Love letter to the F4
p.1 #2Love letter to the F4
Love the F4.
I've posted before that it's easily my most accurate host for manual lenses. The viewfinder is a big step up from the F3 in terms of brightness and clarity, and to my eyes it actually has a small clarity advantage over my F5's. With the center focus point and a digital rangefinder, plus a super clear screen, my accuracy with the F4 is the best among my SLR's. F6 is a close second. And you get matrix metering with manual glass on the F4.
I also like it with AF/AF-D glass as it's still quite snappy, and only one focus point is refreshing. I'm glad he shows the viewfinder in the video, because that's kind of an unsung selling point for this camera. As long as you can deal with the weight, it's a great way to expose some film.
I've posted before that it's easily my most accurate host for manual lenses. The viewfinder is a big step up from the F3 in terms of brightness and clarity, and to my eyes it actually has a small clarity advantage over my F5's. With the center focus point and a digital rangefinder, plus a super clear screen, my accuracy with the F4 is the best among my SLR's. F6 is a close second. And you get matrix metering with manual glass on the F4.
I also like it with AF/AF-D glass as it's still quite snappy, and only one focus point is refreshing. I'm glad he shows the viewfinder in the video, because that's kind of an unsung selling point for this camera. As long as you can deal with the weight, it's a great way to expose some film.
Mar 19, 2026 at 08:32 PM
p.1 #3Love letter to the F4
I purchased an F4s new in 1990. I immediately got the MB-20 to have that small "euro" option and later the MF-23 multi-control back which had very fancy options for the time.
Unfortunately the F4s had more problems than any other Nikon I ever had including 3 different failures that were not under warranty.
AF was indeed rather limited and did not have very good repeatability. I have no idea where he found one in new condition.
EBH
Unfortunately the F4s had more problems than any other Nikon I ever had including 3 different failures that were not under warranty.
AF was indeed rather limited and did not have very good repeatability. I have no idea where he found one in new condition. EBH
Mar 19, 2026 at 09:11 PM
p.1 #4Love letter to the F4
I've only had the F4s for a little over 5 weeks and three rolls. Somehow, I missed this model completely and instead went with two F3HP's back when my employer was footing the bill for anything I wanted. I love this steampunk camera! It is a heavy beast. A button for everything and a locking button for the buttons you don't want to have changed accidentally. By far the most important feature is the focus confirmation viewfinder lights are the absolute best I have ever seen. In fact, the viewfinder is the best I have ever seen. Currently it is loaded with Fuji 400 on a desktop tripod, a 400mm f5.6 ais, and a modified TC-16A for semi AF 640mm EFL.. Doubt I will use it on birds again, but wanted to try
Edited on Mar 20, 2026 at 06:08 AM · View previous versions
Edited on Mar 20, 2026 at 06:08 AM · View previous versions
Mar 19, 2026 at 09:27 PM
p.1 #5Love letter to the F4
I had two in superb condition and sold both as ‘too much stuff’….
I thought I would use my F6 for af needs but of course then bought two N80s. Upside that only cost me $40.
Love the big chunky dials on the F4. Nikon needs to bring that back with the rumored F7.
I thought I would use my F6 for af needs but of course then bought two N80s. Upside that only cost me $40.
Love the big chunky dials on the F4. Nikon needs to bring that back with the rumored F7.
Mar 19, 2026 at 10:14 PM
p.1 #7Love letter to the F4
The F4 was interesting in a lot of ways, I used to futz with the display unit all the time back when I worked at a..."nationwide photography store" back in the heady '90s.
Though admittedly, the one thing about the F4 was that it always felt like I was using a Nikonos that simply wasn't wearing a wetsuit...
Though admittedly, the one thing about the F4 was that it always felt like I was using a Nikonos that simply wasn't wearing a wetsuit...
Mar 20, 2026 at 12:12 AM
p.1 #8Love letter to the F4
sirimiri wrote:
The F4 was interesting in a lot of ways, I used to futz with the display unit all the time back when I worked at a..."nationwide photography store" back in the heady '90s.
Though admittedly, the one thing about the F4 was that it always felt like I was using a Nikonos that simply wasn't wearing a wetsuit...
You ever used a Nikonos VI?
The F4 was interesting in a lot of ways, I used to futz with the display unit all the time back when I worked at a..."nationwide photography store" back in the heady '90s.
Though admittedly, the one thing about the F4 was that it always felt like I was using a Nikonos that simply wasn't wearing a wetsuit...
You ever used a Nikonos VI?
Mar 20, 2026 at 01:30 AM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #10Love letter to the F4
Chris is wrong, of course, but he told us that upfront at least.
Mar 20, 2026 at 01:58 PM
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p.1 #11Love letter to the F4
RoamingScott wrote:
Chris is wrong, of course, but he told us that upfront at least.
His claim was that "it is the greatest manually focusing camera of all time" -. What, in your opinion , is a better manually focusing camera? Because my eyesight is slipping, and I love the three super bright red/green light arrangement of the F4. I'm curious what other camera can confirm manual focus better?
Chris is wrong, of course, but he told us that upfront at least.
His claim was that "it is the greatest manually focusing camera of all time" -. What, in your opinion , is a better manually focusing camera? Because my eyesight is slipping, and I love the three super bright red/green light arrangement of the F4. I'm curious what other camera can confirm manual focus better?
Mar 20, 2026 at 02:34 PM
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p.1 #12Love letter to the F4
James Markus wrote:
His claim was that "it is the greatest manually focusing camera of all time" -. What, in your opinion , is a better manually focusing camera? Because my eyesight is slipping, and I love the three super bright red/green light arrangement of the F4. I'm curious what other camera can confirm manual focus better?
If you leave it that open ended, literally any Z with green box confirmation, even better if it has subject detection.
For film, sure.
RoamingScott wrote
Chris is wrong, of course, but he told us that upfront at least.If you leave it that open ended, literally any Z with green box confirmation, even better if it has subject detection.
For film, sure.
Mar 20, 2026 at 02:37 PM
p.1 #13Love letter to the F4
RoamingScott wrote:
His claim was that "it is the greatest manually focusing camera of all time" -. What, in your opinion , is a better manually focusing camera? Because my eyesight is slipping, and I love the three super bright red/green light arrangement of the F4. I'm curious what other camera can confirm manual focus better?If you leave it that open ended, literally any Z with green box confirmation, even better if it has subject detection.
For film, sure.
I wasn't thinking digital, but that is good to know. I'm locked into Nikon F/ai, Canon Eos/ef, Pentax 645, etc for digital - Don't think I am going to live that long.
I'm trying to get rid of gear so my wife won't have to deal with it when I kick - thanks for the answer.
James Markus wrote
RoamingScott wrote
Chris is wrong, of course, but he told us that upfront at least.For film, sure.
I wasn't thinking digital, but that is good to know. I'm locked into Nikon F/ai, Canon Eos/ef, Pentax 645, etc for digital - Don't think I am going to live that long.
I'm trying to get rid of gear so my wife won't have to deal with it when I kick - thanks for the answer.Mar 20, 2026 at 02:48 PM
p.1 #14Love letter to the F4
I've owned two F4s, and think my F6 is a better manually focusing camera.
For several reasons:
1. The screen itself - without needing to use any of the digital aids - is much more accurate and easier to use. It snaps in and out of focus really nicely. Plus you can get it from Nikon with a split screen, microprism etc.
2. The digital aids/indicators are more accurate due to the fact that it has a more modern AF system.
3. Because there are more AF focus points, you can manually focus w/o needing to focus/recompose. it also has the benefit of using the picked focus point as the spot meter point.
These reasons are actually why I sold my F4s and kept the F6.
For several reasons:
1. The screen itself - without needing to use any of the digital aids - is much more accurate and easier to use. It snaps in and out of focus really nicely. Plus you can get it from Nikon with a split screen, microprism etc.
2. The digital aids/indicators are more accurate due to the fact that it has a more modern AF system.
3. Because there are more AF focus points, you can manually focus w/o needing to focus/recompose. it also has the benefit of using the picked focus point as the spot meter point.
These reasons are actually why I sold my F4s and kept the F6.
Mar 20, 2026 at 03:00 PM
p.1 #15Love letter to the F4
The thing about the F4/F4s/F4e was that it was bulky and heavy, even as the F4 with MB-20.
Most of us had several camera bodies and used the F4s when the speed was needed. The N8008 (and later N8008s) was smaller and produced exactly the same IQ with films. I was still using the FE2 up until the N90 in 1992. The fatal mistake Nikon made was to wait 8 years after the F4 for the F5. During that time, especially after the EOS 1N in 1994, people flocked aways from Nikon. The N90/N90s were better electronically (especially the N90s) than the F4 but physically flimsy (broke 2 of them) and could hardly handle a few drops or water. The F4s sure could take a beating.
The F4 had a very good focusing screen and several optional ones, but I'm not sure it was the best ever. Mostly I used the grid Type E with all matte.
EBH
Most of us had several camera bodies and used the F4s when the speed was needed. The N8008 (and later N8008s) was smaller and produced exactly the same IQ with films. I was still using the FE2 up until the N90 in 1992. The fatal mistake Nikon made was to wait 8 years after the F4 for the F5. During that time, especially after the EOS 1N in 1994, people flocked aways from Nikon. The N90/N90s were better electronically (especially the N90s) than the F4 but physically flimsy (broke 2 of them) and could hardly handle a few drops or water. The F4s sure could take a beating.
The F4 had a very good focusing screen and several optional ones, but I'm not sure it was the best ever. Mostly I used the grid Type E with all matte.
EBH
Mar 20, 2026 at 03:15 PM
p.1 #16Love letter to the F4
The F4 was not just bulky and heavy (mine were the ones w the smallest battery pack), but they were also very slippery to hold.
Mar 20, 2026 at 05:37 PM
p.1 #18Love letter to the F4
These are my two favorites from two of the rolls..
Nikon-F4S_5222-XX-at-400_HC-110-1:63-15min-at-68-degrees
Nikon-F4S_Expired-Plus-X-at-125_Rodinal-1:50-15.5min-at-68-degrees
Nikon-F4S_5222-XX-at-400_HC-110-1:63-15min-at-68-degrees
Nikon-F4S_Expired-Plus-X-at-125_Rodinal-1:50-15.5min-at-68-degrees
Mar 20, 2026 at 09:14 PM
p.1 #19Love letter to the F4
Desmolicious wrote:
I've owned two F4s, and think my F6 is a better manually focusing camera.
For several reasons:
1. The screen itself - without needing to use any of the digital aids - is much more accurate and easier to use. It snaps in and out of focus really nicely. Plus you can get it from Nikon with a split screen, microprism etc.
2. The digital aids/indicators are more accurate due to the fact that it has a more modern AF system.
3. Because there are more AF focus points, you can manually focus w/o needing to focus/recompose. it also has the benefit of using...Show more →
My F4 screen seems just as bright and clear as my F6 screen, and I have a slightly easier time telling when things are focused with something like a 105 f/2.5 or 75-150 f/3.5. Both of your F4's were noticeably less accurate than the F6?
I've owned two F4s, and think my F6 is a better manually focusing camera.
For several reasons:
1. The screen itself - without needing to use any of the digital aids - is much more accurate and easier to use. It snaps in and out of focus really nicely. Plus you can get it from Nikon with a split screen, microprism etc.
2. The digital aids/indicators are more accurate due to the fact that it has a more modern AF system.
3. Because there are more AF focus points, you can manually focus w/o needing to focus/recompose. it also has the benefit of using...Show more →
My F4 screen seems just as bright and clear as my F6 screen, and I have a slightly easier time telling when things are focused with something like a 105 f/2.5 or 75-150 f/3.5. Both of your F4's were noticeably less accurate than the F6?
Mar 20, 2026 at 10:09 PM
p.1 #20Love letter to the F4
OffTrail wrote:
For several reasons:
1. The screen itself - without needing to use any of the digital aids - is much more accurate and easier to use. It snaps in and out of focus really nicely. Plus you can get it from Nikon with a split screen, microprism etc.
2. The digital aids/indicators are more accurate due to the fact that it has a more modern AF system.
3. Because there are more AF focus points, you can manually focus w/o needing to focus/recompose. it also has the benefit of using the picked focus point as the spot meter point.
These reasons are actually why I sold my F4s and kept the F6.My F4 screen seems just as bright and clear as my F6 screen, and I have a slightly easier time telling when things are focused with something like a 105 f/2.5 or 75-150 f/3.5. Both of your F4's were noticeably less accurate than the F6?
I found that if I just relied on the focusing screen not the digital aids, the F6 was more accurate and easier to focus.
Desmolicious wrote
I've owned two F4s, and think my F6 is a better manually focusing camera.For several reasons:
1. The screen itself - without needing to use any of the digital aids - is much more accurate and easier to use. It snaps in and out of focus really nicely. Plus you can get it from Nikon with a split screen, microprism etc.
2. The digital aids/indicators are more accurate due to the fact that it has a more modern AF system.
3. Because there are more AF focus points, you can manually focus w/o needing to focus/recompose. it also has the benefit of using the picked focus point as the spot meter point.
These reasons are actually why I sold my F4s and kept the F6.
I found that if I just relied on the focusing screen not the digital aids, the F6 was more accurate and easier to focus.
Mar 21, 2026 at 12:07 AM