Nikon F2 Gas

I have to admit that an F2 if one of the last Three 35mm SLR,s I desire for my collection, the others being the Canon equivalent and a Cosina CSL. When I first started using SLRs the F2 was the camera and I guess that thought has always stuck in the back of my head. Though the original F does tug too, such beautiful elegant cameras.
 
No doubt that the F and F2 are great manual focus mechanical cameras. I have one of each left myself. However since I discovered Leicaflex I'm in no doubt which is nicer to use. The only advantage of an F series is the removable prism and a mirror lock.
The SL/SL2 is easier to focus and feels very much like using an M.
It's quieter and has less vibration fom the mirrorbox too but by far the greatest advantage is that it can use the R lenses. Yes you can on an F series with adapters(done that) but only in stop down mode and for M users and M glass fans there is no better way in manual focus SLR's. I read somewhere that an SL2 cost twice what an F2 cost back in 1975!
I'm really surprised more people don't try them.
 
Yeah, I shoot Nikon F and F2, and Leicaflex SL2 and R6.2 and R9. The SL2 is built like a tank. Unfortunately weighs as much too.

The R.62 and R9 are much sleeker. (Yep, Sleek and R9 in the same sentence).

The F and F2 look so "classic".

Vick
 
Ive used both the Nikon F and F2 almost exclusively for the past 3 years, the original F with a good photomic finder is great fun and not a bad looker. But not really as practical as even a cheap EM or FG, unless classic good looks is all you need :]

The F2 is by far one of the best camera's Ive used, and well ive ran through alot in the past 8 years be it collecting,using, or just plain drooling on ebay.

The F to me is a collectors item more than a users joy. They usually cost more, and offer no advantages over the F2. (sorry for being obvious)

Ive owned 3 F2's (F2 photomic, F2S, and F2 standard)
I prefer the DP-2 finder over the DP-1, and the DE-1 is great for those days when your feeling crowded by electronics.

Paired with a MD-3 or MD-2 and a MC-7 to take some weight off the shoulders, and you've got a camera that will go anywhere and do anything!

I find myself using my F2S MD-3 and 28-45/3.5AIS for most everyday shooting.
A good AF prime isnt a bad choice either, I like using the DA-1 with my 18/2.8AFD wile walking the strip of shops downtown, its a no b.s. street rig when you want more control.

Albeit, my IIIF RD and Serenar 35/3.5 do just as wonderfully, wile still fitting in my coat pocket... and well the compactness is a real joy, when it leaves more room for the F2 to get comfy on my neck :D

Simply, there's no trash talking the F2
You either like them or love them.

Ive used the R3MOT with winder, great camera, just couldnt afford the glass.
I have to say however, the film reminder window is a real weak point, mine exhibited light leaks after only 10 rolls. Some gaffers tape fixed that up nicely, and who's to say what happened there before it came to me.
 
I just bought back the chrome F2 with DE-1 that I sold John. Now I own two F2's with DE-1's: one early chrome; and a later black one.

It seems the chrome F2 goes best with the silver 45/2.8 P, and the black F2 likes the Noct-Nikor.

Cal
 
I learned somewhere on this forum that Nikon F3 screens are brighter than stock Nikon F2 screens, and that fitting a F3 screen into a F2 body is easy and only requires mounting the F3 screen into the F2 screen frame.

The level of brightness is rather significant, and since F2's use metered prism this will effect exposures, but on my unmetered pair of F2's with DE-1's the only effect is a brighter VF'er and faster focus.

More reasons to love the F2 with DE-1 eye-level prism.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
I learned somewhere on this forum that Nikon F3 screens are brighter than stock Nikon F2 screens, and that fitting a F3 screen into a F2 body is easy and only requires mounting the F3 screen into the F2 screen frame.

Cal
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Yes, I have used the F3 screens on the F2. You need to file away a small ledge and it fits into the F2 screen well. For me, the plain ground glass screen -- I think it's the "B" screen -- works the best.
 
Contarama said:
Then it wouldn't be a F2a anymore...it would be a F2! :D

A 95+% DE-1 went for 280 on the bay a few weeks ago. That was a good deal...


Then after you finally get a F2 Eye-level all of sudden you will find yourself looking at Titans...LOL
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Wow. I bought a DE-1 15 years ago for $45.00. It sits on one of my Nikon F bodies. Maybe I should get an F2 body to put under it. But I would want a DP-3 for it too. I'm really getting back into my old Nikon gear and I too, have been looking at KEH at BGN bodies!
 
JMQ said:
Yes, I have used the F3 screens on the F2. You need to file away a small ledge and it fits into the F2 screen well. For me, the plain ground glass screen -- I think it's the "B" screen -- works the best.
Click to expand...

I actually remounted the screen by exchanging frames. Remarkably brighter.

I mounted an "E" screen and a standard "K" screen. The "E" screen is like your "B" (plain ground glass) but with a grid. Since I have two F2's with DE-1's I use both.

Paul, I was lucky to get a chrome F2 with DE-1 from B&H for $299.00. When I bought a black F2 with DE-1, I sold the chrome F2 to my friend John who can be fickel, John sold the chrome F2 back to me, but now I see owning two F2's especially with DE-1's as being a great-great thing. Just find one and buy it.

BTW the chrome F2 is an early one that features slot head screws, a different film release, and a different rewind knob tip. I'm glad I got the opportunity to buy it back.

I know you are looking for a small camera with a bright VF'er. Look no further, but realize I made the F2 physically smaller by using Nikons smallest lens, the 45/2.8P. Not only does this silver lens look stylish on the sexy F2 body with DE-1 (it will not work on F2's with metered prisms) it is Nikons most contrasty lens (only a few lens elements and all multicoated). I find that the enhanced contrast makes up for the slow lens speed, and find that the extra contrast visible in the VF'er that the 45/2.8P creates to effectively make the F2 appear brighter than it really is. More so that now I have a "K" screen installed from a Nikon F3. Here is the reason you need to buy outright a F2 with DE-1.

I know you shoot a 50 a lot, but I consider the 45 close enough where I consider the 45/2.8P AIS, 55/2.8 Macro AIS, and 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor all normal lenses.

Cal
 
Although I haven't used them in years, I still own a plain prism Nikon F2 body (bought new in 1974) as well as an F2A. I used the plain prism body F2 professionally for many years and it shows every minute of that use. It's mostly brass with a lot of dents and scratches. After an accident involving slippery fingers and a concrete floor, my insurance company considered it a total loss and paid my claim fully. I bought it back from them for $50 and sent it to Nikon Professional Services and it came back working perfectly despite the dents and scratches. It continued to work perfectly for several more years of daily abuse.

While the F3 may have been a nicer camera as far as user friendliness, mine was never as reliable as any of the several F2 bodies I owned. I bought the F2A as well as my first Leica rangefinder mainly because I got PO'd at the Nikon F3.

I'll never sell either of those old F2 bodies although I'll never use them again. Probably wouldn't bring much in a sales anyway since they look like hell. But they are like old reliable friends you never want to forget.
 
Dogman said:
Although I haven't used them in years, I still own a plain prism Nikon F2 body (bought new in 1974) as well as an F2A. I used the plain prism body F2 professionally for many years and it shows every minute of that use. It's mostly brass with a lot of dents and scratches. After an accident involving slippery fingers and a concrete floor, my insurance company considered it a total loss and paid my claim fully. I bought it back from them for $50 and sent it to Nikon Professional Services and it came back working perfectly despite the dents and scratches. It continued to work perfectly for several more years of daily abuse.

While the F3 may have been a nicer camera as far as user friendliness, mine was never as reliable as any of the several F2 bodies I owned. I bought the F2A as well as my first Leica rangefinder mainly because I got PO'd at the Nikon F3.

I'll never sell either of those old F2 bodies although I'll never use them again. Probably wouldn't bring much in a sales anyway since they look like hell. But they are like old reliable friends you never want to forget.
Click to expand...

I love well used cameras with lots of wear. Sounds like you have two trophies.

I have a F3P that was a real press camera before I got it. Supposably it was in Operation Desert Storm and was owned by the newspaper "Newsday." I've not had any problems with my F3's, now only down to only owning two. What were the issues you had with your F3?

Thanks in advance.

Cal
 
Would an F4 or F3 screen fit an F?

Would an F4 or F3 screen fit an F?

Hi. Would the screens from an F4 or F3 fit also an F? (I understand from this thread they fit the F2, with some effort, and I am assuming they would then also fit an F, but would like a confirmation).

Thanks.

Calzone said:
I actually remounted the screen by exchanging frames. Remarkably brighter.

I mounted an "E" screen and a standard "K" screen. The "E" screen is like your "B" (plain ground glass) but with a grid. Since I have two F2's with DE-1's I use both.

Paul, I was lucky to get a chrome F2 with DE-1 from B&H for $299.00. When I bought a black F2 with DE-1, I sold the chrome F2 to my friend John who can be fickel, John sold the chrome F2 back to me, but now I see owning two F2's especially with DE-1's as being a great-great thing. Just find one and buy it.

BTW the chrome F2 is an early one that features slot head screws, a different film release, and a different rewind knob tip. I'm glad I got the opportunity to buy it back.

I know you are looking for a small camera with a bright VF'er. Look no further, but realize I made the F2 physically smaller by using Nikons smallest lens, the 45/2.8P. Not only does this silver lens look stylish on the sexy F2 body with DE-1 (it will not work on F2's with metered prisms) it is Nikons most contrasty lens (only a few lens elements and all multicoated). I find that the enhanced contrast makes up for the slow lens speed, and find that the extra contrast visible in the VF'er that the 45/2.8P creates to effectively make the F2 appear brighter than it really is. More so that now I have a "K" screen installed from a Nikon F3. Here is the reason you need to buy outright a F2 with DE-1.

I know you shoot a 50 a lot, but I consider the 45 close enough where I consider the 45/2.8P AIS, 55/2.8 Macro AIS, and 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor all normal lenses.

Cal
Click to expand...
 
Checking in and resurrecting an old thread, I believe there are fare more F2 lovers in RFF than than pages in this thread indicate. :D
 
hmm sigh... i have a F2AS which is awesomely worn and recently CLA'ed so working perfectly... but I never use it. Sometimes I think I should replace it with an FE2... but at current prices, I guess I could have both!
But really only need one 35mm Nikon body.
 
I have just received my F2S less than a week ago, and I really like the spontaneous and responsive shutter action. Hmm it feels good!
 
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