Nikon Multi-Power High Speed Battery Pack MB-23 (Nikon F4e)
A late inclusion for alternate power supply was a Nikon Multi-Power High Speed Battery Pack MB-23 which effectively termed the MB-23 powered Nikon F4 as a "Nikon F4e". Prior to its announcement, originally, everyone thought it was a new revised/improved version of a Nikon F4 but only to realized later it was an alternate power source unit. Somehow the battery pack has a rather "odd" design when mounted with a Nikon F4 - I personally feel the elegant look of the F4/MB-21 is gone.... but on a practical aspect, the Nikon F4e is by far the most flexible F4 in relation to its ability to adapt to various power sources.
 | The complete Nikon F4e system consists of unitized battery pack/hand grip assembly and one-piece battery tray MS-23 for AA-type alkaline or NiCd batteries, or optional NiCd Battery Unit MN-20. A remote terminal and the terminal for 250 exposures Bulk Film Multi-Control Back MF-24 are provided for the MB-23 as well as battery checker LEDs. Optional Quick Charger MH-20 can charge up to two MN-20 units sequentially, operate automatically with voltage from 100V to 240V Nikon.
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Specification for Multi-Power High Speed Battery Pack MB-23
| Also check Instruction Manual for MB-23 (Nikon F4e) section |
1. Usable Nikon camera(s): Nikon F4 Series, a standard equipment for F4e
2. Power source: Ni-Cd battery (MN-20) and/or AA-type alkaline-manganese battery (LR6 x 6) (using AA-type battery holder MS-23)
 | 3. Attaching to the Body: Attach the MB-23 to the body and secure it with tripod mounting screw (with lock screw) and grip release lever. Lock screw release-protective mechanism is provided. (Set to "release position' to release the protection.)
4. Vertical Position Shutter Release Button. Shutter release button lock lever provided |
5. Battery Check: LED indicators - Voltage at which LED indicators switch over (common to MB-21)
i) Two LEDs (light up) - One LED at 7.50 ± 0.05V
ii) One LED (lights up) - No LED at 6.94 ± 0.05V
Battery check level changes over according to cartridge identification switch.
* Alkaline-manganese batteries: When push button is pushed - LED 1&2 light up - Battery power sufficient; Only LED2 lights up - Battery power insufficient, but batteries can be used when one LED indicator lights up, even though the film does not advance at regular high film advance rates.
**Ni-Cd batteries: When push button is pushed - LED2 light up - Battery power sufficient; LED2 not light up - Battery power insufficient. In both power sources used, it is recommended to change the battery when no LED indicator lights up, even if the shutter release operation is not locked.
 | a. When using AA-type alkaline-manganese battery (LR6). When battery check button is depressed:
Two LEDs light up - Battery power is enough.
One LED lights Up - Replace batteries with fresh ones.
No LED lights up - Replace batteries with fresh ones. |
NOTE: MS-23 which takes more AA-batteries (6x-AA) than the 3x-AA MS-21 AA-Batteries Holder. Both are not compatible with another (MB-21/MB-23).
 | b. When using Ni-Cd battery (MN-20). When battery check button is depressed:
One LED lights up - Battery power is enough.
No LED lights up - Recharge batteries.
Note: *Two LED indicators may light up when loading Ni-Cd batteries immediately after they have been recharged. (This has nothing to do with battery checking.) |
 | 6. Battery Pack contacts
1) Shutter Prerelease signal. (2) Shutter release signal (3) Film advance signal (4) MF-24 mounting detection signal (5) Battery check signal (6) power source (7) GN1 |
7. Battery Contacts: Positive electrode 
(2) Negative electrode 
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| 8. MF-24 Terminal (1) Shutter prerelease signal (2) Shutter release signal (3) Film advance signal (4) MF-24 mounting detection signal (5) Power Source (6) GND 9. Remote Terminal (1) Remote signal (2) GNI) |
10. Number of 36-Exposure Film Rolls to be Taken (By driving the lense from infinity to the closest distance for each shot Lens: AF 35-70mm f/3.5 ~ f/4.5 at room temperature (20°C) and a shutter speed of 1/250 sec. or higher. Film advance mode: CH mode. AF mode: AF-C mode.
Battery Types | 20°C | -10°C |
AA-type alkaline-manganese battery (LR6) | Approx. 90 rolls | Approx. 15 rolls |
Ni-Cd battery (MN-20) | Approx. 150 rolls | Approx. 80 rolls |
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11. Notice on using MB-23 a. When using vertical position shutter release button: Set film advance mode selector to any mode other than L (lock), and Bet shutter release button lock lever to ON position (you can see red mark); b. When not using terminal for 250-exp. Multi-Control Back: Keep cap on the terminal (for moisture-protective measures); c. When not using remote terminal: Keep cap on the remote terminal (for moisture-protective measures); d. It is recommended that you use NiCd batteries (MN-20) for better performance of AA-type alkaline-manganese batteries stored in the holder at lower temperatures. Note* For better performance at low temperatures, keep them warm until they are actually used. If you want better performance and long extended shooting, try investing into a DB-6 external power pack. Nikon External Power Cord MC-28 is required to hook the DB-6 with MB-23.
12 . Ambient Temperature Rated performance guaranteed in the range of -10°C to 40°C. Normal operation in the range of -20°C. to -10°C. MB-23's battery checking is similar to MB-21 (refer to MB-21 section for power various level indicators). The socket/jack (concealed by the cover) is the terminal to connect the MB-23 to power the 250 exp. Bulk Film Back MF-24 (Note: the MF-23 Multi-Control Function back is powered by button cell).
Related Information/Accessories relating to Nikon F4e:
 | NICAD (NiCd) Battery Pack MN-20 Used with MB-23 Battery Pack, the MN-20's NiCad batteries are better suited than other batteries for cold-weather operation. Shoot approximately 80 rolls of 36 exposures at 14° F degree (-10°C). |  |
If NiCd is not used, there is a replacement battery holder for MB-23. Allows the use of 6 AA batteries. To avoid confusion with the MS-21 designed for the MB-21, here is the Nikon Product Number: 4640 NAS |
There is not all - here is one solution for the one who often has to work for extended hours in the cold ...
 |  | External Battery Pack DB-6 which is used for extended power usage - especially during prolonged or low-temperature shooting, the Nikon F4E can use with the DB-6, which uses six D-type batteries, as an alternative power source. The DB-6 supplies 9V DC current via Nikon External Power Cord MC-28 which has a terminal that slides right into the MB-23 (For use with DB-6 and MB-23 Connects external battery pack to camera.). All these options have their respective strength (and inconveniences in operation), budget and specification to fulfill individual requirements. |
 |  | Nikon Quick Charger MH-20 is specifically for the F4E camera. It is the exclusive charger for the NiCd battery unit MN-20 which is used with Nikon Multi-Power High Speed Battery Pack MB-23. With this new charger, recharging time for one NiCd battery is approx. 90 minutes (approx.. 180 minutes for two battery packs). I.e. It holds two MN-20 batteries and charges them one at a time in approximately three hours). |