These are some of the lowest prices I've found for these cameras on recent searches.
I'm very tempted by the F4.
I only have experience with a Sony DSC H5 so far and I don't have the $ for any of these right now, I'd have to save up first.
I took my Sony apart to fix the half click focus problem (which I did)but now the flash doesn't work.
No idea how to respond to your poll, but what about a F100? Film can be a lot of fun but I wouldn't recommend it as my only camera. I shoot with a few different film cameras (N90s and N2000 for Nikon). I develop my own black and white and get reasonably cheap developing for color so the cost isn't too great; but if you don't want to have that reoccurring cost the D40 is pretty sweet (as well as the newer entry level cameras).
I'd say $284 is a horrible deal for an Nikon F4s... in the past few years I've bought one for $100.00 and one for $125.00. You can find N90 bodies all day long for $30.00 or less too and the N90 is 10 times the camera the F4s ever was.
My N90s had the sticky back issue as well. I took off the back (simple) and removed the sticky grip material (I think I used Goof Off, there may be better products for this). It doesn't look beautiful, but it feels fine and works great.
I still really like the F4s, but if you're buying a used one, make sure you can test it first or get a warranty... they often suffer from a sticking aperture stopdown mechanism, and it cost $600 to repair last time I had to have it done.
The F100 suffers from issues with the rear control pad, but it's a more modern camera and more compatible with current lenses, as a previous poster mentioned - it's just not as "cool" as an F4s.
You should get an F4s, if only to feel the power of a manly machine coursing through your veins. You should NOT pay $284 for one though, that's way too much. I'm on my 2nd one, I didn't paid $280 combined for both. If you shop around (KEH UG is the way to go for me) then you can find them for $100-150. In my case, I bought an UG F4 (the version without the grip) for $100 and it's been great.
yossarian123 wrote:
You should get an F4s, if only to feel the power of a manly machine coursing through your veins. You should NOT pay $284 for one though, that's way too much. I'm on my 2nd one, I didn't paid $280 combined for both. If you shop around (KEH UG is the way to go for me) then you can find them for $100-150. In my case, I bought an UG F4 (the version without the grip) for $100 and it's been great.
I DO like the F4 a lot though. And I like the idea of film. I'm an old fashioned type I guess.
It's hard to respond to your poll without knowing anything about what gear you have and what budget you have for film. I had a D70 and liked it, but looking back, I really had forgotten how weak it is above base ISO, even if the electronic shutter is nice for sync speeds. I've never picked up a D40 and can't say much about it.
The Nikon F4 is a nice machine, but I wouldn't pay that much money for that body. If you want to spend $284 on a single film body (35mm), get an F5. If you want a body that is compatible with all modern lenses and still rocks, get an F100 (I had one for awhile, let it go because it would lock up and skip frames, I will get another eventually). If you want a super cheap film body, get an N90s and a couple of nice bargain lenses that are focal lengths you enjoy (24/2.8 AI?, 35/2 AI-S/AF, 50/1.8, 105/2.5, 200/4, 28-105D). If you want something that will last forever, find a nice FM2n or FM3 (regular or HP).
Lastly, I don't know your budget or what you want to shoot, but if you would love to go with film and don't shoot just a ton, a used Fuji GW690 (6x9 negative) or early Mamiya 645 (6x4.5 negative) with a prism and 80/2.8 lens would make a pretty nifty setup and give you a much bigger negative, for roughly the same price or less than that F4s. If you soup your own B&W or shoot limited color, it could be a pretty nice setup.
huddy wrote:
It's hard to respond to your poll without knowing anything about what gear you have and what budget you have for film. I had a D70 and liked it, but looking back, I really had forgotten how weak it is above base ISO, even if the electronic shutter is nice for sync speeds. I've never picked up a D40 and can't say much about it.
The Nikon F4 is a nice machine, but I wouldn't pay that much money for that body. If you want to spend $284 on a single film body (35mm), get an F5. If you want a body that is compatible with all modern lenses and still rocks, get an F100 (I had one for awhile, let it go because it would lock up and skip frames, I will get another eventually). If you want a super cheap film body, get an N90s and a couple of nice bargain lenses that are focal lengths you enjoy (24/2.8 AI?, 35/2 AI-S/AF, 50/1.8, 105/2.5, 200/4, 28-105D). If you want something that will last forever, find a nice FM2n or FM3 (regular or HP).
Lastly, I don't know your budget or what you want to shoot, but if you would love to go with film and don't shoot just a ton, a used Fuji GW690 (6x9 negative) or early Mamiya 645 (6x4.5 negative) with a prism and 80/2.8 lens would make a pretty nifty setup and give you a much bigger negative, for roughly the same price or less than that F4s. If you soup your own B&W or shoot limited color, it could be a pretty nice setup....Show more →
So many choices.. I was just looking to stir the pot on what anyone might think regarding the ideas I had. My budget as of right now is nothing.
In the near future I may be able to swing $200-$300. Unless I sell one of my motorcycles.
At age 53 I don't really need to be on a MX track too much anymore.
I will stick with the D40 for now after thinking it through all day today and reading the responses here.
Ideally I'd like a D3 or D7000 or D700 but that's another day.
