intuitive conventional controls, smooth shutter, excellent metering,

AF a bit slow, AE lock AF lock buttons shuold be placed at thumb position

Almost all the cameras I tried need be 'run-in' to get good picture, but this camera has been taking excellent pictures since day one( maybe due to its matrix metering).

I bought it to work with 80-200/D ED, AF is only better than none, other than this lens, I use mainly MF lenses including PC35/2.8.

It's the only Nikon AF body with traditional controls. Imagine the F4 with the speed of F5, that'll be everything I need.

Customer Service

havn't tried

Similar Products Used:

EOS630, EOS 5, F3HP, RTSIII, F2A,

Quality of handling, build, feel, flexibility, compatibility -- the F4 is part of a system with an exhausting variety of possibilities. Too heavy? Change the battery pack to the MB-20. Need higher eyepoint? Change the viewfinder. Need to shoot lots of shots? Change the back to a 250 shot magazine.

This camera gets lots of flack because of slow AF, but I find it works great with f/2.8 lenses. Unless you need to shoot fast action subjects, you can't beat the F4.

The F4 is Nikon's most versatile camera and at current prices for mint condition used ones puts Nikon's highest quality in finish and workmanship in the hands of serious amateurs. The feature set gives you everything you will need for any photo job. Handling is instinctive and straightforward. This camera is a joy to use.

Customer Service

I've had good service from Nikon USA for parts but have never needed any kind of repair.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 1n, EOS A2e, Nikon 8008s, N90s, 6006

Dependable, built like a tank, etc.- It's been said a thousand times and it's all so true. This is the camera that has made me a Nikon user for the rest of my life. It is fast, reliable, versatile, and as far as I'm concerned, can't be beat by anything. I've never used any other camera that feels so good in the hands and is so intuitive/easy to use. About the only thing that comes close, in my opinion, is either a Leica M4 or another F4.

OK, so it's heavy, and the AF dates back to the Victorian era, and it's totally battery dependent. However, none of these things has ever come up as an issue for me. Actually, I have no complaints for this camera, only praise.

This camera is in my opinion the best 35mm SLR ever produced. Nikon made a big mistake by discontinuing it. In fact, I'd love to see it, maybe in a non-AF version, re-introduced. It is an absolute pleasure to use. COnsidering the prices on the used market for user bodies, it's also one of the best values out there. Buy this camera and if you're not satisfied, well, then I guess you'll just have to sell it to me...

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F3, Minolta SrT-100, X-700, X-370

Solid! Easy to use and understand. Backlit display in finder. Interchangable finders and power supplies.

The MS-21 battery holder in the MB-21 frequently fails.

Great durable body with a lot of very usable features. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a solid value, that isn't willing to pay F5 $$$$

Customer Service

I had to have the diopter correction lens in the finder re attached Nikon was slow. I am also still waiting for an MS-21 battery holder, I had to buy a MB-23 battery pack because the $20 part isn't available.

Similar Products Used:

N90s
17-35 AF Nikkor
24-50 AF Nikkor
80-200 AF Nikkor
50 1.8 Nikkor
85 1.8 AF Nikkor
500 F4P Nikkor

Build quality is SUPERB!
Feels great in the hand.
Controls located very well.
Compatible with old and new lenses.
Like that interchangable view finder.

OK by today's standards it is a little slow on the AF. But not that bad. I compared to a N90s with the same lens and noticed little if any difference.

This camera is excellent and should still be in production with an updated CAM module.
I look for excuses to go out and look for stuff to shoot with it. To me, the F4 feels better in my hand that even the F5. Now is the time to get one while everyone is on the ultra fast, lighter cameras such as the F5 and F100.

Customer Service

None. It's an F4!

Similar Products Used:

N8008s
N70
N90s
Minolta XG1

Interchangeable Viewfinders; Compatable with almost every Nikkor lens; Choice of three different power supplies/grips (Is about the weight of F100 with four AA MB-20); Great Multi-function back in MF-23.
Nearly Indestructable.

Single point auto-focus. As far as autofocus speed is concerned is slower than F5 or F100, but I've shot horses at Churchill Downs and race cars at Indy with great success. Trap focus with MF-23 back works very well for most sporting events.

I love this camera. I own several different camera bodies including an F5 and an older EOS-1 that I got at a swap meet, but the F4 is my absolute favorite. Being able to use a 200mm F2.0 AIS lens with all of the features of the camera except auto-focus is great. You lose certain meter functions on the newer bodies if you use anything other than a D type lens, and if you use a non-AI lens on an F5 or F100, you will damage the camera. By the way, trap focus with an MF-23 works with manual focus Nikkors as well as autofocus Nikkors. Is autofocus slower than the EOS? Yes, but those who think this camera is too slow for sports or action photography need to try it with an action finder to see what they are missing. Interchangeable viewfinders are the one feature that sets Nikon F series cameras above Canon and Contax.

Customer Service

Nikon is great as long as the camera has not been out of production for too long. Try to get an F2 fixed, however. Now that the F4 is out of production, will be interesting to see how much longer Nikon will be happy to service. Of course, I have the same issue woth Canon. Try to get service on a T90.

Similar Products Used:

F5, FM2N, F3, F90S, F100, N8008, Minolta XK, Canon EOS-1, Contax AX

Strong noot a sissy camera or for sissy to use. One of the best cameras I've ever used. I always get the shot with my F4 and it is always perfect. In fact I did a shoot for a Magazine Cover and the editor could not choose because they were all so good.

A little heavy but nothing like my Mamiya 6x7 or even the 645. Can not take photographs when batteries are out only drawback

Dont buy the F5 if you can hepl it find a used F4 you wont be sorry but have a backup

Customer Service

Great customer service and local

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F's, Canon EOS 1n and 1, N90s, F90X, Pentax

The F4 in all its different shapes represents rock solid, bullet proof dependability combined with tremendous forward and backward compatibility with virtually all Nikon lenses. This feature cannot be praised too highly.

If you are really addicted to lightning fast autofocus, then you may be dissatisfied. But I think the AF is very fast...I have caught several great images with it. Don't believe those who say it sucks...it doesn't. There are lots of gear snobs out there that are quick to sneer. With most lenses I have tried, the AF slams right into focus in the blink of an eye and only rarely is it fooled into searching back and forth.

I adore this camera. It gets a bad rap due solely to its somewhat slower AF speed, but that is small potatoes. The F4 allows its wonderful metering system to be used with manual focus lenses! That alone is worth the price of admission. It's the Harley Davidson of cameras...maybe not quite as fast as the next new thing, but it's a classic that will be going right along when lots of new stuff is forgotten. I know more than one disappointed F5 user that is beginning to miss his F4's lens versatility. If you truly do make your living shooting sports or birds on the wing, then you'll need state of the art AF (which will quite probably mean a Canon). Barring that, the F4 will never let you down.

Customer Service

You won't need it, unless you drop it off a cliff. Just dropping it on the pavement shouldn't hurt it one bit. ;)

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM
N90s
F-100

Rugged and straightforward design.Good metering system

AF is lousy! It was outdated when the camera was introduced

Good capable basic Pro level camera. Nikon leaves a lot to be desired. Finally changed over to Canon and have not regretted it !

Customer Service

Nikon NPS was very slow at doing a repair and didn't do it correctly . Had to send it back a 2nd time

Similar Products Used:

N90s, F5, EOS 1n and EOS 3

This camera is for those who still believe in knobs and not an LCD screen. It is a solid platform to work from and almost makes its own tripod if you're steady due to its weight. Side mounted shutter button makes taking vertical portraits a snap since you don't have to move your hand to the front of the camera. Makes for really steady portraits in low light situations. Matix metering with the meter and the older SB 24 flash have been excellent. Portraits are best done with SB24 and 70-210mm Nikkor lens. Almost indestructable and holds up well to travel assignment. Accepts older AI, AIS and autofocus lenses. Controls and motor drive well positioned for use and easy operation. Uses standard AA batteries that are available everywhere and can be used with other devices as well as the strobe units.

Only major drawback is its weight but thats also it strength and durability.
Takes six double AAs to operate and will not work on manual operation if camera batteries fail.
(I carry an Nikon FM2 manual camera for backup). Slow autofocus in comparison to other cameras but my subjects usually aren't moving fast at weddings so this is usually not an issue.

This camera due to price if for the serious photographer who needs a tough camera for the field. Its ease of operation and user friendly controls would work for almost any level from intermediate to professional. With the exception of not being able to function without batteries (most cameras can't anyhow) it is an exceptional professional SLR model made to take punishment in the field and still keep functioning. I would have no problem buying another for a backup. I like the manual controls and I can view all of my setting without having to switch to different modes on the screens. I might buy a F5 in the far-far future but can't really justify it. If I was to do more action, sports or other types of moving photography I might try to justify the purchase. Until then this F4 should last me a lifetime or until digital replaces film technology altogether.

Customer Service

Have sent camera into Nikon (Torrance in LA) for tune up and cleaning since I was going overseas but camera was still working fine. Excellent job. Also repaired SB 24 strobe several time due to broken foot. Camera was new when I bought it and its worked faithfully every since.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FTN - FM2 - Nikkormat - Canon AE1
Canon A1 - Minoltas (various models) - also used Vivitar and Pentax SLRs for