sooo.. help me decide (f4s content)

going to purchase an f4s soon, but cannot decide between two offers.
#1 Nikon f4s with 50mm 1.8 af but auto focus does not work (strange, even though i do not plan on autofocusing) -$320

#2 Nikon f4s body only that has been professionally serviced (The mirror foam has been replaced, and the outfit has also been cleaned, lubed and adjusted) , -$275

both of the f4s are in 24k serial number range, cant find a 25k


what bothers me is what kind of event would cause an f4s autofocus system to stop working? and why would a nikon f4s body need services, ive heard these things are tank like and rarely need service

Well......if someone offered me a camera with an AF that didn't work, I wouldn't even consider it, no matter the price. So given the choices you list, I'd go for the one that was professionally serviced and everything works. And "rarely" doesn't mean "never". Consider it beneficial that it WAS serviced. Everything mechanical is subject to wear and eventually WILL need service.

Even a tank needs an oil change every so often I had a Pentax 35mm and the AF went on that twice, otherwise a great camera. I would go for the serviced camera, I would think that you would be able to get a 50mm f1.8 lens for the price difference. If the AF has broken I would have to wonder why? was it dropped and what else is lurking around the corner.

Good luck

thanks guys, ill not even consider the non AF working one. what do you guys think of an f4s selling for $295? fully serviced w/ 90 day warranty ?

Koolaid said:

thanks guys, ill not even consider the non AF working one. what do you guys think of an f4s selling for $295? fully serviced w/ 90 day warranty ?

Click to expand...

OK....look at it this way: for $295 you get a warranty of 90 days, right? Divide the $295 by 90 = $3.28 a day. Not a bad price at all for peace of mind.

Of the two, I would not touch the one with non-working AF. Actually. I would not get either. $275-$320 is high for an F4/s, you can get an F5 for that price.

If you don't plan on using AF consider a F2 or F3. You can almost steal a F3 nowadays.

Eye-level said:

If you don't plan on using AF consider a F2 or F3. You can almost steal a F3 nowadays.

Click to expand...

well even with my d3000 i dont us af since im using af era lens, so im just so used to manual now days, i feel more in touch with the camera in mf anyways. f3s are really nice but i see them always priced at around $300 for a good conditioned one

I never click off enough pictures to merit AF despite having terrible eyesight...LOL

I use a F2 exclusively with a eyelevel finder...100% FOV clear and bright...a must for MF IMO...my FE and other cameras suck compared to my F2 when it comes to the finder. The F3 High Point has always intrigued me because of the reputation of it's viewfinder.

I don't know much about the later F series rigs...

Someday if I can ever get my hands on a D700 I will still be a MF only guy...that is just how I roll...

#1 - I think we all agree that you can forget about this one. Dunno why anyone would want to purchase a broken camera, unless the price was a steal and you could get it fixed cheaply. That doesn't seem to be the case here.

#2 - $275 seems to be a fair price. I'd see if they would accept $250, as that seems to be the median price on eBay for an F4. Some of that extra is likely going to help pay for the recent servicing, which I think is reasonable. I would still take it in and have it looked over by a shop just to make sure everything is in good working order if you do end up buying it.