Nikon F2 Gas

[GarageBoy]

I love my f2 with the dp12 that my dad rebuilt from spares
Looks beat up and the finder has a spray can paint job, but it works great and is smooth. My shoulder hurts from carrying it around, though and its a clunky to use

 

[Calzone]

Hi. Would the screens from an F4 or F3 fit also an F? (I understand from this thread they fit the F2, with some effort, and I am assuming they would then also fit an F, but would like a confirmation).

Thanks.

I use the "Red-Dot" screens from Nikon F3's in my F2. The Red-Dot screens are much improved over the F2 screens and are both brighter and more contrasty, but the screen frames have to be exchanged. All that is required are some jeweler's screwdrivers. Red-Dot screens sell used for about $20.00.

The screens for the F and F2 are the same. Realize that the brighter screen will effect the metering on a F2 if using a metered prism. The offset can be created by the ASA dial. Perhaps 1/3rd of a stop or maybe up to a half stop difference.

Over the weekend I bought another black DE-1 prism at a great price. I'm thinking of getting a brassed out F2 to make a statement, since I have a clean version with a mint DE-1.

Cal

 

[KevinVH]

Calzone, you're looking for something like this?

 

[Calzone]

Calzone, you're looking for something like this?

Kevin,

I'm particularly looking for w really hammered black F2 that perhaps is missing about 1/3 of its black paint.

Over the weekend I found/bought another black DE-!. I already have a clean black paint F2, now I want a really beat up version. Last Friday I looked at an $84.00 black F2A, but it wasn't as broken in as I like. LOL.

Cal

 

[KevinVH]

Kevin,

I'm particularly looking for w really hammered black F2 that perhaps is missing about 1/3 of its black paint.

Over the weekend I found/bought another black DE-!. I already have a clean black paint F2, now I want a really beat up version. Last Friday I looked at an $84.00 black F2A, but it wasn't as broken in as I like. LOL.

Cal

this one is missing the paint on the buttom, and on the edges, but maybe 15/100 thats missing, not as much as you´d like!

 

[jwicaksana]

Over the weekend I bought another black DE-1 prism at a great price. I'm thinking of getting a brassed out F2 to make a statement, since I have a clean version with a mint DE-1.

Cal

As promised, Cal:


Now we can hang here to talk about F2 and your thread shall remain safe.

Calzone, you're looking for something like this?

this one is missing the paint on the buttom, and on the edges, but maybe 15/100 thats missing, not as much as you´d like!

Beautiful lighting right there, Kevin. I might stick that electrical tape over Nikon as well. It looked so dangerous. 😛

 

[Calzone]

Jonathan,

I'm a holdout for a very brassed in camera because I miss both a 1935 Leica III and this 1938 Leica II. Both cameras were black paint and were heavily brassed. Both also had nickle knobs.

Anyways very pretty cameras. I should be able to get a brassy F2 to deal with the GAS.

Cal

 

[KevinVH]

As promised, Cal:


Now we can hang here to talk about F2 and your thread shall remain safe.



Beautiful lighting right there, Kevin. I might stick that electrical tape over Nikon as well. It looked so dangerous. 😛

Thx, I like your lighting too, shows the camera of super nice, like it is! I'll have a stab at it too today.

 

[jwicaksana]

Jonathan,

I'm a holdout for a very brassed in camera because I miss both a 1935 Leica III and this 1938 Leica II. Both cameras were black paint and were heavily brassed. Both also had nickle knobs.

Anyways very pretty cameras. I should be able to get a brassy F2 to deal with the GAS.

Cal

How much for a brassy DE1 finder in your part of the world, Cal? I can totally see that even big SLRs are actually quite small and it's their finders that make them big.

Thx, I like your lighting too, shows the camera of super nice, like it is! I'll have a stab at it too today.

Kevin, I was so inspired by yours I made an attempt to do it, albeit it was quickly revealed that my lighting technique is inadequate. So I had to rely on available light, which is quite soft here:

​

 

[Calzone]

How much for a brassy DE1 finder in your part of the world, Cal? I can totally see that even big SLRs are actually quite small and it's their finders that make them big.

Kevin, I was so inspired by yours I made an attempt to do it, albeit it was quickly revealed that my lighting technique is inadequate. So I had to rely on available light, which is quite soft here:

​

Johnathan,

I was lucky to find one in "E" condition for $239.00 and a second one in "E" condition for $199.00, both at remarkable low prices. Both also came with the prism covers. To me these prices seem low so I don't mind stockpiling them. Its almost like finding money laying on the sidewalk. I think because both are the rare black versions that they will likely appreciate greatly in value while F2 bodies will become less expensive as time goes on.

To me a black F2 with a black DE-1 is a camera for a diehard. Basically Leica M3 build quality in a SLR.

If you are looking for a cheap eye-level prism look for a beat up black eye-level prism for a "F." Definately less money, but I think hoarding DE-1's are investments.

Cal

 

[Flat Twin]

Talking of brassed F2's, here's my F2 & DE-1...

It belonged to a news photographer on one of the British national newspapers. The DP-3 that came with the set has been serviced by Sover Wong and works like a charm. I will send the body and DE-1 to him soon for some more magic... Its a great camera to carry and shoot in either configuration...

Regards,

Simon

 

[Flat Twin]

Here it is sporting its DP-3 / F2Sb configuration in more even lighting...

 

[Timestep]

Nikon F2 with plain prism: The last "Adult" Nikon.

 

[Calzone]

Talking of brassed F2's, here's my F2 & DE-1...

It belonged to a news photographer on one of the British national newspapers. The DP-3 that came with the set has been serviced by Sover Wong and works like a charm. I will send the body and DE-1 to him soon for some more magic... Its a great camera to carry and shoot in either configuration...

Regards,

Simon

Simon,

I love your camera.

Cal

 

[KevinVH]

All nice pictures here! jwicaksana, your version of my lighting came out ok, since it was just available light. If I remember correctly, mine was done with 3 flashes. One ringflash, a speedlight as a hairlight and a softbox fill..

 

[Ronald M]

F2 is a superior camera. All kinds of redesign inside and nicely rounded corners outside.

Good luck finding a decent prism model.

 

[jwicaksana]

All nice pictures here! jwicaksana, your version of my lighting came out ok, since it was just available light. If I remember correctly, mine was done with 3 flashes. One ringflash, a speedlight as a hairlight and a softbox fill..

Hi Kevin, yeap I can totally tell yours used elaborate lighting setup. I am now doing light seals replacement on mine. Left Goo Gone on it last night, see if I can now get it thoroughly clean, then install new seals. Have a good weekend, everyone!

 

[mynikonf2]

As promised, Cal:


Now we can hang here to talk about F2 and your thread shall remain safe.

Nicely done. Good looking F2S & mid-production, "K" type 55/1.2, IMHO an existing light kit that's hard to beat. 🙂

 

[Frontman]

One of mine, the black paint on the titanium models is far tougher stuff than they put on the standard black cameras, and it is not easily scratched or worn off,

I have half s dozen or so black Nikon F cameras with plain prisms, three or four plain prism F2 bodies, and a dozen or so photomics... My name is Jeff, and I am a Nikonoholic...

 

[ruby.monkey]

Meet the Uglycam:


EPM40776 by ruby.monkey, on Flickr

F2 body (griptac'd by a previous owner), DE finder, AR-1 softie, and 5.8cm f/1.4 Nikkor-S. A great grab-and-go combo.