Nikon F4s
The Nikon F4s is a professional 35mm SLR introduced in 1988, paired with the MB-21 battery grip that takes six AA cells and lifts frame rate above the base F4 configuration. It was Nikon's first professional body to integrate autofocus with the F mount, positioned at launch as the flagship reporter and studio camera succeeding the F3.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the F4s have ranged from around £94 to £320, with a median close to £170 — a reminder that these are wholesale saleroom results rather than dealer retail figures. In 2026 clean, fully working examples with an uncracked grip and functioning meter sell for the upper end of that band, while bodies with sticky shutters or tired electronics are what the F4s is worth at the lower end. Cosmetic wear on the professional-grade finish rarely moves the price much; electronic health does.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: June 2026
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| Jun 2026 | £262 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 89) Title: A Nikon F4S 35mm SLR Camera & a Nikon MF-23 Multi-Control Back
Description:
black, serial no. 2541476, body VG-E, shutter working, with Nikon MF-23 Multi-Control back, in VG-E condition, camera with strap, Nikon F4 branded (Qty: 1) |
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| May 2025 | £320 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 137) Title: A Nikon F4s SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Nikon F4s SLR Camera Body, serial no 2488761, shutter working, meter working, self timer working, responsive in settings, body VG-E, with manual, |
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| Nov 2023 | £212 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 161) Title: A Nikon F4s 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, 1988-97, serial no.2601171, with an AF Nikkor f/1.8 50mm lens and MB-21 battery grip, shutter working, viewfinder clear, LCDs correct, body |
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| Jun 2023 | £150 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 82) Title: A Nikon F4s 35mm SLR Body
Description:
black, 1988-1996, serial no.2213695, with DP-20 prism and MB-21 battery grip, body VG, shutter untested |
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| Apr 2023 | £138 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 74) Title: A Nikon F4S SLR Body
Description:
black, 1988, serial no.2188398, including MB21 battery base, untested, body F-G, with instruction manual, body cap, 1989 purchase receipt and |
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| Mar 2023 | £188 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 63) Title: A Nikon F4s 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, 1988, serial no. 2314177, with an AF Nikkor f/1.8D 50mm lens and box, a MB-21 battery holder and Multi Control Back MF-23, shutter untested, |
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| Mar 2023 | £94 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 88) Title: A Nikon F4s SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial no. 2180223, body, F, untested |
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| Nov 2022 | £500 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 147) Title: A Nikon F4s SLR Camera
Description:
1988, black, serial no. 2180223, with Nikon AF Nikkor f/1.8 85mm lens, black, serial no. 207146, body, G, shutter working, lens, VG, some light |
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| Oct 2022 | £175 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 163) Title: A Nikon F4s SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 2135584, with a Nikon AF Nikkor f/1.8 50mm lens, serial no. 3042027, shutter not tested, body VG, lens VG |
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| Apr 2019 | £252 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 296) Title: A Nikon F4s SLR Body
Description:
1988-, black, serial no. 2225838, body, VG-E, shutter not tested, in maker's box |
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| May 2013 | EUR 14,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10604) Title: Nikon F4s "NASA" Still Picture with Electrophysics Astro Scope Night Vision Module
Description:
original camera used by NASA, serial no.2466856 with data back, NASA inventory stickers with typical NASA numbers 'P/N SED33104056-302' and '1034', with night vision adapter 'Nikon Camera Image Intensifier' no.16453 with NASA property and inventory stickers with typical NASA numbers 'SED33107778-305 S/N 5006 w/CIU' and 'SED33107778-705 S/N 5006 w/o CIU' (and NASA tag, electric unit missing) with matching Nikon AF Nikkor 2.8/28mm with NASA numbers 'P/N SED33104058-301' and 'S/N 1010' (with flight records, flown on STS-59, STS-80 and STS-84, caps) Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_13894) Title: Nikon F4s 'NASA' Still Picture
Description:
original camera used by NASA, serial no.2467994 with data back, NASA inventors stickers with typical NASA numbers: P/N SED33104056-302 and 1034, matching Nikon AF Nikkor 3.3-4.5/24-50mm no.270815 with NASA numbers P/N SED33104495-301 and S/N 2001, both with inventory stickers, cap Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 1,600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11894) Title: Nikon F4s NASA Still Picture
Description:
rare original NASA camera body with correct NASA inverntory numbers and serial numbers, used on the Space Shuttle Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Nikon F4s worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £94 and £320, with a median around £170 depending on cosmetic and electronic condition.
How much does a Nikon F4s sell for at auction?
A typical working body sells for about £140–£190 at UK saleroom level, with the cleanest examples reaching the low £300s.
Is the F4s more valuable than the plain F4?
The F4s price is driven more by condition than by configuration, though the MB-21 grip makes the package more useful for buyers wanting the full 5.7fps drive.
Are Nikon F4s cameras still serviceable?
Nikon no longer services the F4 line, but independent UK and European repairers handle shutter, AF and LCD issues, which is worth factoring into the value of any example you buy.