Nikon F2A meter questions

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paul in AZ

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After the recent F3HP escapade [got it for free but electronics and shutter were wonky so I gave it back] I found a nice FE so now have two.
But-- that hasn't eased the itch for an F2.
Of the choice between F2A and F2AS I prefer the needle matching meter of the DP-11 head. And the prices are more attractive.
The DP-11 meter is reputed to die sooner or later d/t failure of a resistor. Is this repairable? I have read about a replacement resistor.
Anyone have info on this? Repair? Parts? Cost?

Of course the other option is to pay up for a D2AS with it's DP-12 prism.
 
paul in AZ said:
After the recent F3HP escapade [got it for free but electronics and shutter were wonky so I gave it back] I found a nice FE so now have two.
But-- that hasn't eased the itch for an F2.
Of the choice between F2A and F2AS I prefer the needle matching meter of the DP-11 head. And the prices are more attractive.
The DP-11 meter is reputed to die sooner or later d/t failure of a resistor. Is this repairable? I have read about a replacement resistor.
Anyone have info on this? Repair? Parts? Cost?

Of course the other option is to pay up for a D2AS with it's DP-12 prism.
Click to expand...

I'm subscribed, as a new F2 owner. But, one can always use a handheld meter, or sunny 16.
 
Sover Wong does that resistor repair/upgrade. Send the whole camera in and you'll get it back as new.
Phil Forrest
 
The F2A has a wirewound meter resistor. It will never wear out.
All of the other meter heads have a carbon track resistor, which will wear out. Sover Wong has custom made replacements, made out of ceramic. His replacement resistors have been tested for over 1 million revolutions on a machine, and they don't show wear either. Once you get Sover to repair your meter, it will never, ever wear out on you again - at least to the lifetime of your grandchildren.

The main reason to send the prism to Sover is that Nikon packed foam around the prism, under the housing. This deteriorating foam pulls off the silver from the prism. This is why you need to get the prism to Sover, to get rid of the foam before it causes damage.
 
I've had my F2A since '79, never problems with the meter, went to Sover in late 2015, the CdS cells were a stop off, so he put in new cells.

Sover provides detail and photos beyond any other tech:

"Your DP-11 is now serviced. I found the following during the service :

- The eye piece lens has a short but deep scratch, see Photo 4. It's not obvious when looking through the view finder


I did the following during the service :

- Removed dust inside the finder

- Cleaned the ring resistor

- Replaced the old Cds cells with new ones, see Photo 2

- Refoamed the eye piece frame, cleaned the lens and prism, see Photos 3 & 4 for before and after

- Calibrated the meter, see Photo 5, and checked it's accurate to within 1/2 stop accuracy from EV5 (1s f8 200ASA) to EV15 (1/1000s f8 200ASA)

- Refoamed the base"






 
The early DP-1 meters have problems, later ones are like the DP-11: never seen one wear out, and I have several. The DP-12 can develop problems, parts are harder to get.

CDS cells can lose sensitivity, best to check any that you buy.
The DP-2, F2S meter, is probably the most error-prone. I've had 3, only one works.
 
I’d just get on the list and keep shooting until he tells you to send the camera.

You could also speak with Stephen Gandy, the head of this site. Last time I checked, he says they’re still servicing F2’s.
 
paul in AZ said:
I just looked at the Sover Wong site. He has a 15 month wait list. Wow.
Anyone else servicing F2s?
Click to expand...

I only waited 9 months and got an F2 back in about 3 weeks once I was up to bat. It was my dad’s F2 which hadn’t been serviced since he bought it new in 1978. The camera is perfect now. I highly recommend him.
 
Sonnar Brian said:
The early DP-1 meters have problems, later ones are like the DP-11: never seen one wear out, and I have several. The DP-12 can develop problems, parts are harder to get.

CDS cells can lose sensitivity, best to check any that you buy.
The DP-2, F2S meter, is probably the most error-prone. I've had 3, only one works.
Click to expand...


I have two DP-1s working perfectly. Sover has the serial number of the DP-1 meters were the change occurred to the improved resister ring. Having a ton of 50 year old cameras with CD cells none have lost any sensitivity. I've never even heard of that before. Only issue with CDS cells is if you go from a very dark place (like a bar) to outside on sunny day it takes a few seconds to read correctly. I like the DP-1 meter because both non-AI and AI lens work on it. Diodes are great at night, not so good to see on a sunny day and way too sensitive (+/- 1/2?) metering.
 
The CDS cells will most likely continue to give correct exposure across most of the metering range. The lowest/highest end- I took a couple of my Nikon F's t Mora camera to have them CLA'd. Mora (long gone) serviced Nikons for National Geo. The owner liked my cameras- I kept them clean, but used them a lot. The only one that could not be brought into spec was the Photomic Bullseye, which was "only" a little over 30 years old then. I've owned it for 43 years now, and it turns 60 next year. The meter is perfectly usable still, over most of the range.
 
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