The Nikon F5 is a very popular camera among serious amateur photographers.
The Nikon F5 is a 35mm film camera, the last designed by Nikon for professional use by news and sports photographers. Since production has been discontinued, the Nikon F5 has found popularity among amateur photographers due to film's picture quality. Many still consider the Nikon F5 to be one of the highest quality and most durable cameras ever made. Although the functions are the same as any camera, an understanding of the Nikon F5's specifications can enhance final picture quality.
Color Matrix Meter
Nikon's color matrix meter, introduced in 1983 as the Automatic Multi-Pattern (AMP) metering system, allows Nikon cameras to measure exposure as well as light, creating the perfect picture texture. Proper metering adjust the camera's flash and shutter speed to take the perfect picture for whatever situation you're in.
Many aren't familiar with the fact that cameras affect very little of the final quality of any picture, and what they do control is regulated by metering. Metering measures the light reflected off of a subject, which affects the color brightness of the final picture. Many cameras use basic metering, such as center-weighted or spot, which only focus on one aspect of the picture. Nikon's metering technology utilizes a matrix of different segments, allowing the camera to adjust its settings accordingly for the entire picture. Unlike other Nikon cameras, the F5 maintains metering ability even while using manual lenses. Because of the color matrix meter, the Nikon F5 can take even better photos using high quality film than less expensive cameras can.
Speed
The internal motors of the Nikon F5 are still some of the fastest on the market, and allow very competitive shutter and autofocus speed. The Nikon F5 supports a frame rate of eight frames per second, and in order to accomplish this, the camera uses a powerful motor to make precise, rapid adjustments to the autofocus. The Nikon F5 can also support AF-S lenses, or lenses that are able to focus without using any internal focusing system found in the camera. The motors also contribute to quicker shutter speeds, which can prevent the blurriness from pictures taken of moving targets. Because of the high motor speeds, it is recommended that you do not use cheap lenses, as the motor can damage them significantly.
Durability
The Nikon F5's durability is another benefit that is highly touted by amateur photographers using the camera. Because the Nikon F5 was designed for professional use, many of the parts that are made of low grade plastic on other cameras are designed with sturdy, high grade plastic or metal in the F5. The Nikon F5 is durable enough that it is one of the few cameras to be used officially by NASA for use in orbit. There are incredibly few reports of a Nikon F5 breaking when being used properly, and the camera itself can withstand a variety of situations, like falls or other accidents, that would shatter other cameras. This doesn't apply to lenses, however, which can be very brittle. The only drawback to the durability of the Nikon F5 is the total weight, which exceeds 2 1/2 pounds.
Developing 35mm Film
Many hobbyists enjoy the time they take to develop their own film, and when developed properly, the quality of the final picture is greatly enhanced. When a camera snaps a picture, it's actually letting light react with silver halide crystals found in the film. This light reaction imprints a picture negative on the film. When this film comes into contact with a special developing solution, the silver crystals harden, leaving behind a fixed picture.
For precise information on develop your 35mm film, it is recommended that you seek advice from a professional photographer or a hobbyist shop that specializes in photography. For basic black-and-white picture developing, you will need a room that can be completely blacked out, a lightproof developing tank, liquid developer, liquid fixer, clothesline, film clips and water.
When you are in your makeshift dark room, remove the film from the camera and load it onto the adjustable reels in the developing tank. Once loaded, pre-soak the film by pouring water in the top of the tank, let sit for one minute and then pour it out. Then pour your developing solution into the tank and let it sit for ten minutes, shaking the tank for a few seconds every minute to make sure the solution comes into contact with all of the film. Pour out the developer, and then pour more water in. This works as a stop bath which causes the chemical reaction of the developer to cease. Pour out the water and pour in the fixing solution, which will sit for about ten minutes. Again, agitate the tank every minute to make sure the solution touches all of the film. Pour out the fixer, then add water and agitate the tank to make sure that all of the solution has been washed off the film, and then pour out the water. Remove the film from the tank, taking it off the reel so that nothing, especially fingers, comes into contact with the film. Clip the photos to the clothes line with the film clips and let sit for four to eight hours.
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