What's so good about nikon F2?

[loneranger]

Originally Posted by Shac

$700 ?? KEH has a chrome F2 with DE1 EX+ for $465

I like the F2 b/c of it's build quality, the short film wind stroke, great handling etc. I also like the F's. All later models (F3 on) that didn't fit my hands as well

I think the DE1 is the monster prism, that is why it is cheap, relatively.

[redisburning]

Originally Posted by loneranger

I think the DE1 is the monster prism, that is why it is cheap, relatively.

incorrect, the de-1 is the plain prism.

[clayne]

Love all F, F2, and F3 bodies. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of these - with my preference biased towards the F2.

Originally Posted by PKR

Some of the bodies were a problem (Minolta). But, the lenses were among the best with Kodachrome. They rendered color better (to my taste) than anything Canon or Nikon produced. For b+w, the Contax lenses (Zeiss) were great as well.

Minolta had some decent bodies, not quite as pro as Nikon, but they definitely led in optical design.

[steveyork]

Originally Posted by PKR

Some of the bodies were a problem (Minolta). But, the lenses were among the best with Kodachrome. They rendered color better (to my taste) than anything Canon or Nikon produced. For b+w, the Contax lenses (Zeiss) were great as well.

The Leicaflex series (original SL, and SL2) predated the Minolta based R line (R3 to R7). All German designed from the ground up. Sherry Krauter, one of the well known Leica repair people, calls the Leicaflex SL 'the M3' or SLRs. Some bias in her comments, but the cameras were overbuilt. The Leicaflex series of cameras is similar to the Nikon F and F2. I think the pinnacle of mechanical cameras occurred around in that '65 to '74 time frame. Lots of good cameras. Then technology and plastic started taking over.

[dleyva2]

The F2 I recently purchased has started to grow on me fast. It is big, makes a lot more noise than other cameras, and attracts attention when you are using it. That being said, somehow it just flows smooth. Real smooth.

[JMQ]

Originally Posted by loneranger

I think the DE1 is the monster prism, that is why it is cheap, relatively.

The "monster" prism you are referring to is the DP-1 or DP-11. The plain prism is the DE-1.

Here are the camera models + the respective prisms

F2 photomic: F2 body + DP-1, takes all lenses with the rabbit ears
F2S: F2 body + DP-2. DP-2 has the LED
F2SB: F2 body + DP-3. DP-3 uses the silicon cells, and is quite rare
F2A: F2 body + DP-11, takes lenses that have been AI'ed
F2AS: F2+DP-12.

[DominikDUK]

The finder is not the brightest but it is superb and clutter free. I often compose for full frame and make my own enlargements. A 100% finder does make a difference. The F2 can also be used as Hammer. Still prefer my F to the F2. The Leicaflex is not bad either. The advantage of the F2 is that it can accept modern batteries and the mirror up doesn't result in losing a frame.

Dominik

[rbsinto]

I bought mine in 1988, a motorized body with a DP-1 finder.
Quickly swapped the DP-1 for a DP-12, and picked up a cheap ($35.00!!!) DE-1 finder as well, and have been using the body ever since.
Rugged and reliable with all the essential features, it's really all the camera God ever meant for me to have.

[clayne]

Dominic, the finder is not the brightest? It's quite bright with a decent lens on the body. F2 has one of the best viewfinders of the Fs in my opinion.

Other obvious advantage of the F2 is modern film loading.

[awilder]

I recently sold my F2A due to a lack of decent film processor in my area and moving on to digital. That said, the F2 was my favorite F series. Compared to the F3, the action of the all mechanical shutter release button allows you to determine almost exactly when the shutter will trip to fire at the decisive moment much like an M body. The F3's electromagnetic release and all that followed never gives you that tactile feedback, so predicting the moment of shutter release is difficult. The finder while not as bright as others is still very good however it has greater contrast than brighter screens from the competion making focusing more accurate. Also, the F2's viewfinder magnification is greater than high eyepoint finders (HP) that followed in the F3 and others making focusing more accurate.

[Shac]

Originally Posted by redisburning

incorrect, the de-1 is the plain prism.

Yup it is and I prefer them

[DominikDUK]

Clayne the finder is bright but I have cameras with brighter finders. I also prefer less bright finders since they are usually better for focussing. I love the F2 and I agree that modern Film loading is an advantage. I guess that I prefer the F mostly for sentimental reasons.

To the original Poster if you want to buy the F2 with the plain prism you might want to consider the plain F.

Dominik

[Calzone]

I find the F2 with DE-1 to be the brightest. On metered prisms part of the light is lost because of metering. Also particularly under low light conditions the extra magnification (80%) provides more contrast for easier focusing especially in dim lighting.

I find the difference to be about the same as when I compare my non HP finder against my HP finder on my F3.

When I compared the F3 with non HP finder against a F2 the F3 was slightly brighter, but when I replaced the F2's screen to a F3 screen the F2 had the edge and won even against the F3 with non HP finder. With a DE-1 all the light goes through the prism and none is funneled off to go to any metering circuit, also the extra magnification adds contrast for fast and easy focusing.

Not for everyone but a F2 with DE-1 is the most basic camera, and it is the apex in build quality for an all mechanical SLR. It compares well against a Leica M3 as far as build quality.

I will agree though that the shutter is mighty loud.

Cal

[victoriapio]

Originally Posted by victoriapio

cant go wrong with an F, F2 or F3. I used all three with motors during my PJ days and each one, IMHO, was an improvement over the prior model. Of all my years of shooting them, I had one shutter fail on an F. Never had to do anything to any of them other than that.

I did a lot of underwater photography with my Nikon Fs. I used Ocean Eye housings built for NationalGeographic photographers and designed originally by / or for Bates Littlehales. The Nikon F, with sports finder, and orginal motor combined with Ocean Eye housings with the wide angle dome, made UW photography a real joy long before the age of digital. I had 3 or 4 F bodies and again, other than one shutter going out - and repaired quickly by Precision Camera in Austin - all my UW shooting (except for Nikonos equipment) was done with this equipment. For the 15 odd years I did UW work I just never had any problems with the Fs.

[sevo]

Originally Posted by Calzone

I find the F2 with DE-1 to be the brightest. On metered prisms part of the light is lost because of metering.

The F2 generation finders don't have parasitical light taps in the visible areas of the mirror or screen like the F3 or F-1, but live on the stray light next to the eyepiece. So their meter actually does less to affect the brightness than that on the F3 - that the latter is brighter is due to the lower magnification of the most common HP prism and improvements to the prism, mirror and screen coatings and materials. And there isn't really a difference in brightness between DE and DP finders unless one or the other is dirty or its prism mirroring is failing.

[clayne]

Personally I just use an F with plain prism or F2 with plain or DP-1. I also have 3 F3s, 2 HP and 1 non-HP, along with some XE-7s and SR-T 101s. Theyre all good but I prefer the short advance and finder of the F2 the most, although the others are not bad by any mark (don't care for the SR-T long advance though).

Straight up golden age of SLRs.

[Contarama]

The all mechanical F2 with standard viewfinder is the reason I started getting into photography. Now I'm not such a great photographer but there is just something about the old tank that is to cool for school. It is heavy and it is loud and it is indestructible. Plus it is just a darn handsome camera. Personally I think the only camera as good or better is the M3 and I sure would like to have both in my kit...


F2 Eye-level by Contarama, on Flickr

[dave lackey]

I need a DE-1 for my F2.... or a DP-12.

[Contarama]

Right now there is a decent body and DE1 in black on the bay for 340 BIN...ad says there is something shaking in the finder...send it and a buck or so to Sover Wong and you are in for around 500...that is a good price for a helluva camera.

[Dfin]

Check out Sover Wong`s web site, he specializes in Nikon F2 repairs,from minor repairs too major overhauls. He also has some for sale. I have a couple of F2 Nikons both with metered heads,DP3&DP11,also have the DE1 prism. When it is fitted,it makes for a small light slr. OK, maybe not as small as some,they fit my big hands,compared to an M3/M4 there is not a lot of difference. A big plus over the Leicaflex is that the F2 has a titanium shutter and Leicaflex has a cloth one,pinholes anyone! Ok this photo shows F2 with DP3 attached, but you get my drift, and don`t forget the myriad of accessories available,everything from macro/micro to super telephoto. All you will ever need, along with very deep pockets !

[rumbliegeos]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

The 100% viewfinder is a sword that cuts two ways.

The most obvious strength is that you get to see exactly what ends up on the negative.
So, it's great for repro and scientific work and in general if you are working off a tripod.

It's not so great for handheld work, because everyone drifts a little. The slack you get with something like a 96-98% viewfinder ensures that you really will get everything you wanted on the negative, even if you are breathing, had too much coffee or like most living creatures can't stand 100% still, because you're nervous system is constantly firing.

Personally I am not a big fan of 100% viewfinders for this exact reason. I can't remember the last time I used a tripod and it leaves no margin for error. I much prefer a 96-98% finder. 92% is too cropped.

Slide frames will also crop your 100% negatives, as will many machine prints.

I agree with this 100%. I bought and used my F2A largely for copywork and the lab equivalent of product photography, and it was great for that. Not so great for shooting action. However, I am sure with more experience I could probably learn to leave more composition room in the frames.

Whether the camera works well for you depends on many things. It is a good camera for me because I like heavy cameras for stability, when I bought it it was relatively easy and inexpensive to get and swap the viewfinder screens (I use a grid E screen), and I liked the durability of the body. If you shoot a lot of low light scenes, an FM type of camera with visible LED meter readouts would be a whole lot more practical than an F2 with the high end meter prisms. Analyze your shooting patterns, and let that guide your purchase.

[TVR]

i just bought a F2SB off the bay body only with shipping $375.00 still waiting for first roll had one 30 years ago missed it bought this love the weight solid and simple

[Captain Gumby]

I use an F3 for long lenses (surfers from the shore, not having an underwater housing, or a desire to get hit in the head by a board), was looking at F2s when my wife bought me the F3 for Fathers day one year. I love the camera even if it does take batteries to function.
Captain Gumby @The Beach in SoCal

[Contarama]

Batteries aren't so bad...if you remember to use them up!

A question that I have often thought of is suppose there is a nuclear missile conflaguration or something and there is a huge EMP (electro magnetic pulse)...I don't think even an EMP would stop a F2..of course it might not meter anymore if it is an electronic head unit...

That is what is cool about a F2...use it on any continent in any weather and you'll be one of the few able to take pictures in the event of a nuclear war...of course any mechanical camera would apply here...

[Captain Gumby]

Any EMF pulse that will kill an sr77 battery will have a gama, and x-ray pulse that would fog all of the film for miles around.
Captain Gumby@beach in SoCal