I can't wait to get my hands on a F5. I almost gave up on film photograghy after several dodgy old meters in old slr's but then in a local camera shop there was a cheep F90x with a grip and it was the best camera I've used. Auto focus was on par with my Sony a7. Never had a bad exposure and a real joy to use. Since then I've had my eye on a F5 for the ultimate 35mm nikon experience!
great video. I adore my F5. The 28-70 AFS and 80-200 AFS live on mine. Never miss a shot and that matrix metering is just magic. Nothing gives me goosebumps like my F3 film advance but the F5 is King when the shot matters.
Thanks! Yeah the F6 is a post-digital slr, but gives a close experience to digital! Hopefully I can borrow it again and give it a video review next year!
Make no mistake, the F6 is still a professional camera -- it is just that the professionals left the market as the shift to digital already occurred. Nikon knew the market had shifted so the F6 took that into account thus the "smaller" body form factor as it would appeal to more folks (non-pros). The F6 is built just as tough as the F5 and some say it is better sealed. I have both bodies and the F6 is by far the better camera; however, I prefer the unibody of the F5 -- it's smaller than the F6 w/grip as is most unibodies are i.e. D6 is smaller than an D850 w/grip. The F6 has more controls, functions, better focusing, metering, etc. I really hate the detachable grip; however, it has all the controls you want -- I just wish it was a unibody instead.
The Nikon F5 is my first camera back in 1996. Use now 12 years the Nikon D4 and use for fun the Nikon F5. Between the Nikon F5 and thd D4i had the D3. Have a Nikon Z9 but i used it not so much.
Oh, nice! Yeah, I would love to try the D4 (I think I know someone who has one who could loan it out). If I did switch to the Z-Series, I would definitely go for the Z9. But I would also need an adapter so I wouldn't have to give up all my sweet F-glass! Thanks for watching 🍻
Thanks for this video. I couldn't make my mind up regarding Nikon professional AF Film cameras. So I've ended up with an F4E, F5 50th Anniversary Limited Edition and an F6 . Each one has its benefits but the F5 is my favourite as things stand.
i was gifted the Nikon F5 from a retired photographer that has been sitting in his drybox for years and due to his decreasing in health, invited to his house and handed the F5. The condition is not mint thought, but all the operations seems solid. Its just the yellow LCD inside the viewfinder can no longer display anything at all. I just want to confirm with you, if I manage to get a replacement of the DP-30 finder, that should fix the problem right?
Hi Alex, I have F5 for some time now, and a lot of other previous Nikon film SLRs, and more film cameras other than Nikon. I have been shooting film since 1980s. For many actual film shooters today the main problem is how to extract data from film to actual image, including scanning etc. I have photos made on film from 1990s, at the dusk of film era that were developed at pro laboratories, and that photos are much better than most of you can see today online. And I have to say, if catching the moment is a priority, a modern smartphone is better for me than SLR of any kind.
Hey Marc! You do make an excellent point, and I agree, that a smartphone makes for a great camera for catching the moment, I know I would have missed a tonne of those fun little moments at home of my little guy if it wasn't for my iPhone! Thanks for watching.
This camera is nearly identical to my d850 not only in appearance but also in weight since I have the vertical grip. After 60 years of using a neck or shoulder strap, I tried a black rapid. With my r forearm lightly pressing it against my hip, the camera is nearly weightless on the shoulder. I will use it with my mamiya 645 pro tl. I chuckle when this camera is called a beast... I carried an RB67 in a back pack and can only hold it for a minute or so with a huge strap. I love being able to use my gelded 8mm fisheye and 24-70 2.8 I have had since 2008. I love my 135 2.0 DC and this camera nails auto focus with it. The portra headshot I just got with it was downright painterly. For walk abouts I use and auto focus 85 1.8 D but for shorter jaunts or where not needing auto focus, the zeiss 85 1.4 planar is spectacular as is the 100 makro planar I also used for scanning my film. The auto film rewind and auto focus on a 50, 85, 135 and 180 2.8 d make this a dream film camera for street. A 35 zeiss 2.0 distagon can be zone focused and if set to 10 feet only needs twisting a quarter inch either way to nail focus.
Love the F5 as my favorite Nikon SLR film camera. It has everything that I need and is close to my digital D3 and D800 in controls. If I want to near guarantee my exposures, this is the camera that never has let me down. I also have the F2 and F3 but they are in a different class.
The F2 and F3 are amazing cameras! I hope to borrow copies to make reviews of them also! And yes the F5 is very easy to move between it and a digital! Thanks for watching 🍻
I had looked at the F5 but could never find one I liked. I did find a nice F4 with all the battery packs and a 24-120mm lens in decent shape. There is some small black spots in the LCD screens but it isn't to the point you can't figure it out. Also the meter is pretty darn good and so far shooting in Aperture or Shutter Priority hasn't let me down. I have added the 80-200mm lens and am looking into a 300mm prime. You do have to make sure you get the correct lens for it if you want the auto focus to work due to the odd use of the focusing motor in the body instead of the lens. Overall though I love it and the F3 I have not to mention the F and F2.
I always wanted an F5 and finally found a good used 1 and a 50mm lens for $350 bucks. I love it. I have fallen asleep with it beside me because I have been getting familiar with it.
great video Alex, the F5 is an amazing tool. My favourite Nikon film camera is the F3HP with the MD4 drive. I do own an F5 and I have to admit it is the go to Nikon Film body. The auto focus is simply stellar. The F5 even focuses in extreme low light. if you are using a fast prime, it won't disappoint you. in fact, it's auto focus is better than some of the new Nikon DSLRS ! Thanks aghain Alex for a wonderful video :)
I used the humble but competent FM for many years as my only camera. It wasn't aimed at the pros, granted, but it was solid and reliable. At that time I always wanted the F2, which was the top of the line at the time. Since those days I have come to value light weight and portability more than the pro features that the F6 offers. I simply couldn't manage the weight!
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I have to take whichever Nikon comes along these days...I will admit that I have substantially moved over to Pentax, for a lot of reasons. I definitely notice that Pentax lenses are much more compact than Nikkor! I still have the FM and the FE and I still pick up my Pentax MX/KX/ME/SV first before the Nikons!
Nice review. Especially appreciated the lens information. I was lucky enough to score my F5 for under $200 because the battery sled had corroded and was missing a spring contact, whilst the body was mint. I cleaned it and fixed with tinfoil and it works perfectly.
If any one is wondering why you might choose to rewind manually when the camera could do it for you in a few seconds the answer is noise. The whirring in a quiet room could be quite distracting.
@@acmdv My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. The lens you mentioned will work perfectly on the F5, every mode (PSAM). On the F4, it will work, but you'll be kneecapped as it will only work in P and S modes because the lens lacks a physical aperture ring. Hope this helps!
There are only two truly great 35mm film cameras. This is one - the final great development of the f series. The other - obviously the greatest camera ever - M3 Leica.
Unless you want a fully manual camera or you shoot a larger format....its doesn't get better than the F5 to this day. Period IMO
Amen! And thanks for watching 🍻
I can't wait to get my hands on a F5. I almost gave up on film photograghy after several dodgy old meters in old slr's but then in a local camera shop there was a cheep F90x with a grip and it was the best camera I've used. Auto focus was on par with my Sony a7. Never had a bad exposure and a real joy to use. Since then I've had my eye on a F5 for the ultimate 35mm nikon experience!
So true! But also consider the F6! It has a lot of improvements over the F5. Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto a nikon f6 is 2-3 times the price in the UK I'd rather the f5.
Shooting in snow can be a bit tricky - Looks like you and the F5 nailed it!
Bullet proof meter! Thanks for watching 🍻
Loaded a roll of Portra 800 in my F5 this morning. Love this camera.
I have mine ready with some RPX25, the 24/2.8 lens and a red filter for today! They are great cameras! Thanks for watching 🍻
great video. I adore my F5. The 28-70 AFS and 80-200 AFS live on mine. Never miss a shot and that matrix metering is just magic. Nothing gives me goosebumps like my F3 film advance but the F5 is King when the shot matters.
So true! Thanks for watching 🍻
Excellent review, Alex! Interesting note on F6 not being aimed squarely at professional photographers anymore, I did not realize that.
Thanks! Yeah the F6 is a post-digital slr, but gives a close experience to digital! Hopefully I can borrow it again and give it a video review next year!
Make no mistake, the F6 is still a professional camera -- it is just that the professionals left the market as the shift to digital already occurred. Nikon knew the market had shifted so the F6 took that into account thus the "smaller" body form factor as it would appeal to more folks (non-pros). The F6 is built just as tough as the F5 and some say it is better sealed. I have both bodies and the F6 is by far the better camera; however, I prefer the unibody of the F5 -- it's smaller than the F6 w/grip as is most unibodies are i.e. D6 is smaller than an D850 w/grip. The F6 has more controls, functions, better focusing, metering, etc. I really hate the detachable grip; however, it has all the controls you want -- I just wish it was a unibody instead.
The Nikon F5 is my first camera back in 1996. Use now 12 years the Nikon D4 and use for fun the Nikon F5. Between the Nikon F5 and thd D4i had the D3. Have a Nikon Z9 but i used it not so much.
Oh, nice! Yeah, I would love to try the D4 (I think I know someone who has one who could loan it out). If I did switch to the Z-Series, I would definitely go for the Z9. But I would also need an adapter so I wouldn't have to give up all my sweet F-glass! Thanks for watching 🍻
Nikon F for street and F5 for works, amazing body ever made!
It's a beast, and yes, it is a peak Nikon AF body. Thanks for watching 🍻
Thanks for this video. I couldn't make my mind up regarding Nikon professional AF Film cameras. So I've ended up with an F4E, F5 50th Anniversary Limited Edition and an F6 . Each one has its benefits but the F5 is my favourite as things stand.
@@peterkin1010 You can’t go wrong with any of those cameras! If my F5 ever goes it will probably be replaced by an F6! Thanks for watching 🍻
i was gifted the Nikon F5 from a retired photographer that has been sitting in his drybox for years and due to his decreasing in health, invited to his house and handed the F5. The condition is not mint thought, but all the operations seems solid. Its just the yellow LCD inside the viewfinder can no longer display anything at all. I just want to confirm with you, if I manage to get a replacement of the DP-30 finder, that should fix the problem right?
What a wonderful gift! Yes a new DP30 should fix the issue! Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto thank you Alex for your quick reply 👍 have a good one!
Hi Alex,
I have F5 for some time now, and a lot of other previous Nikon film SLRs, and more film cameras other than Nikon. I have been shooting film since 1980s. For many actual film shooters today the main problem is how to extract data from film to actual image, including scanning etc. I have photos made on film from 1990s, at the dusk of film era that were developed at pro laboratories, and that photos are much better than most of you can see today online.
And I have to say, if catching the moment is a priority, a modern smartphone is better for me than SLR of any kind.
Hey Marc! You do make an excellent point, and I agree, that a smartphone makes for a great camera for catching the moment, I know I would have missed a tonne of those fun little moments at home of my little guy if it wasn't for my iPhone! Thanks for watching.
This camera is nearly identical to my d850 not only in appearance but also in weight since I have the vertical grip. After 60 years of using a neck or shoulder strap, I tried a black rapid. With my r forearm lightly pressing it against my hip, the camera is nearly weightless on the shoulder. I will use it with my mamiya 645 pro tl. I chuckle when this camera is called a beast... I carried an RB67 in a back pack and can only hold it for a minute or so with a huge strap. I love being able to use my gelded 8mm fisheye and 24-70 2.8 I have had since 2008. I love my 135 2.0 DC and this camera nails auto focus with it. The portra headshot I just got with it was downright painterly. For walk abouts I use and auto focus 85 1.8 D but for shorter jaunts or where not needing auto focus, the zeiss 85 1.4 planar is spectacular as is the 100 makro planar I also used for scanning my film. The auto film rewind and auto focus on a 50, 85, 135 and 180 2.8 d make this a dream film camera for street. A 35 zeiss 2.0 distagon can be zone focused and if set to 10 feet only needs twisting a quarter inch either way to nail focus.
Love the F5 as my favorite Nikon SLR film camera. It has everything that I need and is close to my digital D3 and D800 in controls. If I want to near guarantee my exposures, this is the camera that never has let me down. I also have the F2 and F3 but they are in a different class.
The F2 and F3 are amazing cameras! I hope to borrow copies to make reviews of them also! And yes the F5 is very easy to move between it and a digital! Thanks for watching 🍻
I love this camera and use mine all the time. I have another one brand new boxed...
Ooo! A new in Box F5, that's pretty sweet! Thanks for Watching!
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Thanks for the great review! 👍
I had looked at the F5 but could never find one I liked. I did find a nice F4 with all the battery packs and a 24-120mm lens in decent shape. There is some small black spots in the LCD screens but it isn't to the point you can't figure it out. Also the meter is pretty darn good and so far shooting in Aperture or Shutter Priority hasn't let me down. I have added the 80-200mm lens and am looking into a 300mm prime. You do have to make sure you get the correct lens for it if you want the auto focus to work due to the odd use of the focusing motor in the body instead of the lens. Overall though I love it and the F3 I have not to mention the F and F2.
The F4 is a solid camera! I used one for several years before getting the F5 and the F4 went to a happy home! Thanks for watching 🍻
I always wanted an F5 and finally found a good used 1 and a 50mm lens for $350 bucks. I love it. I have fallen asleep with it beside me because I have been getting familiar with it.
They are awesome cameras! All the best and thanks for watching 🍻
great video Alex, the F5 is an amazing tool. My favourite Nikon film camera is the F3HP with the MD4 drive. I do own an F5 and I have to admit it is the go to Nikon Film body. The auto focus is simply stellar. The F5 even focuses in extreme low light. if you are using a fast prime, it won't disappoint you. in fact, it's auto focus is better than some of the new Nikon DSLRS ! Thanks aghain Alex for a wonderful video :)
Ah the F3 and the MD-4 iconic combo! And yes the F5 does focus a lot faster and better in low light than my D750! Thanks for watching 🍻
Great review. I won't give up my two F5's either. Fantastic camera.
Agreed! Thanks for watching 🍻
I used the humble but competent FM for many years as my only camera. It wasn't aimed at the pros, granted, but it was solid and reliable. At that time I always wanted the F2, which was the top of the line at the time. Since those days I have come to value light weight and portability more than the pro features that the F6 offers. I simply couldn't manage the weight!
The FM is a great camera! I prefer the FE2, and yes the F5 is a heavy camera! Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I have to take whichever Nikon comes along these days...I will admit that I have substantially moved over to Pentax, for a lot of reasons. I definitely notice that Pentax lenses are much more compact than Nikkor! I still have the FM and the FE and I still pick up my Pentax MX/KX/ME/SV first before the Nikons!
Nice review. Especially appreciated the lens information.
I was lucky enough to score my F5 for under $200 because the battery sled had corroded and was missing a spring contact, whilst the body was mint. I cleaned it and fixed with tinfoil and it works perfectly.
Thanks! That’s a great price on your F5, my battery sled needed some cleaning when I first got it! Thanks for watching 🍻
If any one is wondering why you might choose to rewind manually when the camera could do it for you in a few seconds the answer is noise. The whirring in a quiet room could be quite distracting.
So true! Especially at a wedding ceremony! Also I usually leave a tail out, makes loading film on reels so much easier! Thanks for watching 🍻
What a lovely camera! :)
Reminds me of my canon 1v!
Keep up the good work!
Yup! Same basic format of the 1v! Thanks for watching 🍻
So what about the F6 then? Wasn't that the last professional Nikon SLR?
@@acmdv So technically yes…but it wasn’t marketed towards pros as most had moved to digital at that point. Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto I have a Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD F mount lens, will it work on this camera & the F4?
@@acmdv My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. The lens you mentioned will work perfectly on the F5, every mode (PSAM). On the F4, it will work, but you'll be kneecapped as it will only work in P and S modes because the lens lacks a physical aperture ring. Hope this helps!
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Thanks, I've ordered an F5 now.
Canon A-1 was released in 1978 and the AE-1 in 1976.
Yeah I got those mixed up when speaking, hard to go by memory. 🍻
There are only two truly great 35mm film cameras. This is one - the final great development of the f series. The other - obviously the greatest camera ever - M3 Leica.
Never used an M3, but it’s on my list to try and the one m-series Leica I would enjoy using I think! Thanks for watching 🍻
And Nikon F2 of course...made by gentle Japanese lady's hands....at least so the story goes...
The Nikons worth owning: The F, F2, FM2, and the F5. The rest are good but not great.
👊🏻
I thought that this video was about the F5 ! not a history about Nikon and Canon.
It’s a little of both.
The f5 all the way for film an d3 for dslr😊
Awesome choices! Thanks for watching 🍻