Nikon F100 Camera Body Only

by Nikon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B00005K4BJ
• Item model number: F-100
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,784 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #20 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Film Cameras > SLR Cameras
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 9, 2006

Product Description

About the Nikon F100 The F100 features Nikon s 3D Matrix Meter, for exposure control that has been developed through over a generation of innovation. There s Spot and Center-Weighted Metering, too. And Nikon s Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash System is uncanny at showing up that touch of extra light for more perfect exposures and cover page pictures. For extra dependability, the chassis, top, bottom and front covers, and selected parts are constructed of rugged magnesium alloy metal. By expanding your choices and meeting your need for a smaller, lighter camera, all without sacrificing ruggedness, the F100 joins the Nikon F5 as a camera of choice among the world s best. In short, it s one tough camera destined to take whatever kinds of the world s greatest pictures you want to take. That makes it truly worthy of the name Nikon F100 - Professional.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent camera, January 8, 2004

By 

D. Richardson (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon F100 Camera Body Only (Electronics)

I've had my F100 for just over a year and continue to be impressed by the handling and abilities of this camera. Very good build quality, good features, and good layout of controls. I debated between the F100 or a Canon EOS 3 for quite a while. For me the F100 viewfinder was easier to see through and the controls are much more intuitive. Both are good cameras, but for me the F100 was better. While not all my pictures are gems (due to my own limitations as a photographer), this camera has never delivered less than expected.

I did try a friend's F5 for a few days, which is an amazing camera. But given the few additional features it has, and the weight difference, I'd would still choose the F100 over the F5. It does 95% of what the F5 does in a much better handling and lighter package.

Finally, regarding the review below that talks about the lack of mirror lock-up (MLU) causing the mirror to break when traveling - what a load of trash... MLU has nothing to do with traveling with your camera. It's used exclusively to reduce camera vibration by flipping the up mirror early, typically for shots taken with long exposure times on a tripod. The reference he made to other information on the web regarding the lack of MLU in the F100 all have to do with vibration, not any travel concerns. The fact is that some camera vibration can be intoducted in the exposure range of .3 secs to .75 secs. MLU would help to alleviate this, and since the F100 doesn't have MLU some people have said that vibration may impact pictures with exposure times in this range. Any more or less exposure time than this and vibration isn't a problem.

I've taken many insect pictures using a tripod and macro lens in this range, and have not noticed any lack of sharpness. And if there were a problem, it's easy to change settings to get a longer or shorter exposure time. If you are strapping a camera to a microscope and MUST take pictures with exposures between 0.3-0.75 secs, get a camera with MLU. For the other 99.9999% of all pictures taken, it's not a problem. Mirror lock-up goes almost completely unused on cameras that have it - it simply isn't needed. Bottom line: lack of MLU on the F100 is a non issue.

Finally, I travel a lot for work and have taken my F100 all over the world in all kinds of conditions with no problems. This is a well built, reliable camera.

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great body for a great price, April 4, 2003

By 

J. Purswani "graduate student" (Catskill, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon F100 Camera Body Only (Electronics)

Those who know Nikon's lineup well, will know that this camera falls between the flagship F5 and the high consumer end N80. It has a tough role to fill, and it does it perfectly.

The focusing on the F100 is far faster than on the N80. When I originally bought my N80, I thought it was fast. On the F100, it's amazing. The images from the F100 are great, and I've never had one that didn't turn out because of camera error (what can I say, human error is the prevalent error behind this camera)

This camera isn't for everyone though. It lacks some of the features of the N80, such as the pop up flash and the grid lines on demand. If you're looking for an introductory camera, this is not it.

However, if you're serious about photography and already have a speedlight (flash), then this camera is definitely worth it. The reason for it not including a pop up flash is that the camera is geared towards very serious amateurs or professional photographers. Nikon figures that by the time you step up to one of their higher end cameras like the F100 or the F5, that you've already acquired a good flash unit. To put it into perspective, one of the photographers who routinely shoots at the local high school shoots with this camera. You can get the grid lines in the viewfinder by spending another [amount of money] and replacing the screen inside the viewfinder. Unfortunately, they aren't built in like the N80, but there is a work around, so in my mind, that's not a big deal.

This camera also has a vertical grip via the high power pack, which is something that the N80 is clearly lacking. So if you tend to shoot a lot in the vertical direction, this is a definite plus, especially if you're like me and don't have very big hands.

All in all, I highly recommend this camera for those who are serious about their photography, and don't want to spend the cash for the F5.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only From Nikon, August 27, 2003

By 

Roderick A. Lopez (Carolina, Puerto Rico - USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon F100 Camera Body Only (Electronics)

Only From Nikon do you get a professional 35mm SLR for less than a thousand dollars that is excellent quality and loaded with features. True, other brands also have similar equipment, but with Nikon you can use any Nikon lens produced since the beginning. I have used only Nikon in my twelve years as a semi-pro photographer. I started with an N8008s, which is still shooting, an FM-2n, F4s, F4e, N90s, F3HP and now, finally, the F100 with MB-15 Power Pack. Believe me, after shooting the F100 I am glad I didn't buy the more expensive, and excellent F5. Unless your are a pro shooting for National Geographic (they also use F100)go with the F100. Easy to use, loaded with features, can connect to your PC and much more. I use mine for Outdoor/Wildlife/Aviation photos along with the F4e/N90s and am planning on buying a second F100. That's how superve it is! Buy an F100 with MB-15 Power Pack and you will be amazed at what a Nikon F100 can do.