If price was not a consideration, which of the two cameras would you buy and why? Is the RGB metering on the F5 considerably better than the metering on the 100?

-- Robert J. Basar (yugobob@aol.com), January 17, 1999

Answers

If price isn't a consideration, I would definitely get the F5. Yes, the RGB metering on the F5 is very advanced. I had a chance to talk to David Middleton. He and John Shaw did a side by side comparison of the F4 and F5, and the meter on the F5 is correct at a considerable higher percentage of the time at some tricky situations. Moreover, the F5 has a more durable body.

One advantage of the F100 is that it is a lighter camera, but what I heard is that it'll be around US$1400, which is merely $500 below the F5. IMO that is too small a price difference.

-- Shun Cheung (shun@worldnet.att.net), January 17, 1999.

Hello Shun, people often say F5 metering is superior to others, but in what mode(s)? Are they comparing the things in matrix, central weighted or spot? Because matrix may not be very useful to somebody like me. $5000 may not be a hugh price difference, but the weight and appetite (battery concern) of F5 really makes it like a monster.

-- Eric Ung (ung@chevalier.net), January 17, 1999.

I don't konw if the RGB metering would be my main reason for prefering the F5 to the F100; however, the 100% finder, full MLU, faster advance, etc. clearly make the F5 a better camera. Besides, the F5 has been out for two years now, they've worked most of the bugs out (battery issues, etc.) and it is clearly the flagship camera of Nikon's line. The F100 does not compare to the F5 in the same way that the N90 compared to the F4 (the N90 introduced "D" technology and a clearly superior AF system). Except for some minor improvements to the finder display, there are no real advances in the F100's design --although it is superior to the N90s.

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), January 17, 1999.

Thanks for your informative replies. I probably should have mentioned that I would be purchasing the camera primarily for nature and wildlife photography.

-- Robert J. Basar (yugobob@aol.com), January 17, 1999.

The weight differences between the two cameras may be an issue for you. OTOH, if you plan on hiking through the wilderness with a large telphoto and decent tripod, the weight differences between the F100 and the F5 might not really matter.

If I wanted a really light weight rugged Nikon camera, I'd try to hunt down an FM2T (fully manual SLR with in a titanium shell).

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), January 17, 1999.

I think most people get into this kind of dilemma because they don't have any specific need for any of the models. In other words, they often don't know what they need or want.

In my case, I would definitely get F100 over F5 (or even EOS 3) just because it has WIDER-spread focusing points. I know this feature will vastly improve one of MY major tasks.

The RGB meter of F5 is one of the "marketing strategy" feature that makes a small difference in complex lighting/subject situations, but if you "often" detect improvements because of this feature then you should get F5. Yes, this can be determined only by YOUR experiments.

I'd like to recommend you to look for something more than the RGB metering in the body selection. If you don't find out what you really need, you'll never get satisfied with either one due to the fact that F5 is the top-of-the-line, yet F100 is equipped with more recent technologies.

Nikon never puts all the eggs in one basket 'cause they want you to buy as many models as possible. Be a wise shopper.

-- Stanley Chung (ssennamja@aol.com), January 18, 1999.

Talking about price differences: in many European countries the price difference between F5 and F 100 will be way over 1000 US$.

-- Ivan Verschoote (ivan.verschoote@rug.ac.be2), January 18, 1999.

To answer Eric's question, David Middleton and John Shaw were comparing the matrix metering modes between the F4 and F5. According to Middleton, there is no difference between center weight or spot. However, the matrix mode in the F5 is smart enough to adjust for some situations such as snow on the ground, for example.

-- Shun Cheung (shun@worldnet.att.net), January 18, 1999.

Stanley, the F100 and the F5 have the same AF sensor module and the same spacing between sensors. The F100 looks to be a very nice addtion to the Nikon line, but it contains no new technology compared to the F5.

-- Danny Weber (danny_weber@compuserve.com), January 18, 1999.

Danny, The F5 has RGB matrix metering and the 100 does not. I just don't know how significant that difference is in the real world.

-- Robert J. Basar (yugobob@aol.com), January 18, 1999.

'IF' is one of the wonders of the world. We cannot live without IF. I had a short affair with F5 (Just 36 exps) and almost fell in love with it but for its price and weight. F100 with most of F5 features and the same fast AF at affordable an price of around $1000 will realy tempt me to buy one. I am using FM2N & F90x. AF of F90x has its limitation when it comes to my latest passion of taking photographs of motorsports.

IMHO IF there is no ceiling on price you could buy the equipment that is needed for the job and to satisfy your ego and get access to some places. I made the above statement because sometimes when I carry F90x with MB10, 80-200 2.8 and SB26 immediate recognition as a photograher is forced upon you by the crowd controllers.

-- Anil.N.S (anilns@hotmail.com), January 19, 1999.

How significant is the RGB meter? Guess it is nice feature. However, seeing that no other camera has an RGB meter, it would say more than 99% of the pictures you see are taken without RGB meter, ... seems that it is not that important.

Or another argument, RGB metering gives you no new opportunities, it's only doing a few things better or reliable.

I would not mind to have an RGB meter, but I never wanted to carry a 1.4kg camera with 8 batteries, therefore the F100 is more attractive to me. But I have a rather new F90X.

-- siegfried boes (boes@first.gmd.de), January 19, 1999.

I like to have F5 As you see the price of F100 is about 1300$ plus we may have to buy optional battery pack and data back -would cost 3-400$ more- would be 1500 to 1700$ total which is not that cheap then F5.

But what if all F100 package is under 1300$ sure I will go to F100

-- Don KIM (cc002224@mindspring.com), January 22, 1999.

I buy cameras to make money with. If a feature does not translate into more revenue then I do not care about. The difference between how much faster a lense focuses over another does prevent me from taking photographs I can sell. I do not care if focusing is subsonic or supersonic. Auto focusing technology in general is fast enough. One thing that does make a difference is focus tracking. Focus tracking has significantly increased my yeilds. I will not buy a camera that does not have this feature. The RGB meter on my F5 makes me money. My exposures are consistantly better then my competition. My market share has increased because of my RGB metering system. I will not buy a camera that does not duplicate or exceed the F5 exposure system. I was thinking about buying several F100s for backup. I have decided instead to order two more F5 cameras.

-- Stephen Willard (willard@lvld.hp.com), February 19, 1999.