NIKON F5 SLR Body Only (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

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The Nikon F5 is an absolute beast of a camera, designed when new for professional photojournalists. It was the last great professional camera of the age of film, and introduced many features we now take for granted in modern digital cameras. My current DSLRs feel like kids toys in comparison to the build quality of the F5, which is not surprising given that when it came out, it cost as much as a clean used car. I got mine from a Japanese seller, "Karen Store JP", and it was very near to perfect, with no visible signs of use. Having bought and sold much film photography equipment, I highly recommend the Japanese sellers for this gear because they still take film photography seriously in Japan and take better care of their gear. You wont find any beat-up yard sale junk if you shop for your older cameras and lenses in Japan. Still, I recommend that you stick with items which are fulfilled by Amazon. Shipping was fast and free. I ordered my camera on the night of April 27, and received it on the morning of May 1, and that included a weekend. As far as the camera is concerned, if you are thinking of getting into shooting film, this is a great choice, but be prepared for some things. First of all, it can be bit overwhelming because it can do so much. In that respect, it is a lot like a modern DSLR, just that it shoots film instead. This is not surprising because Nikons first DSLR was a modified F5 with the digital parts by Kodak. But, with this camera you can let it do everything while you focus on your composition and getting the shot you want, or you have several automatic modes, and full manual. Although you probably will never use it, the F5 can shoot pictures at 8 frames per second as well, if you need to shoot action on a film camera. The next thing to know is that this camera is BIG and HEAVY. This is not a camera to hang around your neck and take on vacation. It weighs 3.5 pounds with the batteries loaded in it and wearing a standard lens. It is a machine for taking pictures when you MUST get the shot. Finally, the F5 runs on 8 AA batteries, from which you will get 20-25 36 exposure rolls of film per set. So if you shoot regularly, buy batteries in bulk or consider rechargeable batteries. The bottom line is that this is a wonderful camera for the serious film photographer. I shoot it and then send the film rolls to a professional lab by mail for development and scanning, which costs me about $20 per roll and produces very high quality digital files which I then treat and store like all my other images, with the added safety of having negatives or slides as backup. This may sound expensive, but you typically shoot far fewer frames with film, and with something like the F5 you are getting many of the features of a $2,000 DSLR for about $300 which is what I paid for mine. If you want something just as good, but not quite so heavy, try the Nikon F100. It is remarkably similar to the F5, about half the weight and half the price and a very competent film camera. I shoot the two cameras together, each loaded with a different type of film.

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I picked the camera last weekend at mexpost office. Paid the duties and received my package. Fortunately the camera and lenses are well packaged with bubble plastic. Very sturdy no movement inside the box, and very neatly organized. Camera is used and has very minor scratches (almost not noticeable) looks awesome and shutter feels good. Viewer is fantastic, feels like the aim of a sniper. I already started taking pictures and the AF system lives to the standard of the iconic F5. My purchase price included a leather case, and 2 lenses 70-210mm AF 4/5.6 and 35-80mm AF 4/5.6, Learher case has space for body + lens like 70-210mm mounted, and a screw mount to prevent the F5 slipping by accident. Global Japan shipped very popular lenses for my F5. They are very well rated and hard to find. Focus is very fast. The new VR lenses would be much more expensive and these lenses do the job just fine for the price. No haze, fungus, or signs of rust, lenses crystal clear. It was hard communicating with Global Japan. I can write Japanese and should have tried to do it to communicate better. I was getting frurstrated that Amazon only displayed the order with BODY ONLY, and no confirmation of lenses and case. So happy with my purchase now. Hope film cameras will not disappear. Theres something to it that DSLRs cannot replicate yet.

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This camera is probably the best 35mm camera ever built. It will use all Nikon lens that are F mount, this includes both manual focused and auto focused. I have owned several of these cameras and still own two. If you are shooting film or taking a class on film photography this is the camera for you. It operates on eight AA batteries. Nikon still services this camera. I just had one serviced and shuttle replaced by Nikon. When the camera returned it operated like a new one.

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Since this camera came I almost forgot that I have a DSLR, This camera is awesome!!! the metering is great, build like a tank, fast focusing and everything they say good about this cam is spot on. I dont really mind the weight, personally its just like caring my digital stuff. some shots https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/942780_10151654500753413_226946175_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/941368_10151654500848413_1604893969_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/48069_10151631474538413_1045403296_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/3586_10151631474778413_1982335633_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/p206x206/970833_10151710566168413_954697460_n.jpg

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Awesome camera, works with any Nikon lenses including G series. This is a Cadillac camera worth every penny. Easy to use and learn. If you are a Nikon user and still using film along with digital this is the camera to have for film.

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When I opened the box, I couldnt believe my eyes ... this camera was virtually new. I took it on a trip the first weekend I owned it and came back with 10 slides I will enlarge and put on my office wall. It works smoothly and flawlessly. It has been called the finest 35mm camera ever built ... I believe it.

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I just recieved my f5 and am thrilled. I havent shot film since my FE days, someone needed the FE more than I did and it was stolden. I have shot some Digital with a sony Cyber shot. But,I feel they didnt have the same feeling as film. I have not shot any images with this camera yet. I am still rounding up Assessories. You are ready to shoot film or you would not be reading this. I feel this is the best film camera you can buy. Mine is a 1998 model SN#314---- , it came from KEH and is like new, except the right grip being a little loose (a well known problem) maybe I can fix it with super glue, or maybe I will take it to Nikon, here in SLC. I think that with the revival of film images these cameras will be in short supply, best to get it now. Update 2/25/13 I made a mistake and ordered a DX lens (55-200 VR) I should have read the specs. Oh well got a roll of fuji and shot the heck out of it. It is a very good lense, got some vig in the corners but very little, and a little croping took care of it.

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Yes I said SLR. OK I still shoot film... so what! :) I have a Nikon DSLR also but Ive like what this one does. Its a great camera and at a great price. It worked just the they said it would. I highly recommend this... if you actually know what film is... ;)

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Very well made, excellent photos"

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Camera was better than expected

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