Nikon F100
My Favorite Camera
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Nikon F100 My Favorite Camera |
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Nikon introduced the F100 in 1998. It is truly a professional caliber camera. In some respects it is even better than Nikon's top of the line F5 at the time and can compete with the later F6, released in 2005. Indeed about the only things the F5 has over the F100 is an interchangeable prism, mirror lock-up, 1005-element color matrix meter, built-in eyepiece shutter, shutter speeds to 30 minutes and a faster 8fps film advancement rate. The F100 has shutter speeds only as long as 30 seconds. I really wish they had made to go to at least a couple of minutes. And, its frame rate is only 4.5 fps, which, for most of us, is more than adequate. However, the F5 and F6 deservedly retain their place at the head of Nikon 's film SLR line, with the F100 a not too distant but clear second choice. Advantages over the F5 and F6 include a far lower price, lighter weight of 27.7 ounces (the F5 is 42.7 and the F6 is 34.4 oz). It takes only 4 AA batteries compared to the F5's eight, bracketing of 1/2 besides 1/3 and full-stop settings, a closest focus priority function, better viewable AF sensors, one LCD display instead of two, and a better placement of its controls. The F6 uses two 3-volt Lithium batteries, but is equal or better than the F100 and F5 on the rest of the above. The F100 has a flash sync speed of 1/250, compared to the F5's slightly faster, custom set 1/300. Shutter speed ranges from 30 to 1/8000th seconds. Film speed range is 25 to 5000 ISO (DX) and 6 to 6400 (non-DX). It has 22 built-in custom settings, only two less than the F5, but 19 less than the F6. It's a very well balanced and rugged camera. The only problems with manual focus lenses is that the F100 will not, and cannot, be modified to accept pre-AI lenses - and you lose matrix metering and f-stop display. One loses Matrix metering with manual lenses with the F5, as well, but the F6 does Matrix meter with manual lenses. The problem on early F100's with the weak rewind spool has been corrected on newer models. |
Over all, for most of us, the F100 is a better buy than the F5 or F6. And, for those considering the F90x/N90s, the F100 provides better weather sealing, built-in bracketing control, improved control over custom settings, faster autofocus, a larger 96% compared to 92% viewfinder coverage, faster frame advance and better multiple exposure capability. The only advantage of the F90x is perhaps metering, but only slightly if at all, and a lower pricetag (about $200-$250 less). If you want a professional caliber Nikon film camera without the expence of the F5 or F6, the F100 is the best way to go, at least as of this writing.