Testing out the F4’s matrix metering in what would normally be relatively challenging conditions. This is a road I drive tours on, though the tour got cancelled that day and I decided to drive in my own truck.
As you can see the F4 passed with flying colors. So to speak.
Hot off the press, this is a sneak-peek shot from my newly-developed first rolls of the brand-new Cinestill 400D.
Could also double as a fall fashion photo I suppose, but it’s hard when you have to do all the shot setup and be the model, don’t know if I’d do too many of these! Maybe if I get a pretty girl to take the pictures for me…
Still alive. The 2nd time getting COVID it wasn’t nearly as bad, in fact I originally thought (or just hoped) that I had a cold, there was much runny nose and a bit of a sore throat/loss of voice. But once that fever starts it’s best to isolate. I was off of work for a week but that week had me rethink my plans to travel to my semiannual Ohio State get-together.
COVID Diaries 1
COVID Diaries 2
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These were from early 2022, I was just trying to unload the rest of my stock.
Even shooting at ASA100 I was definitely seeing the grain, maybe I should have given the film an extra stop but I didn’t. When it’s good it’s really good and it’s really a shame Kodak discontinued this stock; I hope they bring it back but I don’t think I’ll be shooting any more of the expired stuff.
Part One.
Or about as modern as I’m ever likely to get. Behold, the Nikon F4:
Ain’t she purty?
Of course perhaps you prefer the F4S?
I don’t but I do have both setups and it’s good to have the option if I ever need it. What I did want are the features on the spec sheet:
-full matrix metering with all AI/AI-s lenses (unlike newer professional bodies)
-easily-manipulable knobs and dials, no stupid menus to wheel through
–possibly weather-sealed (at least according to this) though I have my doubts reading further into it
-1/8000 second top shutter speed
-motor drive
-easy-to-find AA batteries instead of something esoteric and expensive
-a reasonable price
So far I’ve put 5 rolls of Tri-X through this camera using primarily the aperture-priority function and so far I’ve fooled it maybe a couple times. It just works and I don’t have to worry about it or overthink it. I picked up an AI-s Nikkor 35mm f/2 lens at the same time to make sure I had the most up-to-date manual focus lens I could use for the maximum feature set. Here are the results below:
A friend of mine just got a Contax G2 system and I’m sure it cost quite a lot. I spent much less but this is the G2 of the Nikon F manual focus world, and the F4 has one thing the G2 doesn’t have: a hefty weight. Though if I had to make a guess on which will still be working in 10-20 years…I think it will be mine. But back to that weight: everything is contained and compact so compared to an F2 or F3 with motordrive and batteries this is much smaller and lighter I’m sure. For everything you’re getting I don’t see the point of even owning an F3. Another thing that frustrates me with electronic cameras is the lag time when you turn it on, getting it to wake up, whatever. I’ve found with the F4 that I can leave it on all day and it’s always ready to go whenever I press the shutter button. For what it is and the purpose it serves I can’t think of anything being better.
The Resurrected Camera 