amateriat
We're all light!
Speaking of shocking Nikon loyalists (look, I shot with the things for a number of years, too)...
Do recall that the Nikkormats were not, in fact, manufactured by Nikon, but subcontracted out to none other than Mamiya (a long story made as short as possible here...yes, it's Dante's review of My Favorite 35mm Camera in The Whole Wide World™, but it's also a mini-history lesson, as Dante is wont to doing with these things). Don't know about the Nikon EL2 in this case, though.
- Barrett
awilder
Alan Wilder
It was actually the Nikkorex series that was subcontracted out to Mamiya and their build quality was obvoiusly subpar for Nikon to the point that this was discontinued at the end of that series. The Nikkormats were always made by Nikon to my knowledge but probably a different plant than the Nikon F. The EL2 was made by Nikon from the ground up as was the Nikkormat EL. These were completely new camera designs from Nikon and their build quality was definitely a notch better than the Nikkormat FTn's. Shutters for the Nikkormat line were subcontracted out to Copal and the 1/125 flash sync. was an advantage over the Nikon F's 1/60 flash sync.
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sanmich
Veteran
The EL/ELW is probably the only camera to offer AE on non-AI lenses.
Barrett, Dante is wrong on this one. The Nikomat (Nikkormat) series were manufactured at Mito Nikon. Mito Nikon also manufactured the F3, the FM3A, and the reissue SP and S3.
Edited to add: the F4, FM2n and other cameras were also manufactured at Mito Nikon (source link).
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I'm not so sure about Dante's copal shutter explanation either. AFAIK copal shutters have always been manufactured by a company called, not surprisingly, Copal!
http://www.nidec-copal.com/01/01.html
paulfish4570
Veteran
After I checked ebay prices, the F3hp is now on the short list with all of its prism optics flexibility ...
BillBingham2
Registered User
Paul,
While I'm not a AE lover, the F3 is lived up to it's name, it's a true Nikon F. The HP is a wonderful improvement over the original finder. I owned one for a bit and liked it but sold it back to my brother-in-law. Pick up a P screen for it, you will LOVE it. I also used an AR-9, sort of a concave MSR (from Tom A). Keep in mind that while they do not eat batteries they do not work well with low batteries (keep spare around) and when in doubt, change-em.
Great choice and I bet you will not pay a lot more than you would for a FM2.
B2 (;->
While I'm not a AE lover, the F3 is lived up to it's name, it's a true Nikon F. The HP is a wonderful improvement over the original finder. I owned one for a bit and liked it but sold it back to my brother-in-law. Pick up a P screen for it, you will LOVE it. I also used an AR-9, sort of a concave MSR (from Tom A). Keep in mind that while they do not eat batteries they do not work well with low batteries (keep spare around) and when in doubt, change-em.
Great choice and I bet you will not pay a lot more than you would for a FM2.
B2 (;->
richardhkirkando
Well-known
I really like just about every aspect of the F3, but I can't stand the LCD meter display - it just shows a + or -, no indication of how far off you are (like the LED or needle on other cameras mentioned here), and that just doesn't fit with the way my brain works. It's also hard to see in low light. These issues were kind of a dealbreaker for me personally, and one of the reasons I don't use mine often. Which is too bad, because it's one of my favorites ergonomically (especially with the MD-4 winder).
In your shoes, I'd get an FM. If you don't plan on using aperture priority, I'd pass on the models that have it (like the FE) - it's just one extra setting on the dial to get in your way. The FM is light, feels great, and it takes pre-AI lenses.
peter_n
Veteran
I sold my last F3hp last year after many, many hears of great use. No regrets. Once I got my first Leica that was the end of the film SLRs. I was surprised at how top-heavy the F3hp was once I got it out of the closet to sell it. If you can, handle one, and an FM, before you buy. There's a big difference in the handling.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
The F3 is a solid camera, but I never learned to like that lcd in the upper left hand corner of the finder.
PKR
Veteran
It was placed where it would adapt to the various finders. The LCD window shows up well with the DW4 attached. I think the F3 has the best optical viewing Nikon has ever engineered. I have a couple of Nikon engineered digital bodies. The viewing is good, but not as good as on the F3. I've also owned F, F2, & FE bodies..my 2 cents. p.
robert blu
quiet photographer
When I do not use my RF cameras the one I use most of times is the FM2, even if I have a perfect working F100. Why: small, light and easy to use (with a 50mm 1,4 AIS or sometimes th2 20 mm F2,8 D). That's my suggestion. robert
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Barrett, just a little extra info since my earlier post here, I've just learned that the camera that Mamiya made for Nikon was the Nikkorex F, rather than the Nikkormat as suggested by Dante.
Roger Vadim
Well-known
Out of my 6 nikon Bodys - Nikkormat, Fe2, Fe, Fg, and a fantastic F3 the one which I trust the most, which is the most battered, fell on concrete a couple of times, is heavily brassed and goes with me everywhere is the -FM!
A simple and great camera!
- small
- good ergonomics, well balanced
- mechanical shutter
- cheap and available batteries
- you can also use pre AI lenses
The shutter is the best part. Plain and mechanical - ok, the nikkormat is mechanical as well, but it is sooo much heavier...
It is a very subjective choice, handle one and you'll know.
A simple and great camera!
- small
- good ergonomics, well balanced
- mechanical shutter
- cheap and available batteries
- you can also use pre AI lenses
The shutter is the best part. Plain and mechanical - ok, the nikkormat is mechanical as well, but it is sooo much heavier...
It is a very subjective choice, handle one and you'll know.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Prices on F3s these days make it one of the best bargains out there.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
Steve M.
Veteran
I went through this decision making process myself, and have a little different view on it. I went w/ a Nikkormat FT2 for several reasons. The viewfinder is brighter than the other models, it takes the regular 1.5V batteries, and you can find them for peanuts. I also prefer having the shutter speeds on the front around the lens rather than on top. One other reason for going w/ the FT2 was it will take all of the non AI lenses, and most of these are ridiculously good and ridiculously cheap. A nearly mint camera w/ a 50 2.0 lens was all of $75, and I added a beautiful 105 2.5 lens w/ hood for portraits for $60. The build quality of the non AI lenses is great.
Normally I shoot medium format, so to me the weight really isn't bad w/ a 50 2 lens. Even the 105 lens doesn't add any weight as the body seems to be aluminum. Actually, it doesn't feel any different from a Leica M3, and if you had an M3 w/ a Summicron DR on it I'd be willing to bet that the Leica would be heavier. As far as jumpy shutters, mine is not that way. It's no different than any MF Nikon I've owned and has a pleasant ca ching sound to it. The meter is on the nose too. Buy an F100 if you want to hear a loud mirror/shutter. Won't get my first roll finished for a few days, but have high hopes as both the 50 2.0 and 105 2.5 are very highly rated lenses.
These links may help you w/ your decision.
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#105
http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm
Normally I shoot medium format, so to me the weight really isn't bad w/ a 50 2 lens. Even the 105 lens doesn't add any weight as the body seems to be aluminum. Actually, it doesn't feel any different from a Leica M3, and if you had an M3 w/ a Summicron DR on it I'd be willing to bet that the Leica would be heavier. As far as jumpy shutters, mine is not that way. It's no different than any MF Nikon I've owned and has a pleasant ca ching sound to it. The meter is on the nose too. Buy an F100 if you want to hear a loud mirror/shutter. Won't get my first roll finished for a few days, but have high hopes as both the 50 2.0 and 105 2.5 are very highly rated lenses.
These links may help you w/ your decision.
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#105
http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm
David Murphy
Veteran
If it's a Nikkormat for me it's the FS, but then again I am sort of a purist.
The Nikkormats are loud compared with the other Nikons. With User grade F3HP's for under $100, hard to say no to that.
Somehow when I grab a Nikon SLR- it's either the F2AS or the F2SB. And I have a lot of them to choose from.
With all things considered for the OP: Go with the F3HP. The FM is too small and light. Get a CF-22 or CF-20 case with the F3HP. The bottom portion makes it easier to handle.
and- the 24/2.8 is one of the all-time best Nikkor lenses made. I prefer the older style, but the new one is nice too. I have both.
Somehow when I grab a Nikon SLR- it's either the F2AS or the F2SB. And I have a lot of them to choose from.
With all things considered for the OP: Go with the F3HP. The FM is too small and light. Get a CF-22 or CF-20 case with the F3HP. The bottom portion makes it easier to handle.
and- the 24/2.8 is one of the all-time best Nikkor lenses made. I prefer the older style, but the new one is nice too. I have both.
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FrankS
Registered User
My main 35mm SLR systems are Nikon and Olympus. With Nikkormats, the shutter speed control is in the same location as on the Olympus.
That being said, I am on the lookout for an F2a or F2as.
That being said, I am on the lookout for an F2a or F2as.