Just got my hands on a new camera...

[vbgagnon]

Like the title says, I just got my hands on a Nikon model "F". I have no idea how to use cameras that are not just point and shoot, it also has a flash.

Has anybody ever seen/used one of these? Any tips for a noob? This thing looks like nothing I have ever seen and have no clue how to use it. HELP!!

 

[Rolex]

This is 35mm and not digital, correct? Did you get other lenses with it?

 

[vbgagnon]

yeah its a 35mm I only have the one lens for now...Now if I knew how to use it I'd be ahead of the game!

 

[Rolex]

When you look through the viewfinder, do you get a red LED readout? F stops and shutter speed. Normally it's fully automatic, but you can change it to aperature priority or shutter priority to adjust the lighting or depth of field to your preference. It's not their top of the line, but any camera made by Nikon is excellent.
I've always had Minolta cameras, but I'm pretty sure that the Nikon F is the same model a friend of mine has.
By the way, what did you pay for it?

 

[vbgagnon]

Its an older camera, and its my father in law's. He doesn't use it and I figured it would be cool to play with.

It doesn't have a display in the viewfinder, I can't even find a place to put batteries in it. I'm at work now, but when I get home I'll post some pics of it. It looks like it will be some fun, and dad says that it takes great pics. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

 

[Rolex]

Look on the bottom of the camera body. There should be a round plug with a curved indented slot that a coin would fit into. Open that plug and you'll find a button battery. If it hasn't been used in a while, it's probably dead. If you don't see a needle (light meter) in the viewfinder, then it would be a digital readout. Both types need a battery.

 

[vbgagnon]

I found what your talking about, and the batt is dead. Gonna pick one up tomorrow.

 

[Plaidfish]

35mm is still the best for pics...you know the old saying "the best digital is trying to be analog"......however I found the cost of developing now is ridiculous...I have 45 rolls inmy fridge waiting to be developed.....I stopped using my cameras when I lost touch w/ friends in the photo shops.....I'm getting a new digital (hopefully) this week...trading a bunch of canon 35mm equipment for a sony F828......you should get a book on photography...you'll be surprised at what you can do w/ a good film camera