Fraser
Well-known
If you think Fs are fun try a motorised one!
Nikon F --- All it's cracked up to be?
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Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I used to shoot Audio-Visual productions - 70-80 rolls/day. Four F with F36 - later changed to F2 with the MD-2. The amount of film you could run through these is amazing. Had a "schlepper" whose sole job was to keep cameras loaded and lenses clean!
Nothing. this side of a Hasselblad ELM sounds better than a F or F2 at "full throttle". If you watch old newscast from the 60's and early 70's - the sound of "talking heads" and their victims were often drowned out by the rattle.whir and slap from Nikon's. The F 36 had the best sound in my opinion - and the torque was incredible! I still have a handful of F3's with the Md4 motor. Much more discreet and much easier to handle. One of the few cameras that feels better with the motor on than off. Good example of industrial design - with the user in mind.
Nothing. this side of a Hasselblad ELM sounds better than a F or F2 at "full throttle". If you watch old newscast from the 60's and early 70's - the sound of "talking heads" and their victims were often drowned out by the rattle.whir and slap from Nikon's. The F 36 had the best sound in my opinion - and the torque was incredible! I still have a handful of F3's with the Md4 motor. Much more discreet and much easier to handle. One of the few cameras that feels better with the motor on than off. Good example of industrial design - with the user in mind.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Tom,
Yeah. Used to do this as an assistant. OK until the F36 went dingo and finished a roll of its own accord. Bloody things needed servicing quite often. Is this why you had four? We had only two or three (AV again). I've forgotten exactly how many: it was a long time ago.
Cheers,
R.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Roger, the F36 had an irritating habit of continuing firing even when you took the finger off the release - as did the S36 for SP's. On the other hand, I used M2m's for a couple of years and they usually stopped at frame 23 or 24 - kind of evened it out.
I did Industrial multi projection set ups - mostly forest industry and oil/gas. My favourite one was a 24 frame/ second 10 second sequence of a really big log being devoured by a multi bladed saw!!! There was enough sawdust in the cameras to start a small bonfire. This is one area where i thing digital video is much better! Trying to co-ordinate 28 Ektagraphic projectors with a Dove control system - programmed on tape in real time - warranted a very substantial day-rate!
I did Industrial multi projection set ups - mostly forest industry and oil/gas. My favourite one was a 24 frame/ second 10 second sequence of a really big log being devoured by a multi bladed saw!!! There was enough sawdust in the cameras to start a small bonfire. This is one area where i thing digital video is much better! Trying to co-ordinate 28 Ektagraphic projectors with a Dove control system - programmed on tape in real time - warranted a very substantial day-rate!
Alpsman
Well-known
For me, a good camera has to work without a battery. After F2 ans S2 a F followed. Nearly foolprof, bonesimply, looks good, sounds good and looks better doing it. They have to throw it in my coffin.
www.destoutz.ch/nikon-f.html
www.nikon-f.de/
www.destoutz.ch/nikon-f.html
www.nikon-f.de/
maitani
Well-known
this topic had me pulling out and shooting two rolls on the F/plain prism past weekend.
unmetered, uncluttered, 100% joy shooting experience
unmetered, uncluttered, 100% joy shooting experience
steveyork
Well-known
I've never understood the love affair with Nikon Fs and F2s when it comes to practical, in the field handling. There are far better "users," meaning more practical and easier to use. I guess the Nikons are easy to repair and somewhat reliable, and they do have the history behind them. And yes, I've owned a few, but would much rather have a Leicaflex SL or Canon F1. The Nikon F3 is a different story.
Oh yeah, the unmetered Fs look good too. That seems to be a high priority for most rangefinder guys.
Oh yeah, the unmetered Fs look good too. That seems to be a high priority for most rangefinder guys.
VinceC
Veteran
>>... would much rather have a Leicaflex SL or Canon F1. <<
I used a Canon F1 my first few years. The Canon FD lens mount was not a strong point. There were several times I thought I was adjusting focus or aperture only to realize I was loosening the lens. Once had one drop off but was able to catch it. The 1/2000 shutter speed was nice, as was the built-in meter. However, a colleague once put a finger through the shutter.
The Nikon F just has a basic unadorned simplicity about it. Plus the modular approach.
I used a Canon F1 my first few years. The Canon FD lens mount was not a strong point. There were several times I thought I was adjusting focus or aperture only to realize I was loosening the lens. Once had one drop off but was able to catch it. The 1/2000 shutter speed was nice, as was the built-in meter. However, a colleague once put a finger through the shutter.
The Nikon F just has a basic unadorned simplicity about it. Plus the modular approach.
leicapixie
Well-known
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135813
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135813
You are kidding about repairs,right?
These ain't those fancy light leaking Leitz wonders.
What repairs!
Dirty, misused, ill treated, Nikon-F took it.
The Canon early breech mount and outside hanging cams, a pain,
The Leicaflex, the first an abomination with no true SLR view..the SL2 very soft in strength, compared..
When the bricks, stones and bullets were flying,you wanted a good shield.The Nikon-F.
It worked. It continued working.No motor drive!
I couldn't afford that much film..
IT, OK both still working..😀
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135813
You are kidding about repairs,right?
These ain't those fancy light leaking Leitz wonders.
What repairs!
Dirty, misused, ill treated, Nikon-F took it.
The Canon early breech mount and outside hanging cams, a pain,
The Leicaflex, the first an abomination with no true SLR view..the SL2 very soft in strength, compared..
When the bricks, stones and bullets were flying,you wanted a good shield.The Nikon-F.
It worked. It continued working.No motor drive!
I couldn't afford that much film..
IT, OK both still working..😀
L Collins
Well-known
As for the F's, give me an un-metered F any day over a bloated F3. But give me an SL over either of them, hands down, the SL being ergonomically near perfect for an SLR.
and yes, as leicapxie says, if I was going to a war zone, give me the F over anything.
puderse
Established
My old Fs
My old Fs
My rich uncle drafted my ass and sent me to school to be a still photographer. Then he sent me off on my senior trip to exotic foreign lands. Tried to make me use all kinds of cameras but I spent my own money on two Fs, 7 lenses, and a motor w/cordless battery pack.
Photography fed my family till I went belly up with the coming of digital.
Started over in a new career. Still have the wife, the cameras (plus other Fs & lenses), and three grandkids.
Only recently sent one of the original Fs off cause the slow speeds were getting slow.
Don't talk to me about how great your classy rangefinders are!
My old Fs
My rich uncle drafted my ass and sent me to school to be a still photographer. Then he sent me off on my senior trip to exotic foreign lands. Tried to make me use all kinds of cameras but I spent my own money on two Fs, 7 lenses, and a motor w/cordless battery pack.
Photography fed my family till I went belly up with the coming of digital.
Started over in a new career. Still have the wife, the cameras (plus other Fs & lenses), and three grandkids.
Only recently sent one of the original Fs off cause the slow speeds were getting slow.
Don't talk to me about how great your classy rangefinders are!
GarageBoy
Well-known
+1
I have a F2AS, that I plan on going through the rest of my TMZ 3200 stash with (roll a month for the next year or so) that I love, but damn, the new F3 I got in is starting to be my favorite.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Fs are tools, workhorses, hammers to drive nails.
I have Leicaflex SLs now too. They're more ergonomic, have a better viewfinder, and the lenses are to die for. But that does not detract from the solid, perhaps even crude strength of the F.
G
I have Leicaflex SLs now too. They're more ergonomic, have a better viewfinder, and the lenses are to die for. But that does not detract from the solid, perhaps even crude strength of the F.
G
Alpsman
Well-known
You are not afraid of accidently dropping an F to the ground cause ya know it will survive.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Unfortunately I dropped my F and the shutter release shaft was bent.
The camera is very tough, but like everything it has it's limitations.
If anyone knows of a solid Nikon F repairman, please post a link.
Here is Don McCullin's F that was hit by a bullet and probably saved his life.
http://www.talesonfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/bullet-hit-Nikon-F.jpg
The camera is very tough, but like everything it has it's limitations.
If anyone knows of a solid Nikon F repairman, please post a link.
Here is Don McCullin's F that was hit by a bullet and probably saved his life.
http://www.talesonfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/bullet-hit-Nikon-F.jpg
Vics
Veteran
I'll be shooting F and FM on our trip to NYC and DC in October. 2/50 on one and 1.8/85 on the other. Can't wait!
Harry Lime
Practitioner
I love the F. For me it's the only camera that rivals the M4.
In many ways the F2 is more refined, practical and maybe even tougher, but there simply is something about the way the original F handles and feels that is very special. It's my favorite SLR.
In many ways the F2 is more refined, practical and maybe even tougher, but there simply is something about the way the original F handles and feels that is very special. It's my favorite SLR.
redisburning
Well-known
so for those of you old enough to remember, when the F was current what were the big lenses that the pros taking these into the field were using?
did it change much with the F2?
did it change much with the F2?
Vics
Veteran
Annie Leibovitz carried the Nikkor-O 35mm f2, the Micro-Nikkor 55mm 3.5, and the Nikkor-P 105mm f2.5 during her Rolling Stone years.
Landshark
Well-known
redisburning
you mean like the 50-300mm/4.5 from '68?
Or 8.5-250CM of '59-'61?
Not like those Leibovitz toys.
you mean like the 50-300mm/4.5 from '68?
Or 8.5-250CM of '59-'61?
Not like those Leibovitz toys.
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