Nikon F4 User Manual

linstruction Manuali

FOREWORD

NOMENCLATURE ............................................................... 5-12

OPERATION ...................................................................... 13-27

MOUNTING THE LENS INSTALLING BATTERIES CHECKING BATTERY POWER

LOADING FILM .................................................................. 20-21

FUNCTION SETTING SHOOTING REWINDING FILM

CONTROLS IN DETAIL...................................................... 28-78

FILM SPEED DIAL ............................................................. 28-29

Using DX-Coded Film .......................................................... 28

Manual Film Speed Setting

FILM ADVANCE MODES .................................................. 30-31

Mode Selection

FOCUS MODES.................................................................. 32-43

Manual Focus with Electronic Range Finder Manual Focus Using Clear Matte Field

Autofocus.............................................................................. 35

Autofocus Operation ....................................................... 35-36

Focus Tracking................................................................ 37-38

Taking Pictures with Main Subject Off-Center

Special Focusing Situations ................................................ 41

Autofocus with Optional Autofocus Speedlights

Freeze Focus ....................................................................... 43

EXPOSURE METERING SYSTEMS.................................. 44-47

Matrix Metering .................................................................... 44

Center-Weighted Metering Spot Metering Metering System Selection

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14-17 17-19

23-25 26-27

39-41

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32-33

45 45

46-47

EXPOSURE MODES

Manual Exposure Mode................................................... 48-50

Programmed Auto Exposure Modes

Shutter-Priority Auto Exposure Mode ............................. 54-56

Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure Mode............................ 57-58

Stop-Down Exposure Metering ............................................ 59

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION

In Automatic Exposure Modes

AE-L (Auto Exposure Lock) Button ................................ 60-61

Exposure Compensation Dial ......................................... 62-63

In Manual Exposure Mode Auto Exposure Bracketing

SHUTTER SPEED DIAL

B Setting................................................................................ 67

T Setting................................................................................ 68

X Setting................................................................................ 68

DEPTH-OF-FIELD PREVIEW BUTTON

METER COUPLING LEVER .................................................... 70

MIRROR LOCKUP LEVER ..................................................... 71

SELF-TIMER ............................................................................ 72

MULTIPLE EXPOSURE LEVER ALTERNATIVE SHUTTER RELEASE BUTTON

SYNC TERMINAL..................................................................... 75

VIEWFINDER ILLUMINATOR SWITCH................................... 75

MULTI-METER FINDER DP-20

Diopter Adjustment Knob ..................................................... 77

Eyepiece Shutter Lever

Exposure Compensation Dial for Interchangeable

Focusing Screens

Accessory Shoe

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48-59

51-53

60-66 60-62

64-65

67-68

76-78

78 78

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY................................................... 79-85

Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash In Each Exposure Mode . . 80-81

Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash.................................................... 82

Center-Weighted Fill-Flash Rear-Curtain Sync Flash Photography

Multiple Flash Photography.................................................. 85

LENSES ............................................................................. 86-87

Lens Compatibility Chart

ACCESSORIES ............................................................... 88-101

INTERCHANGEABLE VIEWFINDERS .............................. 88-89

INTERCHANGEABLE FOCUSING SCREENS

Focusing Screen Selector Guide

POWER SOURCES ................................................................ 92

OPTIONAL SPEEDLIGHTS OPTIONAL CAMERA BACKS

VIEWING ACCESSORIES ................................................. 96-97

CLOSE-UP ACCESSORIES............................................... 98-99

REMOTE CONTROL ACCESSORIES

CAMERA CARE TIPS

NOTES ON BATTERIES ............................................... 104-105

SPECIFICATIONS

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82-83

86-87

90-91

94-95

100-101

102-103

106-109

FOREWORD

Thank you for purchasing the F4. We’re sure it wiii make photography more exciting and

rewarding than ever.

With a weaith of exciting new features, the Nikon F4 is designed to be as up to date as you are in your approach to photography. Uitra-fast autofocus, versatiie Matrix Metering,

Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash, an unprecedented fast shutter speed of 1/8000 sec. and flash sync speed of 1/250 sec., top film advance speed of 5.7 fps, are just the beginning of

what you’ll discover in this ergonomically designed camera. At the same time, the F4

retains compatibility with virtually all Nikon lenses present and past, and a great many of the accessories and attachments that make the Nikon System the most comprehensive in all 35mm SLR photography. We would like to think that the F4 is not only the fruit of Nikon’s commitment to perfec tion, but is also Nikon’s joint creation with everyone committed to fine photography,

including yourself. Get to know your F4, but before using it, be sure to read this manual thoroughly.

*For F4 series cameras, Nikon offers two versions - Nikon F4s with High Speed Battery Pack

MB-21 containing six AA-type batteries, and Nikon F4 with Battery Pack MB-20 containing four /VA-type batteries.

NOMENCLATURE

CPU contacts

Aperture coupling lever

Self-timer indicator LED

Mirror lockup lever

Depth-of-field preview button AF-L/AE-L simultaneous lock

lever

AE-L button

AF-L button

AF coupling

Tripod socket

Reflex mirror

Aperture direct-readout window

Film advance mode index

Film speed dial lock release

Film rewind crank

Film rewind knob

Alert LED

Shutter speed dial

Film rewind lever (R1)

Shutter release button

(R2) lock button

Film take-up spool

Film sprocket

Multi-Meter Finder DP-20

Accessory shoe

Eyepiece shutter lever

Viewfinder eyepiece

LCD illumination window

(finder side)

Metering system selector

Compensation value scale window

Shutter speed/metering system index

Diopter adjustment knob

Exposure compensation dial

for focusing screens

VIEWFINDER INFORMATION

ADR (Aperture Direct-Readout)

Focus indicators

Flash ready-light signal

Exposure compensation indicator

Note: This illustration shows all possible display

for referenoe only. During camera use, the actual display will vary, depending on mode.

12mm-dia. reference circle

5mm-dia. reference circle

Aperture (P/S), A(A) No indication (M)

AE-iock indicator

Metering system

Shutter speed

■a«/» □ 0 C _ ÈDL E GIG -D BC

AW G G G O - ■ -K- -O

P(P) No indication (S/A/M)

S(S) No indication (P/A/M)

Electronic analog display (M) No indication (P/S/A)

High Speed Battery Pack MB-21

Grip portion (MB-21G)

Shutter release button lock lever

Shutter release button

Shutter lock index

Grip release lever

Battery chamber

Mounting screw

LED indicators

Guide pin

Battery check button

Battery holder (MS-21)

Bottom portion (MB-21B)

Remote terminal

Tripod socket

Nl-Cdl

1—

LR el

Battery selector

Lock screw

Battery Pack MB-20

Release lever

Battery chamber

Lens (AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4)

Infrared compensation index

Focusing ring

Distance scale window

Depth-of-field indicators

Aperture ring

Meter coupling ridge

CPU contacts

Distance/aperture index

Distance scaie

Minimum aperture lock

Aperture scaie

Aperture-direct-readout scaie

OPERATION

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MOUNTING THE LENS

Remove body cap and front and rear lens caps.

See page 86 for Nikon lens compatibility chart.

Twist lens counterclockwise until it

securely locks into place, make sure not

to touch lens release button.

To remove

To remove lens, press and hold lens release button and turn

lens clockwise.

INSTALLING BATTERIES

With High Speed Battery Pack MB-21

Remove grip (MB-21G) by rotating grip reiease lever counterclockwise (to (g ),

Remove battery holder (IvlS-21) from bottom portion (MB-21 B).

Install three AA-type alkaline-manganese or NiCd batteries with terminals positioned as shown inside battery holder.

Install three AA-type alkaline-manga nese or NiCd batteries with terminals positioned as shown inside grip. Then set the battery selector inside grip to “LR6’' for alkaline-manganese batteries, or to “Ni-Cd” for NiCd batteries.

•When changing batteries, it is not necessary to remove base from camera body.

Slide battery holder back into base until it locks into place.

Attach grip to camera body and turn release lever clockwise until it stops.

• To remove base from camera body, rotate lock screw coun terclockwise using a coin.

•To attach base to camera body, align mounting screw and guide pin with camera's tripod socket and guide hole, then rotate lock screw clockwise with your fingers. (Do not use a coin, screwdriver etc.)

With Battery Pack MB-20

©^©

Rotate battery pack release lever counterclockwise (to g), and remove battery pack.

Attach battery pack to camera body and turn release lever clockwise until it stops.

Install four AA-type alkaline-manganese batteries with terminals positioned as shown inside battery pack,

Batteries with a "-I-’’ terminal that exceeds 6mm in diameter cannot be used.

At temperatures around 20°C (68°F), AA-type alkaline-manga nese batteries give the highest overall performance, including faster advance rates and a greater number of rolls of film. At lower temperatures, however, the perfor mance of alkaline-manganese batteries deteriorates. For shooting at low temperatures, it is advised that you use NiCd batteries. (See table on page 108).

CHECKING BATTERY POWER

With High Speed Battery Pack MB-21

Push the battery check button. If both LEDs light up, power is sufficient.

You can also check batteries by contirming that the viewfinder LCD is on, in the same manner as when using the MB-20 (see

next page).

If only one LED comes on, replace batteries.

If neifher LED lights up, batteries are exhausted or improperly loaded.

With Battery Pack MB-20

To switch camera on: while pressing

lock release, turn film advance mode selector from L (lock) position to S, Ch,

Cl, Cs or Ci) ■

If it turns off immediately after you remove your finger from the button, replace batteries.

Next, lightly press the shutter release button and confirm viewfinder LCD appears. LCD stays on for approx, 16 sec. after you take your finger off button. This indicates sufficient battery power.

If the shutter does not operate and display does not appear in the viewfinder, batteries are exhausted or improperly loaded.

• The batteries operate both auto focus function and camera

motor; when operation becomes noticeably slower, change batteries.

•To conserve battery power when

not using the camera, be sure to turn film advance mode selector to L.

LOADING FILM

With DX-coded film, while pressing lock release, set film speed index at DX.

Í ^

«Usable film speed range for 1

DX-coded film is ISO 25 to 5000. I

«With non-DX-coded film, set to 1

j appropriate film speed from ISO

6 to 6400. For details on film speed setting, see page 28.

1_____________________^

While sliding camera back lock lever, lift film rewind knob. The camera back will

pop open.

Insert film cartridge.

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• Do not touch shutter curtains with your finger or wifh film

leader.

• To avoid fogging film (especially high-ISO film), do nof load/

unload film in direct sunlight.

____________________________

Pull film leader across to red film index mark.

Check to ensure film is properly posi tioned with no slack, and close camera back.

Fully depress shutter release button; film automatically advances to frame 1.

P0D

During film loading, shutter does not operate, helping save on battery power. Additionally, the F4 uses a minimum length of film leader, so you can expect to get a full 36 exposures and, often, even more.

FUNCTION SETTING

Focus mode:

Set focus mode selector to M (Manual Focus), S (Single Servo Autofocus) or C (Continuous Servo Autofocus). For details on focus mode, see page 32.

Exposure mode:

Set exposure mode selector to M (Manual), Ph (Fligh-Speed

Programmed Auto), P (Programmed Auto), S (Shutter-Priority

Auto) or A (Aperture-Priority Auto).

For detaiis on exposure modes and viewfinder LCD, see page 48.

+ 151 hidden pages

Nikon F4 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

NOMENCLATURE

OPERATION

MOUNTING THE LENS

INSTALLING BATTERIES

With High Speed Battery Pack MB-21

With Battery Pack MB-20

With Battery Pack MB-20

LOADING FILM

FUNCTION SETTING