I was asked in private e-mail about my experience with my F100, and if I thought that one should wait a few months before getting one in order to get all the bugs out. Frankly, if I had the money today, I'd buy another F100 today. The lock-up and early rewind problems I described in a previous post were not (IMHO) a failing of the camera, but simply a fact of life in this electronic age. Mechanically, the F100 is very well built. All switches, buttons, latches, etc. seem to have no inherent weaknesses. (See below for some more thoughts on this.) The camera essentially is a computer inside of an imaging machine, and the rule of thumb with computers and other electronic gear is that if it works right out of the box, and does so for a few days of steady work, the electronics will live practically forever. Electronic components don't wear out; they generally die from factors such as heat, humidity, dirt, connections loosening up, and so forth. These conditions are not likely for any camera -- by "heat" I'm talking about temperatures in excess of 100C (or 212F); by humidity, I mean regularly and constantly at 80% or more; by loosening connections, I mean that computers are composed of numerous cables and cards which plug into slots and other connectors and which can loosen over time --- not something a modern camera has; by dirt, I mean that the internal fan in a computer sucks in dirt from the surrounding air, and gradually clogs up things like the airflow vents, the fan itself, and so forth. My background is in both photography and computers; I have earned/earn a living in both fields. So I do have some practical experience in evaluating the physical characteristics of both cameras and computers. In 1980 I bought one of the first F3s available in my area, and got the MD-4 motor drive with it. From an electronic viewpoint, the camera worked flawlessly; the light meter and shutter were extremely accurate and robust. Early F3s had a slight problem with the back release latch -- it was kind of flimsy, easily bent, and eventually could break from the stress (this is the latch you push to release the rewind knob that you pull up to open the back). Similarly, the latch on the MD-4 that held the battery clip in place had a weak spring, and could easily pop open, dumping out the battery, without warning. It was not unusual at the time to see working pros with a piece of duct tape over the battery latch to hold it in place. At the first Super Bowl after the release of the F3, Nikon Professional Services (NPS) had a presence, and they quietly and quickly replaced these latches with improved versions, at no charge, and the new ones never failed. So if there are problems with the F100, it will almost assuredly be from software, not hardware. Since software can always be upgraded or worked-around, this should present no long-term or nasty problems for we early-adopters of the F100. It seems to me that all of the critical mechanical components of the F100 are well-proven over the years. Even the software is clearly evolutionary from the 8008 and F4, and the essential core has been used in the F5. I think the F100 is an excellent camera, and actually prefer it to the F5. I use center-weighted metering most of the time, in aperture-priority mode. I have no problem with using matrix metering if I'm not trying for a specific effect better achieved with either center-weighted or spot. Exposures are excellent. F100 vs. F5 I wonder if we'll soon seen an updated "F5s" -- Nikon's history seems to show they introduce an "S" version 3-4 years after the original model -- 8008s, 90s for example. The F100 has a couple features not available on the F5 -- automatic rewind and automatic film advance on loading, lock for the thumb-pad on the back, no separate cover to open to get to all the controls. The major failing is the F100 does not have mirror lockup. Shooting speed-wise, it shoots faster than an F3/MD-4, so unless someone's doing scientific photography, the added speed of an F5 motor is inconsequential (IMO). Sort of the difference between a "gunner" and a "shooter" in basketball (the "gunner" throws up lots of shots, hoping a few will score baskets; the "shooter" actually has the skill to put up fewer, well-aimed shots, and has a higher success rate percentage.) I've shot all kinds of professional sports, and never felt the need for more than 3-4 frames per second. Again, IMO, for my tastes. Disclaimer: I do not own an F5, nor have I used one for any extended period of time. If I did, my opinion might be different. Interesting price point right now for Nikons -- approximately $600US between each of the "pro" models -- F/N90s about $650, F100 about $1250-$1300, and F5 about $1900-$2100 (with rebates). Seems sort of marketing=driven to me <grin>. The reason I wouldn't hesitate getting another F100 today is two-fold. First, as I said, I think it's an excellent camera, and will prove to be durable and versatile. Second, the Asian economy is slowly recovering; the Japanese stock market is growing and the rest of the world is still pretty robust. The F5 has dropped by what -- almost 50% since it came out? But the Yen was much stronger then, and the world (particularly the U.S.) paid a premium. With rebates on the F/N90s and the F5, that indicates to me F/N90s will soon be dropped and the F5 will have an update. But the improving Japanese stock market will help stabilize the Yen vs. the Dollar, and Nikon's needs for profits also should help hold prices constant. Again, nothing other than solid "gut-feeling" based on what I know about marketing. -- John Albino mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
