This is a bomb-proof all-mechanical camera. I bought 2 F's (FTN) 25 years ago and they still work fine to this day. I love the Nikon system.

The weight and size of this camera.

I recently added Nikkor 105mm, 200mm and a Nikkormat FTN to my Nikon collection.

Customer Service

No longer serviced by Nikon.

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My Leicaflex and Leicaflex SL with a Summicron 50mm/2 is a little bit sharper and contrastier, but the Nikon is more rel

Removable prism, all mechanical, takes all Nikon lenses

Not very ergonomic

I just got this camera a while ago, I wanted to augment my arsenal of one Nikon FM and my dad's FM2 with another fully mechanical body. My friends laugh at the 'F', but the more I use it, the happier I get.
Hey, I'm not a Nikon fanatic. I'm not saying that Nikons are better than Canons. If I had to buy a camera now, I might even opt for an Olympus system because they are so small. I used to own Minolta AF cameras and I was happy with them too. It doesn't really matter: I might get some better pictures with a quick Minolta AF camera, but with the mechanical Nikons I get more practice, and later I can upgrade to an AF body and use all my old lenses. The Nikon system is a good compromise in many ways.
Anyways, the NIKON F has style. And it's still gonna rock 20 years from now, when all the AF cameras are inside the landfill or being used as toys by 2-year olds. When the digital film rolls come to market, my F is gonna go digital.
The Nikon optics are wonderful. But then again, so were the Minolta optics that I owned, for example the 50mm macro. So it's just a matter of taste. Some Minolta models are incredibly ugly: at least the F looks like a real "Vietnam journalist" - type camera.

Customer Service

NA - I just got it

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Nikon FM, Minolta AF cameras

Bomb Proof.
Everything is mechanical.
Great optics.
Cheap add ons (like lenses)

Heavy. Like carrying a rock.

This camera has been around for a long time. We have dragged this thing through caves, hiking, traveling all over the world, and it still shoots better that alot of newer cameras.

Customer Service

Never had to use it.

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Nikon f4
Helga 120
Polaroid Land Cameras

*solid heavy-metal body
*simple no-brainer controls
*reliable shutters under extreme conditions
*Nikkor lens system

*meter not too reliable
*flash-need an AS1 adapt.

Found this camera w/ a 50mm-f1.4 lens at a local swap-meet for $50. For $50 I couldn't pass. Everything was working properly(meter needed some adjustment). I ended up testing this camera during a rainy Southern California weather. The camera got it's ocasional rain-drops and the camera kept on going. I got some incredible results during that photo outting.

What surprised me was the fact that it's still very functional to this day. I love it's simple no-fuss controls and the Nikon system. I sometimes use my AF Nikkor lens with it. I still marvel at it's capability and because my investment was only $50- I use the camera when I go to unfamiliar territory around Southern Cali. I rather loose $50, vs. a $1300 F100.

Customer Service

not needed

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None

Simple operation, takes magnificent pix with Nikkor 1.4 w or w/o flash.

Heavy, sometimes the meter is finicky.

The mere fact that this is one of the coolest looking cameras ever made should be enough. However, the fact is it takes great pictures.

Customer Service

not needed

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Nothing is similar to a Nikon F

Similar to F2. Solid, reliable. F2 is more refined, better ergonomics.

MLU not as convenient as F2 (but at least it has one). I personally don't like having to remove the entire back/baseplate to load film. It means it comes off the tripod to reload. Meters were finicky and prone to failure. One key cause was the large flat glass disk used as the reisitor. It often would crack if subjected to sudden shock like banging into another F. Same thing happens with F2 meters like DP-1 and 11. DP-3 was solid state so is very reliable and durable.

Solid and reilable. Use a hand-held meter. Mine is about 30 yrs old and still works fine although I don't use it much. I got it as a backup for my F2's which have never failed.

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various Nikon, Canon new F-1, Contax SLR, Leica R

Hard as nails.
System galore
Looks

Its the best at what it was built to be.

The first slr I ever owned. I feel about this camera the same way I feel about the first Jaguar XKE. Its a classic and I'm sorry I got rid of mine.

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.

Durability

none

I've had my Nikon F since 1964, and it is still with me today! I have purchased practically every Nikon SLR since then, and I find myself using the F as my main backup body to my F5! It's like a strong diesel engine: just keep the oil changed, and it'll run for 600,000+ miles! I plan to keep this for another 20= years.

Customer Service

good

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Too many to list

Precise, versatile, reliable, beautiful, hand-crafted, substantial-feeling (this camera says that it MATTERS). Will strip for you (top, bottom, screen, back, everything will come off). Will take more abuse than any other camera, except maybe an F2, and still work perfectly. Can use any Nikkor lens from 1959 to 2000, as well as hundreds of accessories. Cheap on the second hand market. Plus, a beat and brassy F just looks so tough, and you know it.

CdS cells will die after 30 to 40 years. Mine still works fine. Who needs built-in meters any way? Try a Minolta handheld.

Anyone who wants to learn the basics of photography or who just wishes to lay hands on a slab of photographic history can use and enjoy this camera. I'll just quote from the "List of 10,000 Things You Can Do With A Nikon F But Not With Other Cameras":

(number 1866) You can attach a Speed Magny 45 back to it and use it to shoot Polaroid or 4x5 sheetfilm. With a Speed Magny back and a macro lens/extension tube/bellows/slide copier setup, you also use it as an enlarger, as long as you make prints no larger than 4" by 5". Just place photographic paper in the sheetfilm holder, insert it into the camera, and make the exposure through the lens! Handy if you live in a tiny studio in New York or Tokyo.

Customer Service

what?

Similar Products Used:

Canon FTb, TLb, Nikon F2, Nikkormats, Minolta SRTs

INDESTRUCTABLE!!

film loading, aligning meter "fork" when changing lenses, metering

A very good "user" I've used this camera in my sports photography business. I got an autofocus camera so I could get through shoots quicker. I almost always use a handheld meter, so the metering in the camera is no big deal.

Customer Service

haven't needed, I know a camera repairman, but I've only had the shutter speeds checked

Similar Products Used:

various screw mount cameras from this era