Solid feel,excellent metering and autofocus

Typical Nikon electronics and quality contol problems during the early production runs.To d*** expensive!!!!

A valiant effort on Nikons part but Canon still leads the way and Nikon follows by copying them.Canon's USM led to Nikon's AF-S lenses EOS-1n's 5 focusing points also sound familiar,Nikon's focusing point selector is placed where Canon's Quick Control Dial is.These are not coincidences!!!!

Customer Service

Good Luck!!!!

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Changed over to Canon EOS ,Thank God!!!!

This camera is a tank and very rugged. The metering system in F5 is undoubtly is the best and very dependable when needed. This camera is heavy but it stays rigidly on my hand and the grip is great. Custom function is a nice feature too. When taking it outdoors, I can trust the F5.

This is a heavy camera to bring outdoors. Hungry for batteries.

I can trust this camera. Especially for outdoor/nature and wildlife photography, this camera is an excellent choice.

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N90, FM2, N70, F100, N80, F2

This is the most responsive camera I have ever used, the metering is simply superb, near 100% accurate and I haven't have a problem with the metering, AF is fast and accurate with few exception. Handling is very good and well designed. Finally, I am envy with EOS 1V.

AF not accurate with my 80-200mm F2.8 non-D especially near 200mm end, can anyone comfirm it for me??
Mirror lock up lever is not easy to use compare to F3.
Battery consumption astonished me when I upgraded from manual to AF (5 rolls with alkalines and 15 with lithium, now using NiMh 1500 mAh about 8-9 rolls per charge)

Still proud of my nikon system even the introduction of Eos 1V, now nikon is introducing more lenses including white telephotos, I think the dragon is awakened. Canon users should be awared.

Customer Service

not yet

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Eos 1V : which is fast and responsive when with motor drive, o/w just a ordinary camera. But AF is better probably.

F3/T : Classic buy one used as second body, is joy of use.

Built like a tank. Great metering and flash technology. Decent AF.

Too darn heavy. AF is fast only with expensive AF-S lenses.

This is a top of the line pro body, but the quirks are making me think otherwise. Mirror lockup is crude and clumsy requiring you to fumble with a lever like with the stone age manual cameras. Mirror doesnt flip down after exposure (MLU) so you cant see what happened immediately after the instant of the shot. Fast AF and tracking only with expensive AF-S lenses. With screwdriver lenses it is nothing great, specially with teleconverters where the gear train is too much for AF to even work decently. Sorry, I'm not sold on this one. It's back to EOS for me.

Customer Service

Not needed.

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F100, N90s, EOS-1V, EOS-3.

Ruggedness
Great handling despite of heft
Superb Colour Matrix metering
Fast AF
User-friendly controls
Good balance
Relatively compact size (when compared with other "pro cameras" with motor drive/battery) pack attached)

Selected AF point in viewfinder can be difficult to see in dim light

The AF of F5 may be milliseconds slower than Canons, but does it make any practical difference in real life situations? How many shots (if at all) have you missed because of this? I think those trash the F5 JUST because of its AF performance is really missing the point. AF speed is only one of the many aspects one should consider when evaluating a camera's overall ability. The flexibilty of the F5 SYSTEM is enormous, including interchangeable finders for specific uses.

Sure, Nikon developed technologies that Canon pioneered, but do those Canon users who think Nikon always copy know that Canon's zillion-zone metering is derived from the FA's AMP? Is it a coincidence that Nikon's AF point selection pad is now appearing on Canon's EOS7. What about Nikon's advanced flash control that other brands are trying to keep up with? So please don't make a fuss of "who copied who" anymore. We as consumers will benefit from cross-inspirations between camera makers! By the way, I noted that some people appear to accept nothing but Canon's USM (or Nikon's AF-S) for their no-noise AF. But what about the much louder shutter, mirror and motor drive noises?

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Nikon F100
Canon EOS3

This body is simply the finest constructed. It's array of fully customizable features (s/w), interchangable finders, and self-diagnosing shutter mechanism separate from the "competition". There are other cameras with more neat little tricks (LCD displays) etc, but this body is the only serious choice. Try dialing in a shutter speed of 1/367's of a second on any other body. The F5 will do that in auto and apeture priority modes. The 3D matrix metering is simply unbelievable. Most companies brag about 9 segment metering - try 1005 segments with a database of over 30,000 images used to intelligently select the optimum settings to yield unprecedented exposure accuracy. This camera is the BEST. Oh yeah, 8 FPS is great - luckily, film is cheap. Canon can get 10 FPS, but I don't think I'd make the switch for that reason.

Hope you have strong arms or a tripod. Although with my 80-200 2.8 strapped on the front, this combination is perfectly balanced.

I recently had a job shooting a multi-million dollar Arabian for a client. I had 30 working minutes to obtain 1 winning photo for their advertising campaign. I took 365 pictures and NOT ONE FRAME WAS OUT OF FOCUS OR IMPROPERLY EXPOSED. This was an open session where the stallion was allowed to run freely. He charged me, darted away, jumped, reared up, and much more. We got 3 prints to press in 30 minutes! A personal best for the client. I have never once regretted my investment in Nikon.

Customer Service

Outstanding. This is why most professionals choose Nikon.

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I have shot with Pentax, Canon, Olympus, Yashica, and now Nikon. All manufacturers have postives and negatives, including Nikon... however, if you require a camera that is the most reliable, accurate, and controllable, the F5 is the best choice.

A bunch, AF Speed, Tracking, Ease of use, Balance & feel, Software

None to speak of

After having tried the Canon 1V, I went with the F5, I had compared my 1V with a friends F5 I was just sold on the F5, and very disappointed with the much acclaimed 1v, after you hold both cameras and check them out not paper specs real life specs I think the F5 is just a Pro Notch Camera, if Nikon brings anything out above this , well I cant see how that is possible but hey maybe a F6 if there is one in workings I have just got to see it... I was a Canon true user also, If you are thinking about the 1v you owe it to yourself to check out the F5 you wont to disappointed try it for yourself in real life specs in the real world photo shooting. I will be switching over all of my Canon line to the Nikon line.

Customer Service

Not any problems

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AE1, EOS-3, EOS 1V

Absolutely everything.
Being serious, every essential feature on the F5 is fanastic, focussing, operation, build quality, range of optics, flash technology with the SB28, motor wind, viewfinder clarity and brightness, viewfinder info and the best of all is the 3D colour metering whish is absolutely outstanding. It must be good as I have bought a backup F5 too - not in case of breakdown as I don't think that can happen - but for different film.

Only one, which is the rate at which it goes through batteries, but I guess that you cannot have all that automation and speed without alot of power drain.

I would ecomend this camera to anyone on my experiences. It would be great as a point and shoot camera i you wanted to us it that way.
Lets be honest, it is an expensive camera, but what you get is great value for money.

Customer Service

Usual Nikon UK - outstanding.

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Petax 67II - superb but totally different, the F5 and Nikon lense quality is so good I am using it less & less.
Nikon SB28 flash.
Nikon AFS 17 - 35 (awesome)
Nikon AFD 80 - 200 f2.8 (likewise)
Nikon AFD 50mm f1.4 (good but a little light).
Nikon Micro 105mm.

super metering system, virtually faultless. Good ergonomics,(by and large),very good focusing, very flexible in use. Good solid camera that gives the impression of strength, although I haven't dropped it yet!

No lock on secondary shutter release. Result; several finely focused shots of my foot! Problem solved with large blob of Blue-tac.It is also heavy, which can make itself felt in your back after carrying it for a few hours.

I am delighted with the camera as it allows me to concentrate on composition rather than the mechanics of taking the image.

Customer Service

Not needed it

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F100, F90

Solid like a tank! Fast AF. Good metering. What can I say except its the best! But... See weaknesses.

Too Heavy. Espeacially difficult to hand held and focus with Bigger Manual lens(e.g 135mm f2)

An ultimate images making machine.
Heavy but O.K once you get used to it.
Its a pity the price is some thing not every amature can afford.


feels like it's made to make images - most solid camera I've used and feel that the weight, even with the 80-200/2.8 attached, gives me more hand-held stability than if I were using a lighter camera. Best camera I've ever - or will ever own.

Customer Service

Not need yet

Similar Products Used:

F-801,FE2,F2AS.
Nikkor AIS : 18mmf3.5,28mmf2,50mmf2,105mmf2.5,135mmf2,200mmf4IFmacro.
Nikkor AF: 85mmf1.8,180mmf2.8, 80-200mmf2.8AFS, 300mmf4
Others: Angenieux 28-70mmf2.6AF,Tokina 300mmf2.8ATXPRO.
Converters: Nikkon 2X for AFI,Kenko pro1.4,pro2.