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Nikon F4 - 35mm SLR camera
A Brief Description
The Nikon F4 is a quantum leap forward from the F3 in terms of technological advances, features and overall system compatibility. Introduced in 1988 it brought with it such niceties as auto-focussing, programmed auto-exposure in the form of Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program (2 options) and standard manual exposure. Flash synchronisation was set at a very credible 1/250th second, plus it also had a built in motor drive capable of 4 fps, DX film speed sensors, 100% finder, interchageable viewfinders, mirror lock-up, AE lock and AF lock, 1/3 stop increments, plus an option of seting the metering method, either matrix, centre-weighted or spot.
Basic Specs
AE modes: Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program [H]igh, Program [L]ow, Manual.
Shutter speeds: 30sec to 1/8000sec, B, T.
Synch speed: 1/250
Shutter type: Vertically travelling, carbon fibre re-inforced epoxy resin and aluminium
Weight: 1.4kgs
Variants:
F4s, F4e
Editor's comments
The F4 is one heck of a camera. As far as compatibility goes there is nothing much that will touch it in the standard Nikon SLR line-up. It can mount and meter with just about every Nikon lens ever manufactured, including the latest G type lenses (with limitations), AF-S lenses, AI manual focus lenses and non-AI manual focus lenses. It even offers matrix metering with manual focus lenses, something the F5 doesn't do.
The camera is ergonomically a delight to use. No fancy LCD screens, just buttons and knobs that feel substantial and get the job done without any fuss. There is a huge range of accessories that were made for the F4, including the somewhat daunting MF-23 multi-function data back. This item allows one to use the F4 as an intervalometer, as well as providing functions that go above and beyond the normal use of a camera, including the ability to imprint a variety of shooting information both on the frame or between frames.
There are three flavours of F4 and each is determined by the type of motor drive attached to the body. The standard F4 has the MB-20 battery pack, the F4s uses the MB-21 and the F4E uses the MB-23 (or MN-20 powerpack). Each provides a different shooting fps speed, namely 4fps, 5 fps and 5.7fps respectively. Using the latter two also provides vertical shutter release buttons, as well as 3-pin terminals for connection to devices such as remote controllers like the ML-1 and MC-10/12 cord. There is also a place for a threaded cable release.
The F4 became highly criticised by some parties in the auto-focus front as it was quite slow compared to other auto focus cameras of the day, however, the advent of AF-S Silent Wave focussing motors in more recent Nikon lenses has given the F4 a new lease on life. The AF using such lenses is very fast and comperable with more modern bodies like the F100 and F5.
Tell us what you think of the Nikon F4:
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 Re: The Nikon F4
1: September 13, 2006, 01:53:58 PM by BaywingIt is one hell of a camera. I recently sold mine, I really didn't want to, but I just wasn't using it anymore. I have the F5, so that's all I need for film. I used the money from the F4s to help fund the D2x, and I'm very happy with that.
Re: The Nikon F4
THIS is the "top of the heap", for me...no matter how many others I have or continue to acquire, this is the one that always comes to mind for the epitome of Nikon.....everything I could say here has already been said, except it's beauty, but I guess that's my personal slant - I love it, all three, and will always have them around. The extreme veratility puts the "new" models to shame, but I guess that's economics.
Re: The Nikon F4
3: September 17, 2006, 07:40:50 AM by ronnieI don't think I'll part with mine. I have both the MB20 and the MB21 and also a waist level finder (great for tripods !). The versatility with lenses is a great feature. I have non AI lenses I acquired with a Nikkormat FTn and AF lenses, and the F4 can use all of them except the non-AI 28 f/3.5 which fouls the max aperture lever at the bottom of the F4 mount.
You can also see at a glance what all the camera settings are without having to switch it on !
Ronnie
Re: The Nikon F4
I loved it. I bought one used from Adorama that said "EX-" but it was far from that. So I returned it, but I put 3 or 4 rolls through it. I might get another one.
It is missing too many features for the modern AF world, but I agree with it being the "ultimate manual focus camera." Without the grip (I can't remember what this is called, but is the version that has no powered bottom), it was basically the same size as an F100, but way heavier and more confidence inspiring.
Unfortunately I think this is also the camera that is remembered for causing a large loss of the pro market share to Canon, for whatever that's worth.
Everything else aside, I think it is the best looking Nikon. Ever.
Re: The Nikon F4
5: January 24, 2008, 03:43:28 AM by Nikoncam1i still have my F4s. it's still a fine camera with all the features i normally would need without the complexity of current digital cams. the rubber amour is rather slick but provides enough grip for me. i also have the MF-22 back. haven't used mine in many years but i think i'll just keep it.
concerning the F4s lower battery compartment (MB-21), it just unscrews to remove so all you'll need to replace is the side battery grip then you'll have the complete "short" version but i you lose some operating speed.
if there's ever a camera hall of fame i'm sure the F4 will be a member
Re: The Nikon F4
6: March 18, 2008, 01:19:43 AM by Bill VI upgraded to the F4 from the F3. Although I liked the AF feature, I didn't like the weight and size of the F4. It always felt like I was carrying a brick. The F5 was a big improvement over the F4. I disliked the F4 so much, I don't remember much about it other than I thought the F3 (even though it is a manual focus) and F5 were better cameras.
Re: The Nikon F4
7: March 18, 2008, 01:54:24 PM by billkoeWhen I bought two of these used it represented my changeover from the Canon F-1 system to the Nikon AF system. I haven't looked back. The two photographers that bought them from me still use them professionally.
I'm very happy with my current Nikons but remember the F4's fondly. To be honest, I remember the Canon F-1's about as much.
Re: The Nikon F4
8: March 18, 2008, 02:21:16 PM by RoverI'm still addicted to the F4...Comfortable to hold...and it takes pretty much every Nikon lens ever made.
Re: The Nikon F4
I am still using mine. At the moment, I use it as my B&W picture taking camera for a darkroom class that I am taking. 
Re: The Nikon F4
10: September 07, 2008, 03:06:13 PM by MillirehmThe Nikon F4 was my absolute dream camera for years. It came out in 1988 but It took my until 1993 to be able to afford one. It was my main workhorse over years, I was very satisfied, and I am not planning to sell it. I gained the most joy with this camera because it has the best interface of all Nikon Cameras ever made, and it was the first Nikon providing Spot-Metering. It is also a camera with top lens- compatibility. It yould be even better If Nikon had decided to make P and S work with non-CPU lenses as well (like the FA) this had no technical reason but was just product policy. (On the other hand P and S modes are nothing one badly needs just like matrix-metering which the F4 can do with Non CPu lenses - I am mentioning this just for the sake of completeness.
If they had given it a Program Shift (over the Shutter-Speed Dialler like the Leica R5) then it would now increase the now limited compatibility with the modern G-Type lenses that do not allow the M and A modes any more. The Cs silent mode gives a little surplus to the normal noise level of the camera but it does not make the F4 to a silent camera.
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The Nikon F4