COMPUTER NETWORK INSIDE CAMERA

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One of the developmental requirement of the Nikon F4 is the highest image quality and accuracy. One of the most demanding task to fulfill was relating directly to exposure control and metering. The F4 has incorporated such a large computer system inside the camera which was one of the technical highlights with the camera although most of us may not even have the chance to witness the structures and amount of work involving with the design of the computer circuitry Unlike any of the previous automatic Nikon SLR cameras introduced prior to it, the F4 requires a more powerful computer network to process enormous volume of various data pertaining to exposure metering, focus detection and mechanical parts control to provide accurate and assuring results professionals expect. For an instance, just take the Matrix Metering alone, Nikon engineers have spent considerably years in perfect and immulating their own software that simulates a professional's know-how and at the time of its introduction of the Nikon F4 can easily be regarded as one camera that has the largest computer system ever built into a 35mm SLR camera - that kind of computing power designed to serve professional needs..

The Nikon F4 body alone has nine ICs including two 8-bit microcomputer and one 4-bit microcomputer. The Viewfinder section has four ICs including one 8-bit microcomputer. Autofocus operation is backed by a 200 high-sensitivity CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) for autofocus detection while a pair of Multi-Meter sensors detects scene brightness by dividing the scene into five segments, on the other hand, the Spot Meter sensor incorporated is just adjacent to Advanced AM200 optical block and the TTL sensor that positioned next to it, is facing backward to the film plane to monitor flash light exposure on the film. A BLOCK DIAPHRAGM FOR CAMERA OPERATION (111k) GIF FILE

Note: in comparison, the next generation pro Nikon F5's circuitry is even more complicated, with 3 x 16 bit, 1 x 8 bit and 1 x 4 bit microcomputer system as well as a larger ROM cpacity.

Lastly, the flash exposure level is automatically adjusted in Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash. So, all these essential functions and automatic features involve a great deal of computation and that is where the powerful system comes in - the scope includes instantly process various data pertaining to exposure metering, focus detection and mechanical parts control.

Body Section: Interface IC: IC in charge of motor drive and power control circuits. AF Microcomputer Unit: This 8-bit microcomputer with 16K-byte ROM and 256-byte RAM processes autofocus information while communicating with the lens microcomputer. AE IC: IC in charge of Spot Metering and TTL flash control. Multiplexer 1: Controls film advance motor and electrical power. Main Microcomputer Unit: The 8-bit main microcomputer unit with 8K-byte ROM (Read Only Memory) and 384-byte R.,\M (Random Access Memory) is in charge of sequence and exposure control,, as well as of data communication with other body microcomputers and with attached accessories such as a Nikon speedlight and data back. Multiplexer 2 Controls various data communications and command inputs via switches. EEPROM Memorizes adjusted data. AF Interface IC Trarif'ers focus information obtained from 200 CCDs to other circuits and controls autofocus motor. CCD Line Sensor Detects subject brightness distribution for focus detection Viewfinder Section (with standard Multi-Meter Prism) Finder CPU: 8-bit microcomputer with 4Kbyte ROM and 192-byte RAM processes Matrix Metering algorithms. Communicates with camera body's Main microcomputer unit. EEPROM: Memorizes adjusted data. AE IC Controls Matrix Metering and Center-Weighted Metering data. LCD Driver: Controls viewfinder LCD. A DIAPHRAGM ILLUSTRATION OF THE CPU IN NIKON F4 (998k) PDF FILE

The few main attractions of the Nikon F4 are also the most hungry for computing power to enable them be more accurate and efficient for professional usage. Among them, even a common Nikon offering such as Matrix may react differently in the F4 because it offers more features than standard Matrix Metering used in all other previous Nikon bodies (this is very similar to Nikon F5' s unique Color CCD Matrix sensors which was not available in any other Nikons.

Matrix Metering. Based on Nikon's original design for multi-segment metering, the F4's Matrix Metering System advances towards to professional applications rather than ameteuristic use. The F4's five-segment computer-controlled matrix system has more processing power. It can define more lighting/contrast conditions, especially for fill-flash photography. It can even sense the difference between horizontal and vertical composition, and adjusts metering algorithms accordingly. While virtually every other camera's metering systems require the subject to be positioned at the center, the F4's Matrix Meter can work with any scene in which the subject is off-center. In a way, technology such as Matrix embodies inside the F4 has streamlined an automated simulation process of a professional's technique for light metering and this has made photography more enjoyable while fulfilling professional obligations.

Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash. Fill flash is generally reserved for controlled conditions because for Manual operation, it can be very complicated. Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash enables balanced', correct exposure for both foreground subject and background, even in demanding, quick changing situations. Whatever the ambient brightness configuration, the F4 intelligently determines the appropriate exposure value and the TTL flash exposure level. The result is a pleasing, natural-looking effect. Harsh shadows are filled in and main subject details are brought out to the fore... without losing the correct background exposure. The F4's built-in computer automatically adjusts the camera's shutter speed and lens aperture to correspond to exposure requirements. And one of the main highlights in terms of fill flash pphotography offers in the F4 is, none other than backward compatibility. Because Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash metering actually works with all AF, Ai-S and Ai-Nikkor lenses and in fact, it also works with some manual focus Nikon flash units such as SB-16B, SB-15 etc. Naturally, you can simply pust pick any of your existing Nikon speedlight such as - SB-28 , SB-27, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24, SB-22, SB-20 or even the ultra-compact SB-23 and you can shoot this mode with your F4 in bright light, twilight or at night. Of course, if and when you wish, you retain full Manual control with the F4's host of overrides.

MULTI-METER SENSORS A pair of Multi-Meter SPD (Silicon Photo Diode) sensors located beside the viewfinder eyepiece lens detects scene brightness. Each sensor is segmented into three, with the center segment monitored by both sensors. In Matrix Metering, data obtained from the five-segment cells are used for computation; in Center-Weighted Metering, only the center-segment data is used to meter exposure. If you are not using either a Standard Prism DP-20 or Action Fnder DP-21 with your F4, only SPOT Metering is available with the remaining two standard production interchangeable finders in Waist Level and 6X Magnification Finder.

HYBRID MULTI-LAYER PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD Under the mirror box is a hard circuit board consisting of several layers of epoxy glass; printed circuits are sandwiched between these layers. The hard circuit board is routinely used in computers and other home electronics products, but the Nikon F4 marks the first time it has been incorporated into a 35mm camera. This contributes to a very high reliability. Credit: Image was scanned from a Nikon F4's Technical Manual.

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The Camera Body - Features | Reliability | Focusing | Metering | Exposure Control | Lense Compatibility | Interchangeable Prisms | Data Film Backs | Various Power Sources | Focusing Screens | Flash Photography | Other system accessories | Cases for Nikon F4 Series | Remote Control |

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Special Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

W A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lense, they cannot adjust aperture(s) when operating in manual exposure control even with certain earlier AF Nikon SLR camera models. Similarly, not ALL features provide in a modern AF-S series AF-Nikkor lenses can be utilized fully with a Nikon F4. Please refer to your local distributor for compatibility issue(s).

PLEASE NOTE: Complimentary links are appreciative but it is not necessary, I have limited bandwidth here in this server... So, PLEASE don't distribute this URL to any bulk mailing list or unrelated user-groups, just be a little considerate, thank you. (The more you distribute, the slower this server will response to your requests...). I am NOT a Nikon nor Nikkor expert, so don't send me any mails, use the Message Board Instead. While the content prepared herein should be adequate for anyone to understand and evaluate whether you should invest into a used Nikon F4 pro-camera system for your kind of photography. Well, IF you like what you have seen so far, please help to perfect this site by reporting any broken links or any errors made.

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Credit: Chuck Hester, US for his patience, encouragement and help to setup the various content in this site; Robert Johnson for some of his original images on the F2H-MD appeared in this site; my ex-staff, KiaSu for his superb 3-D logo appeared in this Nikon F2 site; Marc Vorgers from Holland who generously provide me with some of his images of F2AS; MCLau®, who has so much time with me to re-edit the content in this site and not to mention buying a Nikon Coolpix 990 just for this site; Paul Armstrong (pkared@ameritech.net) for his explantion of the FF2 Slidemagic and Nikon F2 Pin Camera Keat Photo, Kuala Lumpur for providing their Nikon F2A to take some images for this site; Mr Edward Ngoh the great camera collector who provides us his collection of F2AS with MD-2; hawkeye.photographic.com for their images on the Speed Magny film backs; Sean Cranor for his image on Nikon F2 25th Anniversary Model; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input on some of the early Nikon bodies; Genesis-Camera for granting permission to use an image of the SS-F2 camera; Mr Sover Wong, Australia for those great images of his rare F2 Gold;CYLeow ®, photo editor of the Star newspaper, Malaysia for some of his images used in this site. Ms Rissa Chan, Sales manager from Shriro Malaysia who has helped to provide some of the very useful input. HiuraShinsaku®, Nikomat ML, Japan for some of his images on various F2 models; my staff, Wati, Maisa, Mai and my nephew, EEWyn®, who volunteered and helping me did so many of the film scanning works; Hong-sien Kwee of Singapore for all the Nikon F2 Pin camera images appeared in this site; Luigi Crescenzi for many of his images on the Nikon F2 Titan; John for two of his images of the Nikon F2/T used in this site; Contributing photographers or resellers: Jen Siow, Foo KokKin, Arthur Teng, Mark Fallander, John Ishii, Ed Hassel, YoonKi Kim, Jean-Louis, M.Dugentas (Dell Corner.com.), Mr "Arsenall", Yang Zi Xiong and a few images mailed in from surfers with no appropriate reference to their origin. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Dedicated to KU Yeo, just to express our mutual regrets over the outcome of a recent corporate event. Made with an Apple IMac.