. Well, AF film camera. I have more affection for the FM3a.
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
3: September 22, 2006, 08:10:21 AM by NikosRI just sold mine (together with the MB15 grip) for EUR650. I'm embarrased to say I used half of that to get a little Fujifilm F30 compact  It had been sitting on the shelf gathering dust for the last 3 years or so. I'm sad I let it go, but the guy who bought it is going to put it into real pro use. To appease the angry Nikon gods and fill the empty shelf space, I'm planning to get myself a nice F2AS for Christmas 
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
4: September 22, 2006, 09:44:02 AM by DallasI was also really sad  to see my F100 go, but like yours, mine is being used by a professional who will be able to make it sing! I did get a D2H for my troubles though! 
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
5: September 24, 2006, 07:35:58 PM by MarcoI sold mine as well last december and although i enjoyed using it after buying my beloved D200 i never looked back.
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
6: November 19, 2006, 08:10:10 PM by shtrbg34Now that the F100 is almost being given away I acquired a new one with the MB-15. I have been using an N90s for about six years ,with pleasure ,and an N80 for about two years.The N80 has many good features but after the N90s I could not get used to the tiny,squinty viewfinder.My comments about the view finder are related to my vision problems as opposed to characteristics of the camera.If the N80 had an high eyepoint viewfinder I might not have bought the F100.I am perfectly satisfied with the F100. It is likely the last film camera I will buy.Yes,I lust after the color matrix meter on the F5 and F6,but when I think of schlepping those hefty bad boys up some mountain I know they are not in my future.I still have,use,and love the N90s and n80 along with seven MF Nikon bodies which all get used.( I can not allow myself to sell a Nikon body.I am looking for a 12 step program for that problem).The F100 presently gets grabbed first.The only thing I wish for on the F100 is a viewfinder blind like the one on the N90s.I use that a lot, and the pinche little piece of plastic Nikon provides for covering the F100 viewfinder is too hard to hang on to.
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
7: April 13, 2007, 02:30:05 AM by kjoostenA "demo" version was just too cheap to resist. For the infrequent fisheye shots, a new Sigma 15mm fish plus this camera was cheaper than a 10.5mm Nikkor.
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
8: April 13, 2007, 05:32:05 AM by afxI bought two in 2000, had one stolen and sold the other when my D200 arrived. I dearly miss it. Even the D200 does not feel as good in my hand as the F100 did. But it comes close. Apart from the grip. The MB15 is much better joined with the camera than the MB200.
cheers
afx
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
9: September 09, 2007, 01:58:42 PM by italy74I'm going to get one, a real bargain, from a canadian friend.
I still shoot slides and b/w and want to see if there's any real difference (body aside) with the F80s I still have.
Does anyone of you know if there's some screen like katzeye's (aside standard Nikon E-type) for F100? I guess for a better manual focusing it should be great, but from what I see, katzeyes seem done only for D-SLR, not for film.
Added later (today Nov. 16th): If I hadn't tried the F6, the F100 alone would have better than the D200. Differently from the F6, in fact, which has a fast (but also smooth/silent) focusing, the inner focusing motor of the F100 is like a dragster, at least on the sample I tried. The lenses seemed "forced" to follow a such powerful engine. Also the shutter was a bit different than the F6. Less responsive but equally pleasant in some way; nay I even liked a tad more its noise over the F6. What I didn't like that much is the double keystroke opening system (but it's just nitpicking) or the way you have to change the exposure on top. The only few rolls I did it gave me brilliant colours and well exposed shots. Probably the "best bang for the buck" on film side. As told, I had the opportunity to get the F6, but it happens once in a lifetime, not every days..
Re: Nikon F100 (gearlist entry)
10: September 10, 2007, 07:40:47 AM by Chris101Good to see you here Dino!
The F100 is somewhat enigmatic. A couple of the best photographers I know on the internet use one. It seems to be an answer to the F5, for photographers that did not want the larger form factor that the battery/grip gives the F5. Too bad it doesn't have mirror lockup and an interchangeable finder that the F5 has. Come to think of it, they welded the eye-level finder onto the F6 as well.
I hope you enjoy yours when you get it. I have the F5 and the N80 (F80 to you!) and there is a world of difference in the focus speed, accuracy and metering. I expect the F100 will also best the N80 in those areas.
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Nikon F100