Nikon F2

I've got one Nikon F2Photomic (DP-1), three F2-S, (DP-2), and two F2-AS, (DP-12). That should say just about everything.The camera bodies are nearly bulletproof, and the finders pretty well function like the proverbial Times.I've got F3's for some work, but the F2's get the lions share of use.

I have the "Titan" nikon F2 version and it's my workhorse. It's a collectors camera but I still take it out in the field. The thought of it just sitting on some shelf as a collectors item just doesn't seem right. I take very good care of it and it's in a case - always! It was bought brand new with the original box and papers. Absolutely never used until now (2009). Why never used, I don't know. I can tell by the film advance lever. It feels like my very first new F2 many years ago. They just don't make cameras like this anymore and I surely miss those days. I started shooting Nikons back in the early 70's. Never had a desire for digital and never will!

I was involved in multiscreen 35mm presentations and used a pinregister adapted Nikon F2 as my rostrum camera and the Nikon Macro lens. Again reliability was expected and I was never let down. Multi LCDs have not yet managed to emulate the impact of multi 35mm projectors.

I bought this camera used but in great condition for my collection 5 years ago.

Nikon F2 is top of the line professional 35mm SLR camera of 70'. It is the last hand made professional Nikon. More than 800,000 units produced.

It has titan-foil horizontally traveling shutter with fully machanically controlled speeds 1-1/2000 and flash sync on 1/80. Shutter holds more than 150,000 exposure cycles.

Nikon F2 is extremely high quality camera, it has great body finish and precise mechanics.

This camera is a system that every photographer can costumize for his own needs.

You can use various camera backs, motor-drive, viewfinders and focusing screens.

My camera is equiped with DP-1 TTL viewfinder, if displays shutter sppeds and apperture. In my version exposure metering is done with galvanometer needle that after years becomes jumpy and requires cleaning and service.

I have attached Nikkor 1:1.4/50mm lens, it is very sharp and gives great colours.

Nikon F2 is fully mechanical and has no auto exposure (Nikon F2AS can become shutter priority AE with special dedicated atachment).

As Nikon F, it has no standart hot shoe flash atachment, so it can be used with flash only with special Nikon flashes, or via special adapter or via PC-SYNC cable.

In right hands this camera gives great quality pictures as best of most modern top of the line professional SLRs. Because it is fully mechanical it will not fail you if batteries will be drained.

It is very respectable and collectable camera, I recommend such camera for collectors (especially more rare versions with special viewfinder and special editions) .

Nikon F2 is a camera that gets you back to the times of past, it is very good feeling for me to take pictures with it. It feels like a real thing, when you hold it - you feel it, most of modern cameras can not give you such feeling.

I have used my F2 with a standard prism for 32 years. I bought it new, and it gets serviced every 5 years. I put about 1000 rolls of film through it every year, and it keeps on going. What more can I say ?

I've owned this Nikon F2 35mm SLR camera for the past 10 years and its never let me down and I doubt it ever will. No it isnt like the modern marvels that to my mind take away a lot of the photographers thinking. I've owned and used many SLR's Olympus OM1 Leica R3 and Mamiya RZ, ALL GREAT CAMERAS and all have their own merits but theres just something about the F2 that feels different. To my mind its easy to use at speed when your used to it and has never caused me any probs in that dept. Many say its a bit too heavy but hey, quality is never light in weight is it. Hand built to withstand anything the F2 and I'll be keeping with it for years to come. But what about digital..?...Ah well, heres one fella whos never been really won over by it. Its fast yes, no waiting about for films to be sorted but its just so clinical dont you think. Quality ? well can it really compare to a projected slide or a great print taken from Kodakchrome 25?.

If you get an F2, the DP-11 finder makes it an F2AS which is the most advanced and desireable configuration with AI lens indexing. One of the nicest things about the F2 is that it won't leave you in the lurch if your batteries die and it uses readily available MS-76 silver oxide or A-76 alkaline batteries.

You can also use virtually every Nikon SLR lens ever made except for the new G-series (no aperture ring...aperture is set electronically on the newest low-end Nikons). Other than that, you can use the 21mm f/4, 8mm f/8, 7.5mm f/5.6, and 10mm f/5.6 which all require mirror lock-up. You can use NAI Nikon lenses with stopped down metering (or pick up a NAI finder for your F2), you can use AI and AIS lenses. You can even use the AF and AF-D lenses and while they won't autofocus (that is a feature that must be supported by the body) they will operate the same as a lens of the same era as your F2...no difference at all. So, it is also a great back up if you're into the Nikon AF system or even the Nikon Digital SLR system (gotta be careful as Nikon is just beginning to make a few special lenses for their Digital SLR system that will not cover the area of a 35mm negative).

I also use this camera with my Bowens Prolite 100's (studio flash) and the combo works great. I believe (check with Nikon on your model) that all Nikons will work flash sync signals up to 15 volts...this one certainly does.

All this being said, if you won't used the features I listed under "good points", you can save money by getting the Nikon FM instead...and you can mount both AI and NAI lenses on it as the body's coupling tab can be flipped out of the way for a NAI lens.

Let's see, I've used Minoltas, Leicas (rangefinders and SLRs), Pentaxs, Mamiyas and Cannons, yet the Nikon F-2AS has been my consistent favorite. Now many people say that it isn't the camera that takes a great picture, it's the camera's lens. That is true to some extent, but here's an important point they often overlook. When you push the shutter release of a F-2, something is going to happen. Either a good or bad picture will be taken, but click the shutter will, irrespective of whether the battery in the F-2 is new, old, or even gone (and I mean, 'totally absent' as the F-2 only needs a battery to run the light meter and nothing else). This also allows the photographer quite a bit of artistic control over exposures and lets the photographer get photographs that many modern point and shoot cameras won't take because the camera doesn't 'think' it should take a picture. I like autofocus and all that, but if I had to choose just one camera, it would be the Nikon F-2AS.

The Nikon F2 is the last hand made Professional camera made by Nikon. The early models in the s/n71xxxx had a small problem with film backlash. This is really noticed when a motor drive is attached. I wouuld stay away from the early models for this reason. If it can be fixed it is expensive. Other than that caveat the camera is fantastic. I have shot professionally for years with an Nikon F, then an F3. I bought an F2 for fun. It has been without a doubt my favorite camera to casually shoot with.The DP-1 finder is excellent and that is the one I have on mine.There are several other meters made for the F2, All of them are great. I use a focus screen "E" with the grid lines. It always help me to get the horizon perfect, doesn't have the ridiculous focus aid in the middle (You don't need it anyway, when the picture looks focused, it is!) It also reminds me to use the rule of thirds. With a DP-1 meter or other meter you have a wonderful 60/40 center weighted meter, use of a gray card is sometimes needed to get the correct setting. If you have a strong backlight increase your exposure 1.5 to 2.0 f stops.The body of the camera is VERY robust and should give you good service for many years of HARD use. With normal use it should outlast you. Shutter speeds range from bulb to 2000 and asa from 25 to 6400. The shutter is a little noisy. The weight of the camera is heavy by todays standards but this also assists you while shooting because it weight also helps to keep it steady a low shutter speeds. I have used mine at a shutter speed of 8 sitting down and using my knees as a tripod and have gotten very sharp pictures. Of course I've been shooting for a long time. You should be able to pick one up off of ebay or at a camera store with a DP-1 meter for around $350.00 t0 $450.00 depending on condition.With the DP-12 meter you'll pay around $500.00 to $600.00. The DP-12 meter is Very nice indeeed.

If you are looking for a professional camera that won't break your piggy bank and give you years of FUN use. Pick one up you won't regret it.

Be aware thought this camera is for those who want to Be photographers and continue to learn about photography. I don't say that to be snobby. It is just that you will LEARN more on a manual camera than any auto exposure/auto focus camera. It makes YOU figure out everything. The meter will help a lot though.

I used a Nikon F2 35mm SLR camera in the early 80s and never enjoyed making pictures so much as with that camera. Unfortunately, a previous owner had allowed it to take a swim, and when it jammed, the repairman declared it a rusted loss. I kept the screen and the DP-1 against the day another F2 came my way and used an FE and the FT2 I'd had for a decade. After some years of neglect, I picked up a Retina IIa (almost got a digicam) just for kicks and had so much fun I started shooting a lot, with that, the Nikons and a Rolliflex. Glad I didn't sell that stuff!

This week, I finally found an F2-sans-finder at a good price in great condition. And what a fabulous machine it is. So smooth and efficient. I can see the whole screen without smashing my glasses into my face. It's bright, too, with clearer split/multiprism aids. 100% coverage. Ratcheted film advance! Smooth shutter release. The heavy weight helps two ways: it dampens shutter/mirror movement so there is less camera shake and you don't have to hold it so tightly - particularly helpful when holding it vertically; it puts more tug on the strap so it doesn't keep falling off your shoulder. It's cold here and because of little ways they designed the film advance lever, the speed dial and the aperture ring, I could use the thing all afternoon without removing my gloves, except to change film.

All together, the F2 is much more fun to use than my other Nikons of similar vintage. I remember now why I enjoyed my first one so much and took so many good pictures with it. Sure, it's the lens that matters most, but the ergonomics are key as well. Some of this stuff is a bit intangible, governed by individual taste and what you get used to using, but how a camera fits it's owner is very important to the results one will get with it.

Should you get one? Well, if like me, you already have a bunch of Nikkors, yes, at least check one out. If you are working backwards into vintage SLRs, there are a lot to choose from and you can find lower prices and great lenses from other makes. (I thought the OM-1s were so cool, and Pentax made two great, under appreciated systems.) But the F2s were probably the best made machines of all and I suspect they'll hold up better than other 30 year old cameras in similar condition. And, a joy to use. In excellent shape, $300 US with DP-1 finder and no lens is about the most it should cost and that is not too much considering what you are buying. Without finder, under $200.

I think Mr. Gandy at Camera Quest has a fair overview of the various Nikons and would start there to choose my first or decide on one that is availible. I would only add, don't neglect the FTN, FT2 - great cameras, great bargains.

February 2002