Nikon

F4

Produced 1988–Nikon F4 family

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The Nikon F4 is a 35mm SLR camera. The Nikon F4 was introduced in 1988. The Nikon F4 is Nikon’s first professional autofocus SLR.^[1]^[2]^[3]

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Produced

1988–

Optics

Nikon F-mount^[4]

What it is

The Nikon F4 is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera body with Nikon F-mount compatibility.^[2]^[5]

The Nikon F4 was introduced in 1988.^[1]^[6]

How it works

The Nikon F4 uses autofocus with a phase-detection system and supports both single and continuous focusing operation.^[2]^[1]

The Nikon F4 supports matrix, center-weighted, and spot metering, and it provides manual, program, aperture-priority, and shutter-priority exposure modes.^[2]^[1]

Applications

The Nikon F4 supports flash photography, including multiple flash photography and rear-curtain sync.^[5]^[2]

The Nikon F4 supports close-up accessories and remote control accessories.^[5]

Why won't it start?

Documented failure modes, common issues, and field considerations.

The Nikon F4 is described as not being the most reliable camera on the market.
The Nikon F4 is described as slower and less reliable autofocus than some later cameras.
The Nikon F4 is described as having a narrow autofocus area.
The Nikon F4 is described as not supporting Nikon's iTTL system.

What do the numbers mean?

Optics & imaging6

Lens mount: Nikon F-mount^[4]3 sources
Exposure modes: M, P, Ph, A, S^[2]
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, approx. 100% coverage^[1]
Lens mount: Nikon F-mount (screw-drive AF coupler)^[2]
Viewfinder magnification: 0.7x^[2]
Viewfinder magnification: around 0.7x^[2]

Dimensions & facilities5

Metering modes: Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot^[2]2 sources
Weight (body only, F4 with MB-20): approx. 1,090 g^[1]
Dimensions (F4 with MB-20): 169 x 118 x 77 mm^[1]
TTL metering modes: Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot^[2]
Weight: around 1,200g^[2]

Configuration & options23

Format: 35mm format^[4]
Format: 35mm SLR^[2]
Introduction year: 1988^[1]2 sources
Autofocus: First professional Nikon AF SLR^[1]
AF point count: Single AF-point^[2]
Shutter speed range: 30'' to 1/8000s^[2]
Flash synchronization: 1/250^[2]
Film advance rate: 4 to 5 frames per second^[2]
Battery requirement: 4 to 8 AA cells depending on model^[2]
Autofocus type: Single AF point (phase detection); Single Servo and Continuous Servo modes^[5]
Shutter speed range: 30 – 1/8000 s, Bulb^[5]
Flash sync speed: 1/250 s^[5]
Film speed range: ISO 6 – 6400 (manual); DX-coded film ISO 25 – 5000^[5]
Frame rate (with MB-21): 4 to 5 frames per second^[2]
Power source (F4 with MB-20): Four AA-type alkaline batteries^[5]
Viewfinder coverage: approx. 100%^[1]
Type: 35mm SLR^[2]
AF system: Single AF-point (phase detection)^[2]
Frame rate: 4 to 5 frames per second^[2]
Shutter speed range: 30'' to 1/8000^[2]
Power: Requires 4 to 8 AA cells depending on the model^[2]
Viewfinder coverage: approximately 100%^[2]
Model variants: F4, F4S, F4E^[1]

Vintage & configurations

1988Production start^[1]
The Nikon F4 was introduced in 1988.

Documented models & variants

Designation	Generation	Vintage	Changes	Source
F4S	—	1988	High-Speed Battery Pack MB-21 variant; one source identifies it as the F4S model and gives its battery pack as six AA-type alkaline or NiCd batteries.	culturedkiwi.com^[1]
F4E	—	1988	Multi-Power High-Speed Battery Pack MB-23 variant; one source gives its battery supply as six AA-type alkaline or NiCd batteries, or NiCd Battery Unit MN-20.	culturedkiwi.com^[1]
F4	—	1988	Base model with MB-20 battery pack variant shown in the source.	culturedkiwi.com^[1]

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Not publicly documented

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Frequently asked questions

What type of camera is the Nikon F4?

The Nikon F4 is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera. The Nikon F4 is Nikon’s first professional autofocus SLR.^[2]^[1]^[6]

What lens mount does the Nikon F4 use?

The Nikon F4 uses the Nikon F-mount.^[2]^[1]^[4]

What autofocus arrangement does the Nikon F4 use?

The Nikon F4 uses a single phase-detection autofocus point. The Nikon F4 supports single and continuous autofocus.^[2]^[1]

What metering modes does the Nikon F4 support?

The Nikon F4 supports matrix, center-weighted, and spot metering.^[2]^[1]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the F4 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

The control-system platform and OS era of the F4 are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
The process node or technology generation of the F4 is not on record.
Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report
No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the F4 are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer
No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the F4 are on record.
Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist