Favorite Nikon body for shooting non-AI glass?

[Tom A]

[/url]F264 Efke 21 (1983) #3 by T&T and Mr B Abrahamsson, on Flickr[/IMG]
The pyramid scheme! The "real" Nikon F, prism finder - basic, reliable and cool!
In the 60's we didn't need no frigging meters! We guessed the exposures and if we screwed up (which one frequently did) it could sometimes be fixed in the darkroom- which created the "soot and chalk" school of black/white printing. If it could't be saved that way - we still printed it and called it "Art".

 

[Fraser]

I wouldn't choose a body to match non ai lenses better to just (as Godfrey suggests) ai them!
I've probably had most of the Nikkormats and would rather have a FM or a plain prism F/F2.
Or you could just get a Df!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

In the 60's we didn't need no frigging meters! We guessed the exposures and if we screwed up (which one frequently did) it could sometimes be fixed in the darkroom- which created the "soot and chalk" school of black/white printing. If it could't be saved that way - we still printed it and called it "Art".

I do enjoy just guessing, and do it with my Canon P all the time...and indeed, if the F with eyelevel prism were as cheap as an FT2, I'd jump on it immediately. If I like the system, I'm sure one will be in my future...

Or you could just get a Df!

Great idea, if you're willing to spring for one for me!

 

[Huss]

I use all the manual focus cameras that have been mentioned, and the FT2 is my favourite for non AI lenses if you want a body w/ meter.
The Nikkormats have pro F level build, but w fewer features that you may not miss anyway.

 

[presspass]

The Nikormat may be a great camera, but the shutter speed ring is a non-starter for me. Just try using that with a pair of heavy gloves on. The plain prism Fs or F2s are nearly perfect if you don't mind carrying a small meter. Otherwise, the F2 Photomic or F2Sb makes a great walkaround camera.

 

[barnwulf]

I use a plain prism Nikon F and I often perfer the AIS lenses. - jim

 

[Huss]

The Nikormat may be a great camera, but the shutter speed ring is a non-starter for me. Just try using that with a pair of heavy gloves on.

Heavy gloves are terrible with any camera.

If gloves are needed for photography, wear the appropriate ones:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876,92051677562,&Q=&A=details

 

[Tim Murphy]

Gotta stop down non-AI lenses to meter, though, I'm pretty sure...

Dear mabelsound,

Yes you do but the F4 is the blood donor equivalent of AB positive when it comes to Nikon cameras. If the lens physically mounts it will work, and even provide a degree of automation should you require that.

My favorite Nikon for non-AI lenses will always be the Nikon F I inherited from my Grandfather, but I'm a sentimental old fool, besides being a regular fool.

Good luck in your search.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[BillBingham2]

I use a plain prism Nikon F and I often perfer the AIS lenses. - jim

I like the look of metal Pre-AI focusing and aperature rings. While I really liked the 300/4.5 ED-IF, about the only AI and after lens that I really like better is the 28/2.8 AI-s.

It's hard to pick, F or F2 plain prism, Nikkormat FTn, all three are great. Just make sure you add an AR-1. I never understood why they didn't make an AR-1 in black.

B2 (;->

 

[Alpsman]

You are happy using a handheld meter? Then, no question, F (Apollo) or F2 with eyelevel.
And yes, the "old" 50/2 are not that bad either.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

A nice feature of the F2 Photomic (DP-1) is that it displays shutter speed and
aperture using any Nikon F mount lens with claw, including pre-AI Nikkors.
DP-1 equipped F2 bodies are very inexpensive nowadays.

Chris

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Someone alerted me to a black Nikomat FT2 with 50/2 on the APUG classifieds for a very nice $50, so I went for it. I'll report back! Still after a 24mm but I'm watching a couple on eBay.

 

[dasuess]

Someone alerted me to a black Nikomat FT2 with 50/2 on the APUG classifieds for a very nice $50, so I went for it. I'll report back! Still after a 24mm but I'm watching a couple on eBay.

Try National Camera's used site (natcam.com/lenses-optics/used-camera-lenses). I have purchases six of the Nikkors I have them and have not been disappointed.


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[squirrel$$$bandit]

Try National Camera's used site (natcam.com/lenses-optics/used-camera-lenses). I have purchases six of the Nikkors I have them and have not been disappointed.

Ooh, thank you....that's an excellent resource.

 

[DanskDynamit]

my good old Nikon F with prism finder.