> 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.
You can lock the thumbpad on the F5 by holding the
'L' button (under the rear cover) and hitting the
thumbpad. To have the F5 automatically load the film
when the back is closed, set custom function 8.
FWIF, I wouldn't be surprised to see an updated
F100 before an updated F5. Nikon tends to introduce
new features on their 'second-level' cameras. Once
they've got some user feedback and worked out all the
bugs, they put the stuff that works into a completely
new 'top-level' camera.
An F100s would be a great test mule for trying out
whatever new-fangled functionality Nikon is considering
for inclusion in an F6 camera, without running the risk
of alienating any of their hard-core (hard-headed) F-type
customers.
Any changes to the F5 would likely be small fixes, made
with no fanfare and no change in designation, like with
the F4. They wouldn't want to call attention to the fact
that they didn't get it right the first time.
-Don
