Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I was just reading the bartender's excellent write up on the F ... it was the camera that took the industry domination away from the Germans effectively!
Pretty impressive credentials! 🙂
A Brace of Vintage Nikon F's
- Thread starter P. Lynn Miller
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I was just reading the bartender's excellent write up on the F ... it was the camera that took the industry domination away from the Germans effectively!
Pretty impressive credentials! 🙂
FrankS
Registered User
I have a cupboard with 5 shelves. One each for Nikon SLR, Olympus SLR, Leica M and screwmount RF, various medium format cameras, and various fixed lens and P+S cameras.
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ray*j*gun
Veteran
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Congratulations on finding the tool that works best for you, something that many people cannot always comprehend as they look for a universal "best camera". My Dad was quite the lover of the F (and shot a Leica IIIG as well) so I'm well aware of the gravitational pull of that camera once you use it a bit.
You might try a F2 with the unmetered prism if you see one around sometime. For me they "fixed" a few things, like shutter release placement, while keeping the brick-like character of the F. Just a thought.
Enjoy your Fs, wonderful cameras. Also enjoy the S2 if you get one, terrific 50mm shooting platform.
Kent
You might try a F2 with the unmetered prism if you see one around sometime. For me they "fixed" a few things, like shutter release placement, while keeping the brick-like character of the F. Just a thought.
Enjoy your Fs, wonderful cameras. Also enjoy the S2 if you get one, terrific 50mm shooting platform.
Kent
rbsinto
Well-known
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I have two Fs, both motorized.
One is the guts of a chrome camera purchased on ebay inside the black body of a parts camera also purchased on ebay, attached to a KEH "As is" F-36 drive, with an old DE-1 prism. It has become my favorite SLR, and gets more use than any of my other motorized SLRs: F2, FA, or FM.
The other is a pristine black body (of no significant serial number) which spent its life attached to a microscope in the Botany department at the University of Toronto. It has a microscope focusing screen and is attached to an early (no body support pin on back of handle) f-36. I got it with a chrome-faced FTn prism. it is squirreled away and likely will be sold as I really don't need it and could use the money to fund rangefinder lens purchases.
The F is simply basic transportation, and is in my opinion, really all the camera God meant for any man to have.
One is the guts of a chrome camera purchased on ebay inside the black body of a parts camera also purchased on ebay, attached to a KEH "As is" F-36 drive, with an old DE-1 prism. It has become my favorite SLR, and gets more use than any of my other motorized SLRs: F2, FA, or FM.
The other is a pristine black body (of no significant serial number) which spent its life attached to a microscope in the Botany department at the University of Toronto. It has a microscope focusing screen and is attached to an early (no body support pin on back of handle) f-36. I got it with a chrome-faced FTn prism. it is squirreled away and likely will be sold as I really don't need it and could use the money to fund rangefinder lens purchases.
The F is simply basic transportation, and is in my opinion, really all the camera God meant for any man to have.
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Ljós
Well-known
The (half)case against the Leica ;-)
The (half)case against the Leica ;-)
Lynn, thank you very much for taking the time to elaborate on your journey SLR - Rangefinder and return. Much appreciated, and I am sure others here at RFF reading this will agree.
I think one observation here at RFF underlines your subjective gut feeling about the F being a camera that one simply does not need to worry about: the halfcase threads 🙂 I will readily admit that I got myself a Zhou case for my M2 - and I would never dream of getting a halfcase for a F or F2. I carry the M2 with me every day in almost any situation, always in the hand(s), no strap. That means I put it down, pick it up often (getting the groceries, anything, you get the picture.) Now I know the camera is tough, and I do not care about the cosmetics, but I feel that without a case I don't want to just plonk it down on a counter... what about the rangefinder alignment etc.? And I know it may be silly, as longtime veterans will credibly tell that they motorcycled around the planet without babying their Leicas without problem. When I had my F2 it never occurred to me to take such precautions.
Another thing is the shutter burn issue. For normal walking about even in strong sunlight I have made my peace with it, in strong sun the lens will be stopped down anyway and I am not concerned. But there have been picture taking situations, where I was unsure how long I could safely have the lens pointed in the general direction of the sun. Never a burn - but the nagging thoughts. Oh, you can put the lens cap on, scout the picture until the cows come home, THEN take the cap off briefly and take the picture... not what I call freedom of expression ;-) ;-)
Quiet(er)ness and compactness is chiefly what keeps me with my M2... but put a CV 40 f2 on a Nikon, and by the time you add a decent sunshade to the Leica the setups will be essentially the same size. I am sure that at some point I will get another F2. At the same time I am sure I do not want to part with my M2... let's see how this pans out ;-)
The long and the short of it is, I congratulate you on finding the bliss and peace of mind with your tools. The fact that you are thinking about/are putting together a photo book may be the strongest testimony that you are on the right track.
All the best,
Ljós
The (half)case against the Leica ;-)
Lynn, thank you very much for taking the time to elaborate on your journey SLR - Rangefinder and return. Much appreciated, and I am sure others here at RFF reading this will agree.
I think one observation here at RFF underlines your subjective gut feeling about the F being a camera that one simply does not need to worry about: the halfcase threads 🙂 I will readily admit that I got myself a Zhou case for my M2 - and I would never dream of getting a halfcase for a F or F2. I carry the M2 with me every day in almost any situation, always in the hand(s), no strap. That means I put it down, pick it up often (getting the groceries, anything, you get the picture.) Now I know the camera is tough, and I do not care about the cosmetics, but I feel that without a case I don't want to just plonk it down on a counter... what about the rangefinder alignment etc.? And I know it may be silly, as longtime veterans will credibly tell that they motorcycled around the planet without babying their Leicas without problem. When I had my F2 it never occurred to me to take such precautions.
Another thing is the shutter burn issue. For normal walking about even in strong sunlight I have made my peace with it, in strong sun the lens will be stopped down anyway and I am not concerned. But there have been picture taking situations, where I was unsure how long I could safely have the lens pointed in the general direction of the sun. Never a burn - but the nagging thoughts. Oh, you can put the lens cap on, scout the picture until the cows come home, THEN take the cap off briefly and take the picture... not what I call freedom of expression ;-) ;-)
Quiet(er)ness and compactness is chiefly what keeps me with my M2... but put a CV 40 f2 on a Nikon, and by the time you add a decent sunshade to the Leica the setups will be essentially the same size. I am sure that at some point I will get another F2. At the same time I am sure I do not want to part with my M2... let's see how this pans out ;-)
The long and the short of it is, I congratulate you on finding the bliss and peace of mind with your tools. The fact that you are thinking about/are putting together a photo book may be the strongest testimony that you are on the right track.
All the best,
Ljós
Travis L.
Registered Userino
My three get semi-regular service these days. Few cameras feel better in the hand than an F (my hand anyway).
I also have a slew of Nikkormats which I love just as much.
I also have a slew of Nikkormats which I love just as much.
cary
Well-known
I have been a Nikon F user since 1972. I have always been able to depend on them. They fit my hand very well, using them is second nature, I have used the same Nikon F in high school as a yearbook photographer, in college at Brooks Institute of Photography and for a couple of assignments at Sandia National Livermore Labs. My original F is an Apollo model my other F is chrome 1969. In high school all the yearbook photographers used Nikons or Nikkormats, we wrote to Nikon on how we used their cameras, in turn they took out an ad in our yearbook. We thought that was real cool. I just started using my black F again after a CLA. After all these years I could never get use to my Leica M3 like I have with my Nikon. The M3 is a great camera. Manual focus Nikkors can be purchased for very few dollars. Two years ago I picked up a 135mm f3.5 for $11 and a 28mm f3.5 for $34 on that auction site. Long live the NIKON F!!
akremer
Established
how much should i be prepared to spend on a beaten but well working F body + 1.4 lens??
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
So what's the viewfinder like on these old bangers compared to an FM3A in terms of brightness and focusing ability.
I've been spoiled by my OM's and I'm curious if they'd be up there with the Oly?
I've been spoiled by my OM's and I'm curious if they'd be up there with the Oly?
Larger and darker. I found my now sold F easier to focus in bright light, and my FM3A easier to focus in low light.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Hmmmm. Food for thought. The Nikkormat FTn I bought new back about 1962 is sitting on the shelf with film in it, and yesterday I bought an M6. One of the Bessas (probably the R3A) is likely to go.
I stopped using the Nikon a few years ago when my cataracts prevented me from being able to focus it, and turned to rangefinders. I tried a couple of IIIf's but the antique squinty viewfinders did nothing to improve the shining hour and so I bought one, then a second Bessa. One big benefit I noticed was the reduction in bulk and weight of the RF kit compared to the SLR.
I've had my eyes fixed and can actually use the SLR again. Why now get an M6? Well, I wanted to own a Leica before I died, and I still like the compact size and lower weight of the RF, but I also needed two Bessas to cover the range of lenses I use (else use accessory vf's a lot). I'm hoping that the M6 will cover the requirement in just one body.
But I'm not selling the Nikon and I might even ask my daughter to give me back the second one as she no longer uses it.
I stopped using the Nikon a few years ago when my cataracts prevented me from being able to focus it, and turned to rangefinders. I tried a couple of IIIf's but the antique squinty viewfinders did nothing to improve the shining hour and so I bought one, then a second Bessa. One big benefit I noticed was the reduction in bulk and weight of the RF kit compared to the SLR.
I've had my eyes fixed and can actually use the SLR again. Why now get an M6? Well, I wanted to own a Leica before I died, and I still like the compact size and lower weight of the RF, but I also needed two Bessas to cover the range of lenses I use (else use accessory vf's a lot). I'm hoping that the M6 will cover the requirement in just one body.
But I'm not selling the Nikon and I might even ask my daughter to give me back the second one as she no longer uses it.
bobkonos
Well-known
Yes, much the way Spain did today in the World Cup.
Great set of F's, Lynn. Cool that you are using them, especially the four-digit F. I have the 2.1cm f4 lens and finder and it is a very nice 21 and looks awesome on my "64xxxx" F camera with the finder in place.
Great set of F's, Lynn. Cool that you are using them, especially the four-digit F. I have the 2.1cm f4 lens and finder and it is a very nice 21 and looks awesome on my "64xxxx" F camera with the finder in place.
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Wow! I have not started a discussion that has caused such a flurry of activity in a very long time. Many thanks to everyone that has contributed.
Ljós,
I hope that it works out for you and your M2. The Leica M is a great camera and serves many people very, very well.
Speaking of size... the set-up that I was most comfortable and instinctive with was my M5 and Nokton 35/1.2, which in RF terms is huge. I find the tiny lens of RF's often too small for me to use quickly and efficiently with my big hands.
Don't leave us hanging!
Kent,
I have a pair of Nikon F2's as well. But I do not mesh with the F2 as well... not sure why... just me.
JSU,
Theft is not a top priority for me, but if I caught the thief in the act, he would quickly realise that he put his life in my hands. Grrrr....
Vintage Nikkor glass is one of the best bargains going... you could build a whole Nikkor kit for a few hundred dollars, from 24mm to 300mm, if you were not choosy about your maximum aperture or not a collector.
Regularly on Australian eBay for $250AUD, give or take abit. I got both of mine for free by buying a lot of gear and selling off the bits I did not want.
Keith,
I have used the Olympus, not sure what the fuss is about. Nice, but not nicer than a F/F2/F3. The original Nikon F focusing screens are not the brightest, the screens brightened with each new model. All of my F's have either F3/F4 screens or after-market screens such as the Beattie, which will shame a FM3A.
The 2.1cm is on my list of lenses to buy soon.
Thanks!
Ljós,
I hope that it works out for you and your M2. The Leica M is a great camera and serves many people very, very well.
Speaking of size... the set-up that I was most comfortable and instinctive with was my M5 and Nokton 35/1.2, which in RF terms is huge. I find the tiny lens of RF's often too small for me to use quickly and efficiently with my big hands.
Don't leave us hanging!
Kent,
I have a pair of Nikon F2's as well. But I do not mesh with the F2 as well... not sure why... just me.
JSU,
Theft is not a top priority for me, but if I caught the thief in the act, he would quickly realise that he put his life in my hands. Grrrr....
Vintage Nikkor glass is one of the best bargains going... you could build a whole Nikkor kit for a few hundred dollars, from 24mm to 300mm, if you were not choosy about your maximum aperture or not a collector.
Regularly on Australian eBay for $250AUD, give or take abit. I got both of mine for free by buying a lot of gear and selling off the bits I did not want.
Keith,
I have used the Olympus, not sure what the fuss is about. Nice, but not nicer than a F/F2/F3. The original Nikon F focusing screens are not the brightest, the screens brightened with each new model. All of my F's have either F3/F4 screens or after-market screens such as the Beattie, which will shame a FM3A.
The 2.1cm is on my list of lenses to buy soon.
Thanks!
normclarke
normclarke
Nikon F's
Nikon F's
I have a pair of F's that I aquired from the well known site, a very shabby black late model and an early chrome body that came w/o prism. In fact I payed more for a respctable prism than the body at £75. I have had several F2's and always found them to be 1st class and probably more refined than the F. The shabby body that had been hand painted over the original black was stripped down to brass and repainted fairly successfully and along with a 105/2.5 started renewed interest in a mark that I've flirted with over nearly 50 years. I once owned the 21/4 and adapted it for the Leica M and foolishly sold it when I replaced it with the 21/3.4 SA, from tests I did at the time there was little advantage with the SA but of course it focussed with the M. I have just aquired an early 24/2.8 which completes a line up of 24, 35, 50,105 and 80-200/4.5, I would like another 21/4 but they do hold a price premium in the current market. Still eminently useable though!
Best,
normclarke.
Nikon F's
I have a pair of F's that I aquired from the well known site, a very shabby black late model and an early chrome body that came w/o prism. In fact I payed more for a respctable prism than the body at £75. I have had several F2's and always found them to be 1st class and probably more refined than the F. The shabby body that had been hand painted over the original black was stripped down to brass and repainted fairly successfully and along with a 105/2.5 started renewed interest in a mark that I've flirted with over nearly 50 years. I once owned the 21/4 and adapted it for the Leica M and foolishly sold it when I replaced it with the 21/3.4 SA, from tests I did at the time there was little advantage with the SA but of course it focussed with the M. I have just aquired an early 24/2.8 which completes a line up of 24, 35, 50,105 and 80-200/4.5, I would like another 21/4 but they do hold a price premium in the current market. Still eminently useable though!
Best,
normclarke.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I have to confess to being a little disappointed in my FM3A regards focusing and I'm beginning to wonder if there's a fault with my camera. I was alternating between the FM3A and my OM-1 (stock screens) the other night focusing on a book several feet away. With the Nikon reading the lettering on the binder was relatively difficult ... with the OM it was much more vivid and appeared sharper to my eye! Both viewfinders appear to be equally bright but this slight but noticable difference in clarity puzzles me?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Ok the plot thickens!
I've just done a comparison between my OM-2, which actually has a fairly battered standard screen in it, and the three Nikons I own: N90s, FM3A and my new D700!
Focusing on some black text approximately 3mm high on a white background about a meter away the Nikons are all pretty much the same, just OK ... I hate to say it but the OM-2 absolutely slaughters them for clarity by comparison!
I'm stunned!
I've just done a comparison between my OM-2, which actually has a fairly battered standard screen in it, and the three Nikons I own: N90s, FM3A and my new D700!
Focusing on some black text approximately 3mm high on a white background about a meter away the Nikons are all pretty much the same, just OK ... I hate to say it but the OM-2 absolutely slaughters them for clarity by comparison!
I'm stunned!
Fuchs
Well-known
I have two, both beaten but perfectly working F's, one with the plain prism and the other with a Tn Photomic. This thread makes me want to put them into regular use again!
cary
Well-known
I also very much enjoy reading this thread, hope more people will post their Nikon F stories.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Keith- The F series viewfinders are larger and brighter than the "semi-pro" Nikons you're testing. You'd be pleasantly surprised with an F2, for instance, in comparison to the Oly. The OMs do have nice finder views, no question.
Kent
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