Nikon F100 repair & common faults
Excellent coverageThe Nikon F100, launched in 1999, was Nikon's second-tier professional 35mm SLR, built as a lighter, cheaper companion to the F5 and sharing much of its autofocus and metering technology. It runs on a fast vertical-travel electronic shutter and the same autofocus module as the F5, with 3D Matrix metering when paired with D or G-series lenses. Power comes from four AA cells, or CR123A cells with the optional grip.
Aperture-priority, shutter-priority and program autoexposure · Nikon vertical-travel metal-bladed electronic shutter, 1/8000 to 30 s · Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module · 3D Matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering · 4 × AA or 2 × CR123A with grip · Nikon F mount
Common Nikon F100 faults
Nikon F100 grip feels sticky or tacky
The rubberised armour panels on F100 bodies of this age often turn tacky or sticky to the touch, sometimes leaving residue on hands or storage bags. It's a breakdown of the rubber compound itself, not a sign of any mechanical or electrical fault, and it has no effect on metering, autofocus or shutter operation. It's a cosmetic and handling issue only.
Nikon F100 LCD screen is blank or fading
The top and rear LCD panels rely on a thin fluid layer that can deteriorate with age, showing up as missing segments, patchy contrast or a panel gone dark entirely. It doesn't affect the meter or shutter underneath, only your ability to read settings. Confirm the battery isn't flat first, but a genuinely faded panel points to the display itself, not the electronics behind it.
Nikon F100 shutter won't fire
A body that won't fire usually comes down to power delivery rather than the shutter itself, the F100 draws from four AA cells through the grip's contacts, and corrosion or a weak spring contact there is a common culprit. It can also mean the mirror has stalled mid-cycle or the shutter release circuit has failed. Check the battery contacts and try fresh cells first.
Nikon F100 autofocus hunting or meter reading wrong
The autofocus module and the matrix metering system share sensor and contact circuitry that can drift or read erratically as contacts oxidise or components age, showing up as AF hunting in good light or exposures that swing between frames. It's rarely the lens at fault when the same behaviour shows across several lenses. Worth ruling out a low or ageing battery before assuming the module itself is at fault.
Nikon F100 film advance or rewind not working
Motorised transport that stalls, jams or won't rewind usually points to wear in the drive train or a sensor that's lost track of sprocket position, rather than anything the user has done wrong. It can also follow from a film cartridge seated slightly off or a back that isn't fully latched. Check the back is closed and latched properly before assuming a transport fault.
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Try it now ›Scatto is a reference tool for people who service film cameras. It explains mechanisms and quotes service data, but it cannot see your camera at the bench, so verify anything load-bearing before you act on it.