> The 801s has spot metering, the 801 doesn't, is that correct? Yes. > 601 has spot metering doesn't it? Yes. > Wasn't there another 601 model which > didn't have AF, or didn't have spot metering or didn't have built in flash > or something? There was a F601m, lacking AF, spot metering and built-in flash. > If the 801 was supposed be the superior model to the 601, why didn't it have > spot metering when it first came out? Apart from maybe a faster motordrive, > what made it better than the 601? The F801 came 3 years before the F601. The F801s upgrade appeared just after the introduction of the F601. The F801 also offers multiple exposures, interchangeable focusing screens, faster shutter (1/250s flash sync), multi-control back option and DOF preview. > What's the difference between the F90 and the F90x? I never hear anyone > talking about the F90 at all - all you guys seem to have the F90x. The F90x has a faster AF (it's just the internal software that has been upgraded). There are other minor diffs. The F90x has been around for 5 years, while the F90 only lasted two years. It was also less successful. > How does an F801 compare to an F90? The F90 has a faster AF and wider AF sensor. It also features 3D matrix metering, matrix flash TTL metering, AF-I and AF-S compatibility, etc... All in all, the F90 should have much more performant Af and slightly more performant flash exposure system. OTOH, some think that the F90[x] ambient exposure system is less stable than the one of the F801 (it seems more prone to over-corrections in some tricky cases), and the F801 has a +/- 2 stops analog scale vs +/- 1 stop for the F90. > What year did the F601, F801, 801s F90 and F90x come out? Roughly: F801 1988, F601 end of 1990, F801s 1991, F90 1992, F90x 1994. > Which models have screw-in cable shutter release? The F601 only. All others have electronic remote release (as the F70). > And another question - On the models that have built in flash (only the F601 > and the F70 that I might be interested in) do they also have a hotshoe to > plug in my own Vivitar 283 flashgun or a Speedlite or something (which must > surely be more powerful than the built in flash). If so, where is the > hotshoe? Is it still on top of the prism but behind the flip up cowling for > the Built-in flash? Yes. > Which Nikons I mention above use the facilities of the D (distance?) > metering lens? Only the F90x? The F90 as well. Hope this helps, Nicolas.
