Complementary Cameras - SP and what SLR?

dave lackey

dave lackey

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A cool thing happens now and again because one does not have any wherewithall to buy what one really wants. Case in point: I have recently traded some gear to a local camera store for a Leica R4 with 50mm Summicron F2 lens and find it works really well alongside my M3 with the 50mm Summarit 1.5! Ying and yang. :D One metered, one not. One slaps and the other kisses. One is black and one is chrome. One is an SLR and one a RF. But, both operate similarly from focusing to the feel in the hands.:) Not quite seamless operation but close enough!

So, if one were to have/purchase a Nikon SP...what similar matchup with a Nikon SLR would you put in your bag?
 
dave lackey said:
A cool thing happens now and again because one does not have any wherewithall to buy what one really wants. Case in point: I have recently traded some gear to a local camera store for a Leica R4 with 50mm Summicron F2 lens and find it works really well alongside my M3 with the 50mm Summarit 1.5! Ying and yang. :D One metered, one not. One slaps and the other kisses. One is black and one is chrome. One is an SLR and one a RF. But, both operate similarly from focusing to the feel in the hands.:) Not quite seamless operation but close enough!

So, if one were to have/purchase a Nikon SP...what similar matchup with a Nikon SLR would you put in your bag?
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Reminds me of two sisters I knew when I was much younger!

I digress! :eek:
 
Yep, chrome Nikon SP, paired with a black Nikon F with eye level finder and Nippon Kogaku engraving.

Ebony and ivory.

Okay, Photomic FTN metered head, if you want......

Vick
 
LKeithR said:
Come on you teaser. Spill the beans. There's got to be a story there...
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Being younger and far more foolish I was actually dating two sisters at the same time. One (the slapper) knew about the other sister and didn't care because sibling rivalry was her chosen sport. The other sister (the kisser) was very sweet and had no knowledge of what was happening behind her back!

It was fun ... but in hindsight I'm not proud of my actions at the time! :eek:

:D
 
dave lackey said:
So, if one were to have/purchase a Nikon SP...what similar matchup with a Nikon SLR would you put in your bag?
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I've always been partial to Canon, so I can't say much about Nikon. I will say that it never occurs to me to worry about whether two different types of cameras I have along with me at any given time are the same brand or not. Cameras of different types tend not to have common lenses anyway. It's not uncommon for me to carry a Minox Riga IIIs in my pocket, a Canon F1 around my neck, and a Hasselblad 503CXi in my hand. And if I'm actually out on a planned photo excursion, there'll likely be a Deardorff 8x10 in the trunk.
 
When I go rangefinder, I carry S3s and an SP and, for some extra reach an F with a DE-1 meterless prism and Nikkor 180 2.8. As has already been mentioned, the S3/SP/ F bodies are virtually the same, and so these bodies work well for me.
 
One reason for getting that old, brassy F with the dented prism finder is a' It is still one of best looking SLR's made and b/the lenses on it focusses the same way as the SP and - c/you can use the Nikon re-loadable cassettes in both bodies!
Stick a good macro (55f3.5) and the 105f2.5 on the F, keep a 35f1.8 on the SP, maybe with a 25, either a Nikkor or a VC on the SP. Of course. in an ideal world you would stumble on a 21f4 Rf Nikkor for reasonable cost (highly unlikely though) and the alternative would be a second F with the 21f4 (52 mm filter etc). If you find a Cosina F to Rf adapter you can also justify getting a S2 and dedicate it to the 21f4. In a more realistic world - pick up a VC Color Skopar 21f4 in SC mount for the SP.
I have two black F's - both a bit "challenged" as to looks - but boy do they look good - an install a certain respect from bystanders!
 
Wow, would love to see photos posted of a black SP with a black F. Now, that would be some kind of porn.;)

Jon, is the F shown in the RFF classifieds the one you are talking about? Or are you thinking about a photomic, apollo...?
 
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I have a heavily brassed black F (complete w/Dymo tape identifying its original photojournalist owner), but I'm afraid it will take many decades of heavy use before my SP 2005 will match.

dave lackey said:
Wow, would love to see photos posted of a black SP with a black F. Now, that would be some kind of porn.;)
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There are two black F's on sale here. I'm just drooling.

And a couple days ago, a Zunow 50mm f1.1. got listed.

What is happening, why so many hostile forces against my pocketbook?

Vick
 
I'd go with a Nikon FTn as it has a meter in it and it IS the classic professional. A meter is somewhat handy for long glass but not required. If you can live without a meter then I'd go with a DE-1 for size but for classic looks it’s the FTn.

A not as perfect match would be a Nikkormat FT3, depends upon if you need the shutter speed dial to be the exact same. Other than that and the back they are pretty close.

B2 (;->
 
BillBingham2 said:
I'd go with a Nikon FTn as it has a meter in it and it IS the classic professional. A meter is somewhat handy for long glass but not required. If you can live without a meter then I'd go with a DE-1 for size but for classic looks it’s the FTn.

A not as perfect match would be a Nikkormat FT3, depends upon if you need the shutter speed dial to be the exact same. Other than that and the back they are pretty close.

B2 (;->
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Cool...already got the FTn!:)
 
A Nikon FM or FE if it has to be an SLR. They are about the same size as the Nikon SP. An SP will fit into the cases made for the FM and FE (and the series).

I normally pack an SP and an S3 together. I've never packed a Nikon RF with an SLR. But if I were, the FE/FM would take the place of the S3 in the bag.
 
Another vote for the F, followed by an FM2/3. The F for obvious reasons of being nearly identical. One not mentioned is the ability to remove the F's prism and hold it upside-down over your head while still framing the image. Once you've done that a few times, you really get addicted. The FM2/3 because it allows faster shutter speeds, faster flash sync, in-camera metering, and it's about the same size as the SP body. Classic SLR F lenses include the 24/2.8; 50/1.4 (similar image characteristics as the RF "Olympic" 50/1.4), the 85/2 or 105/2.5; the 180/2.8 (bit big, bit heavy, unsurpassed images) and a later 200/4 (not as big and heavy as the 180, excellent underrated image quality).
 
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No other choice possible than a black F Eyelevel and a Nikkor-O 21/4 in F mount just because you can mount it on the SP too... :D
 
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