Nikon F301 / N2000

I received a Nikon F301 from my father 5 years back and it's my main camera to go back to whenever I don't work with digital or other medium formats. This camera has a really quick shutter time, so taking photographs are just a click away. Clarity is amazing. With old Nikon lenses they can never go wrong. I don't use the light meter much since I use my own assumptions usually, but when I look it is very clear and always lets you know when it's out of range.I'm a black and white photographer so the contrast is even better than taking colour. Mine is still in mint condition no matter how I use it. It's handy, not too heavy, easy to store, also chunky enough (of course not throwing it around) but enough to let you do lots without the fragile scare. Just as long as you keep this in a cool dry place after you use it, it will stay as good as new anytime.

I bought this camera and never stopped using it. It is fun to have and I have not owned another camera since. I love my N 2000, I have never owned a camera as reliable as this. I can wander through the streets and not worry about it not working.

I wish it came with auto focus.

Easy to use quality camera that sets Nikon apart from the rest. I bought this camera second hand 20 years ago. I also own an F90X and F100, both very good camera's though heavier than the F301. The F301 is pretty much bombproof and not too big, takes excellent pics and is as good as the day it was new. This should last a lifetime and a bit more.

I bought one of these in 1987 and fell in love with it immediately. As already stated just compare it with more more F50, 55 60 etc etc, one in each hand and you just KNOW which hand the quality is in!. I sadly lost mine a few years ago (it got pinched!) but I liked it so much I've since bought two more!!! OK it hasn't got a built in flash, but what true artist would need such a thing! :)

I owned this camera for almost 20 years not bad surprise.

What a camera. I travel with it everywhere, yes it's heavy and a bit clunky but compared to todays cameras which would die in anything other than studio conditions it's perfect.

I had a slight panic last year when I dropped it into a gorge, after fishing out the water, and removing the fish from the insides I thought that was the end of my trusty companion. But left to dry out for a couple of days and then with a fresh set of batteries (4xAAA, very useful when backpacking through somewhere like cambodia or vietnam) it fired up again and began taking pictures just as good as before, in fact it cleaned of some of the dirt that had accumulated over the years.

With its die cast casing it will last you a lfetime - even if you don't care for it. I swear by it, and trust it to take my most important pictures.

After searching articles, reviews and talking with friends who had owned Nikon products...In 1985 the Nikon N2000 became my first 35mm SLR camera. I was so pleased with the photo quality in AE mode that I rarely use any other settings.

The only problem encountered with this camera was after several years of ownership. I removed the film for deveoping and put the camera away without switching it off. Two months later I found that the batterys had leaked and corroded the battery terminals. Even after cleaning and installing new batterys it still wouldn't function. I took it in for cleaning ($50.00) and found that the corrision had traveled up the wires into the camera case. Lucky for me the cleaning took care of the problem and it's taken thousdands of great pictures since.

I've often considered trading it in for something newer but always walk away from the camera shop with the N2000 in hand. To me the new plasticky cameras just don't stack up against the old trusty N2000.

Produced as a hobbyist camera, but in reality much more than that. Excellent build quality... just compare it with the Nikon F65/F75/F80(even) in today's market and you'll see what I mean.

Has DX coding, manual settings from 24-3200; shutter speed B-1/2000; Program and Hi-speed Program modes (I have never used these much); Aperture priority and full manual modes. Exposure compensation +/- 2 stops in 1/3 steps.... I know you're probably wondering why it sold for so little. Let me tell you more. It has 2.5 fps motorwind, warning alarm, self timer and TTL flash photography in all exposure modes. The viewfinder contains enough information for general photography, but not the aperture details.

This is the reason that I have not changed the camera body in my SLR system since 1989...when I purchased it new. All the lenses (except the 50mm f1.8 that it came with) have been sold/replaced but I have stuck with the body because it works.

Let's face it.. Apart from the metering modes that are not present... what more could you ask for in a camera that is aimed at the market this one was aimed at. After all it is a manual focus camera!

Purchased my F301 in 1985 as soon as it came out. There simply was no other camera at the time that matched it for feature and dollar value. I shoot stock film of wildlife and landscapes and have sold many shots using my F301.

Easy to use and rugged. I replaced the standard AAA battery compartment with the aftermarket AA holder which I preferred. Batteries last ages. The offset tripod mount can be a pain. I have two Metz flashes that couple together and are controlled via the cameras OTF metering, and it works a treat.

After nearly 17 years abuse the only problems have been:

1) Dirty electronics in the top compartment gave locked mirror problems in auto mode. Took the top off and cleaned the electronics, problem fixed.

2) Rubber type hand grip came away after about 12 years, and it no longer exists. This problem was caused because I carry the camera rather than use a strap.

No other problems, I still use it all the time for stock photography.

This Nikon F301 is a great 35mm SLR camera to use. Stick a good lens on it and you're laughing! The battery reliance spooked me for a while but five years on and I've changed it once. Silky smooth frame advance. This camera is a real deal, allows you to learn and have fun. A steal on the second market. I've just bought another one for a friend