APOGEE PHOTO MAGAZINE: Nikon

Nikon's F100 Camera - Point and Shoot for the Pro

By Michael Goldstein

My results so far with the Nikon F100 have been astounding. In four full rolls of print film shot at a friend's outdoor wedding, not one exposure was defective. In most cases, I was using fill-flash balanced against an ambient light that was quickly changing from breaking sunshine to heavy overcast. Using nothing but auto focus, I produced only a couple images that weren’t sharp, and those were due to the groom's elderly father pushing me out of the way as he tried to videotape the proceedings. Four rolls of slide film, exposed over several weeks in a variety of challenging lighting conditions both indoors and out using only AE (but checking against my manual exposure techniques), were equally good. It was, I suppose, inevitable. Once exposed to the capabilities of the new 35mm photographic technology, my life behind the viewfinder could never be the same. Technical progress has ended my twenty-year love affair with my Canon A1s.

I opted for Nikon's new F100, the latest in their stable of pro bodies, to accept most of the vast array of available lenses and accessories. The F100 is thirty-seven percent smaller and thirty-four percent lighter than the flagship model F5 but provides ninety percent of the F5's features at a much lower price. In fact, some of the F5's capabilities have been improved in the F100.

The features of the new technology that attracted me were the predictive tracking AF, automatic bracketing in the sequence of my choice, automatic detection of film ISO rating, and matrix auto exposure (AE) metering. The biggest improvement I expected to see in my photography was the new flash technology with its TTL matrix metering and fantastic fill-flash balanced against a changing ambient light, almost impossible to do manually. To this end, I also bought the Nikon SB-28 Speedlight companion flash unit. I chose the new Nikkor 24-85 mm D-type zoom, a fast F2.8 lens that includes the focal lengths of my favorite trio of lenses. I opted to change the focusing screen of the F100 to the optional "E" type screen, which provides a pattern of vertical and horizontal lines that almost guarantees straight horizons. This combination of hardware provides all the features I require, without the need to compromise any of the capabilities I previously enjoyed. Total manual control of the photographic process, with excellent depth-of-field preview, self-timer, and PC control of external flash are all still available, as well as all combinations of AE and AF functions. Indeed, I now have even a diopter control knob to ensure my eyeglasses are closely matched to the focusing screen system.

The strong temptation with this system is to put both the camera and the flash on TTL 3D matrix metering, crank on a D-type Nikkor lens, and concentrate simply on the composition of the image. I think this camera is smarter than I am. The top deck LCD screen shows all the information necessary for photography, such as aperture/shutter-speed settings, AE mode, and an analog exposure display. Push the ISO, BKT, or +/- buttons, and the screen shows the film speed, bracketing sequence, and compensation settings. Other indications include battery status, frame number, and flash sync mode. A power switch setting lets you illuminate this screen for “dark” operations. Much of this information is repeated in the viewfinder display.

The F100 features three AE modes. True spot metering concentrates on one percent of the image area and may depend on which of the five focus detection areas has been selected. Center-weighted averaging concentrates seventy-five percent of the metering area in the center of the image and is subject to the usual AE contrast measurement errors. Nikon claims their "3D matrix metering" is unique. It employs ten image area sensors and uses distance information from D-type lenses. Like the F5 system, metering situations are compared to a database of 30,000 actual photographic images. Second-guessing this system takes real talent. One nice feature is that, when used with a second-source or older manual lens, the 3D matrix-metering mode automatically changes to center-weighted averaging measurement.

The F100 allows aperture or shutter-speed priority, full manual mode, or program mode. Both shutter-speed and aperture may be adjusted by top deck command dials. The program mode also allows a limited adjustment of shutter-speed/aperture combinations, a very handy option for those point-and-shoot-situations. Nikon claims the F100's AF system will work well at light levels so low that manual focusing would be unreliable. The system uses five focus detection sensors, spread across the focusing screen area and indicated on the screen when the shutter release is depressed or the AF button is pushed. These are selectable by a rocker switch on the rear of the body, close to where your right thumb falls. This action chooses the primary area of AF. For most shots of stationary subjects, this is sufficient and the shutter will not operate until focus is achieved (focus priority).

The continuous, or high-speed predictive AF mode, is shutter priority. Focus begins at one of the selected focus detection areas but shifts as the subject moves. AF lock ensures that focus is not lost if the focusing target is briefly obscured. Reliable AF is assured even for targets that move erratically. A dynamic AF mode, with “closest-subject priority,” operates independently of any selected focusing area and is ideal for "grab shooting" of circulating groups of people or animals.

The design and location of the camera's controls are so logical that most features can be employed after only a quick read of the manual. The fine points (like dynamic AF) require a bit more thought and some experimenting. The SB-28 is equally easy to use. The variations in many features of the F100 can be easily customized by the user and can just as easily be changed "on the fly" as the shooting situation demands.

Okay, I've entered the new millennium with my photo gear. I may be flat broke, but I'm happy. Anyone who whispers "digital camera" to me in a dark alley, however, is likely to receive a poke on the nose.

Fact Sheet

Body Construction - Made from durable magnesium alloy

Nikon Exclusive Technology - Dynamic Autofocus knows where the subject is

AF Technology and Frame Rate - Nikon Exclusive Technology - Focus Tracking with Lock-On™ to 5 Frames Per Second with optional MB-15 High Speed Battery Pack

Autofocus Technology - 5 Area Cross Array Autofocus System for fluid composition includes 3 Cross Type AF sensors

Compatibility of AF Sensors - Cross-Type AF Sensors operate with every AF Nikkor lens

Light Metering System - 10 segment 3D Matrix Meter with Nikon Data Base of over 30,000 actual photographs, 75/25 Center-Weighted, Five Spot meters

Viewing Capability - 5 Focus areas superimposed in Red

Flash System - 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash narrows the range of contrast within a scene

Comprehensive Flash Modes - 1/250 Sync Speed, Rear and Slow Sync, FP Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Flash Bracketing

Shooting Modes and Shutter Speed Range - Program, Flexible Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual. From 30 seconds to 1/8000 of a second

Versatility - 22 Built-in Custom Settings let you customize F100 for the way you shoot

Computer Interface - Nikon Exclusive Photo Secretary for F100 downloads shooting information, links photographs to shooting information and sets Custom Settings

Lens Mount - F Bayonet Lens Mount accepts every Nikon AF Nikkor and most manual AI or AI-S Nikkor lenses