New Nikon F100
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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 subjects 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 F100s 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 Lets 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.