Starting a "new" film based SLR system (Nikon)

I have a basic F2 and FE2 outfit. The F2 is simply a joy to hold and look at and to use. The FE2 is small, light, and very practical in design. I always favored the Canon FD line over the Nikon line, so I am late Nikon SLR bloomer.
 
BNF said:
^ Well it makes sense as I have a Nikon DSLR and an N70(F70) already.

For a long, long time I subscribed to the belief of a "Nikon look"/"Leica look"/"Zeiss look". I no longer do. So, my motivation for Nikon comes purely from brand allegiance and practicality.

I appreciate the suggestions for the lenses too so far. ...

What about zooms?
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i have the 35-70 3.5 macro and the 80-200 f4. both are lovely and i really like the one-touch of the 80-200. little on the slow side compared to today's lenses but great results. again, don't laugh at the vivitar series 1 lenses from back in the day. they made a killer 70-210 3.5 and i bet you can find one on ebay for cheap. can't speak for the nikkor series e zooms as i never owned one.
 
I like the 20mm/3.5 Nikkor Ais *very much*.

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... too bad I don't have a Nikon body anymore.
 
I would go with the F-3HP. I like the removable prism for lowering the camera. It is comfortable to hold, very sturdy. (On a recent trip I threw mine in an unpadded over the shoulder bag [no case] with complete confidence. The lenses were stored in flimsy lens cases. The got a chance to bounce around together with the film with no problem.] I have had no problems with mine. Also, it has a removable motordrive. Lenses as with others are plentiful. The F3 has been dropping in price while the lenses since I bought mine have been rising.
 
OK for macro and telezoom

OK for macro and telezoom

I use an F4S.
I found clever to keep a macro 90mm and a 1:2.8/80-200. From time to time (rarely but it occurs each year) I need it. Apart these specific cases, an M7 + 24-35-50 lenses is paradise for an amateur.
 
I agree with those who advise an F3 I have the hp version but if you don't wear glasses like I do you may want the standard F3 eyepeice since it has a bit higher magnification and should be cheaper to own. The size difference is about the same as the FM series. I feel that the Nikon lenses are fine enough and much cheaper in ex condition used than the Zeiss. Can the Zeiss lenses be better than the 28mm f2 ais, 50mm f1.2 ais and either 85mm f1.4 0 afd or 100mm f2.0 DC lenses? Maybe the Zeiss 35mm or 21mm would be better.

Only reservation on the F3 is the flash situation, its a kluge of a non standard shoe and a slow xsync. I don't care I use other cameras when I know I have a flash situation.

I find the F3 grip position more confortable than a straight camera body, for street shooting and almost anything but flash its a great camera.
 
I've owned Fs, F2s, F3s and F4s, plus my wife has an FE. I still own 3 F2s (2 w/DE-1 and one metered), one F3 with both DE-2 and DE-3 prisms plus a stovepipe and an F4e.

It's really hard to beat a non-metered F2 for deliberate shooting, even candids. They were my main B&W shooters for many years until I went back to Leicas, and I still drag them out once or twice a year for a few days. Usually an ancient 35/2 on one and a 105/2.5 on the other.
 
I have used a few nikon MF SLR over the years. My favorites are fm2n, fm3a and f3hp. Out of all three, I prefer fm2n > fm3a >f3hp. The reason is quite simple, the fm3a is fairly new and the price is always at high point (two years ago, the "new" one sells for around 1000$ sometimes more; used ones was around 700-800$); f3hp is too heavy for my taste. It is workhorse and built like a tank but I don't need any of the fancy "professional" functions. On the other hand, fm2n is perfect for my need. It is easy and simple. It fits in my hands perfectly. I bought mine for 150$ with 50/1.4 AI a couple of years ago. I replaced the lightseal and bought a new nice split focus screen for it. It is so lovely and purely joy to use. To be honest, I haven't found that feeling on my leica m yet... With the fm2n, all I can think is to take photos and nothing else. I had a 5 lens combo for it. ( all prime). I think the AI lenses work just as good as the AIS ones so all my lenses were AI version except the 50/1.4.
 
Thank you all for the interesting discussion.

As an update:

I've been pricing a small system with either an FM2n or FM3a and a variety of lenses. Based upon the suggestions here, a mix of primes and zooms. In the end, I'm at at least $1000 with a body and 3 lenses.

The FM3a demands a significant premium over the FM2n.

I'm wondering if I am getting to emotional about this old mechanical gear. I'm trying to "re-live" the days gone by with "all metal" construction and such. I've already mentioned here, and in the past, that speed and me are rarely mentioned in the same breath so that's not a factor.

From a value vs performanace standpoint, would it still make sense to have a 2n/3a and a two zoom kit? (Say 25-50, 50-135) It seems to me that this is really going retro just for retros sake. The original idea was a prime set up augmented by a zoom or two, but I can't get that down to the price level I thought I could.
 
I am not a zoom guy so I would choose one body, I would prefer the 3a but can be happy with the 2n, and a prime kit. My thought would be to keep it simple and to just get out and enjoy it.
 
nikola said:
Listen the Rover he knows what he's saying. :)
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Would you mind telling my wife that? ;)

But really, today I will have a Pentax ME Super, 24/35/50mm kit in my bag.

I am too used to RF systems so for me small and uncomplicated (and zooms are big and complicated in my simpleton mind) are my wants.
 
I would go with the Nikon's, I like the OM's more and veyr good lenses. But the ones tha I find our pretty worn out. If they made a new series, I would buy it in a second.
 
i bought a fm2n a few years ago and only sold it to buy a bessa. if i had enough money i would buy one again, or maybe a fm3. i'ts simply the best slr i know. 24/35/50 and no zooms would be my choice.
 
Frank Petronio said:
The other one to get is a F2 with the standard non-metered prism -- much more compact than their giant "obsolete" prisms.
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The standard, non-metered prism for the F2 is very nice but it alone (with no body) can go for $150 in poor cosmetic condition, plenty more than that in good cosmetic condition.

The FM3a offers all the automation of an F3 with better top synch speeds but it's super expensive due to cult status. If you're patient you can get the FM2/ FM2n in nice shape for around $150 but the FM3a sells for around $500 or more. The F3 has a full frame and brighter viewfinder than any FM model. And don't forget the greatest bargain, the original FE. I have found them in very good conditon for $80 more or less.
 
rover: you are now asking too much! :D

I've recently managed to put aside a little amount of money to buy again a film camera (as recently I had sold everything due to circumstances).

My only two criterion's were that it's cheap and with big viewfinder.
So the choice was simple: Nikon N8008s (you can now have a perfect condition body for peanuts) with 50/1.8 series E lens and 24/2.8 Vivitar plus orange filter. That's pretty much everything that one needs to enjoy photography.

I've also bought J type screen for it, cause N8008s doesn't have a focusing prism, but I've received plain B type. ;-(

Qualitative difference in getting pricier lens isn't proportional to the amount of money you need to spend. There are indeed few gems worth having (like 35/1.4 with 9 blades) but they'll have to stay as just an object of virtual desire (a surfing/googling hobby of mine :) ).
 
I have FM2n, FE2, and the 24/2.8 AIs, 50/1.4 AIs, and 105/2.4 AI. All great great gear! The AE on the FE2 is good, but I prefer to shoot all manually. If you use the meter (I generally don't), the needle meter on the FE2 is a terrible pain in the ass if it is not brightly lit (its invisible). The LED meter on the FM2n is better, although doesn't provide the same level of feedback as the needle. The nice thing about the FM2n is that you can shoot without a battery. With the FE2 you are limited to 250 without a battery.

I didn't pay that much for my get up. I think ~$100 USD for each camera. The 24mm was $200, the 50 $120 and the 105 about $120.
 
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