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 F-401 (known as the N4004 in North America) is a consumer-grade autofocus 35mm SLR introduced in 1987, following the F-301 (1985) and sitting below the F-501 (N2020) in Nikon's consumer lineup. It introduced Nikon's matrix metering to the entry-level tier and added autofocus capability, using an in-body AF motor to drive AF Nikkor lenses. The body is constructed primarily from polycarbonate, substantially lighter than the earlier all-metal consumer bodies. It accepts the full range of AI, AI-S, and AF Nikkor lenses on the standard F mount. The F-401 was sold through mass-market retailers and positioned as a family/enthusiast camera.
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
Nikon's consumer autofocus SLR of the late 1980s - accessible F-mount AF for everyday photographers.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Years | 1987–~1994 |
| Shutter | 1s – 1/2000s + B, electronic vertical metal focal-plane |
| Flash sync | 1/100s |
| Meter | Multi-pattern matrix metering |
| Modes | Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, Manual |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism, ~92% coverage |
| Battery | 4x AA |
| Weight | ~480 g |
| Autofocus | In-body motor, single and continuous AF |
The F-401 followed the F-301 (1985, N2000 in the US), which had motorized film advance but no autofocus. By 1987 Canon's EOS 650 had demonstrated that autofocus SLRs were the future of consumer photography, and Nikon responded across its lineup. The F-401/N4004 brought matrix metering and AF to the lowest price tier of the Nikon F-mount system; its successor the F-401s (N4004s) added a modest AF speed improvement. The body's polycarbonate construction marked a deliberate shift toward lighter, more plastic consumer bodies that contrasted sharply with the all-metal Nikkormat and FM/FE lineages. The F-401 was widely sold as a kit with the AF 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 zoom.
The F-401 is significant primarily as a stepping stone: it brought AF and matrix metering to first-time SLR buyers within the Nikon ecosystem, and its F-mount compatibility meant the lenses purchased with it were usable decades later on FM3a, F6, or even modern Nikon DSLRs. For collectors and shooters today, it represents the least expensive entry point into the AF Nikkor lens ecosystem on film. The camera itself is utilitarian rather than iconic, but it did its job - introducing a generation of photographers to the Nikon system.
Nikon F mount. AF Nikkor lenses with the in-body motor screw-drive coupling are required for autofocus; AI-S lenses work in manual focus with full metering. AF 50mm f/1.8 and 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 were the most common kit pairings. The built-in pop-up flash covers basic fill duty. Compatible with Nikon SB-series speedlights via the hot shoe.
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.
View profile →Nikon F-401
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