Nikon F2 vs Leica with no meter

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besk

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I own a nice Nikon F2 with plain prism and with a Maxwell enhanced F3 screen fitted.

Other than having a quiet shutter and being a little smaller it keeps me wondering why someone would choose one of the meterless M models over a Nikon F2.

Your opinion would be appreciated.
 
Rangefinder focusing. It's a totally different experience than focusing SLR's. The low light capabilities of rangefinder focusing keeps me firmly in the rangefinder world. You've been a member for 12 years so I assume you have used a rangefinder camera. What do you prefer?
 
Excellent consideration. I own a M6 and have owned two M2's in the past. The rangefinder is somewhat easier to focus in lower light situations. But the framing accuracy of the F2 is so much better.
 
I can easily pop on my DP12 if I want a TTL meter.
I can stick a very fast lens longer than 135mm on my F2 and not ever worry about focus accuracy.
The F2 is a better weapon. It's more mechanically reliable in my experience.
The F2 is far easier to load.
I can't easily burn a hole in the F2 shutter.
Unmatched range of shutter speeds in any other mechanical camera.
But I still own and use a Leica M4, and I love it.
Phil Forrest
 
Also, the Leica is quite a bit lighter. The lenses are usually smaller as well. One main advantage of the Nikon is not needing an external VF for really short or long lenses.
I often carry both types with me, a Leica M2 along with a plain-prism F or F2. No problem switching back and forth between them. The M2 with a 35mm lens is a perfect combination, and I'll usually have a 24mm or 105mm lens on the Nikon. Just personal preference.
 
Agree, and I have been considering getting an F2 for the same reason. As others have said, it just comes down to personal preference. I have used an M2 for the last 10 years and its not because I believe it is objectively better than the alternatives. I simply enjoy using it and like the results.
 
besk said:
I own a nice Nikon F2 with plain prism and with a Maxwell enhanced F3 screen fitted.

Other than having a quiet shutter and being a little smaller it keeps me wondering why someone would choose one of the meterless M models over a Nikon F2.

Your opinion would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
besk said:
Excellent consideration. I own a M6 and have owned two M2's in the past. The rangefinder is somewhat easier to focus in lower light situations. But the framing accuracy of the F2 is so much better.
Click to expand...
What is the point of your question? It seems as if you've had some good experience with both.

I've also owned Nikon F and Leica (both M and R) cameras over the years and much prefer the Leica M experience. There's really no rational answer I can give you for that though.
 
The F2 is a beautiful piece of machinery, engraved like fine jewelry, and my favorite camera of all time.

I would probably get banned if I mentioned what I think an M looks like.
 
Truth be told, a truly mint condition black paint F2 or F2 Titan are among the very few cameras I actually desire very much. Not anything from Leica stirs that in me. They are all just tools but that F2 holds a higher place for me personally.
Phil Forrest
 
Don't go with a substitute F2 but the original F. For film, it and an M2 is all you need. All you have to do is look at the portraits of the photojournalists who covered the Vietnam War starting with David Douglas Duncan or Larry Burrows.

Am kidding as either the F, F2 or F3 are great cameras. I owned and used each. However, I have a soft spot for the original which helped me pay my way through college. Have never owed F4 or later versions so I won't comment about their capabilities.
 
I have the F, F2 etc and Leica Ms.

And they all are great. Interestingly ALL my old Nikon glass have a dry focus feel, while ALL my old Leica lenses feel perfect.
 
It is irrelevant which SLR you own. Or is it question of what to own? If so, sure. It is good to own F2. One of the best builds, lenses are plenty and not expensive. And you could play with focus screens. I wrote all of this and I want one already!

Now, what I'm going to do with it. My plastic EOS with L lenses is much easy to use than any old mechanical camera, lenses I own(ed).
The use. Are you into the use or just owning it?
I'm actually more into the use.

I do not take static shots of flowers or else which is typically taken with SLR. Or at least I'm trying to 🙂
I take my M (mechanical) with me everyday. I wear it on me everyday. F2 is the weight suitable for self suicidal drowning, M is for walking all day. Do you have all metal 35mm lens which weight significantly less than 200 gm for your F2?
F2 has no frames to see what is happening. F2 has VF in the middle, so your noise is smashed, mine is breathing. And my both eyes could be open. Try to walk with your F2 and take picture of someone walking towards you at f 5.6 with 35mm lens. No, just try to see what is around you with F2. From your shoes to infinity.

See, M not just for everyone. I mean, were are many with M taking pictures which are better taken with SLRs, but for few of us any SLR is problematic due to specifics of use. 🙂
 
I use an m2 and m6 as my daily shooters and an Eos 1v for action. The M’s are Light and silent. I ran into a situation where I knew I would be beating the crap out of a film body but needed it to be relatively portable (the 1v is not) so I ended up getting a cracking deal on an F3 Hp with a selection of lenses. It’s honestly a beautiful camera and it’s the only SLR I’ve used that “calls me” to shoot As much as the M’s. The pros for the f3 is the faster shutter and quick metering/ AV mode should I choose to be lazy. Also exp comp is nice. I grab it when I don’t care much about what I’m shooting and might get into a situation where it’s stolen or broken. The cons are that it’s way more difficult to focus in low light, and after being spoiled by the M shutter click, the mirror SLAPS. I’m definitely glad I have both systems and glad that I nabbed the Nikon gear for an absolute steal.
 
My F2AS is a thing of glory, but sits unused while my M5 is now my camera of choice. The metering on the latter is simple and obvious, the ergonomics are better and I can use 4 stop neutral density filters and red filters and still see my subject, and it weighs 150g less.

And if I do want to use a heavy SLR I prefer my Leicaflex SL2. Same ease of use, excellent meter and ergonomics and one of the best viewfinders this side of a Rolleiflex. Amazingly, the SL2 is 90g lighter too!

Most of the weight of the F2AS is in that prism, which also makes rewinding a bore such is its shape, and the whole thing hangs forward, especially with a normal size plus lens on it. I've now persuaded myself to sell it!

What takes better photos is entirely dependent on the photographer of course...
 
Nikon F2 vs Leica with no meter

Interesting premise. I owned a F2AS for most of 2018 and she was glorious for mechanical perfection and durability. But sold and returned to the M6. Main reasons: 1) Not a rangefinder. 2) Focuses backwards (compared to Leica and Canon). 3) Lenses too big (excluding the gorgeous CV 40/2). 4) Zeiss ZM sonnar only for M mount (favourite all time lens). So instead for my SLR option I got a Canon New F-1. Prefer the ergonomics to the Nikon and just as robust in build but with the option of aperture priority exposure when needed (and mechanical for the most used speeds).
 
I have both and both have pros and cons vis-a-vis each other. If the question is why M6 then:
- Smaller (especially with lenses)
- Lighter (especially with lenses)
- Silent shutter
- No mirror vibration at slow speeds
 
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