Nikon F-100 35mm SLRs

Nikon F-100 35mm SLRs 

DESCRIPTION

An exceptional camera evolved from our long experience in providing more of what you need to realize your photographic aspirations. With innovative built-in Nikon F System technology more sophisticated than ever, the F100 makes precise, responsive Dynamic Autofocus so fast that images literally pop into focus. The camera also works perfectly with every AF Nikkor lens, AF-S Nikkor, AI Nikkor and more.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 268  
[Mar 28, 2009]
wayofthewarrior
Expert

Strength:

Its a NIKON,,a real Nikon, Its a camera that relies on you, the operator to make some great images, It lacks all the menu settings of a DSLR,,which I found very nice the other day, It is built well and feels like no digital body I have held even the D300 feels cheap after holding this semi little tank of a camera. It is fast and the AF is fast,,a joy to be honest,

Weakness:

For 200 dollars I can not think of any weaknesses that even matter, this camera cost some coin a few years ago and if you can pick one up cheap you will know why it cost what it did back in the day.

As of late I have found myself returning to the genre of film, more for the B/W work , but for some other reasons as well.

1. I have to think again when shooting, the comp, the exposure, all of the technical stuff I kinda threw out the window as secondary when shooting film, knowing I could fix it later and knowing I had only the limited space of memory cards I had with me.

2. I am tired of the MP hype, the wars, the wahts better, blah blah.

So i pulled out my old N80 and after using my D200 and D300 I wanted something that had a similiar feel. Went down to the local Camera Shop and found an F100 hardly used, picked it up for 2 bills threw some batteries and film in it, slapped on my 28mm F2.8 lens and when shooting. I forgot what a 28mm delivered until I put it back onn this camera, it focuses fast, itis accurate and the images,,well they are superb. If you have used camera gear fow any length of time and know the tech side of your camera then operating this was no big deal as far as settings and such. The feel of it is awesome, it is sturdy and fits ones hand like it was custom made for you.

In these days of high tech Digital cameras, DX vs full frame, image quality, ISO issues, and the Big two throwing out camera bodies left and right and we the consumer sucking them up like a beffet dinner I decided to do this to take me back to the roots of Photography.

I would say pick up a 35mm Camera and take a walk down memory lane and you may find memory lane leads right to the future.

Similar Products Used:

N65,N75,N80,N90,D200,D300,D70,D80,D90

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 11, 2008]
Humberto
Intermediate

Strength:

Quality of materials used in it's construction, the feel of the tool in your hand when you need to do a job.ANd to know that it will perform everytime.
Professional camera,that will stand the test of time.
Not to be left in a dark draw gaining dust you realy got to pick it up and use it.
I recomand Black and white film to start then venture into slide once your confidence is up.

Weakness:

you are buying into a very expensive hobby so be prepaired to take your time and choose your shot carefully because you don't want to disapoint yourself. get familiar with the camera .

Everyone I know are raving about digital ,the fact remains that the quality of film still out performs the "pixel hype" Mega mega mega world, in every respect.
If you want quality well Nikon have been the camera behind every great Picture or Photo excluding Lieca with all respect .
Quality came at a price in the late 20th century but lucky for us amatures that still use film in the 21st century , you can pick one up for yes a few hundred dollars.
When I got mine I felt like I won the lottery.Oh am I happy ,that the dream fits perfectly in my hands and not in a Nikon Add., in a glossy mag.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 700si, Nikon N70, Minolta 7000i, Nikon FM2N, Pentax LX

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 14, 2006]
Neatsfoot
Intermediate

Strength:

quiet mirror, fast film advance

Weakness:

no mirror lockup

Subperb camera, if you (as I) find many benefits to film as opposed to digital (quicker response time, less expensive camera bodies) and want a top camera; well designed, viewfinder loaded with useful information. It takes a while to master all the details, but they are worth using.

Ken Rockwell (web site) has a thorough review of this camera, that one should read before buying

Customer Service

Not used yet

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 19, 2006]
edwardpiercy
Intermediate

Strength:

Great body and feel
Lightening fast AF on most lenses
Great feature-set
Seems to be holding its re-sale price well, even in a digital market

Weakness:

Could do with the F5s 1005-point metering system
Terribly written manual

I've been using my F100 for about two years now. It is the finest film
camera I have ever used. It has excellent build-quality and is rugged
enough for all but extremes. The camera fits in your hands like a glove,
without a doubt the best feel to it of any camera I have ever held.

AF with most lenses is extremely quick. It AFs so fast sometimes you are
left wondering if it even did anything, it just almost "jerks" into
focus it is so fast. Occasionally it will focus-hunt in very contrasty
situations. It has a great feature-set of user options, once you figure
out how to use them (see below).

Now for the negatives. It does have the 3-D Color Matrix system, but it
is not the same 1005-point Matrix system that you will find on the F5,
F6, or D70. This is usually not of great concern, although you might see
a little bit of "mushing" if you shoot flowers and such. A second
complaint is that the AF Function set is difficult to understand -- and
the manual is practically useless in this regard. I ended up talking to
a Nikon rep about the Functions when they came through and they helped
explain it. You might also find some stuff on the internet. But forget
about the manual.

Battery life is "reasonable." Carry spares. Unless you carry a heavy
zoom around with you all the time I wouldn't waste money on the battery
pack, it just adds weight and size and detracts from the overall great
feel of the camera.

If you shoot color, I would recommend the D70 or D200. But if you're
like me and like to shoot BW film or just need to use film for some
reason, this is an outstanding camera.

Customer Service

Haven't had any problem with the camera so don't know

Similar Products Used:

Olympus, Nikon SLRs

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 09, 2005]
avm247
Intermediate

Strength:

+ Metering is excellent in all modes, as long as you know what you are metering! + Nikon's 3DMSBFF produces excellent results. + Ability to meter with AF, AI and AI-S lenses + Optional MB-15 adds a vertical release and some useful controls + F5 performance and a reduced cost. + EXCELLENT CAMERA FOR THE PRICE IF PURCHASED ON THE USED MARKET!

Weakness:

- There is no direct viewfinder readout of Apertures selected (for AI or AI-S lenses) - no reall loss, really.

The Nikon F100 fits your hand like a glove. It really deserves the title F5 LIte. The ergonomics are excellent. The viewfinder is bright, large and contrasty. If you are familiar with any of Nikon's latest film bodies you can pick this up and start shooting inside of two minutes, everything is where you expect it to be. Made of magnesium allow, this pro body is built to take use and abuse. It accepts all of Nikon's current AF lenses (AF, AF-I, AF-S), included D and G series lenses. It is also fully compatible with VR lenses and it will meter with AI and AI-S manual focus lenses, AI-P lenses can make use of the excellent 10 segment Matrix Meter, too. The red illuminated AF area in the viewfinder is a EXCELLENT! I have the E-screen and highly recommend it for all sorts of subjects, not just architecture. The 10-pin remote is pricey, but then again, it works very well. The DK-6 effectively blocks out unwanted light from the viewfinder and is comfortable to use both with and without glasses. The 10 segment matrix meter is excellent. I've not had much occation to use CW but prefer to use Spot meter, also excellent. I'm a firm believer in Nikon's 3D Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash and have not been disappointed by the results from my SB-28. It handles beautifully with and without the optional MB-15. When using the MB-15, I found it much more comfortable than using the vertical release on the F5 (my friend's). The MB-15 adds an AF start button, a rear command dial, shutter release lock, and shutter release button. The DOF preview button is easy to access using the regular grip. Obviously, when using eh MB-15, the DOF preview button is not accessible. The manual, I have found, is well written and easy to navigate. Still, I purchased Thom Hogan's eBook on the F100 to supplement the manual. I recommend that as well. While the F100 has been around for some time, I find that this will be a camera that will last a long time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

N80, N70

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 03, 2005]
nikon_junkie
Intermediate

Strength:

It is F5 without the weight, weather sealing. I bought mine from Keh and Roberts Distribution (ebay store) like new/mint for $495. You can find them for $375-400 in excellent/Ex+ condition all day on Nikonians and Ebay. A very good deal for an amateur/semi pro wedding photo wannabee.

Weakness:

When mounted to my f200 f/2 it seems a little overwhelmed physically. Nothing that would dissuade me from choosing it over the F5 or Canon top of the line SLR.

A few months ago I reviewed the F5. Having had a chance to use extensively both cameras I can tell you that there is not a whole lot of difference in performance. I normally hand meter everything with my Sekonic so I can't comment on the meters. However as far a performance they both use the CAM1300 autofocus which makes them equal in that respect. The only major difference one can take from the camera that some may consider a pro or a con depending on their needs is the following. F5 is built like a tank. Pure beauty in design and ergonomics. Weather sealing is heavily in the F5 favor. Frames per second... the F5 owns the F100 8 to 3. Now the F100 is no slouch (I don't use the grip for the F100 ). What I like about the F100 is it is far lighter than the F5, and other than the FPS (like shooting basketball or other sports) this camera is equal in every respect. I like shooting with two bodies with different focal lengths, so for me the F100 is now my camera of choice.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 15, 2005]
Lowlight73
Intermediate

Strength:

Build quality, fast autofocus, great handling.

Weakness:

No mirror lock up, but not really important for me.

I absolutely love this camera! Autofocus is excellent, much better than the F90. I've used this camera quite heavily and it has never let me down.

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

F60, F90

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 30, 2005]
amattess
Intermediate

Strength:

Strong metal body. Feature rich. Intuitive controls.

Weakness:

Weight. Expensive add-ons.

The best body I've owned. A workhorse of a camera. I've dragged it all over the world and the only problem I've ever encountered is the batteries dying due to the cold. Tons of features. Intuitive interfaces for the commony used ones. If it weren't so heavy it would be my every day body.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70, N80, F4S

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 29, 2005]
Angelo
Expert

Strength:

- solid build - easy to use - fast, accurate, sharp and quiet Autofocus - very good exposure metering - perfect size and elegant body - large and bright wiewfinder

Weakness:

expensive

An excellent professional camera. This is the best AF camera made by Nikon: excellent metering, fast autofocus, rugged construction, relatively light weight, a great camera. I've been taking photos for about 20 years, I shoot astrophotos, landscape, nature, sports, etc. and I have never had a problem with it. I use the Nikon F100 as my primary camera and I am completely satisfied. The control are not difficult to understand, it is an incredible machine.

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2n, Nikon F70

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 14, 2005]
roadwarrior58
Intermediate

Strength:

ease of use, AA batteries in the power pack, fast response, specific 5 point focus.

Weakness:

none

This is my third camera in 20 years. Started of with Olympus OM1, then went to Nikon F60 after extensive research. Loved the camera and took many quality pics. After 8 years I purchased my F100 at the advice of another photograher who said I would never regret it and would see the differance right away. He was right! The responsivness of the AF and shutter is unbelivable. A very comfortable camera to use. Picture clarety and sharpness is tops.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F60,FM

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 268  

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