The Nikon F4, introduced in 1988, is a professional-grade 35mm autofocus (AF) SLR film camera and the fourth generation in Nikon’s F-series lineup. The F4 was Nikon’s first flagship camera to feature practical autofocus and a fully electronic operation. It bridged the gap between traditional mechanical controls and modern electronic features, making it a pivotal model in Nikon’s history.
Key Features:
- Autofocus and Lens Compatibility:
- Supports all Nikon F-mount lenses from 1959 onward, including manual focus and early invasive fisheye lenses.
- Offers Matrix metering with AI manual focus lenses.
- Limited compatibility with G-type lenses (no aperture ring) and DX lenses (vignetting occurs).
- No support for VR (Vibration Reduction) system.
- Shutter and Film Transport:
- Vertical-travel metal-blade shutter with a balancer to reduce noise and vibration.
- Motorized film transport up to 5.7 fps.
- First Nikon F-series to lack a manual film-advance lever, offering motor-driven and manual rewind.
- Controls and Interface:
- Combines traditional analog dials for settings like shutter speed and aperture with electronic LCD viewfinder displays and advanced features like autofocus and programmed auto-exposure.
- Customization and Durability:
- Supports various remote controls, film backs, and viewfinders for specific tasks.
- Built with high-quality mechanical and electronic components, weather sealing, and robust construction for professional use.
- Power:
- Requires one of three optional battery packs, using AA or rechargeable cells. Some packs include a vertical grip and shutter release for portrait orientation shooting.
