C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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The Nikon F5 50th Anniversary Edition (1998) is a cosmetically distinguished variant of the standard Nikon F5, produced to mark fifty years of Nikon camera production (Nikon's first camera, the Nikon I, was introduced in 1948). The body is mechanically and electronically identical to the production F5: the same 1,005-pixel RGB matrix meter, Multi-CAM 1300 5-point autofocus, 8 frames per second, and Kevlar-carbon electronic vertical shutter rated to 150,000 cycles. The distinguishing feature is an engraved commemorative plate - typically mounted on the top plate or front body panel - bearing the anniversary designation and a limited-edition serial number. Finish is otherwise standard F5 magnesium-alloy with black body covering.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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About this camera
The flagship F5 dressed for a golden jubilee - engraved commemorative plate, full professional specification, produced in limited numbers for 1998.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Year | 1998 (limited production) |
| Shutter | 30s - 1/8000s + Bulb, electronic vertical Kevlar-carbon |
| Flash sync | 1/250s |
| Meter | TTL 1005-pixel RGB matrix, EV 0-20 |
| AF | Multi-CAM 1300, 5-point |
| Frame rate | 8 fps |
| Weight | ~1,210 g (identical to standard F5) |
| Battery | 8x AA (integrated grip) |
| Special features | Engraved commemorative plate, numbered edition |
Nikon introduced the F5 in July 1996 as the fifth generation of its professional F-series flagship. Two years into the F5's production run, 1998 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Nikon's first production camera, the 1948 Nikon I. To commemorate the milestone, Nikon produced a limited run of F5 bodies with engraved anniversary identification. This was consistent with Nikon's tradition of releasing commemorative or edition variants of professional bodies - the Nikon FA Gold (1984), Nikon F3 Limited (1994), and later Nikon FM2 Titan all followed similar logic. The 50th Anniversary F5 was offered to the Japanese domestic market and through select international Nikon dealers; it was not widely available in all regions.
The standard F5 remained in production until 2004, when the Nikon F6 succeeded it. The 50th Anniversary edition did not affect or delay that timeline; it was a parallel collector's release.
For collectors, the 50th Anniversary F5 sits at an interesting intersection: it carries full pro-grade specifications - the best AF system and the first RGB matrix meter of any film SLR - in a numbered edition body. Unlike some commemorative cameras that represent downgraded or simplified versions of a flagship, the F5 50th retains every specification of the working press camera, making it both a functional professional tool and a collectible. In 2026 the used market for standard F5 bodies has settled in the $350-700 range; clean 50th Anniversary examples with box and documentation command a noticeable premium, typically $800-1,800 depending on condition and completeness.
The body also documents a specific moment in Nikon history: 1998 was the midpoint of the film-to-digital transition, and the F5 was the camera carrying the wire-service photographers through it. A 50th Anniversary edition from that year is simultaneously a retrospective celebration and an artefact of the last great era of professional 35mm film photography.
Identical to the standard F5. Full Nikon F-mount compatibility with AI, AI-S, AF-D, AF-S, and AF-G lenses. Pre-AI lenses cannot be mounted (no flip-up tab). AF-G lenses work with body-side aperture control. Recommended pairings: AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D, AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D, AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D. Data backs: MF-26, MF-27, MF-28. Flash: SB-28, SB-800 for full TTL. Interchangeable finders: DA-30 high-eyepoint, DP-30 standard, DH-30 waist-level sport. All F5-compatible accessories function normally on the 50th Anniversary body.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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