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Monochrome Massif A Resource Site for Philippines-based Photography   [03 June 2003]   New toy: Nikon F5. Finally got it!!!! This thing is quite amazing. I haven't even passed a roll through it, and I'm already amazed. Despite the heft, it feels good in my hand. The grip is just the right size for my relatively small hands. It's nice and chunky. And it's FAST. In every aspect when compared to the F60, F70, and F80. The first time I took a shot, I wondered if the film advanced because it recycles for the next shot in about the same time it takes the F70 to recycle the shutter (after which it still has to advance the film!). I stuck my ancient 80-200mm (non-D) f/2.8 on it, and for the first time it focuses fast enough to use on live subjects. :) Aaaah. It's quite sweet. I'm still trying to learn the layout of the buttons (there are so many of them!). But I should have most of them second nature by the end of today. :) In addition to the heft of this monster, there's only one last drawback--if my pictures still suck, I no longer have any excuse! For those who are curious, the F5 is an old beat-up second hand primary camera for the pro who shot my wedding. There should be no problem with the electronics or the shutter (since it auto-calibrates after every shot). The grip is peeling off... but I figure I can fix that myself or at the worst bring it back to Nikon and have them replace it. I bought it for Php35,000 in cash. Not bad. Not a once-in-a-lifetime bargain, but not bad at all. Wheeee!!!! posted on 8:26 AM         Copyright 2003 Taj Deluria. All rights reserved.