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 FA Gold (1984) is a limited-production commemorative variant of the Nikon FA, released to mark Nikon's 50th anniversary. The camera is mechanically and electronically identical to the standard FA: it shares the same Automatic Multi-Pattern metering system, the same electronic vertical titanium shutter (1s to 1/4000s, 1/250s flash sync), and the same four-mode exposure control (aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, manual). The distinction is entirely cosmetic: the body top plate, bottom plate, and trim are gold-plated, and the camera is presented in special packaging. A matching gold-plated version of the 50mm f/1.4 AI-S Nikkor was issued alongside it. Production numbers were small and primarily destined for the Japanese domestic market and gift use.
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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Before you buy used
About this camera
Gold-plated commemorative FA produced for Nikon's 50th anniversary - identical specification, dramatically different finish.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Nikon F (AI-S for full modes) |
| Years | 1984 (limited run) |
| Shutter | 1s - 1/4000s + B, electronic titanium vertical focal-plane |
| Flash sync | X: 1/250s |
| Meter | AMP (5-segment multi-pattern) + center-weighted + spot TTL |
| Modes | Aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, manual |
| Viewfinder | 93% coverage, 0.86x |
| Battery | 2x AA (1/250s mechanical fallback) |
| Weight | ~ (same as FA, plating adds negligible mass) |
Nikon was founded in 1917. In 1984 - marking the 50th year of Nikon camera production (counting from 1934, the founding of the optical instrument division that produced the first Nikon cameras) - the company issued a small run of commemorative bodies. The FA was chosen as the platform because it was the current technological flagship of the consumer line: the first camera with multi-pattern metering, and the most feature-complete non-professional body Nikon made. The gold plating and presentation packaging were consistent with a tradition of commemorative and presentation-grade cameras that Nikon maintained throughout the 1970s and 1980s (the F2 Titan, later the F3 Limited, FM2/T). The FA Gold was sold as a set with the matching 50mm f/1.4 AI-S in gold finish.
The FA Gold occupies a narrow collector niche: it is mechanically a standard FA - usable and serviceable - but its cosmetic finish and provenance push it well above standard FA pricing. The gold plating is durable enough for display but will show wear if used regularly. Most surviving examples are in collector-grade condition.
For photographers, the standard FA is the more practical choice. For collectors focused on Nikon commemorative variants, the FA Gold completes a set alongside the F3 Limited (1994) and other presentation-grade bodies. The matched 50mm f/1.4 AI-S in gold finish makes a visually coherent set and commands a premium when found intact.
Lens mount is standard Nikon F. AI-S lenses engage all four exposure modes and AMP metering. The camera was sold with a matching gold-finished 50mm f/1.4 AI-S Nikkor as the standard kit. Any AI or AI-S Nikkor functions; non-AI lenses require modification. The MD-15 motor drive is compatible (standard FA specification).
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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