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	Introduction
	Why all the excitement
	Not really that heavy
	The true meaning of ergonomics
»	The controls
	The command dials
	The small nuances
	The incredible shutter
	The auto focus and focus tracking
	The exposure metering system
	The power packs
	The lenses
	Why it remains an interesting alternative

The controls on the F4 are very easy to understand even without the manual.
 

Close view from the top of the Nikon F4s; motor drive advance mode set at 'S' for single frame, program mode in 'M' for manual, '0' for no exposure compensation. .

Very self explanatory, speeds from 4 seconds to 1/8000 of a second and 1/250 sec flash sync; 'B' for Bulb, 'T' for Time (long) exposures, 'X' for 1/125 sec flash sync are possible under Manual and Shutter Priority auto exposure.  It soon becomes evident, when looking thru the viewfinder, that when the camera is in 'P' (normal Program) or in 'A' (Aperture priority) modes, the shutter operates stepless from 30 seconds to 1/8000 of a second.
Mirror Lockup lever for critical vibration prone photography. It is there for use with long and/or heavy super telephotos or in microphotography.  To activate, the DOF preview button is depressed and the lever is turned counterclockwise until it locks up and stops.
A neat feature is the viewfinder illuminator, it's switch is under the shutter speed dial at the front of the camera. Great to have when it gets dark. It gets activated setting the switch on and lightly pressing the shutter release button. This fully illuminates the viewfinder display. It switches off automatically as the viewfinder display disappears.
The film does not advance when the shutter is released if this lever is pushed out as shown. This allows for two exposures to be made on the same frame. To make more than two exposures, one just has to push it out for each additional exposure since it gets reset automatically after one shot.  This I specially appreciate since I could very easily forget to reset it.