I returned the broken F100 to Japan, got a refund, and was set on buying another F100. Instead, I came across a Nikon F5 in good shape here in Sweden for about the same as I had paid for the F100. How could I not get it?
It was not a simple decision. As I always do, I read a lot about the F5, how it is wonderful, but big and heavy. I thought the F100 was rather big, but the F5 is both bigger and heavier (it takes eight AA-batteries and the battery grip cannot be removed).
If you’re curious, here are specs.
But I took a chance.
And as nice as the F100 is to hold and operate, the F5 is in another league. It oozes quality and gives you all the confidence in the world that this camera will never let you down.
It shouts at you: “load me up with film, and I’ll help you take all the amazing shots you dream about.”
Okay, maybe I overstated that a bit.
It just sits perfectly in my hands, and the controls are in just the right spots.
Sure, it can shoot through a roll of film in a few seconds, something I probably will never use. But it is tempting, to sacrifice a roll, just to see.
Sure, you can exchange the viewfinder, something I also probably will never do.
Sure, you can probably use it to hammer a nail in. (But I won’t try, nor should you.)
But the handling is amazing, so is the viewfinder: big and bright. And the 1005-segment matrix metering should help me get good exposures.
Really, the best of modern digital cameras, in a body that shoots film. What a combination!
I’m just going through the first roll of film with the camera, and I’ll get back to you with examples as soon as I can.
Happy snapping!