Nikon F-401
The Nikon F- 401 ( in North America called N4004 ) is a small SLR Nippon Kogaku ( Nikon 1988 ). She appeared in 1987 as a third auto focus SLR (after F3 AF and F- 501).
The F -401 was the first Nikon that took advantage of the aperture control possibilities of AF Nikkor lenses. Only the actual aperture closure is mechanically transmitted. With lenses of the type AI and AIs, the metering is off. This procedure has taken over later for all SLR cameras in this price range Nikon.
The Nikon F -401 is designed primarily for use with automatic program. Aperture and aperture priority are available but lack of display of the automatically selected parameter hardly be used sensibly. A manual exposure mode is possible.
Matrix metering of the Nikon FA 1983 was taken up in a very simplified form, it uses only two instead of five measurement fields.
For the first time in a Nikon the complete exposure control, and the aperture, exclusively from the camera is off, the aperture ring must remain locked. The setting of shutter speed and aperture is carried out with two small dials on the top of the camera. This design means that the F -401 the oldest Nikon is associated with the later published lenses without aperture ring ( G-type) is fully compatible in terms of exposure modes.
The Auto Focus (AF ) is limited by damaligem Standard at a central horizontally disposed line sensor. As with the F -501, the AF motor built into the camera. In contrast to the F- 501, F -401 can not control the built-in AF motor for the Nikkor AF F3. It is also possible with the later published Nikkor lenses with built-in AF motor (AF -I and AF -S) no autofocus function.
For the first time the function of the date imprinting has not been realized by a available as an accessory data back, but a special variant as an F- 401 QD offered for this.
1989 F -401 by the almost identical successor model F- 401s ( N4004S ) was replaced. Here, in the first place, a locking option for the time and Blendeneinstellräder was introduced. Furthermore, the AF sensor has been replaced by an improved design and amplifies the AF motor. The version with built-in data back is called F- 401s QD or QD N4004s.
The third version released in 1991, the F- 401X ( N5005 ). It is a completely new design, which is linked only in the arrangement of the controls and functions of the previous models. The autofocus is able to achieve focus tracking. The exposure was converted to a five- field matrix measurement.
By choosing to add a built-in flash with this camera, we faced the problem that the external visibility of the ' Nikon Logos' was omitted from the front. It was decided, therefore, the manufacturer's name in big gray embossing ( eg, F - 401s, 1989) to be placed on the inner part of the battery compartment handle. A compromise when you consider that the lettering is obscured by the photographer's hand when he uses the camera. A unique, as far as the camera design from Nikon. The design quote on the F3 with the pale red hyphen in different size runs today through to the D-series cameras ( DSLRs ). This hyphen bordered the model F3 from the non- leathered grip surface of the leather-covered body surface.
It should also be observed with this camera for almost all models detachment of the double-sided tape that holds the little plastic disc that is used to cover both the aperture and time setting wheel. The underlying spring that releases the lock to set values , pushes incessantly high this disc, so that in many older cameras the same is missing.