Nikon F5 35mm Professional Film Camera Review and Sample Photos
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Nikon birthed the F5 in a world where the beginning whisps of the promise of digital photography made the thin lips of corporate leaders curl upward at the promise of future profits. But its roots started in a world where film photography was the only option and 35mm film dominated the majority, by huge margins, of the photographic marketplace. The Nikon F5 fought the future like a pugilist while embracing the best of the computerized technologies and the wheels and dials, screens and displays, and viewfinder and lights that would define generations of digital cameras. And so while the F5 fought the future, it also showed the world a hint, a faint glimpse, of what the future would be.
The F5 roots reached deep, through the F, F2, F3, and F4, the longest-running continuous camera-model lineage in photographic history. These cameras represent a cross-section on the most gonzo, aspirational thinking Nikon would lets its engineers have. The F5 was the most-aspirational, least-contained, highest-reaching camera in the F lineup and what better DNA from which to build the Nikon digital camera lineage?
This was the last Nikon film camera to feature a removable viwfinder prism, the first to use the button interface that would define their digitals. This was the last Nikon film camera with an integrated battery grip for eight AA batteries, the first professional camera that could not take all of the Nikon lenses made previous to it out of the box. The last without a screen on the back, the first with the grip feel and ergonomics that Nikon adopted wholesale afterward. Most importantly, though, the F5 was the last Nikon camera that felt like a film camera, and the first Nikon camera that absolutely did not feel like a film camera. The Nikon F5 was engineering creativity, unleashed it seems by crate blanche permission for its designers to scrap what had been, ask what could be, and then question every subsequent idea.
Nikon backed the F5’s design with incredibly strong specifications, too. The fastest shutter speed, at 1/8,000th of a second, ties all the best cameras ever made bar one - the Minolta Alpha 9. The heavy reliance on dials and buttons gave the F5 a tactile feel that provided instant feedback to the photographer and let the know their fingers were placed correctly for the task at hand. And with a maximum frame rate of eight frames per second, a feat beaten only by the Canon EOS 1V at ten frames per second, the Nikon F5 could move more than 300mm of film through the camera every second and tear through an entire roll of film is just more than five seconds. This camera had a higher frame rate than most of the digital cameras - from any maker - that would follow it for the next fifteen years. And all of that from a highly complex, motor-driven, still-significantly-mechanical film SLR.
The Nikon F5 become, from the start, the camera that like a hulking skyscraper cast its shadow on everything else around it. Yes, other cameras were prettier, or cheaper, or newer, or digital, but none of them, at all, were the F5 and almost none of them had any ability in even tiny ways to exhibit the creativity of thought and the forward-looking design that defined the entirety of the F5.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @davidhancock
David Hancock's Amazon Author Page with Links to Select Camera Manual eBooks:
www.amazon.com...
Nikon F5 35mm Professional Film Camera Review and Sample Photos
• Nikon F5 35mm Professi...
Nikon F5 Video 1: Features, Functions, Buttons, and Interface
• Nikon F5 Video 1: Feat...
Nikon F5 Video 2: Batteries, Load Film, Modes, Settings, Take a Photo, and Double Exposures
• Nikon F5 Video 2: Batt...
Nikon F5 Video 3: Custom Functions Tutorial Walkthrough with Explanations
• Nikon F5 Video 3: Cust...
My Instagram:
/ davidhancock
"Sorry" by Alex Kehm, "Stay Forever (Instrumental Version) by Origo, and "Murial" by nothanks used under active license from Epidemic Sound at the time of this video's upload.
Incredibly well written video. I would also like to add, there were many incredible photographs in there. So many camera review videos on the internet have such mediocre photographs, taken by gearheads, not photographers. I really appreciate your emphasis on photography itself and the camera as a tool. May I ask, what stock were you using? Was that Ektachrome?
Thank you, Sam, that means a lot to me to hear because that's exactly my aim -- the camera and what it can actually do (at least the best I can do with it) should be the video's focus.
For the images, any specific ones you're curious about? I used a lot of different films.
It's my go to camera for 35mm shooting. I've put dozens of rolls through it and it has never let me down. It's a beast with my 28-70 2.8 and a speedlight on top, but I feel like it can do anything
Good go-to. Mine never let me down, either.
Sounds like a great combo. I will look at it!
Love my F5. It’s the only camera I ever dreamed of having since it was released. But then it was out of my budget.
I was in Vegas in 1998 and I was talking with a guy who had one that he was shooting with….he allowed me to hold and it just felt great.
It is absolutely a delight to hold.
I recently Had my eyes on an F5, what a beautiful camera, but in the end opted for the f4 due to the fact I have several pre Ai lenses, and only a few D or G
The F4 is a better choice in that case.
Thank you so much. Now I see what they mean by "film grain", and why so many think it's beautiful. It does have that pleasing, organic quality to the eyes.
Thank you!
cant agree more F5 really still is geneticly still in the body of D90 or even D750 thats crazy how well it was build to last, kudos to the japanese engineers and designers love Nikon
Definitely. This was an amazing design.
I have F100, bought in 2007 brand new, one of the last ones sold by BH. Maybe it isn't as "tanky" as F5, but it still is hell of a camera with lots of customisation and features. I wouldn't trade it on F5, it's too big for my needs. Nevertheless, F5 was an immediate icon when it was introduced to the market, just like Leica and Hassy 500 in their own categories and times.
The F100 is incredible and, honestly, I'd recommend it over the F5 for most users who don't need the things the F5 provides beyond the F100. The reduced weight is a huge advantage on the F100.
@@DavidHancock Nikon F100 never disappointed me, such a reliable camera. I think none of F4-F5-F100-F6 line is a bad choice. :D I did some street-photo few years ago, maybe it's time to go back to it? @darkroomnigtlife
Just bought a pristine secondhand F5 and waiting to see the results from the first two rolls of film - one colour, one black & white. I have been using Nikon digital and mirrorless cameras for teh past 12 years, including the D850, Z8 & Z9 so felt right at home with the F5 very quickly. I started using film cameras back in 1959 (Kodak Box Brownie) and my last use of film was in 1996 with an Olympus OM-10. Really enjoying the challenge of working with film again after so many years of being "spoilt" by the incredible computer technology in today's digital / mirrorless system.
Very nice!
LOL, that first sentence was a mouthful, but well said lol, beautiful.
:D Thank you.
Great video, nicely edited and good narration. I've just picked up a lovely condition F5, popped in some Velvia and took some shots, can't wait to see how they turn out. I've tried numerous digital cameras over the years, Canon 1D Mark 2, Mark 2 N, Mark 3, Mark 4, 1DX, 1DX Mark 2, Nikon D2Xs, D3, D4s, D5.. in terms of tactile interaction and comfort the F5 beats them all. I've kept my D3 as it's such a beautiful camera and the first digital to manage high ISO with low noise. The last of the 35mm film cameras and the first really useable DSLR. I'm really enjoying using the F5, makes me want to pick it up and use it, to think carefully before pressing the button, composition, framing, background.. thinking about the image before rattling off frames. Takes me back to my younger days as a photographer, good times. Shame film is so expensive, would be so nice if E6 was down to £10 a roll not £25.. maybe it will come down in price again... until then I'll just have to be very mindful of the images I'm taking, but what a camera!
Thank you!
Ok Dave , I got a F-5 am I able to freeze motion like I would on my D-810 , can I crank the shutter speed up to 1100 and balance it with the cameras light meter , ok there I finally held my breath and asked someone,
You can, yes, but be sure that you keep the exposure balanced. You'll need a fast enough film, a suitable amount of light, and a wide-enough aperture to back up your shutter speed.
It's a toss up between the f5 and the Canon 1v as the greatest film camera ever (I know your fondness for the alpha 9 but I have not tried it so can't judge), the removable grip of the Canon just shades it for me. I have a canon 1n and a 1v and it is like an extension of my hand. And slides, they come out of the canons like nothing I have ever seen, film or digital, just sublime.
The reduced weight on the 1V is a huge benefit over the F5. This is a HEAVY camera.
@@DavidHancock the 1N/1V WITH the motor drive is like holding a big block of concrete. However, the extra weight acts as a shock absorber against any mirror slap, and helps balance it perfectly.
My uncle just gave me his Nikon F5 what film speed is the best. I have no idea how to use film.
That's an awesome gift! I'd start with a 400 ISO, something like a Fuji Superia or Kodak Ultramax, just for a few rolls to see how it works. Those can be developed easily, they have a lot of forgiveness (meaning you can make mistakes and they tolerate them), and they're easy to find.
I have a full three-part instruction manual video on this coming, too. It's scheduled for 28 November (I know, a way out), and it will cover every single function the camera has and explain what they do. So if you have questions about the camera then, that video series will probably cover them all.
I'm thinking of getting this camera. I'm just worried that if I buy it, I'll never go back to my Olympus OM-1 😭
Best advice I have is to ask if it adds something you need. If not, don't buy it.
@@DavidHancock That's true. But I think the advanced metering system, autofocus, fast shutter speeds, fast fps, etc make it worth it.
Canon boy here, and I can say the 1V HS is a monster and having the 1n as a "street" backup means I have access to nearly all the "L" glass my wallet can pay for, bargains to be had. Taking the 1n out for a 2 day trip around Dover South England to blow a mortgage on film, but as always, the with R6 body with adapter to use the 2 "L" lenses on as digital backup up :-) Great video and as always, I wish you well.
Thank you, Dave! Yeah, that HS is quite the camera.
hi maestro, which were the best version and stability of nikon f5? thks
The F5 is an amazing camera across the board.
Awesome video/words/photos. I bought an F5 new in '94 and p/ex'd it in 2008 for a D3. I bought a mint/boxed used one on the strength of this video. Once again, superb photos... esp the out of focus girl... out-damn-standing!! Truly great and makes me wish that I'd taken it.
(I only lament the cost of film today, not having a darkroom and the cost of dev/scans)
Thank you and yes, darkroom costs today are HIGH. MY lab is around $15 to develop and scan (standard resolution) a roll of C-41 shot at box speed. Add the cost of the film, and 35mm is running about 80 cents to $1/FRAME. B&W I've developed a home since before I started this channel and definitely recommend it if possible. I just bought my first home C-41 kit because, honestly, without developing color film at home I'm not sure what the future of this channel looks like. Costs have gotten very high.
@@DavidHancock Really, I do not know how 'hobbyists' deal with $1/frame! Luckily my F5 is also a piece of art!!😂😂
As we say out west ... Nice shootin Tex!
Thank you, Randy!
They don't make cameras like this any more.
Definitely not
You shot some in dc im from the dmv area still live there !
Nice! I lived there from 01-04 but go back a couple of times a year for work now. Since I used to live on Capitol Hill, it's nice to visit the polls neighborhood.
Hey David I’m going through a bit of a phase of collecting D1s and D1xs. I will likely end up with way more cameras than I will want to keep. If you would like a one for reviewing just let me know. I think a D1 review would link up well with this F5 piece.
Thank you, and I do have a D1 review uploaded. 😀
I have the maxxum 9 and when hiking sometimes it feels heavy with the 28-135mm , I don't want to imagine doing the same with the F5 it's looks really heavy.
It is so much heavier than the 9. This body alone is about, maybe more than, your combo.
I wanted an F5 if you could get it without the fixed battery grip. I have the F4 small battery version and the F6 (the film camera I use the most). I have the D700 as well and it seems like a brother from another mother 🙂
The battery situation on these makes them VERY heavy. I'm hoping to one day review the F6 and see how much the reduced weight improves the experience.
哦，这也是我的胶片相机，操控、功能布置都非常舒适，拍摄速度极快8/sec，取景器宽大明亮，对焦速度也很快，难以想像它是96年的产品。
我同意。這遠遠領先於時代，預示著未來。
I keep hearing how this camera is a beast. It's the same size and weight as my D850 with vertical grip. After 60 years of using a neck/shoulder strap, I tried a black rapid with it. Resting on my r hip with slight pressure from my wrist, it becomes almost weightless. Great photos, what was the film stock for color and b&w? David does some of the best film reviews hands down as well.
Thank you! A hip-strap would definitely help with these.
@@DavidHancock With the black rapid cross body strap, I can shoot all day along with a fm2n around my neck as well and camera bag over left shoulder.
Will you ever make an F6 video?
@@Muldoonite if I ever get one, I'd like to finish the lineup, yes.
@@DavidHancock Cool! It's the only film camera Nikon will still take in to do service/repairs on, fingers crossed they will continue to support it for years to come.
I just missed one of these for $100 CAD last week. Very sad.
That's a great price.
I've never had the F5..I've had the F4, and the F6, but never a 5.
I like it more than the F4, personally, but there are some significant advantages to the F4 regarding lens selection and battery weight.
I feel my D2H has a little of the feel of the F5, butthat's just my own opinion. I also like my D2H over my 1ds mk2 for the tactile feel and interface.
I would agree quite a bit. The D2H feels very much like the D1, which was fundamentally an F5 converted to digital.
@@DavidHancock Thanks, appreciate the reply.
Beautiful photos David!! Wow
Thank you!
Nikon F5 Hurricane.
Like an F5 tornado, I would also not want to be hut by one of these. Largest tornado I've ever seen in person was an F3 and that was, thank you very much, enough.
Very well written.
Thank you!