Nikon F2 help

[Paul K]

Hi,

Back in college (a long time ago) I had a Nikon F with the standard non-metered prism. It was a great camera, but heavy and no TTL metering. Toward the end of the 70's, I was seduced by the smaller, lighter Olympus OM-1. I traded the F for it and still use it. It does everything I need, but I have always missed the Nikon. Now I am thinking of getting an F2 and have some questions that I hope you can help me with.

First: Am I crazy? I really don't need another camera with a new set of lenses to buy.

What prism should I look for? DP1 and DP2 will work with Auto Index and NAI lenses, DP11 and DP12 are more advanced, but only work with AI lenses. Also, the DP12 is ablut twice as expensive as the DP1. So, is the DP12 worth saving up for?

I am thinking of a two lens kit. A 28-85 zoom and a 80-200 zoom. I like to travel light. I know the primes are optically better, but am willing to compromise. What Nikkor lenses would you recommend or should I look at third party?

If you have made it this far, thanks for staying with me and I appreciate your comments.

Paul

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Get the F-3HP. It is lighter and more ergonomic. Ai(s) lenses are a little better. Motor drive is lighter too. The DP-12 is the high point and it really is a collectible item. The F2 & F3 are basically the same price range with the DP-12 being at a premium. If you are doing sports or demos outdoors look at the F4s with a variable focus/auto focus lens. It will take the older Ai lenses, too.

 

[Athos6]

I would agree with the suggestion to get the F3HP. However, most people I know really like the Oly's and thier lenses, and one SLR is pretty much like another, you would be trading a great body + great lenses for a great body + super lenses.... I say go for it, but keep the Oly. One more thing, don't go Nikon and then buy zooms.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I don't know about the crazy part but F2s are great cameras. They are not light weight or small and neither are the zooms so you won't be traveling light. Just a point of correction, both the DP11 and DP12 will work with non ai lenses. The ai metering tab on both those finders can be moved up out of the way and you use stop down metering which is not as convenient but workable. I think part of the reason that the DP12 finder is more expensive is that it is the newest of the lot, uses SPD cells for metering and is less prone to trouble. Is it worth the extra? Can't help you there. For more info on the finders and more you could look here http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf2/index.htm .

Bob

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I would get the DP-1 finder. Older non-AI lenses are a bargain. The superb 80~200 F4.5 Zoom-Nikkor goes for cheap these days. The F3HP is a great camera, but the F2 is the height of the all-mechanical Nikons. The DP-2 is trouble-prone. The DP-3 and DP-12 can also run into electronic problems. If the board goes, you are in trouble. The DP-1 and DP-11 are the most "repairable" of the finders.

 

[BillBingham2]

I agree with Brian, the F2 is as good as the F but takes batteries you can still get! I would go with the DP-1 and the DP-11.

B2 (;->

 

[literiter]

I have two F2s, both DP-1 finders and a F3HP. I use all of these cameras a lot but I find that the F3HP gets used more. The aperture priority on the F3 is very nice and I'm not quite so precious with the F3 as I am with the F2s.

Mr. Sweeney's recommendation for the DP-1 finder, I would second. I agree that "the F2 is the height of all mechanical Nikons" if not all cameras of that era. Myself, and everyone I know who has a F2 will attest to the things reliability.

There is something else too, I know it isn't really relevant, but the camera is really good to look at. Yes, I know, a camera should be something you look through, not at, but the thing is handsome.

Get a F2 but you may want to budget a CLA and make sure the meter is accurate.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I have both an F2A and an F3HP, and one difference that is worth mentioning is that that F3s have a far more concentrated light meter pattern. If you are used to center-weighted or larger evaluative metering patterns, you need to watch where that central spot is more carefully when metering an F3 than an F2. Both are wonderful cameras, and I agree with the comment on the non-AI lenses, there are many that are stellar optics, and they go for low prices.

 

[leif e]

Non metered

Non metered

Brian´s right. I just can´t keep my mouth shot: I´ve had one non-metered F (like your´s, paul) and a couple of F2s, metered and not. Loved them all.
My point; I got a non metered beautiful F2 a while ago, along with an AId old 2,5/105 Nikkor. Man, what else can you want for using a short tele? I always carry a hand held meter anyway.

leif e

 

[Paul K]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like an F2 with a DP1 is the best choice for me. I looked at the F3, but I want an all-mechanical camera. I will also be keeping the OM-1. Aside from the fact that primes perform better than zooms, any reason to avoid Nikkors? I have heard good things about the 28-85 AIS.

Paul

 

[Pablito]

Isn't there a guy in the UK who works ONLY on F2's? He has a whole website about F2 repair. Can't find the url now...

 

[Ken Ford]

I'm a major F2 fan (I have three at the moment), but I always prefered them with DE1 finders.

 

[oscroft]

Toward the end of the 70's, I was seduced by the smaller, lighter Olympus OM-1. I traded the F for it and still use it. It does everything I need, but I have always missed the Nikon.

That's interesting. I used to have a Nikon F3HP, but now I use OMs for my SLR shooting (OM1n, OM2n, and a range of Zuiko lenses) - I went for them because they're smaller and lighter, and the lenses are more affordable but excellent. The OM system does everyhing I need, but from time to time I still miss my F3 🙄

 

[nikon_sam]

Crazy to want a F2...no way...
I have a F2a (DP-11) and a F2 with DP-1 (meter off)...
I carry the F2a just about everywhere I go...right now it has the Nikkor-O 35mm 2.0 (AI'd) mounted on it...I love that camera...
As far as getting some glass for it just start slow and pick up something when you can...even if you just start with a 50mm lens...it will give you some time to learn the camera and it's meter...
There are still some F2's in decent shape out there if you just wait and do your homework...It took a bit to get the one I have but I'm glad I took my time and waited for the right one...
Good Luck and Happy Hunting...