Nikon F4
| Nikon F4 | |
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| Type: | professional single - lens 35mm - single lens reflex camera with autofocus integrated motor and electronically controlled focal plane shutter |
| Production period: | 1988-1996 |
| Lens connection : | Nikon F bayonet |
| Film format : | 35 mm (small picture) |
| Recording format : | 24 mm × 36 mm |
| Viewfinder : | SLR |
| Finder Ads: | 2 liquid crystal displays (time, aperture, exposure mode, exposure correction, image number) and via LED (flash readiness and focus indicator) |
| Operating modes: | Manual (M), aperture priority mode (A), auto iris (S), automatic program (P) |
| Film transport: | motorized |
| Frame rate : | 4 to 5.6 fps (depending on the battery pack) |
| Auto focus (AF) : | ON 200 |
| AF measuring range: | EV -1 to +18 |
| AF modes: | Single autofocus (S), continuous autofocus (C) and manual focus (M) |
| Exposure metering : | Open aperture metering, matrix metering, center-weighted integral metering, spot metering |
| Measuring range: | EV 0 to +21 (6 - 6400 ISO) |
| Correction : | EV +2 to –2 |
| Shutter speed : | 1/8000 - 30 s in modes P, PH, and A, 1/8000 to 4 s in modes S and M, X, B, T |
| Control: | electronically |
| Flash control: | TTL , A, M |
| Lightning connection : | X, ISO hot shoe |
| Synchronization : | 1/250 s |
| Dimensions: | 117 × 168.5 × 76 mm |
| Weight: | 1090 g |
| Additions: | Interchangeable viewfinder (included was the prism viewfinder DP 20), dimming button , mirror lock-up |
The Nikon F4 was the first real professional camera from Nikon with an integrated autofocus system and the second professional camera from Nikon with autofocus after the F3AF. When it was launched in 1988, it was supposed to replace the Nikon F3 (which, however, continued to be built until around 2003 due to demand). The F4, designed by the Italian designer Giorgio Giugiaro , represented a greater advance than the previous leaps from the Nikon F to the F2 and the F3, as it had a built-in motor drive, a significantly faster shutter and complex exposure metering functions in addition to autofocus.
variants
The F4 was offered together with three different handles, each of which was marketed as its own variant. However, every F4 variant can be converted by simply changing the handle.
- Q4: This camera variant was delivered without a portrait format release, but the handle offered space for four AA size batteries or rechargeable batteries, designation MB-20. The serial image speed is 4 images per second.
- F4s: The battery handle with portrait format shutter release (designation MB-21) was delivered with this camera, it offers space for a total of six AA batteries or rechargeable batteries. The serial image speed increases to 5.7 images per second. The most popular F4 version.
- F4E: As with F4s, there is a battery pack with portrait format release attached to the camera, but in a different form, designation MB-23. This takes special batteries, which allow a series image speed of 5.7 images per second. This variant was initially only delivered in Japan, later the variant also came into stores in Europe.
In addition to the three handles mentioned, the MB-22 handle was also sold separately. However, this is set up for the external power supply.
Autofocus
Compared to the semi-professional Nikon F-801 , the autofocus speed could be increased again. The autofocus of the F4 also has automatic focus tracking, which calculates the focus of the lens for objects moving towards or away from the camera so that the optimum focus is achieved at the moment when the mirror is already up and the shutter curtain is already up opens. In terms of equipment, the F4 also had some equipment features ahead of the F-801, especially the changeable viewfinder and spot metering . However, the Nikon F-801s was introduced soon after, which also had spot metering.
Compared to current camera models, the F4 has an extraordinarily fast and powerful autofocus motor. This became necessary because at the time of publication the fast-reacting ultrasonic motors had not yet been introduced at Nikon, which is why focusing with the telephoto lenses of the time would otherwise have been very slow. In addition, the F4 is the only other camera that can control lenses with the early autofocus system of the F3AF.
Exposure control
The Nikon F4 offers the following exposure control modes:
- Automatic program P (not shiftable)
- High-speed automatic program Ph (not shiftable)
- Automatic timing A
- Shutter Priority S
- Manual, cross-coupled tracking measurement M
The individual modes are set using a slide switch under the exposure correction wheel.
In contrast to fully electronic cameras, the aperture is still adjusted on the lens, the time is set on the shutter speed dial (to the left of the viewfinder), as with a classic SLR. If you want to take photos with automatic program or automatic aperture , you have to set the aperture ring on the lens to the lowest value (highest number) so that the camera can open the aperture itself. Otherwise the camera will report an error (the aperture information "ee" = error appears in the viewfinder LCD) and the shutter release is blocked.
Since it is not possible to set the aperture on the camera body itself, the G-Nikkor without aperture ring can only be used in the modes of program or automatic aperture. The fully electronic e-Nikkor cannot be used at all.
Exposure metering
In terms of exposure metering , a 5-field matrix metering , center-weighted integral metering and spot metering are available. The metering characteristics are changed using a switch on the right side of the viewfinder.
Exchange seeker
As already known since the Nikon F , this camera also offers the option of changing the viewfinder. A total of four interchangeable viewfinders were offered by Nikon, whereby the prism viewfinder DP-20 was delivered with the camera. These viewfinders only fit the F4.
- Prism viewfinder DP-20: Standard equipment of the F4, supports all 3 light metering methods. Furthermore, it has a built-in diopter correction (from −3 to +1 diopter) and a built-in eyepiece shutter. An ISO center contact is also part of the equipment.
- Sports viewfinder DA-20: Only supports center-weighted metering and spot metering . Like the DP-20, this viewfinder was equipped with an ISO center contact.
- Light shaft finder DW-20: Supports spot metering only . The viewfinder shows the image reversed. A magnifying glass with five times magnification was installed.
- Magnifying glass viewfinder DW-21: Light shaft viewfinder with fixed magnifying glass for six times magnification, only supports spot metering . Designed for microscope and reproduction photography. The viewfinder has an eyepiece adjustment from −5 to +3 diopters to ensure that it can be adapted to the eye.
Other Accessories
In addition to the viewfinder and battery handles, the rear panel can also be exchanged for the multifunctional rear panels MF-22 and MF-23 and the long film magazine MF-24 for 250 exposures.
classification
With the F4, Nikon introduced autofocus in the professional segment in 1988, after a few attempts with a specially equipped F3. At the same time, the first autofocus lenses (AF Nikkor) came onto the market. In contrast to some of its competitors, Nikon did not change the F bayonet, so that all available Nikon lenses could still be used on the F4. A year later, competitor Canon introduced the EOS-1 , a professional camera that the F4 can use in various areas, e.g. B. the autofocus speed was superior. In the further course Canon developed lenses with ultrasonic drive, which had another speed advantage. This prompted many professional sports photographers to switch their equipment to Canon. Canon thus gained the upper hand in the field of sports photography, which had been Nikon's domain for many years. It was not until Nikon introduced the AF-S Nikkor lenses with ultrasonic drive and the F5 in 1996 that market shares could be regained.
Although the Nikon F4 is still regarded by many photographers as an excellent camera, it marked the end of Nikon's market leadership in professional SLR photography.
literature
- Instruction manual for the F4 from Nikon
- Peter Braczko: The new big Nikon manual. Cameras, lenses, accessories. 368 pages. Hück: Wittig Fachbuch 1999, ISBN 3-88984-111-2
- Rudolf Hillebrand and Hans-Joachim Hauschild: Nikon Compendium. The Nikon Photo Technique Handbook. 208 pages. Gilch Verlag Photographie 1991, ISBN 3-933131-33-2
- Heiner Henninges: Nikon F4, 236 pages. Laterna Magica 1989, ISBN 3-87467-370-7
Web links
- Nikon History
- Nikon F4 at Nikon System Online