Nikon F2 help

[mfogiel]

I have bought a couple of years ago, a splendid F2 with motor drive. Following the illuminating suggestions on this forum, I have added the DE -1 plain prism, and swapped the focusing screen (replaced the glass part) with one from Nikon F3, that is particularly suited for shooting with fast lenses in the normal - short tele range, which has microprisms across all the image.

I have assembled several "greats" for portraiture: Nikkor HC 50/2, BNikkor 55/1.2,Nikkor S 58/1.4, Primoplan 58/1.9, Biotar 58/2 and Helios 44-2 58/2 (the last 3 with an adapter), Takumar 85/1.9, Nikkor 85/2, Nikkor P 105/2.5.

The camera works great in the studio, (i.e., my office...), as you can see, for example, from these photos:

Nikkor 55/1.2:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/8223448082/in/photolist-dwFjBC-duxvC3-dvsoce-dBu87z

Nikkor 105/2.5 P:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/8277845641/in/photolist-dBu87z

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/8209607171/in/photolist-dvsoce-dBu87z

And, it also works well in the field, with some bitingly sharp Zeiss Makro Planars:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/591770...Cnc-c5hcHC-duxvFm-dwFjBC-duxvC3-dvsoce-dBu87z

http://www.flickr.com/photos/591770...Cnc-c5hcHC-duxvFm-dwFjBC-duxvC3-dvsoce-dBu87z

Sort of... because, after some time, my arm starts falling off...

Here comes the rub:
When I have tried to use the camera without the (very) heavy motor drive, I have noticed, that a plug was missing from the baseplate, that is supposed to help open the lid after the roll is finished, and is also supposed to block the stray light entering inside the body.

This plug has not been supplied with the camera.

Here is the plea: If any of you is in a condition to sell me one of these, or tell me where it would be possible to order one, I would be most grateful.
As an alternative, I could consider buying a second black F2 body - not necessarily with a prism, as I have a spare one in a drawer.
Thanks
Marek

 

[Shac]

Marek - did you check to see if the plug is in the motor drive? There is a place for it (I just forget right now) somewhere in the m-drive. If not there - perhaps KEH???
Good luck
David

 

[Vickko]

Yep, motor drive cover is commonly separated from the body. Other source is ebay

 

[KoNickon]

Yes, check the instruction booklet (check butkus.com) to see where the cover is stored -- I believe it's in the top of the motor drive (i.e. the part that fits against the camera bottom). You may have a pleasant surprise!

 

[biomed]

I love the F2 and have the one I purchased in 1973. A few years ago I had CameraQuest overhaul the body and finder. It is now like a brand new camera. You might contact Stephen Gandy, our head bartender, and see if he has the part.
Mike

 

[Bill Kapinski]

I thought they were stored on the back side of the hand grip. If not I may have a spare one from a chrome body (all chrome vs half chrome/half black) at the studio I work at. We have been around for almost 50 years and I have lots of parts of stuff we have collected over the years. I can check at some point over the weekend

 

[efinglada]

I have a spare one that came with the motor I bought 5 years back. Mine is a F2A but I think they are the same.

Iwill look for it and I can send you a photo and If it fits you I can send it

Eduardo

 

[Dwig]

I thought they were stored on the back side of the hand grip. ...

You think correctly. The "key" is supposed to be stored in a socket on the back side of the motor's hand grip on both the MD-1 and MD-2 motors. It screws into the motor's socket in just the same way that is screws into the bottom of the camera body.

 

[Shac]

According to the MD-2 manual
"Unscrew the O/C key with a coin or similar object. A threaded hole is provided on the back of the motor drive grip for storing the O/C key. "

for an image see http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf2/motordrives/md2/index1.htm

 

[efinglada]

Hi mfogiel,

I found the open-close tab; check with the photos if it fits you; if so, send me your address and I will mail it to you.

 

[mynikonf2]

I have a spare one that came with the motor I bought 5 years back. Mine is a F2A but I think they are the same.

Iwill look for it and I can send you a photo and If it fits you I can send it

Eduardo

... this is what makes RFF such a great community. Bravo Eduardo.

 

[mfogiel]

I'd like to thank everybody who has kindly offered help and explanations.
In fact, I have found the missing part plugged into the grip of the motor. It seems sort of strange to see it this way, but even if I start thinking about myself as a kind of old school photography enthusiast, it looks, like I still have lots to learn 😉.
My F2 is exquisitely separate from its half a kilo heavy motor drive, and ready to explore the world.
🙂

 

[mynikonf2]

Good, glad to hear that. Another happy ending...

 

[efinglada]

Mmmmm.......I thought I had found a home for my spare tab..

Regards to all F2thousiasts