Customer Reviews

Nikon F100 Camera Body Only

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My experience with this camera has been so totally positive that I can find no way to write a "balanced sounding" review with all sorts of "tut-tutting" about the lack of mirror lock-up or the plastic back. I'm in love and the pictures are great. This camera gets used more than my F5 due to my hard to define feel for it. A Rolls- Royce!

Put simply, I'm a child of the 60's and all I ever knew was film.

I shot film over the past few decades using Minolta SLRs and a point and shoot.

Yea, I got a digital advanced point and shoot in 2007, yada, yada. To be honest, it's a boring way to do photography. I use the digital mostly for taking shots of items I sell on that auction site that begins with E. Otherwise I'd be a slave to Photoshop editing and manipulating hundreds of boring shots to make them look all fancy and unrealistic.

I want purity.

Being drawn to film because of it's superior print quality, I chose to upgrade my equipment and so bought a Nikon F100 with an SB28 Flash and 2 third party zoom lenses for a real bargain...a couple hundred bucks total. I think my old Minoltas are going to be gathering a bit of dust from now on!

I'll tell you this about the F100, it's not really for beginners. It is/was designed for professional photographers. It can be set up to be used as a giant Point and Shoot for those who are not so familiar with photographical techniques, but if you know your stuff and READ THE MANUAL, this is the BEST 35mm camera EVER for pros and serious amateurs alike.

There's so many features it's unbelievable. The camera just feels great in your hands. The autofocus options are both fantastic for whatever situation your in. I'd recommend the MB-15 battery pack/vertical grip. It makes a heavy camera a little heavier but having the ability to comfortably shoot vertically is priceless.

I can't bring myself to spend all the $$$$$$$$ on a DSLR system so I'll gladly take the bargain 35mm SLR deals and let other crazy people spend $$$$$$ on a toy that will bore them within a few months.

FILM FOREVER!! LONG LIVE FILM!

I still shoot a lot of film, being a bit of a purist and throwback - I like the satisfaction and anticipation of waiting for prints. I've used a lot of Nikon SLRs to include the FM, FM2, N2002, N5005, N8008s, and this is my current workhorse. It performs extremely well for everything I shoot from macro to 600mm zoom. I think this will be the last film camera Nikon makes in this range and I've been looking hard at the fantastic new D2H and upcoming D70 with excitement, but I think I will always have a film camera.

I have one comment to make about the doofus who posted in an earlier review that the camera has a critical mirror defect in that the mirror does not lock up and the camera may break accordingly. Hogwash. I've traveled with mine all over the world and it hasn't even flinched in the travel and varying conditions. I packed it in a Pelican case with all of my lenses and didn't have a single problem. I've dropped it once and it didn't even dent.

Great SLR - the best I've ever used.

Please, don't even go there with the comments of letidc. This is the last great film camera of our time. I have run thousands of frames through two of these cameras with very little problem. The F100 is as close as you can go to a Pro camera without the $3ooo.oo plus price tag. If your after a film camera, just buy this one, you won't be sorry.

While the F - 5 has its advantages (suc as %100 view through the view finder, a strong body, etc.), the F 100 is almost as good, at a much lower price, and a little lighter to boot...

The body itself is strong, the lens hold is metal, and the camera is very easy to use.

The Nikon F100 lives up to it's reputation. After using digital SLR cameras for about a year, i thought i would experiment with film a little bit. There were cheaper, lighter options, but the Nikon F100 caught my eye with it's well constructed body, and professional feature-set. This camera will surely satisfy your needs.

The Nikon F100 has a very sturdy, dare i say professional, feel. It's heavier than most film cameras, and is about the same weight as a comparable digital SLR. Like all professional-level cameras, you won't find a flash on the camera. If you want one, you're going to have to get one, for a little more.

The F100 has a lot of custom settings, and controls (that may be confusing if you're not familiar with such features already). It's not a camera a complete amateur would buy. There are automatic modes (of course), however. The light-meter is very accurate, and the metering modes are easy to access.

I think having to hold down two buttons to access a feature is a little annoying, and some of the buttons are ackwardly placed on the body. It takes four (4) double A (AA) batteries, which adds to the body's weight, but they are remarkably long-lasting. They are said to last for 70 rolls of film.

The camera handles well, and the photographs are great. Just wish film and development were cheaper. In the long run, digital is alot cheaper, and a hell-of-alot more convenient; which is why most professionals made the switch a long time ago. Most use film for the quality-difference, and that difference is argued. In conclusion, it's a great film camera that will surely satisfy your needs.

I have had my D1x for a long time and needed something shot on film. I got the MB15 vertical grip to go with it. Now, the two are so much alike I have to check which one I am using.
Seriously, the transition between the two is effortless.