Nikon F4

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.