AUTOFOCUS 35MM SLR

NIKON F100
Best Suited For Advanced Amateur, Professional SIGNIFICANCE: Known among photo enthusiasts as the F5 lite, the Nikon F100 provides much of the cutting-edge performance of the flagship Nikon F5, but in a smaller, lighter, simpler, more affordable package. The F100 is also a brilliant successor to the Nikon N90S, a more professionally oriented model incorporating the latest advances in autofocus technology, a more sophisticated metering system, and more traditional user-friendly controls. Not surprisingly, it has been a resounding success in terms of sales. FEATURES: The most notable technological advance incorporated into the F100 is undoubtedly its 5-zone autofocus system, which is virtually identical to the state-of-the-art system built into the F5. In fact, it goes the F5 one small point betterwhen you activate a single AF zone, the F100s nder indications light up in red. You can select single servo AF with focus-priority, or continuous servo AF with release priority. While not quite as cutting edge as the F5s 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix system, the F100s 10-zone sensor, which provides evaluaFinder shows five selectable AF zones that flash red when selected individually and double as spotmetering areas. LCD readouts appear below bright, contrasty screen include focus-OK, manual-metering scale, exposure compensation, frame number, and ash ready/OK, all displayed in highly visible yellow-green on black. Lockable meter-pattern selector has settings for center -weighted and spot readings plus 3D Matrix metering.
Capability Convenience Features Overall
Sub-command dial sets bracketing, 20 custom functions, can be programmed to set other functions. Similar main control dial on back (not shown) sets exposure and ash modes. Both are well placed and ergonomically designed.
tive 3D Matrix metering plus centerweighted and spotmetering, is a denite advance over the eight-zone system found in the N90S. Though the F100s almost all-metal chassis is technically a hybrid, this mostly cast-magnesium inner structure is incredibly light, extremely strong, and commendably rigid. Twenty custom functions certainly enhance the cameras operational exibility and allow it to be easily set to accommodate the users individual preferences. CAPABILITY: With its extremely fast and reliable AF system, outstanding autoexposure system, precise shutter speeds, and a very bright, contrasty viewnder, this cameras basic performance parameters are at or near the top of its class in all areas. Off-the-lm TTL autoash via a ve-segment sensor provides balanced and variable ll ash with dedicated units. CONVENIENCE: Superb balance and excellent handling are two of the F100s most attractive and valued features. The camera ts your hands better than any previous Nikon SLR we can think of, and the placement of all controls is outstanding. The main and sub control dials can be easily operated by thumb and forefinger respectively, with your finger Five-segment flash sensor off-the-film TTL perched on the comfortably angled shutter readings. Sync-selecting button has normal slow-sync settings. release, and all other controls are logically designed, clearly labeled, and within easy reach. Electronic pushbuttons are used Film-advance sparingly and only where such controls mode selector has make the most sense, as in setting custom settings for single shot, high-(4.5 functions or enabling autobracketing or fps) and lowautoash settings. speed (3 fps) conWith its nearly perfect design and executinuous, self-timer, and multi-expotion, the Nikon F100 is a splendid camera sure modes.up to that perhaps succeeds better than any previ5 fps. ous Nikon in bridging the gap between professional and advanced amateur users. It This handy 10-contact is a ruggedly handsome machine that comterminal lets you attach bines a high level of technical sophistication a wide range of cords with well-placed, intuitive, user-friendly and remote-control devices, including controls and rst-rate ergonomics.

Photo Secretary II.

Main features of Nikons agship F5 are built into the F100s very sturdy, mostly metal body, which is smaller, lighter, handier, more affordable, and has simplied controls.
FOCUSING: AF or manual, single shot (focus or release priority)
or continuous (release priority). Five-zone wide-array sensor module provides three horizontally arrayed cross-eld sensors plus two vertically placed linear sensors; dynamic autoswitching with focus tracking lock-on. LENSES: Nikkor AF, AF-S (with internal focusing motors), and AF D lenses in Nikon F bayonet mount; most manual-focusing Nikkors usable with some restrictions. EXPOSURE SYSTEM: User-shiftable program, shutter- and aperture- priority, and metered manual modes; 10-segment sensor provides evaluative 3D Matrix metering with D-type lenses plus centerweighted (75 percent of sensitivity in 12-mm center circle), and spotmetering (4-mm center circle). Sensitivity (at ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens) EV 0 to EV 21 in all modes except EV 3 to 21 in spotmetering mode; 5 EV exposure compensation; autobracketing to 1 EV. VIEWFINDER: Noninterchangeable eye-level prism shows 96 percent of picture area; full-focusing, standard interchangeable screen has illuminated AF zone indications plus centerweighted metering
circle. Illuminated LCD panel below viewing area shows focus-OK circle, meter pattern icon, shutter speed, aperture, exposure mode in use, frame counter, ash ready/OK symbol, exposure compensation in use, and manual-metering scale when needed. FLASH: Five-segment sensor in mirror chamber measures preash from 18-percent gray shutter curtain and from lm surface during exposure with dedicated ash units and D-type lenses. With specic Nikon Speedlights, provides balanced and variable ll ash depending on subject placement and distance; 301/250 sec slow-speed sync, 1/601/250 sec normal sync. OTHER FEATURES: Framing rate of 4.5 fps with alkaline cells, 5 fps with Multi-Power High Speed Battery Pack MB-15, or silent lowspeed (to 3 fps) advance with all battery types, provision for midroll rewind, cable switch, infrared release, accepts AC-2WE Photo Secretary II providing datalinks and camera control via computer. APPROX. STREET PRICE: $1,000.

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POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY/DECEMBER 2001