Best MF Film Nikon for low light (meter readout)

[ChrisP]

Looking a MF Film Nikon to shoot in manual mode in low light (F1.4 at ISO 3200 kind of dark). Anyone have recommendations? Some LED's for the meter readout would be great!

Thanks in advance,

P.s. my MF I mean manual focus not Medium format

 

[Keith]

Maybe not quite you had in mind but I'd consider an F100 ... I don't know if the finder is as good as my F6 but I find manually focusing the F6 a breeze. The meter readout is very good and the viewfinder is superb for manual focusing with the right screen.

 

[Dante_Stella]

F3 with a red dot H screen.

Dante

 

[ChrisP]

F3 has a horrific meter readout for low light but I'm the lookout for an h screen. I'm looking for an accomplice to my F3..

F3 with a red dot H screen.

Dante

 

[awilder]

Nikon F2AS (1st choice), F2SB (2nd choice) or F2S (3rd choice). All had the most sensitive meter Nikon ever produced with the same low light metering range (down to -2 EV @ ISO 100) and are easy to read in the darkest circumstances with their red LEDs. The best any other Nikon camera meter's is down to 0 EV @ ISO 100. The F2S uses two CdS sensors, the other two use silcone blue sensors which has no memory issues like CdS. The AS version is coveted because it doesn't require the old "Nikon two-step" to couple the meter like the SB or S version. OTOH, the SB and S illuminates both the selected F stop and shutter speed when the finder illuminator switch is activated. The AS illuminates only the shutter speed when the finder illuminator is activated. The cheapest of the three would be the F2S, the others are a couple of hundred $ more. All three were Nikon's flagships at the time they were produced.

 

[bhop73]

F4S has a viewfinder light, and matrix meters with MF lenses.

 

[Range-rover]

Nikon FM2 if you want to go manual, the - o + lights up for low light picture taking,
the early FM has LED's, little red dot's next to the symbols the LED's you can see but the
symbols disappear when dark.

Range

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

F4S has a viewfinder light, and matrix meters with MF lenses.

I'll second the F4, the finder readout is awesome. Gives the set shutter speed, and a graph with -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 readouts for exposure in 1/3 stop increments. With the built in spotmeter you can set very precise manual exposure.

 

[ChrisP]

Just looked this up. The FM2 might be what I need. I might have to post a WTB add for one of these. Any quirks I should be aware of with this camera?

 

[awilder]

If that's what you want, ask for the FM2n. Higher flash sync of 1/250 instead of 1/200. Also the shutter was improved on the FM2n. The meter only goes down to EV 1 which is 3 stops less sensitive than the F2AS.

 

[Range-rover]

Just looked this up. The FM2 might be what I need. I might have to post a WTB add for one of these. Any quirks I should be aware of with this camera?

No, there a nice all mechanical Camera, FM-2 and mentioned above
FM-2n, high shutter speed and flash up to 200 and 250 of a sec, built
really well in the famous Nikon tradition.

range

 

[Nikon Bob]

The FM series of Nikon cameras are pretty bomb proof. The only real difference between the FM2 and FM2n was the slightly higher flash synch speed on the latter. The shutters were the same on both till there was a change made in the FM2n to a shutter with aluminum blades. This site should have most of what you need to know about various Nikons http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/fm2n/fm2manual/index.htm .

Bob

 

[yossarian123]

I 3rd (or 4th) the Nikon F4. If you're looking for a manual focus experience, then the lit-up display in the viewfinder is where it's at. I've got a P screen (diagonal split image) on mine for MF work.

 

[ooze]

F4S has a viewfinder light, and matrix meters with MF lenses.

Which lights up like a beacon and immediately draws attention. Depending on the type and location of your photography this may or may not be an issue. Still, it's a poor design IMO.

I also suggest either an F2AS or FM/2.

 

[OlympusRF]

Another for the F4: 3 metering modes, good viewfinder with light for information, also does automatic focus & the only auto focus that can use all the nikon lenses produced from the early days (doesn't accept the "G" lenses). For me it was the most innovative F camera.
I'm using it now with the auto focus 50mm f1.8 & the 50mm f1.4 non AI in MF from the Nikon F, its a joy to use in multi or spot metering.

 

[JMQ]

Nikon F2AS (1st choice), F2SB (2nd choice) or F2S (3rd choice). All had the most sensitive meter Nikon ever produced with the same low light metering range (down to -2 EV @ ISO 100) and are easy to read in the darkest circumstances with their red LEDs. The best any other Nikon camera meter's is down to 0 EV @ ISO 100. The F2S uses two CdS sensors, the other two use silcone blue sensors which has no memory issues like CdS. The AS version is coveted because it doesn't require the old "Nikon two-step" to couple the meter like the SB or S version. OTOH, the SB and S illuminates both the selected F stop and shutter speed when the finder illuminator switch is activated. The AS illuminates only the shutter speed when the finder illuminator is activated. The cheapest of the three would be the F2S, the others are a couple of hundred $ more. All three were Nikon's flagships at the time they were produced.

+1. These meters are so sensitive that they sometimes detract. The expose has to be dead-on for the "o" to light up. If will be show "0" and a + or - even if 1/3 stop off.

 

[ronnies]

Another for the F4: 3 metering modes, good viewfinder with light for information, also does automatic focus & the only auto focus that can use all the nikon lenses produced from the early days (doesn't accept the "G" lenses). For me it was the most innovative F camera.
I'm using it now with the auto focus 50mm f1.8 & the 50mm f1.4 non AI in MF from the Nikon F, its a joy to use in multi or spot metering.

Another for the F4 with P or K screen.

Just a wee correction, the F4 WILL take G lenses but only in S or P/Ph mode. The only thing it doesn't support is VR though you can still use the VR lenses as non VR ones. 🙂

Ronnie

 

[awilder]

Regading the distracting sensitivity issue of the F2S series, The early F2S would only show correct exposure (both +- diodes lite) if correct exposure was within 1/4 stop (+/- 1/8 stop). The subsequent F2SB and F2AS greatly improved that to only the center "o" diode staying lit if correct to just under a 2/3 stop range (+/- 1/3 to 1 stop error shows +o or o-). This is the exact same way for the FM series. Another drawback to the early F2S is the lack of an eyepiece blind, something corrected on the F2SB and F2AS.

 

[kshapero]

Although I am not an F4 fanboy, I would have to say that it has the best low light readout because of the light in the finder. But if this was a need of mine I would go with the FM2n.

 

[mdarnton]

FG-- Best $45 I have ever spent on an availble light camera. Small and cheap with led readout and no mechanical shutter buzz. Incredibly reliable. Nice finger grip, good meter. Batteries last forever. Basically a Leica M6-TTL SLR.