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> I recently purchased a Nikon FA system (my long camera search is
>over, thanks to those who responded to my earlier "which camera to buy"
>questions).
Nice camera! I like my two FA's, though it took a few years after they
were introduced for me to appreciate them.....
> Anyway, I have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer:
>1) The camera came with a Tokina push-pull 80-200 f-4.5 zoom. The lens
>is multi-coated, takes 55-mm filters and is macro capable. The mounting
>flange says "N/AI" but the flange has the AI notch and the AIS scoop on
>it (so I think its an AIS lens). Anyway, does anyone know if this is a
>good lens, or should I make a new zoom one of my first upgrades
>(sometime in the not too near future). I took some pictures this past
>weekend and they looked sharp and well balanced.
You are the best judge of quality for your purposes - sounds like
the lens is fine, at least for now.
>2) I have noticed on the standard lens (Nikor 50mm 1.4 AI) that if you
>look into it in strong light there seems to be dust inside the lens
>(though it does not affect picture quality). my questions are: 1) how
>did it get there, 2)should I be concerned about it; and 3) is there any
>way to clean it.
This is common, and not a concern unless there is a ton of junk in
there. There should be no optical ill effects from the presence of
even a considerable amount of dust, especially if it is dark-colored.
>3) The camera did not come with a flash, the manual says it takeseither
>a SB-15, SB-16B, or SB-18. Are these the only Nikon flashes that the
>camera will automatically work with. Also, can anyone reccomend a cheap
>(Sunpack, vivitar) flash that is compatible.
It will work with any Nikon TTL shoe flash, and Nikon has put out many excellent (if pricey) flashes since the ones named were current.
Inexpensive Vivitar or Sunpak Nikon-TTL compatible flashes should be fine, also.
>4) How well does the AMP system work (I think it is a primitive matrix
>metering system), or would I be better off relying on conventional
>center-weighted metering.
I refuse to surrender control of exposure to the whimsical algorithms
built into AMP/Matrix/etc. systems - manual center-weighted mode works
fine, with a little thought about what you are aiming the meter at....
>Thanks for any information
>John Tsai
You're welcome!
Hope This Helps