Thoughts on Nikon F-2 or F-3

[BillBingham2]

I'd go F2AS.

The F3P and F3T are wonderful cameras, easier to get accessories for, but I loved my F2AS.

Brian, what sensors did the AS use?

B2 (;->

 

[hans voralberg]

F2AS, F3 is too much plastic IMO 😉 Or just plain F2, smaller.

 

[Calzone]

I own a F2AS, F3nonHP, F3HP, and a F3P.

The waist level finder is impractical on a F2 because you loose metering.

I find on a F3 a DA-2 Action Finder to be very stealthful with a 24/2.0 ultra wide. Aperature priority is there if I need it, but is seldom used. I mostly shoot zone focus at f 5.6, after metering off the back of my hand. I also shoot a lot from the chest with this rig.

My F2AS is almost as heavy as an F3 with a motor drive. F2's are extreamly overbuilt cameras, but a heavy camera, in my opinion, is a steady camera for available light/hand held. The LED's of the F2AS and F2SB make the meter night friendly and the metering goes lower than the F3's.

The ultimate night rig is a F2AS with a 58/1.2 Noct AIS (AIS has a 9 blade diaphram and faster focus over a 58/1.2 AI). For night and extream low lighting the F2AS and F2SB are "unbeatable."

The F3, although not a mechanical camera, is very robust. Don't be fooled by cheap prices that are due to its former popularity, long production run, and durability that has created a bargain. Most recently I bought my F3 nonHP for $200.00 in excelent condition with a motor drive.

The F3 has the smoothest winding because of bearings. To me the F3 is the most and best engineered camera Nikon ever made. Be aware that because I have a F3 collection I have determined that the non HP finder (the cheapest) has the best focusing for both dim lighting and when used with telephotos. Although the HP finder projects a larger image, the smaller image from a nonHP finder indicates more detail and contrast, especially under adverse dim lighting and with longer lenses.

Also be aware any F2 or F3 is likely to need new light and mirror foam seals replaced.

Good Luck.

Calzone

 

[sevo]

I own a F2AS, F3nonHP, F3HP, and a F3P.

The waist level finder is impractical on a F2 because you loose metering.

You cannot meter with any Nikon WLF held at waist-level, or stray light will throw you off. WLF in 35mm size are really intended as a angular eye-level finder for macro applications and the like.

Personally I never found a good reason to use the WLF at all - being able to pull the prism finder to get a straight peek at the screen for overhead or foot-level shots is a good reason to have a removable finder (with on-body screen) on press jobs etc., but these kind of occasions don't warrant carrying a WLF around.

Sevo

 

[john_van_v]

I find on a F3 a DA-2 Action Finder to be very stealthful with a 24/2.0 ultra wide.

Do you really need a finder w/ a 24mm? Actually that's the only real advantage for digital to me now--my Kodak c875 does very well from the hip with its Schneider-Kreuznach zoom at 35mm 35mm film equivalent. And I can point it directly into the Sun, usually with rainbow effects.

The ultimate night rig is a F2AS with a 58/1.2 Noct AIS (AIS has a 9 blade diaphram and faster focus over a 58/1.2 AI). For night and extream low lighting the F2AS and F2SB are "unbeatable."

That I can believe. I have the generic f1.2, and do very well with it in the dark and under overcast. But it has a glare problem with any direct sunlight--which isn't a really problem because other lenses will do in the Sun, even a Sigma zoom. Also it can give nice haze effects if you are aware and otherwise shooting into a dark zone.

How do the two f1.2s, the Noct and the AI, compare optically to your knowledge, or in your experience? I am curious though I doubt I will buy the Noct (3K$+?) anytime soon.

The F3, although not a mechanical camera, is very robust.

My worry from my reading is that the LCD screening will go out leaving a useless camera. Have any LCDs faded on you?

All good to know:

• The F3 has the smoothest winding because of bearings.
• To me the F3 is the most and best engineered camera Nikon ever made.
• The non HP finder (the cheapest) has the best focusing for both dim lighting and when used with telephotos.
• Be aware any F2 or F3 is likely to need new light and mirror foam seals replaced.

 

[john_van_v]

Correction:

How do the two f1.2s, the Noct and the AI, compare optically to your knowledge, or in your experience? I am curious though I doubt I will buy the Noct (3K$+?) anytime soon.

My Nikkor f1.2 is a 50mm, not a 56mm.

I bought cheap when it was being discontinued w/ a Nikon FM10 (camera garbage in the truest sense, Cosina), and now I hear it is back in retail.

 

[Calzone]

John,

I have no experiance with either 1.2, while the 50/1.2 has many fans the 58/1.2 has fanatics. Point sources and exteam high contrast lighting is built into the Noct's design fo shooting specifically at night.

As for night shooting I'm considering an exploration into a pin hole camera and utilizing b&w 4x5 sheet film. $3k is a lot, but maybe one day...

I've owned and used my F3P for over 15 years. No LED fade. The F3HP is my girlfriend's, who lent it to me indefinately. She bought it used over a decade ago. No LED Fade. The F3 nonHP was made between 1980-1983 before being surplanted by the HP. I haven't heard of any problems with the LED's.

I'm currently more concerned with the silicone blue cells in my F2AS. Because the meter is in the prism, getting it fixed is both costly and difficult. If I didn't need the extra sensitive metering of the F2AS or F2SB I load up with two or three F3's like I have, although I'm considering getting another F2AS as a backup and hedge. Like I said the F2AS is unbeatable at night.

You are correct the 24/2.0 does not need a viewfinder as I use it, but I intend to perhaps at times shoot wide open and close up. The lens focuses as close as one foot, and the split prism rangefinder can come in handy. There are two shooters who recommend limiting their shooting at just these two f-stops. I haven't done much work wide open.

BTW my F3P was a real press camera that was owned by the newspaper NEWSDAY. It is in remarkable condition considering it was a real press camera that during the first 3 years out of the total five years of production was not available to the general public (only a slight amount of brassing). I speculate it was sent in for maintenance just after Operation Desert Storm. It receive a full overhaul and then I bought it for almost no money. Today it is very collectable, and I have yet to see one available. Good luck finding one.$$$

Calzone

 

[former member]

The F2SB and F2AS use Silicon Photodiodes. The DP-3 and DP-12 finders are basically the same, the DP-3 couples with non-AI lenses and the DP-12 with AI lenses.

I have one of each. And two F3HP's (one being an F3AF with a DE-3 on it, DX-1 sits in a box). the 1983 F3 has its original LCD: works just fine. Nikon gave it a 7 year lifespan when they introduced the F3.

Excpect to pay 2x as much for an F2Sb or F2AS over an F3HP. also: I rarely use the motors with any of them, but the F2 Motor Drives are very big and heavy. Again, twice that of the MD-4 drive in size, weight, and cost.

and yet- Pop that 55/1.2 or Vivitar 135/2.3 Series I onto the F2Sb and I am ready to go, baby.

 

[novum]

the better meter prisms . . . look rather clunky

Take that back! 😛

I loved my F2AS'es and I thought they looked "distinctive" with their asymmetrical finders. But, damn, those were a pair of heavy picture-taking bricks! Here's a couple of them stacked, so I can beat my head against 'em. :bang:

 

[former member]

You only stacked Seven F2's! I could stack eleven of them. I sold one.

 

[novum]

Well, then, I need to commence buying. A black F2AS in coral goat skin from cameraleather.com ought to grab more attention than necessary! And that's not an idle threat!