The

Gazette

Issue No. 55 The Periodical for the Nikon Devotee NEW NIKON F100

Nikon have often had a large gap mix of features. The shutter between the flagship model and speed range is the standard 30 the next one down. Not just a seconds to 1/8000 with max flash matter of features, the cost speed at 1/250 (high-speed sync difference has always been quite 1/4000). Exposure modes are significant. The gap between the manual, aperture priority, F4 and the F-801 was big and shutter priority and just the one things got no better as time passed (flexible) program. Aperture and the second place slot was control is done via the body using filled by the F90. Despite changes the command wheel at the front. in prices the F5 seems to stay about twice the price of the F90X. Metering is a new ten zone 3D the market, the F60 walking in matrix system. Although not So why have they chosen to fill the footsteps of the successful F50 having the colour matrix of the the space? Good question and I and Cinderella, the F70, is F5 it has the advantage of being think it is just a part of their gaining ground. Add to this the able to use the five focus sensors overall plan to be more aggressive F100, the new lenses and keen to make better decisions regarding in the marketplace. Nikon have pricing; one could say we have the subject’s location in the been quietly stepping up the pace never had it so good. picture area. The flash system is since the introduction of the F90 the super multi-sensor system, in 1992. The update, the F90X, So what about the new F100? meaning flash shots and fill-flash showed that we were entering a Well, what a camera. The job of shots are taken in its stride. new era. Nikon have not filling the gap between the F5 and abandoned their plan of orderly the F90X is not an easy one. The autofocus system is a five progress, merely upped the pace Nikon are so awfully good at zone system similar to the one in a bit. Whereas a sudden change setting the spec of new models, in speed would draw attention to enhancing some bits, adding Continued on page 2... itself this gradually acceleration others and their mastery is Featured in this edition of the does not stand out. But close apparent here. Not a stripped Grays of Westminster Gazette... examination reveals its existence. down F5 and not merely a metal- bodied F90X; what we have is a • Tony Munday - New Nikon F100 I know I have said on (quite) a brand new design drawing from • Nick Wynne - Spoilt for Choice few occasions that these are the rest of the Nikon family as • Simon Stafford - Changing Gear exciting times, Nikon-wise, but needed. • Leatherman - Love at First Sight these surely are the best yet. We Clearly the looks are meant to • Gray Levett - Nikon Legend - have the F5 performing strongly, suggest F5, that makes sense. But Part LIV the F90X dominating its area of below the skin we have a clever 1 the F5. Differences include an control, a rotating ring on top of you shut the back. The idea is absence of the orange arrows the the rewind side. As it has no not that we use all the options, F5 uses to point out the focus area rewind knob Nikon have clustered more that Nikon provide features in use; the F100 makes the active three buttons here. Flash mode to suit as many photographers as bracket ‘blink’ in red. The five (slow and rear sync plus red-eye possible. zone system assists with metering reduction), ISO/DX coding and decisions as well as greatly bracketing are controlled by this The design team chose to bestow improving the focus tracking trio. the F100 with an F5 style capability. It uses a dynamic electronic depth of field preview. system to change from the initial The bracketing is worth a This means it works in program focus zone if the subject should mention. Two or three frames and shutter priority too. The F5 move into another area of the and you choose the increment is style meter changeover switch is picture. pretty standard. I nearly missed useful but for my money the the far from subtle additional metering type being shown in the In a departure from the F5 system, functionality though. When you viewfinder is even more handy. I the F100 can choose a focus area choose two frames you expect to could also mention the built-in when shooting. In normal (not have the opportunity to select viewfinder correction allowing a continuous) AF engaging dynamic whether the camera does correct range of plus one to minus three AF activates this mode. The F100 and under or correct and over. dioptres to keep most of us happy. will then choose which bracket to Fine so far. But the F100 lets one use for focusing. It scans the five choose how it does the three shot Having spent some time with the brackets as you apply pressure to option. It can do correct and two F100, both using it and studying the shutter button. It then ‘overs’, for example. This means the manual I realise that I have chooses a zone and focuses on an extra half dozen bracketing no hope of doing the camera what it finds in that bracket. I possibilities for the standard justice in one article. I think the found this worked very well. It camera set-up. camera magazines will be faced seems to be heading for the most with a similar problem. On many close by object, unless there is A welcome feature is the custom occasions I have felt that I had a something brighter a bit further option. In the F100 this consists good concept of what the F100 is away, when it will instead focus of twenty-two different custom only to find some feature that on that. As with other models it options many with just on or off made it clear there were further will follow a subject if one focuses choices but a few have three or uncharted waters, a bit like on it when it is in motion. four possible choices. One custom peeling layers off an onion. option that excited me is number The body of the F100 is twenty-one. This allows the Getting down to the nitty gritty, constructed from magnesium exposure lock button to hold a the F100 is just a touch larger alloy. This strong material makes reading; press and release the than an F90X (without their it possible to hang the strap on button and it holds the exposure respective grips). It weighs in at ‘d-rings’ as on the F5, F4 and value until the shot is taken. You just under 800 grams, again many earlier models. The control can push the button and clear this without the MB-15 grip. The MB- layout is great. The main if you make an error. 15 does much to improve the command wheel is situated just handling and adds two batteries where my thumb falls on the back The custom options give the to the F100’s complement, to of the camera. The toggle that chance to make significant extend life and also speed up the selects the active focus zone is changes. One needs to keep a drive from about four and a half within reach on the camera back weather eye on the repercussions to around five frames per second. and is fitted with a lock below it too. Perhaps you would prefer not The camera costs £1099.00 with to prevent accidental operation. to have the aperture and shutter the MB-15 and will be £999.00 The normal/dynamic AF switch is speeds move in third-stop without. As usual we recommend to the left of this. increments when the respective going for the grip option. We wheels are turned, then use should have our first shipment The exposure mode button is close custom function 2 to choose in half before the end of January and to the shutter button, as on the or whole stops. This will also have been taking orders for a F5, as is the exposure change the increments for while now. compensation button. bracketing and exposure Another feature modelled on compensation. I also like option by Tony Munday 2 the F5 is the motordrive 8, which makes the film load when SPOILT FOR CHOICE

An imaginative manufacturer for the Nikon technophile with accept our very high nearly new constantly introducing new built in motor drive, matrix standards, a pristine F2 is a products can make it seem like metering/spot metering and for delightful option. What Christmas all the year around. me the most remarkable of all, fascinates me that new Nikon Let’s see if Nikon qualify....! I the flash system. I very well products are never viewed as shall now start a completely remember the picture one of our replacing old ones but merely unbiased review. customers took of a bathroom adding to the choice. where each of five or so different The first Nikon I ever came into whites was perfectly 1988 gave us 80-200mm f/4 zoom contact with was an F3 and differentiated. One other chap or 180mm f/2.8 prime lenses; though I knew practically nothing had some very complex subject both completely valid choices about photography or cameras, to photograph with flash and today but now we can select an picking it up and handling it just was running his slide rule white 80-200mm/f2.8 AF or AF-S as as an engineering product left me, hot trying to calculate what was well if we wish. So the theme of well, enchanted. It was a wide choice with unerring present for someone and excellence of design and appeared on what you might quality of construction applies call a short list of gift to lenses as well. Or how suggestions. Well you might about as an accessory example call it that but actually the the choice of 3 remote releases list of hints only contained for the F5, F100 or F90X. one item! Based on the Henry Ford would turn in his principle that if it looks grave! right it’s pretty likely to be right, I went ahead and One last topic on choice bears bought an F3 for the person mention. In the matter of concerned and became in one technical specification the instinctive move “flavur of Nikon range does spoil you for the month” with this choice. In the matter of particular girl. The only quality of design and thing she loved more than construction I am afraid no me was, well, the F3. So the required. Finally he gave up and choice is offered: it’s Nikon or plan misfired to that slight phoned Nikon who simply gave others, many, many others. degree. two key instructions: 1. Point and 2. Shoot. The SB-24 / F4 By Nick Wynne The start in my involvement in setup took a perfect shot. The the camera business was age of electronic miracles had coincident with the launch of the arrived! Nikon F4 (1988). They decided to keep two professional models With that perspective it is clear in the range, choosing not to that the Nikon enthusiast today discontinue the F3. This is favoured with a far greater perhaps started the “spoilt for abundance of excellence than in choice” theme. Here were two 1988. The F5, F100 and F90X cameras of pretty different give three models that exceed character the F3 being the capabilities of the F4 in very traditional in its tough brass many areas. And for the body as had always been format technophobe (perhaps?!) the F3 and the F4 breaking new ground is available new. Or, if you 3 CHANGING GEAR - THE NIKON F5 by Simon Stafford

The honeymoon is over and I’m while I found myself leaving my effortlessly and accurately, giving still in love! favourite shop in Churton Street, me more time than I have ever with an absolutely mint F5 tucked enjoyed before to concentrate on About a year ago I had the under my arm. composition. The flexibility of the opportunity to try out the Nikon system allows you, the F5 for the first time, (see Grays Three months, and many rolls of photographer, to select frame of Westminster Gazette, Issue 43, film later I can safely say that rates from 2 frames per second November 1997, ‘Into the Wolves those first impressions of the (fps) up to 8 fps and combine this Lair’). If you saw the article you camera were in no way misplaced. with conventional focus tracking, will know that my brief The over riding sensation left or the dynamic focus tracking that introduction to the camera left me with me after that earlier predicts the direction and rate of awe struck as to its specification encounter was the speed with subject motion. Camera and handling. My appetite which the F5 accomplished its ergonomics permit rapid selection whetted I was convinced, (and I tasks compared to my F90X’s. of lens aperture, shutter speed, can be very persuasive with That’s not to say the F90X is a and focus sensor all without myself when it comes to acquiring slow machine, it’s simply that having to remove your eye from a new piece of kit!) that an F5 had through a combination of the viewfinder. to join the F90X’s in my camera excellent design, and superb bag. engineering, the F5 is incredibly Whether I have been stalking a quick. butterfly in the field, trying to capture the fleeting facial My photography has changed expressions of a child, or the speed gear. Three key features of the and grace of horse racing, my F5 camera stand out for me, the has deliver the goods every time. metering, motordrive, and auto- So whatever you are ‘into’ in focus. Given the fine tolerances photography I would seriously of transparency film exposure commend the F5, and changing latitude I was a habitual user of your gear. a separate hand-held meter, that is until the F5 arrived. I have GAZETTE BACK found the matrix and spot metering facilities to be ISSUES SERVICE consistently accurate, with only Aware that new F5’s have sold the most demanding situations We receive a large number like the proverbial ‘hot cakes’ requiring any operator input to of requests for back issues since the cameras’ launch, it was override the camera’s of the Gazette and can with forlorn hope, or so I thought, suggestions. Fill-flash with the supply all back issues at a that I asked Tony Munday if SB-26 or SB-28 connected has cost of £1.50 post free in the Grays ever saw second-hand been a revelation, regardless of UK. examples of the F5. Ever the whether I have been shooting gentleman, and no doubt sensitive close ups with my macro lenses, Some early issues are out- to my feelings, his reassuring or outdoor portraits on either wide reply was “yes, now and then”, angle, or short telephoto lenses. of-print but we can supply followed by an offer to place my high quality photocopies. name on a ‘customer wants’ list . The motordrive combined with My interest lodged I began the auto-focus tracking has without We will be happy to provide patient wait. doubt allowed me to capture a quote for postage & pictures that previously I would packing costs to all parts of A few weeks later the call have missed. Birds in flight to the world. 4 came, and within a short racing cars have all been recorded LEATHERMAN - Love at First Sight

A few weeks ago I purchased two seven years to perfect the original pliers, wire cutters, hard wire of the Leatherman multi-purpose Leatherman tool because I cutters, clip point knife, metal/ tools and since that time I have refused to settle for anything but wood file, 8 inch/20cm ruler, can/ been extolling their virtues to the best.” bottle opener, small screwdriver, anyone who would listen. Such The Leatherman multi-purpose medium screwdriver, large has been my enthusiasm for these tools now join us in the form, screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver ingenious tools I have been firstly, of the Leatherman Micra. (to fit no.1 & no.2 screws) and politely banned from mentioning The Micra is a combination pocket bradawl/punch. the name by my comrades in the knife and multi-purpose tool. shop. Tony (Munday) told me that Closing to 2.5 inches long (6.35 A few other features worth I must feel like an actor appearing cm) and weighing 1.75 ounces mentioning are the full size and in a production of Macbeth who (50.5 grammes) the Micra is so full strength “Fan handle” pliers. has to refer to it as ‘the Scottish small you can carry it in your All parts are interconnected so play’! For those of you who are pocket or camera bag and not there are no separate parts to unfamiliar with this thespian really notice it until you need it. lose. A posi-stop safety feature tradition, it is a widely held prevents accidental blade belief that bad luck will closure. Finally it comes attend the mention of the complete with a sturdy name of Shakespeare’s leather case which has a famous play. I should useful belt fitting. The quickly point out here that PST costs £58.00. no bad luck has followed my mentioning the name of Both the Micra and the Leatherman, it is merely PST are made in the USA that my much put upon of 100% stainless steel colleagues rapidly and come with a 25 year understood just how good guarantee against defects they are and don’t need in materials and reminding of it by me on a workmanship. I carry daily basis! Then you have at your fingertips these two extremely versatile 10 useful tools packed into one tools around with me on all my What is a Leatherman and what tiny unit; spring action scissors, photographic trips. Am I are they doing at Grays of clip point knife, tweezers, nail file/ apologetic about spreading the Westminster? According to his cleaner, flat Phillips screwdriver, word? Haven’t I heard that love company’s brochures, in 1975 Tim medium screwdriver, small means never having to say you’re Leatherman (picky engineer) screwdriver, bottle opener, ruler sorry? found himself travelling through (imp./metric) and a special Europe with a tight budget and a rotating lanyard attachment By Gray Levett cranky car. Tim says; “A scout which comes with split ring for knife wasn’t much help with the easy use with a key-chain or constant repairs on my old car, or lanyard. The Micra costs £33.00. most other fix-up tasks. What I really needed was a pair of Secondly, we have the original “pocket pliers”, but no such tool Leatherman Pocket Survival Tool existed. I decided to put my (PST), which is built around full- engineering degree to use and size pliers. It weighs only 5 ounces design a new kind of tool that (142 grams) yet packs in 12 would replace the knife with essential tools in one. These are; something more useful. It took needle-nose pliers, standard 5 NIKON SALE

NEW LENSES 135mm f2 AF-D DC £1,050.00 180mm f2.8 AF-D IF-ED £620.00 Amongst the lenses in this price update are a few 300mm f4 AF £950.00 you may not have seen before. New AF-S lenses AF-S 300mm f2.8D £3,500.00 include the AF-S 80-200/2.8D which we have had a AF-S 400mm f2.8D £6,400.00 couple of shipments of already, the new AF-S 28-70/ AF-S 500mm f4D £4,995.00 2.8D which we hope to have at the end of February AF-S 600mm f4D £6,900.00 and the new lighter AF-S version of the 400/2.8D. 60mm f2.8 AF-D Micro £330.00 In the AF range we have a newcomer, the AF 28- 105mm f2.8 AF-D Micro £660.00 105/3.5-5.6D. This amazing lens will autofocus close 200mm f4 AF-D Micro £1,225.00 enough to give half life-size reproduction at 105mm setting. The macro mode is engaged by a small AUTO FOCUS ZOOMS switch and will work in the range 50-105mm. More 20-35mm f2.8 AF-D IF £1,300.00 on all these new lenses in a future edition. 24-50mm f3.3-4.5 AF-D £435.00 24-120mm f3.5-5.6 AF-D IF £385.00 BODIES 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 AF-D £240.00 F5 £1,550.00 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 AF £450.00 F100 + MB-15 £1,100.00 28-105 f3.5-4.5D IF £299.00 F100 £1,000.00 28-200mm f3.5-5.6 AF-D IF £400.00 F90X Pro (Inc MB-10 Grip) £725.00 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D £500.00 F90X £640.00 35-80mm f4-5.6 AF-D £135.00 F70 £325.00 35-105mm f3.5-4.5 AF-D IF £270.00 F70 + 35-80 AF-D £370.00 35-135mm f3.5-4.5 AF £475.00 F70 QD £375.00 70-180 f4-5.6D AF Micro £710.00 F60 + 35-80 £299.00 70-210mm f4-5.6 AF-D £340.00 F60 £249.00 70-300mm f4.-5.6D AF £240.00 F50 £225.00 80-200mm f2.8 AF-DN £760.00 F50 QD £275.00 AF-S 80-200mm f2.8D £1,400.00 F50 + 35-80 AF-D £275.00 F50 QD + 35-80 AF-D £320.00 COMPACTS F3 £1,125.00 Zoom 600 £129.00 F3 HP £1,225.00 Zoom 800 £199.00 FM2 Chrome £400.00 Zoom 310 £129.00 FM2 Black £420.00 Zoom 310 QD £199.00 FM2/T few left £949.00 FE10 & 35-70mm Kit £229.00 SPEEDLIGHTS SB-28 £285.00 AUTO FOCUS LENSES SB-28 plus SD-8A Kit £340.00 16mm f2.8 AF-D fisheye £660.00 SB-27 £190.00 18mm f2.8 AF-D £1,100.00 20mm f2.8 AF-D £480.00 24mm f2.8 AF-D £350.00 28mm f2.8 AF-D £200.00 28mm f1.4 AF-D £1,400.00 35mm f2 AF-D £245.00 50mm f1.8 AF £85.00 50mm f1.4 AF-D £240.00 85mm f1.4 AF-D IF £800.00 85mm f1.8 AF-D £280.00 6 105mm f2 AF-D DC £800.00 is no VAT (Value Added Tax) on books and that p&p BOOK LIST prices are for the UK. Sending books to Europe costs (H/C DENOTES HARDCOVER) approximately £1.00 more per title, while worldwide costs are approximately double. How to Photograph Flowers by H. Angel £16.00 Outdoor Photography: 101 Tips & Hints by H. Angel £12.95 Photographing the Natural World by Heather Angel (h/c) (p&p £3.00) £17.99 Nikon Pocket Book by Peter Braczko (h/c)£19.95 Nikon Compendium by Hillebrand & Joachim (h/c) (p&p £3.50) £24.95 The Nikon Field Guide by Thom Hogan £15.00 In Ruins - The Once Great Houses of Ireland by Sir Simon Marsden (h/c) (p&p 4.50) £18.99 The Haunted Realm by Sir Simon Marsden (h/c) (p&p £4.50) £18.99 Nikon Product Guide ‘96-‘98 (p&p £4.00) £16.95 Nikon System Handbook by B. Moose Peterson (p&p £3.00) £19.95 Nikon Guide to Wildlife Photography by B. Moose Peterson (p&p £3.00) £19.95 Wildlife Photography - Getting Started in the Field by B. Moose Peterson (p&p £3.00) £19.95 Nikon Rangefinder Cameras - An Illustrated History by Robert Rotoloni (h/c) £16.95

USER GUIDES TO THE NIKON SYSTEM

Nikon F5 by G. Richter £10.95 Nikon F4 Pro Edition by B. Moose Peterson £10.95 Nikon F4, F4S & F4E by H. Henninges £10.95 HOW TO ORDER Nikon F90X (revised edition) by Huber & Peterson £10.95 Nikon F90 by M. Huber £ 8.00 Telephone us on 0171-828 4925 for immediate service. You may use Nikon F70 by Richter & Burian any of the credit, debit or charge cards shown on this page. Please £10.95 have your card number and expiry date to hand. Nikon F-801S (rev. edition) by International Telephone: +44 171 828 4925 M. Huber £10.95 Nikon F-601 & F-601S by M. Post your order to: Grays of Westminster, FREEPOST LON235, Huber £10.95 London SW1V 2BR (UK residents only). If you are ordering from Nikon F-401S/F-401 & F-401X by outside the United Kingdom the mailing address is: Grays of M. Huber £10.95 Westminster, 40 Churton Street, London SW1V 2LP, England. Nikon SB-26 Speedlight Flash System by M. Huber £10.95 Nikon Lenses by B. Moose Fax your order at any time on: 0171-976 5783 Peterson £10.95 International Fax: +44 171 976 5783 Nikon F2 - F2 Series of Modern Classics by P. Comon £10.95 Alternatively, email your order to [email protected] Nikon Modern Classics by H. Franke, (Nikon F, FM, FE2, FA & Nikkormat EL cameras) Methods of payment £10.95 Orders may be paid by card, postal order or cheque. Please make cheques payable to Grays of Westminster. Postage & packing on all books £2.00 unless otherwise stated. Please add £1.00 for each additional title. Overseas customers please note that there 7 The Nikon Legend - Part LIV by Gray Levett Today owners of the flagship when using the early Fisheye- Nikon models take for granted Nikkor lens and the 2.1cm f/4 the mirror lock-up facility on Nikkor, because of their deep- their camera. However, prior to seated mounts. It is also 1959 this was not a feature that important for continuous was not available (at least as far shooting with the Nikon F-36 as I know) on a 35mm single Electric Motor Drive. To lock lens reflex camera. the mirror in the “up” position, you turn the knob The Nikon F of 1959 had the situated on the side of the useful feature of being able to bayonet mount apron counter- lock up the mirror to reduce clockwise until the black dot vibrations when the shutter was on the knob meets the red dot on modified for use with the fired. This is particularly the camera body. Cock the Questar astronomical desk desirable when taking high shutter and then depress the telescope. The photograph of magnification photographs. shutter release. The mirror will the Questar modified example Copying, astro-photography and move up out of the way, and will shows here a narrow black other scientific work would not return after the shutter has label with white lettering show great improvements in fired. Alas, you lose a frame “Questar Modified - Questar sharpness by utilising this every time you do this! Corp. New Hope, PA 18938”. feature. This is the only example I have If you are the owner of a Nikon F come across with the Questar Mirror lock-up is also needed and examine the photograph on label. Other examples, such as this page you will notice a small the Nikon Fs Mr. Rotoloni button to the right of the top of mentions in his article had no Grays of Westminster Exclusively...Nikon the self-timer lever. This is a such label. 40 Churton Street factory conversion by Nikon and Pimlico is a mirror-up button! You push A month or so ago Nikon London SW1V 2LP in the button and the mirror collector Bob Warwick showed England flips up and remains there until me another example, which has the shutter is fired. The result a metal plunger mounted to the Tel: 0171-828 4925 - no more blank frames. Robert side of the mirror box housing. Fax: 0171-976 5783 Rotoloni wrote an article in the Depress the plunger and it International: Journal of the Nikon Historical raises the mirror without losing Tel: +44 171 828 4925 Society in March of 1997 stating a frame of film. At the time of Fax: +44 171 976 5783 email: that he “had a chance to buy three this writing it is not known [email protected] brand new Nikon Fs with factory whether this was a factory website: mirror-up buttons. These were conversion by Nikon (which I www.graysofwestminster.co.uk supplied with waist-level finders am inclined to doubt) or by the only”. He further notes that “there USA importers of Nikon, EPOI. Hours of Business: was a small insert in the manual Monday - Friday 9:30 - 5:30 explaining the use of the extra I am grateful to Hugh Donovan Saturday 9:30 - 2:00 button on the face of the body”. for supplying his photograph of the Questar modified F. Contributors: Tony Munday, 9901 Over the years I have seen three Perhaps this article will whet Simon Stafford, Nick Wynne, Gray Levett of these mirror-up Fs. I may Photography: Hon. Hugh Donovan, your appetite to examine your Tony Hurst, Leatherman Tool Group, Inc., have passed over other Nikon F. Possibly you own a Nikon Corp., Tony Munday examples prior to seeing my rare Nikon F and don’t realise Typography: Jacqueline Munday first, as unless you are aware of it! Printed by: APP Print Services Ltd. its existence it is easy to miss. ã Grays of Westminster 1999 Then there were the Fs that were 8 ã Simon Stafford 1999 (Photo)