Photography: Nikon F5

Everything Falls Apart.

Over the last year and a half, I have become interested in 35mm film photography, starting with some cameras my late grandfather gifted me. In that time, I shot over 100 rolls of film, most using manual-focus lenses. I have come to enjoy the slower, more methodical pace of using manual-focus lenses and considering the best settings to get a good exposure without seeing a preview of the eventual image (unlike digital photography). Most of these rolls of film have been taken on a Nikon F2 (1971) and an F3 (1980), two of Nikon’s professional film cameras. I started to appreciate their excellent build quality, handling, and extensive line of lenses dating back to 1959. Having tried a few other cameras from Nikon’s professional line, I became interested in the Nikon F5, Nikon’s last widely used film camera before digital took over. Released in 1996 with the tagline of "Imported from the future," the camera was incredibly advanced, with a design that defined Nikon’s cameras to this day. The camera is even featured in the film The Lost World: Jurassic Park. The camera is easy to find on eBay for around $300, so I thought it would be fun to get one and try it out, knowing it could use all of my Nikkor manual focus lenses, alongside newer autofocus Nikon lenses. I found a mint copy of the camera from Japan and have been taking miniature photos with it, and wanted to share some!

The Nikon F5 in all of its glory!

A Sister of Sigmar. Nikon F5, ILFORD Delta 100.

Deathwing Terminator painted by Kari Hernesniemi. Nikon F5, Tmax 400.

Sisters of Sigmar. Nikon F5, ILFORD Delta 100.

From left to right: Nikon F3 (1980), Nikon FM2N (1983), and Nikon F5 (1996).

Witch Hunter created by Ana Polanšćak. Nikon F5, ILFORD Delta 100.

The Church of the Gyro Choir, created by Nicky Grillet. Nikon F5, Tmax 400.

Sister of Sigmar Augur. Nikon F5, ILFORD Delta 100.

- Eric Wier