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On Saturday November 29, 2024. I went to Saint-Bonnet-de-Mûre, near Lyon, France for the last monthly meeting of camera collectors. I found there a stunning lens AF-Nikkor 1:1.8 f=85mm for my Nikon F4 (year 1989). There was also the same lens in the "D" version appeared in 1995 with the Nikon F5. "D" stands for "Distance" that is coded in this Nikkor lenses series and used for the 3D-matrix metering of the Nikon F5. I choose better the non-"D" significantly less expensive and that match better with the period of my Nikon F4 body. I found also a nice small Nikon shoulder bag all black, that I found discrete enough to carry the heavy and massive Nikon F4 that weight more than a medium-format camera.
After detailing the lens and checking the correct functioning fitted to the camera, I loaded on Monday December 2, 2024 an
Ilford HP5+ with the DX coded nominal 400 ISO film sensitivity. Due to some other businesses that took longer than expected, I had to wait a couple of days before going quietly to the "Parc de la Tête d'Or" for testing the lens.
The AF Nikkor lens 1:1.8 f=85mm was fitted with a protective Hoya Skylight (1A) 62mm screw-on filter plus its dedicated Nikon HN-23 metal shade hood. For focusing I used either the single autofocus mode or the manual mode on complicated scenes inside the tropical green houses. As for my medium-format sessions, I took a bit of time to note on a session ticket the main parameters (shutter speed, aperture, focusing distance, flash control mode, etc). When indicated, I used also my Nikon Speedlight SB-26 in the TTL mode.
View Nr 26: Body "A" mode with matrix metering giving 1/3000s f/2.8, focus @ 7 m
December 4, 2024
Parc de la Tête d'Or
69006 Lyon
France
After completion at view 37, the film was rewound using the rewinding motor (lever R1 then lever R2). During the film rewind (manual or auto) the view counter decrements and I switched-off the R2 lever just arrived at -2 to keep the leader out of the cartridge. I then processed the film developed using 300 mL of Adox Adonal (Agfa Rodinal) developer prepared at the dilution 1+25 for 6min at 20°C.
Digitizing was made using a Sony A7 camera (ILCE-7, 24MP) held on a Minolta Auto Bellows with the Minolta slide duplication accessory and Minolta Macro Bellow lens 1:3.5 f=50mm. The light source was a LED panel CineStill Cine-lite.
The RAW files obtained were inverted within the latest version available of Adobe Lightroom Classic (version 14) and edited to the final jpeg pictures without intermediate file. They are presented either as printed files with frame or the full size JPEG's together with some documentary smartphone color pictures.
--------------
About the camera :
Maybe it would have been better not to ask for this question: « what’s new do you have at the moment?» to my local photo store, because Christine grab underneath the counter, stating « I have that … » . What a beast ! A Nikon F4 in the exact state of the Nikon brochure year 1990, presented with the standard AF Nikkor 1:1.4 f=50mm. I was already hooked by the machine. After two days, I decided to buy it even with some little common issues found on early Nikon F4 (see below), fortunately not affecting the whole, numberous functions of this incredibly complex professional SLR of the year 1990’s.
Nikon F4 came to the market on September 1988 starting with the serial number 2.000.000. Fully manufactured in Japan (modules came from 3 different Nikon factories) the F4's were assembled in Mito, Ibaraki (North to Tokyo) Nikon plant (no more in the mother factory of Tokyo Oi like the Nikon’s F). When I lived in Tokyo in 1990-1991, Nikon F4 was the top-of-the-line of Nikon SLR camera’s. I saw it in particular in Shinjuku Bic Camera store when I bought there, in December 1990 my Nikonos V.
Nikon F4 incorporates many astonishing engineering features as the double vertical-travel curtain shutter capable of the 1/8000s. Compared to the Nikon F3, the F4 was an AF SLR operated by a CCD sensor (200 photo sites). The film is automatically loaded, advanced with to top speed of 5,7 frame/s !! With the MB-21 power grip (F4s version). The F4 is a very heavy camera (1.7kg with the AF Nikkor 1.4/50mm), incredibly tough and well constructed. This exemplary is devoid of any scratches or marks, and in a condition proving that it was not used for hard professional appliances, for those it was however intended. The camera has still it original Nikon neck strap, the original user manual in French. The lens is protected by a Cokin (Franc) Skylight 1A 52mm filter and the original Nikon front cap. The two small LCD displays (one on the F4 body, one in the DP-20 finder) are both affected by the classical syndrome of « bleeding ». Fortunately, all information could still be read. One says that 70% of the early Nikon F4 suffer from this problem but also found on other models.
According its serial number and the production rate of about 5000 units/month, this Nikon F4s was probably manufactured in Mito, Ibaraki, Japan in May 1989.
The camera was exported abroad thereafter attested by the presence of the golden oval little sticker("Passed" on the DP-20 viewfinder. In order to certify the quality production, two Japanese organizations, the Japan Camera Industry Institute (JCII) and the Japan Machinery Design Center (JMDC), joined forces to verify and mark the conformity of products for the foreign market. This is how, between the 1950s and 1980s, this famous little gold sticker was affixed, with the legendary "Passed", meaning that the device had been checked. Finally, when we say that the device had been checked, the production line had been checked because each device could not be checked individually.
____________
About the flash :
I received from a German seller for 50€ this Nikon Speedlight electronic flash SB-26 that was, at the time of Nikon F4, the most powerful dedicated Nikon flash (Guide Number 36 at full power and 100 ISO).
The SB-26 communicates with the Nikon F4 body (and many other Nikon camera's) and can be operated in many different modes including TTL real-time metering with automatic equilibration of the ambient light using the 5-zone matrix metering done by the DP-20 photometric viewer as well in the center-weighted mode. Other possibilities include the normal TTL mode, an Auto mode using the own sensor of the flash and a manual mode with 7 power levels.
The flash head can cover the optical field from super-wide angle lenses 18-20mm, wide-angle lenses 28mm and 35mm, normal lenses 50mm, and long-focal lenses at 70mm and 85mm. The head can be rotated according two axis for indirect lightening. In addition, the SB-26 has a special focusing aid for the Nikon F4 autofocus system, projecting in the the darkness a red focusing image. SB-23 flash can be also used as master or slave flash in a coordinated flash system.
The flash requires 4 AA alkaline cells for approximately 100 lights at full power and much more with energy recycling at lower power levels.
After working on the first film done 3 days before in Lyon, district of La Part-Dieu, France, I returned there with the same equipment to extend a bit the series with ten new views. Then, I went by walk to the park "Tête d'Or" which not far away, and I did the rest of the film at Botanical Garden.
My Nikon F4 was loaded with an Iford HP5+ 36-exposure film. The film cartridge is DX-coded and I did not modify the nominal DX-coded 400 ISO sensitivity.
The AF Nikkor lens 1:2 f=35mm was equipped for the whole session with an Hoya HMC UV 52mm screw-on protective filter. A rectangular Minolta shade hood D54KC designed for the MC-Rokkor 1:2.8 f=35mm lens was used for the whole session. The light metering was done through the lens (TTL) either in the matrix or the spot metering of the Nikon F4 used in the "A" aperture-priority auto mode or the manual mode. The weather was covered with mist and still a bit cold (±0°C outside).
Fill-in flash using the Nikon SB-26 flashlight the TTL mode
Serre des Pandanus, January 17, 2024
Botanical Garden
Parc de la Tête d'Or
69006 Lyon
France
I used my Nikon SB-26 flashlight when indicated. After completion the film was rewound and processed using 350 mL of Adox Adonal (Agfa Rodinal) developer prepared at the dilution 1+25 for 6min at 20°C.
Digitizing was made using a Sony A7 camera (ILCE-7, 24MP) held on a Minolta Auto Bellows with the Minolta slide duplication accessory and Minolta Macro Bellow lens 1:3.5 f=50mm. The light source was a LED panel CineStill Cine-lite.
The RAW files obtained were inverted within the latest version available of Adobe Lightroom Classic (version 14.1.1) and edited to the final jpeg pictures without intermediate file. They are presented either as printer files with a frame or the full size JPEG's together with some documentary smartphone color pictures.
--------------
About the camera :
Maybe it would have been better not to ask for this question: « what’s new do you have at the moment?» to my local photo store, because Christine grab underneath the counter, stating « I have that … » . What a beast ! A Nikon F4 in the exact state of the Nikon brochure year 1990, presented with the standard AF Nikkor 1:1.4 f=50mm. I was already hooked by the machine. After two days, I decided to buy it even with some little common issues found on early Nikon F4 (see below), fortunately not affecting the whole, numberous functions of this incredibly complex professional SLR of the year 1990’s.
Nikon F4 came to the market on September 1988 starting with the serial number 2.000.000. Fully manufactured in Japan (modules came from 3 different Nikon factories) the F4's were assembled in Mito, Ibaraki (North to Tokyo) Nikon plant (no more in the mother factory of Tokyo Oi like the Nikon’s F). When I lived in Tokyo in 1990-1991, Nikon F4 was the top-of-the-line of Nikon SLR camera’s. I saw it in particular in Shinjuku Bic Camera store when I bought there, in December 1990 my Nikonos V.
Nikon F4 incorporates many astonishing engineering features as the double vertical-travel curtain shutter capable of the 1/8000s. Compared to the Nikon F3, the F4 was an AF SLR operated by a CCD sensor (200 photo sites). The film is automatically loaded, advanced with to top speed of 5,7 frame/s !! With the MB-21 power grip (F4s version). The F4 is a very heavy camera (1.7kg with the AF Nikkor 1.4/50mm), incredibly tough and well constructed. This exemplary is devoid of any scratches or marks, and in a condition proving that it was not used for hard professional appliances, for those it was however intended. The camera has still it original Nikon neck strap, the original user manual in French. The lens is protected by a Cokin (Franc) Skylight 1A 52mm filter and the original Nikon front cap. The two small LCD displays (one on the F4 body, one in the DP-20 finder) are both affected by the classical syndrome of « bleeding ». Fortunately, all information could still be read. One says that 70% of the early Nikon F4 suffer from this problem but also found on other models.
According its serial number and the production rate of about 5000 units/month, this Nikon F4s was probably manufactured in Mito, Ibaraki, Japan in May 1989.
The camera was exported abroad thereafter attested by the presence of the golden oval little sticker("Passed" on the DP-20 viewfinder. In order to certify the quality production, two Japanese organizations, the Japan Camera Industry Institute (JCII) and the Japan Machinery Design Center (JMDC), joined forces to verify and mark the conformity of products for the foreign market. This is how, between the 1950s and 1980s, this famous little gold sticker was affixed, with the legendary "Passed", meaning that the device had been checked. Finally, when we say that the device had been checked, the production line had been checked because each device could not be checked individually.
____________
About the lens:
The AF-Nikkor 1:2 f=35mm lens is part of the kit around my Nikon F4 year 1989. The kit now includes 3 very classical AF-Nikkor lenses of the same period of the Nikon F4 camera body, including the standard 1.4/50mm, the 1.8/85mm and the 2/35mm. The choice of fixed-focal lenses instead of zooms was already in 1989 a bit old-fashioned. However many photographers preferred still the homogenous rendering of a photo series done with a single focal lens. Generally speaking, a 35mm focal is a charming moderate wide-angle, very easy to use and particularly adapted for architectural and street-photography.
The AF-Nikkor 1:2 f=35mm is not a rare lens. However, when looked on eBay there was not tens of them available in EU. I bought a good one form a Belgian seller at a normal price (180€). The lens is in very good mechanical and optical condition and came with the rear and front caps. I sourced the dedicated Nikon HN-3 shade hood separately for 10€ .
____________
About the flash :
I received from a German seller for 50€ this Nikon Speedlight electronic flash SB-26 that was, at the time of Nikon F4, the most powerful dedicated Nikon flash (Guide Number 36 at full power and 100 ISO).
The SB-26 communicates with the Nikon F4 body (and many other Nikon camera's) and can be operated in many different modes including TTL real-time metering with automatic equilibration of the ambient light using the 5-zone matrix metering done by the DP-20 photometric viewer as well in the center-weighted mode. Other possibilities include the normal TTL mode, an Auto mode using the own sensor of the flash and a manual mode with 7 power levels.
The flash head can cover the optical field from super-wide angle lenses 18-20mm, wide-angle lenses 28mm and 35mm, normal lenses 50mm, and long-focal lenses at 70mm and 85mm. The head can be rotated according two axis for indirect lightening. In addition, the SB-26 has a special focusing aid for the Nikon F4 autofocus system, projecting in the the darkness a red focusing image. SB-23 flash can be also used as master or slave flash in a coordinated flash system.
The flash requires 4 AA alkaline cells for approximately 100 lights at full power and much more with energy recycling at lower power levels.
Door Piet Grim, `s-Heerenhoek
`s-Heerenhoek 25-2-2017 09.24 uur bewolkt en grijs iets zon stevige koude Z-W wind 4gr C ,de mascotte van Paerehat Jikke op de ehbo post
28 júlí.
Ætluðum að Mývatni fórum um hlaðið á Svarárkoti, en urðum að snúa við, ekki fært fyrir Bens.
Keyrðum áleiðis niður Bárðardal en snerum við og ókum inn Egnidal og þar norður að Mývatni, mjög fallegt að koma að vatninu í 22 stiga hita og sól falleg fjallasýn.
Gistum við Laxá
30 júlí.
Lágum í leti fram eftir, grilluðum.
Gengum á Kröflu.
Gistum á stæði þar sem gengið er á Leirhnjúk.
Had my Hexar AF's shutter button give up on me and had the genius (idiotic) idea to rewind the film and just load it into my backup, which was an Olympus XA.
The frames ended up aligning perfectly, but most of Hexar's 10 or so shots (like this one) ended up getting fogged since I didn't cover the XA's lens properly while winding over to 11th frame.