Nikon addiction problem...

[Frontman]

There is something I find irresistable about old Nikon cameras. I have been shooting with Nikon since I first got started with photography, when I got a secondhand FE for a good price.

The old Nikon cameras are pleasing to the eye, and to the hands. There is a simple mechanical simplicity about them which appeals to me, and the large number of options and accessories appeals to the part of my nature which was formed by playing with tinker toys and linken logs. On top of all this, they also take great photos.

I like to shoot with all kinds of cameras, in different formats, and enjoy all of them. But Nikon seems to have the most appeal to me.

Since moving to Japan, where Nikon gear is as plentiful as trees, I have steadily acquired many of these cameras. Most are ugly and beat up, a few are so nice as to appear unused. Whenever I come across a nice (or not so nice) camera, I find it hard to pass it by. As a result, I have a couple shelves covered with these buggers.

Anyone else addicted to Nikons?

 

[68degrees]

yes Im feeling the pull myself. First it was the FM. Then the FE. Then a host of mint AI lenses. Recently I found a FT3 and now already Im flirting with unmetered F2s online, and the waist level finder. I thought the photomic head was too bulky, now Im reconsidering it. Reversing rings, B&W filters, extension tubes. .. it never ends. Nikon is a vortex.

 

[Tony Whitney]

There really is something special about old Nikons. I've used some kind of Nikon most of my photographic life and travelled all over the world with them. I'm so attached to my S3 2000 that I'm thinking of selling my Leica gear to fund more Nikon RF equipment. And then there's my still mint F3 - perhaps the best 35mm SLR ever built. My brother must have 20 or 30 older Nikons and is still looking for more...TW

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Nikon has consistently been the gear I return to, time and again for serious professional work. I've worked with Pentax, Canon, Bronica, Leica and Konica but Nikons have been the most reliable and have made me the most money. They just work and I love the system.

Phil Forrest

 

[Shac]

6F's, 3 F2's, 1 F3 - does this qualify?🙄

 

[Godfrey]

The Nikon F Photomic FTn and 50/1.4 lens was my first SLR, and I used Nikon F3, FM2 and FE2 as my primary cameras for 22 years. So I'm attached to them. 🙂

These days I have a small kit of two F bodies and four favorite lenses. Mostly for the nostalgia, as I don't shoot too much 35mm film any longer. I sometimes get on a jag of looking for more great Nikon gear at today's bargain pricing, but so far I've resisted going in deeper.

G

 

[Brian Legge]

I wish I could be one - its a slightly cheaper addition. 🙂

The camera that kicked off my return to film was a Nikon F4s a few years back. I picked up a kit primarily for the lenses and strobes with the intent of using it with a D70s... but fell back in to film instead. I picked up an FG while hunting for something more compact but tried rangefinders for the first time shortly after and was hooked.

That said, I'm keeping the F4s and lenses. I assume someone I'll end up back on the SLR side and I can't imagine a better manual focus kit. The FG is in great shape but I didn't click with it as much for some reason.

 

[Doug]

Brian, your mention of the FG reminds me that I bought a new one for my parents as a gift. It just seemed to have the right mix of features and abilities for their needs. They took it out on their sailboat on Puget Sound and Canadian waters, took some ocean cruises, vacations to Hawaii... all salt air, and their house was on the waterfront at sea level too. The salt did it in, along with the Tamron 35-85 lens, as I discovered while clearing out their house. Repair shop said the kit was a total loss.

 

[Harry Lime]

oh, man... that picture is a thing of beauty...

But i know what you mean...

 

[maitani]

at todays prices, they are hard to resist, I went from a dozen nikon bodys down to 3 keepers,

S2/SP
F

not counting the D3s as it's my pure work tool (over 200k actuations, and still rocking like day 1...)

so the gas cure was kind of successful, but I feel the itch to get back an F2 and FM2T.. but try to resist...

 

[thebelbo]

Another Nikon fan here: underated classics in my opinion.

 

[Alpsman]

Yes, me too. But only to mechanical Nikons as there are F, F2, S2 & Nikonos 3.

 

[Ronny]

9 F and 18 Non-AI Lenses.
All Nippon Kogaku Tokyo.
Oldest from year 1959.
Everything works Perfect.
Never CLA´d.
Metal-Quality.

 

[Addy101]

Ah, this is the Nikon Appreciation Society 🙄

I never used a Nikon camera, so I can't comment on the handling part. But beautiful? Really? Do you guys really think Nikon cameras are "pleasing to the eye"? They look bulky and are full of humps. Not good looking at all. 😱
IMHO, of course.

 

[Frontman]

Ah, this is the Nikon Appreciation Society 🙄

I never used a Nikon camera, so I can't comment on the handling part. But beautiful? Really? Do you guys really think Nikon cameras are "pleasing to the eye"? They look bulky and are full of humps. Not good looking at all. 😱
IMHO, of course.

Look into my eye and tell me you don't love me 😀

 

[Keith]

Ah, this is the Nikon Appreciation Society 🙄

I never used a Nikon camera, so I can't comment on the handling part. But beautiful? Really? Do you guys really think Nikon cameras are "pleasing to the eye"? They look bulky and are full of humps. Not good looking at all. 😱
IMHO, of course.

I see where you're coming from here and although no real Nikon classic fan myself I can see the attraction for those that love them.

 

[Addy101]

I see where you're coming from here and although no real Nikon classic fan myself I can see the attraction for those that love them.

You're right, you can describe them as interesting and that can have some sort of allure...

 

[Keith]

You're right, you can describe them as interesting and that can have some sort of allure...

I admire good industrial design ... and I've always viewed them as 'hammers' in a world of photographic tools. 😀

 

[nobbylon]

All sold apart from the chrome F2. After I bought an F5 there seemed little point however.....after a couple of years I caved and bought another F2 and an F3.
Still wish I hadn't sold the 28 AIS !

 

[rgeorge911]

I thought I may be one of the only ones with a full flight of non-AI lenses to try on the new Df. Apparently not so!

My most recent was a 200mm f4 (non-AI) in gorgeous condition for $75. That's if you don't count what should arrive from KEH today - my second F2, and a 43-86 f3.5 zoom (reputed to be the worst Nikon lens ever!). At $29, how could I not try a lens with such a reputation?

Like the OP, I shoot all kinds of gear, but, yes, old Nikons are just too nice to say no to. I have been able to avoid the Nikon RF bug so far, but only narrowly.

Reed
Blog: DMC-365.blogspot.com