- FLASH METERING!!!!
- 3D Color Matrix Metering works well.
- Ergonomics are perfect...never used a camera that fit better in my paws.
- Solid...survives anything I throw at it.
- Great autofocus...finally, I don't have to focus on my own!
- Fast...if that really matters to you. Makes it great for people pictures and sports.
- Looks good. (Not really important)

- Isn't light.
- Not free.
- Autofocus indicators can be hard to see under dim light.
- Can attract lots of attention when you don't want it to.
- Needs lithiums. (Eat alkalines for lunch)
- Not exactly quiet.

I have one of the first models to come over to the States. Never had a problem with it in rain, snow, bitter cold, or enduring physical abuse. Nearly impossible to take a poor picture -- It allows me to concentrate on composition, not f/stop, shutter speed, or correct focus, etc. Would give it 1000 thumbs up if I could.

SIMPLY THE BEST 35MM SLR EVER MADE!!!!!!!!!

Customer Service

Never needed it.

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Have a....
- Leica M6
- Canon A1
- Mamiya 645 Pro TL (Chunk of s_it)
Tried a....
- Nikon N90S
-

A rock solid camera. Plenty of features.
Heavy is good.

The eye cup sucks.
Autofocus sucks at high values.
Its pain in the ass to lock focus and exposure.

I prefer a Leica M6 or my Wisner 8x10 for my kind of work.

Customer Service

Nice guys.

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All the Nikons and Leica

it's built to last n all conditions. the autofocus is great. the meter works perfectly.

motor drive operations can kil battery in a few rolls.
get two rechargable battery packs from nikon keep both powerd and you will always be fine.

well first off this is a camera thats gnna get alot of differnt reputations. from people that just like having the latest stuff, to people who actually need all the features. so heres' the low down.
if your a leica guy, this camera probably isn't for you. if you don't know what leica is then you might be jumping to far to soon with looking at getting this camera. and if your a sports photographer, this is the way to go. if your afraid of the 8 frames per second and think thats too fast then the f100 might be a better option for you.
this isn't a ight camera that you can lug around with 17 other lenses and every gadget you own, ause honestly it will feel heavy after a few hours. so if this is your choice of a camera, make your lense selection wisely so to not over load your bag with every gadget you like.
now my final word.
if your a leica guy, or just a plain old guy who never uses motor drives then don't buy this camera then complain about it's weight or size, thats just being retarded.
leicas are small and light and designed for basic photography, the F5 was made for one thing. action. it can do everything else, but it's main thing is action, hence the motordrive and color meter and flash options.
buying this camera to impress your friends will be a really stupid mistake if thats your only reason for owning the camera.
now as far as who likes to critisize this camera. basically all leica guys will hate it cause it's big and their precious 3 grand 50mm f2 lense is the sharpest blah blah blah.
(well duh!! it's a leica and a rangefinder, come on us your brains there)
but if the person saying something about the camera is a person who has the camera for the reason its meant to be used for, like say photojournalists and action photographers, then they are the ones to listen to.
if you want a camera that will produce supremely sharp pitures of people then get a leica. if you want studo camera get a medium format with leaf shutter lenses like say the mamiya RB67.
if action is what you mainly do.
the f5 may just be the perfect camera for you, that is if canon or minolta aren't already for you.
so what I am trying to say is, I do action mainly, this is the camera for me. theres no doubt about that. but if your looking at getting this camera, make sure you need everything it offers. otherwise yoru making a foolish investment.
but for me, the f5 is nearly flawless if only they fixed the d*** battery power eating motordrive. hahaha

Customer Service

nikon reps are pretty prententious and usually rude and of little help.
go to a local camera guy and see who they recommend.

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N90s for 4 years.
f4, f100, n70, fe2, eos 1n, eos A2.

Build, frame advance,

See my comments below. Poor value for money and eats barreries like crazy.

This is probably the biggest monstrosity of a 35mm camera that ever hit the market. I had one when I was suffering from the "good, better, best" syndrome, and my spine really paid for it. After using it for some time, I got rid of it and now use a Leica
M6. My only regret is that I didn't discover the M6 sooner before wasting my time with the gizmo-monster F5. For instance, my F5 would not focus accurately with some of my lenses. Second, the color matrix meter is way overrated. I get more consistent exposure with my M6's "primitive" TTL meter. Third, I don't need a motor drive to get pictures before and after the one I wanted. It takes a little more skill to capture the decisive moment with the M6, but I find that it (and all manual cameras, for that matter) really forces you to develop your skill. Fourth, its reliance on a ton of batteries doesn't help its carrying weight either. And finally, in response to the "you're not a pro unless you use an F5" remarks, well, should I even bother commenting?

Over all, the F5 is a 3 pound, aluminum and titanium clad backbreaker made for two kinds of people:
1) sports and wildlife photographers, most of whom would probably admit that the F5 is either overrated or has way too many blinking lights and
whistles for their needs, and
2) people whose photography sucks so much that they have to let the camera do all the work.

Customer Service

Have not tried

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EOS 1n

It's strength IS it's strength! This thing has taken a quick "crash" course when I took a small spill off of a cliff. Everthing still works! I've had it for over a year now, and every single image is perfect.

None that I am aware of.

For a camera that does everything but talk to you, which in a way it can thru the Photosecretary software and your computer, this camera is the perfect tool for Intermediate to Professional photographers. It can seem a little intimidating at first. But stick with it, and you WILL NOT regret it.

Customer Service

Never had to use them.

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I went from shooting with a Minolta Maxxum 7000 to the Nikon F5.

The camera is robust and easy to use but has the capability to do far more than the average photographer will use.

The camera is too heavy to carry around all day and the second shutter release button keeps getting turned on accidentally, this needs to be made harder to turn on.

I find the camera excellent in all aspects, it's is a good workhorse and if it is like the previous Nikon cameras, it will still be in operation in 10 years time. I like the reliability of this product. With the exception of the weight and the second shutter button I have no complaints with this unit.

Customer Service

No required at the time of this review.

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Canon EOS1

Teh Autofocus is excellent. It focuses extremely well on moving subjects. After shooting just two rolls fo film with my F5, I already know that it has given me pictures my other cameras couldn't. The Nikon slection of AF lenses is also very good. Extremely well built and solid camera. Will be a workhorse for years to come. Not plastic feel like Canon cameras!

The price tag is rather high. But this camera is worth the price.

Great camera, which I would recommend to any serious photographer.

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N70, FM

3D Color Metering, fast AF, rugged, interchangable prism.

none

very nice build. Meter is good but still not perfect in snow scene. I wish Nikon can offer ROM upgrade for better custom function like F100 and N80.

Customer Service

Never get to use them.

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Nikon FM, F2s, F-601, N90, N90s, F4s.

Metering and Autofocus capabilities are superb. Customization controls help to give this camera the feel you want.

None.

This camera can track moving objects extremely well. Just photographed my son's birthday party and the AF can keep up with 8 two-year olds! The pictures were perfectly exposed and extremely sharp. Peope have said that this camera is very heavy to use throughout the day. I challenge anyone to say this camera is heavy if you are like me who uses a Mamiya medium format camera for vacation shots. This camera is well-balanced with great ergonomics. With the fast AF, it is one less thing for me to worry about which frees me to wholly concentrate on the composition of the image. This camera has all the features anyone needs to be a sucessful photographer.

Customer Service

Used it 19 years ago. No problems to report.

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Nikon FE, FM, EM, N2020 and F100

The best built-in light meter i've ever come across. Very fast AF. The camera feels very good in your hands (and I do have small ones ;-). The weight helps you improve stability.

Battery consuming

this is IMHO probably the best camera you can buy at this time

Customer Service

so far so pleased

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Sold my F4e in favor of the F5. Still have a F90X as back-up camera. Started at photoschool with an F50 which I have sol