INTRODUCTION
The Nikon F100 was release at the end of year 1998. Originally thought to be a design to retire the old but reliable Nikon F90X, but eventually it entered the Nikon SLR camera line-up in between the flagship Nikon F5 and the Nikon F90X.
Ever since it was launched, there are already a few members in my photography clubs who own the Nikon F100. The selling price of the Nikon F100 in Singapore is rather high, about $1100.
BUILD
The Nikon F100 has a very sturdy and strong body. One hold on the camera and it will give you the impression that it deserved the professional tag and she will not fall apart easily.
The knobs and buttons are all located properly for ease of use. And also with the shape of the body, and with the well-designed handgrip, shooting in both vertical and horizontal position proved to be easy and sturdy.
Weighing about 785 grams with the basic body only, it is definitely a heavy beast. With the battery pack on, it will weigh close to a kg. Carrying the whole unit around can be rather tiring for some, especially if you have the battery pack on.
LENS
The Nikon F100 used the old and reliable Nikon F mount, and it accepts the whole range of very high quality lenses from the Nikkor Lens range (both AF and MF) as well as a wide range of good quality third party lenses maker like the popular low cost Sigma, Tokina, Tamron... etc.
The Nikon F100 readily accept D-Type Nikkor lenses (Autofocus and all functions possible), AF Nikkor other than D-type (All functions except 3D Matrix Metering possible), AI-P Nikkor (All functions except 3D Matrix Metering and Autofocus possible) and Non-CPU (Usable in Aperture-Priority Auto or Manual exposure mode. Center-Weighted or Spot Metering. Electronic Rangefinder usable with lens with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster)
To achieve high picture quality and most important, sharpness, I would not recommend users of the high quality F100 to partner the camera with any of the third party lens maker as none of this cheap lenses maker is comparable to the original Nikkor lenses.
FOCUSING
The Nikon F100 provides both Auto Focus and Manual Focus mode.
In the Manual Focusing mode, the focusing ring on the body is turned till the image through the viewfinder is clear and sharp. The Manual Focusing mode comes with electronic rangefinder.
In the Auto Focusing mode, it offered 2 choices, namely,
01) Single Servo AF
02) Continuous Servo AF
The Nikon F100 uses TTL phase detection, Nikon Multi-CAM 1300 Autofocus model with a detection range of EV -1 to EV 19 (ISO 100 at normal temperature)
The Nikon F100 has 5 focusing area, which can be switched between Single Area AF and Dynamic AF (Dynamic AF Mode with Closest Subject Priority is available)
EXPOSURE
The Nikon F100 offers 3 types of metering systems, namely,
01) 3D Matrix
02) Centre Weighted
03) Spot
It has a metering range of EV 0 to 21 for matrix and centre-weighted and EV 3 to 21 for spot metering.
The Nikon F100 offers 4 Advance Exposure Modes, as in
01) Program
02) Shutter Priority
03) Aperture Priority
04) Manual
It does not provide Vari-Programs as found in the cheaper model. Take note that the Nikon F100 is designed for professional or serious photographers, the Vari-Programs will be redundant for such users.
QUALITY TEST
The Nikon F100 is not the simplest SLR camera to use in the market. A careful study of the manual is needed to fully understand the functions of the camera. After purchasing the Nikon F100, I spend the whole night reading through the manual to learn about the camera. Together with the Nikon F100 on hand, it is very easy to understand what the manual is explaining.
The layout of the camera is much improved over the Nikon F90X that it is intended to replace. All the buttons and knobs found on the camera is clearly marked and identified. But you will need to go through the manual to understand the symbols found on the body. From the experience from my neighbour, he seems to be able to understand and use the camera easily, therefore I believe it should pose not much of a problem for most users after the improvement Nikon has make to the Nikon F100.
The Nikon F100 offers a range of shutter speed from 1/8000s to 30s, plus bulb. This is a fantastic range of speed offered for professional SLR. Virtually every type of situations can be recorded provided the correct type of film is used. For many applications, you will seldom have any chance to go faster than 1/4000s.
Coming next is the Auto Focus modes, it comes with Single Servo AF and Continuous Servo AF. I do most of the shots with Single Servo AF. Focusing is very fast and easy, pictures taken on the night were all well focused and sharp. The use of Continuous Servo AF is also very promising, because of the actions on the nights, I have to switch to this mode to capture fast actions. Unlike some other models, the Nikon F100 did not disappoint me with its fast and accurate Continuous Servo AF. With the fast actions of the skateboarders, not even a shots was miss-focused. This clearly showed the great focusing capability of the Nikon F100.
The only metering system I used during my test is the 3D Matrix Metering system, I did not try the Centre Weighted and Spot Metering mode, and so I cannot comment about them. The pictures taken with the 3D Matrix Metering were all very well exposed. Even for tricky backlighting or side lighting, the picture remains well metered. One of the back lit shot was equally well exposed, although I though it would turn out bad.
One very good feature is the fast film advance speed of 4.5 fps. I used it numerous times during the night to capture fast actions shots. All the shots taken are all kept sharp and in focus, and exposure is equally good. From all the stunts produced by the skateboarders, the actions were frozen over the continuous shootings, and effects are excellent.
The only disappointment I have with the standard Nikon F90X is the unavailability of Multiple Exposure capability. Although it can be provided with the use of a different film back, it also means an additional expenditure.
The Nikon F100 provides Multiple Exposure capability that the Nikon F90X do not. Using the function twice during the test shots proved to be easy and good. Self-exposure compensation need to be caters for during multiple exposures.
The Nikon F100 also provides 22 custom functions that can be customised to suit personal requirement.
SUMMARY
The Nikon F100 is so far one of the best professional SLR camera in the world. It offers superb features normally found on the higher model. In fact, we all know it is actually a reduced Nikon F5 in a smaller body.
With the introduction of Nikon F100 into the market between the flagship Nikon F5, and the aged Nikon F90X as well as the mid-range high capability N80, it will pose the biggest threat to the Nikon F90X.
If financially is all right, the Nikon F100 should be on the purchase list.