It’s the great Nikon show, specifically talking about the Nikon F line of cameras and to narrow it down even more, the highly prized single digit F line, or Nikon’s professional line of cameras! Since we’re all about pre-2000 we’re leaving out the F6 (which isn’t really marketed as a professional camera) and focusing on the F, F2, F3, F4, and F5 cameras! On air for this episode is John Meadows, Alex Luyckx, and guest co-host Bill Smith!
All in the F(amily)!
Cameras Featured on Today’s Show…
Nikon F – The one that started it all! The Nikon F was the camera that introduced the world to the professional SLR system camera, where the user could customize the camera to any configuration that they need to get the shot. It also cut its professional teeth in the damp jungles of Vietnam.
The Dirt:
- Make: Nikon
- Model: F
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 35mm, 35x24mm
- Lens: Interchangable, F-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1959-1974
Nikon F – Nikkor-S Auto 1:1.4 f=50mm – Ilford Delta 100
Nikon F – AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Kodak Xtol (1+1)
Nikon F – AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 – Ilford FP4+ @ ASA-125 – Kodak DK-50 (1+1) 5:00 @ 20C
Nikon F2 – The beauty that really carried on the tradition of the Nikon F but did so with style. It will also take you through the end of days and get fantastic photos as a result. Even today this is still a great camera to get your hands on, especially the later model units that would even have working meters still.
The Dirt:
- Make: Nikon
- Model: F2
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 35mm, 35x24mm
- Lens: Interchangable, F-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1971-1980
Nikon F2a – AI-S Nikkor 200mm 1:4 – Kodak Ektar 100
Nikon F2 Photomic – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4 – Holga 400 @ ASA-400 – Kodak Xtol (1+1) 9:30 @ 20C
Nikon F2 – Nikkor-N Auto 1:2.8 f=28mm – Rollei Retro 80s – Kodak D-23 (1+1) 13:00
Nikon F3 – The F3 was a radical departure for Nikon moving to an electronic semi-automatic (aperture priority) camera. While many photographers resisted this move, as the camera would not operate at all shutter speeds if it didn’t have battery power, it soon because one of the longest produced Nikon camera reaching all the way to the year 2000, outlasting both it’s successors in the F4 and F5.
The Dirt:
- Make: Nikon
- Model: F3
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 35mm, 35x24mm
- Lens: Interchangable, F-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1980-2000
Nikon F3 – AI-S Nikkor 28mm 1:2.8 – Adox CMS 20 II @ ASA-20 – Diafine 3+3
Nikon F3 – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4 – Ilford FP4+ @ ASA-125 – Ilford Microphen (1+1) 10:00 @ 20C
Nikon F3 – AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 – Ilford Delta 400 – Kodak TMax Developer (1+9)
Nikon F4 – When it comes to camera meters, you really cannot beat the F4. This beast of a camera was the first Nikon professional camera to sport an autofocus system and a matrix metering system. The metering system was based on the earlier Nikon FA and even today Nikon digital cameras meters are based on the F4’s.
The Dirt:
- Make: Nikon
- Model: F4
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 35mm, 35x24mm
- Lens: Interchangable, F-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1988-1997
Nikon F4 – PC Nikkor 35mm 1:2.8 – Svema Micrat-Orto (FPP Super Postive Slide Film) @ ASA-0.75 – Kodak Xtol (1+1) 14:00 @ 20C
Nikon F4 – Nikon Series E 75-150mm 1:3.5- Svema Colour 125
Nikon F4 – AF Nikkor 35mm 1:2D – Eastman 5363 @ ASA-25 – PMK Pyro (1+2+100) 11:00 @ 20C
Nikon F5 – The penultimate Nikon Professional SLR. The F5 was the final 35mm professional SLR and became the base for the D1, the first professional Digital SLR released by Nikon. It’s Alex’s personal favourite when it comes to Autofocus SLRs and is his choice with the AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D for street photography.
The Dirt:
- Make: Nikon
- Model: F5
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 35mm, 35x24mm
- Lens: Interchangable, F-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1996-2004
Nikon F5 – AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4D – Kodak Vision3 250D @ ASA-250 – Unicolor Rapid C-41 Kit
Nikon F5 – AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – Kodak Tri-X 400 @ ASA-200 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 10:00 @ 20C
Nikon F5 – AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – Ilford Delta 100 @ ASA-100 – FA-1027 (1+14) 9:00 @ 20C
If you’re wondering why we didn’t include the F6, well it’s because none of us own one so we really can’t speak to it also it was not really aimed at the professional market as by the time the F6 was released the pros had gone digital and the F6 was aimed at the advanced amateurs with deep pockets.
Looking for a good spot to get your gear and material fix…check out Burlington Camera, Downtown Camera, Film Plus, Belle Arte Camera and Camtech, if you’re in the GTA region of Ontario. For those further north you can visit Foto Art Camera in Owen Sound. On the West Coast (British Columbia) check out Beau Photo Supply. Additionally you can order online at Argentix (Quebec), the Film Photography Project or Freestyle Photographic.
Also you can connect with us through email: classiccamerarevivial[at]gmail[dot]com or by Facebook, we’re at Classic Camera Revival or even Twitter @ccamerarevival
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