Nikon F2 - How do you shoot?

Maybe there is hope... :angel:

It is a real PITA now. Anybody got a chrome DE1?😀

I fancy a smaller F2 even though I love a meter, but I hate shooting with the meter head on the F2... Taking it off and spinning the shutter dial, I find adjustment is a little stiff but not too much. Easy with index finger.

Paul, I reckon I need to test one of your properly working F2 cameras!😛
 
Generally I set shutter speed of all of my cameras first then aperture. If I have a specific dof in mind I'll set aperture first.

I've had several F2's and think they're probably the best 35 slr ever made. A repairman I used for years used to say they were the best also. I Had three at one time and shot heavily with them. They were by far more durable than the 2 F4's I used for several years. I'm talking fairly heavy use like 100-200 or more rolls a month. I have an F2 and an F now and have used the F2 DP-1 for 25 years and my F with non meter prism almost that long. All I can say is they're both fabulous cameras. I don't think there's another SLR I enjoy using more than these.

I really like my M's and have used M's for nearly 50 years but thinking back I've had fewer repairs with my F & F2's than any other 35's including my Leicas. I've never had a repair with an F or F2 body or meter. I had one of my F2 motors strip a rewind gear once but that's it.
 
When I had an F2, it was a plain prism model. As with most cameras, I set the aperture I wanted to use, took a meter reading for that aperture with a hand-held, set that, and changed it when I thought the light had changed.

Pretty much the same way I use the Leica M4-2 and Nikon F today. 🙂

The F's Photomic FTn head had the same high reach to the shutter speed knob. My fingers learned how to do it, that's all.

G
 
Mainly I use sunny 16, set the shutterspeed and adjust the aperture, I got both prism but prefer the DE-1 because it´s simple and it looks good. I also carry a lightmeter that I use if it´s difficult light, or if I shoot something special like portraits.
 
The F2 is quite nice, very robust and over the last several years, I cannot deal with the meter head. The first was wonky and both heads I have required me to release my grip to turn the shutter dial. Terrible ergonomics. Totally useless for what I do. YMMV.

I am on the lookout for a DE-1 but it will take a long time to build up my slush fund (collecting coins over many months). So, a nice camera languishes in its bag.

It is back to my F6 as it can keep up with the pace and I am very happy to use it as my primary camera these days.

Thank you all for your comments!
 
Like most of the other posters here, I am usually most interested in depth of field in shooting, and set the aperture first and the shutter speed second. I agree it is awkward to remove one hand to adjust the shutter speed. I had a Nikkormat before getting an F2, and the shutter speed control ring around the lens was a more ergonomic arrangement.
 
The DP12 on mine is amazing- No problem adjusting shutter speeds with eye on the finder- if my shots weren't so spontaneous in the dark, I'd use it more (I'm spoiled by AE and brighter finders)
 
I really like shutter and aperture readout in finder, so give me the Photomic head any day.
If changing the shutter speed is a problem for you I'd hate to hear your other complaints...

Chris
 
While walking with my F2 w/DE-1 this morning, I realized I always keep the camera set to (Base) Sunny 16 (i.e. ISO 400 film, 1/2000 & f8). Then when I see something I want to take a picture of, I do the Sunny 16 rule in my head, dial the plus or minus stops in with either aperture or shutter speed, and snap. Then set it immediately back to Sunny 16 (Base). I find this works quick and smooth. Always knowing I'm starting at Sunny 16 (Base), it's quick to get the shot.

Just my 2¢ worth.
 
Cool... Sunny 16.

Keeping things in my head and doing mental calculations is not what I want to do anymore at my age. Chasing grandkids doesn't really allow for all of that and MF anyhow. So, a CLA on the meter would help but funds are unavailable.

I really dislike taking my right hand off the camera to adjust anything. Even carrying a separate meter is too much trouble. But that is ok... I have earned the right to be lazy!🙂 Learning how to be a slacker is a lot of work!😛
 
dave lackey said:
The F2 is quite nice, very robust and over the last several years, I cannot deal with the meter head. The first was wonky and both heads I have required me to release my grip to turn the shutter dial. Terrible ergonomics. Totally useless for what I do. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Dave, I just looked into my crystal ball and saw you trading (or was it selling 😛) that totally useless terrible ergonomics Nikon F2 for an AF Nikkor 50mm F1.4 lens! 😉
 
jonmanjiro said:
Dave, I just looked into my crystal ball and saw you trading (or was it selling 😛) that totally useless terrible ergonomics Nikon F2 for an AF Nikkor 50mm F1.4 lens! 😉
Click to expand...

Ha! I wish!!!🙂

I love the F2 but even if I spend a lot to get it close to where I would like, the F6 would find itself being used all the time minus a decent AF 50. I have been spoiled.🙄
 
I try to keep abreast of the ambient light as I'm walking around, so when I see a photo opportunity, I just frame it, and shoot. When it is necessary to adjust while shooting, I'll cradle the camera/drive with my left hand and adjust shutter speed with my right hand. For me, aperture is almost always more important than shutter speed (because for street shooting it really doesn't matter much of the time whether the shutter speed is 1/60th or 1/2000th) so it's the aperture that most often gets changed as necessary by my left thumb and middle finger while the camera is supported by my left palm, and right hand on the drive handle.
 
dave lackey said:
Cool... Sunny 16.

Keeping things in my head and doing mental calculations is not what I want to do anymore at my age. Chasing grandkids doesn't really allow for all of that and MF anyhow.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, I think we're talking about two different kinds of picture making here. If I were chasing around my grand kids I'd be wanting to take snapshots with my Nikon 1 V2. Basically you just point it and press the button. Camera does all the work for you and you capture them in all their energetic goodness.

I use my F2 for doing slow photography where I have time to really think about the image and compose before pressing the shutter. It fits perfectly with my morning walks, and if the grand kids are napping or watching TV (in other words, Not Moving), it works great for that too. I shoot for the local paper and it's always Go-Go-Go, Deadline-Deadline-Deadline, so it's a real treat when I get a chance to slow down, look at the light, think through Sunny-16, set the camera, compose, and shoot. And I find the F2 w/DE-1 is great for that.

Best,
-Tim
 
One feature of the DP heads for the F2 is that they have a meter exposure display on top, so you can adjust aperture and shutter speed with the camera at your waist, then bring it up and shoot in one quick motion, great for street photography. I use 24mm and 35mm as "normal" lenses, and with hyperfocal focusing, and exposure already set on the body, it's faster than any electronic camera 🙂.
 
ChrisPlatt said:
I really like shutter and aperture readout in finder, so give me the Photomic head any day.
If changing the shutter speed is a problem for you I'd hate to hear your other complaints...

Chris
Click to expand...

The shutter dial on the camera is fine... I can use it if I had a DE-1, just like on my M bodies. Both of my metered heads have problems. The standard head has a jumpy needle but works most of the time. The A meter head slips off at the coupling and drives me crazy. To use the head, I have to hold down on the tall shutter dial while turning with both my thumb and forefinger, necessitating interruption of any possible shot because my finger is off the shutter and my framing is ruined.
So my options are to spend a lot of cash on a meter repair. Or, a similar amount for a sexy chrome DE1. Hmmm... Sexy sounds nice but I just can't afford either option yet.

Thanks to all for your input...
 
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