Which Nikon manual focus SLR body?

[former member]

Think I'll charge up the battery that I made for my DS-1.

It is really cool to use.

I might have been dropped on my head as a baby...

 

[semilog]

I have an FA, FM and a FE2. My favourite is the FE2. Just love the match needle metering. Never liked the matrix metering in the FA (bought new in 1985). I used to turn it off and use the centre weighted option. The matrix metering always seem to slightly over expose with slide film.

Exactly my experience.

Matrix metering (especially in its early forms, as in the FA) was not predictable. Since it works by comparing the lighting pattern to a database of standard images, one never knew which standard image the camera was choosing for you, and consequently where it was going to place the tonal values. So it ended up being a heavier bulkier version of the FE2 with a lower-magnification finder. Meh.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Think I'll charge up the battery that I made for my DS-1.

It is really cool to use.

I might have been dropped on my head as a baby...

No, I don't think you were dropped on your head as a baby. Wielding that setup around can be a hoot. Have fun.

Bob

 

[kxl]

I might have been dropped on my head as a baby...

If that's what gives you your superpowers to cobble up these Franken-Nikons, then we should all be so lucky. 😉

 

[former member]

Manual Focus/Aperture preferred cameras:

Nikkormat EL (Non-AI)
Nillormat ELw (Non-AI, takes AW-1 Winder)

all that follow are AI
Nikon EL2
Nikon FE
Nikon EM (No Manual Over-Ride)
Nikon F3, F3HP, F3T, F3P, etc
Nikon FG (Also has Program Mode)
Nikon FG-20 (Line an EM with manual Over-Ride)
Nikon FE2
Nikon FA (Program Mode)
Nikon N2000 (integral Motor)
Nikon N6000 (Like an N6006, no AF)
Nikon FE-10 (Made by Cosina)

Those are the ones that come to mind.

 

[kxl]

Thanks Brian - I was familiar with most of those on the list, except for the EL/ELw/EL2. Looks like I need to read up.

 

[Frankie]

Manual Focus/Aperture preferred cameras:

Nikkormat EL (Non-AI)
Nillormat ELw (Non-AI, takes AW-1 Winder)

all that follow are AI
Nikon EL2
Nikon FE
Nikon EM (No Manual Over-Ride)
Nikon F3, F3HP, F3T, F3P, etc
Nikon FG (Also has Program Mode)
Nikon FG-20 (Line an EM with manual Over-Ride)
Nikon FE2
Nikon FA (Program Mode)
Nikon N2000 (integral Motor)
Nikon N6000 (Like an N6006, no AF)
Nikon FE-10 (Made by Cosina)

Those are the ones that come to mind.

Brian, you forgot the FM3A...the latest (91~95)

The FM3A is the last of the all-mechanical Nikon line. AE is built-in, if battery dies, all mechanical speeds from B to 1/4000 are still available. [I wish there were a RF shutter like that.]

The FM3A has a brass shell, available in black or chrome. Motor drive up to 4F/s... Uses common A76, LR44 or AR44 battery. Typical eBay price: ~$500+.

It has all all features of the F and F2, except multi-stroke manual-wind [unnecessary because of short wind-stroke] and mirror lock-up [also unnecessary unless you have some really old extreme wide-angle glass].

I have two of them and would select that if a one-camera-only rule is imposed on me.

 

[l.mar]

F2, definitely (although I had a FM2, and would recommend that, as well).

(Taken with F2A and 50mm Ser. E Nikon w/close-up diopters).

 

[FrankS]

My Nikon set:

Most are easy to identify, but the Nikkormats blend together. That's an FTn behind the F4, 3 FT2's behind the plain prism F, and 2 FT3's behind the F2 Photomic.

multiple bodies: F3 x4, Nikkormat FT2 x3, Nikkormat FT3 x2, 801/8008(s) x2, Nikonos V x2

 

[former member]

FM3a! DOH! How could I have forgotten that one. By the time the FM3a was out, I was using mostly Nikon RF's.

I love the F2's and F's, but there was only a prototype made that was aperture preferred automatic. As in prototype for the F3. Nikon made a Meter head with a servo-motor for the shutter speed dial on the F2.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Over the years, I've gone through several Nikon manual focus SLR bodies. I've sold all of them for one reason or another, and while the reason for selling each body seemed like a good idea at the time, I now miss having a manual focus SLR. I do have an F100, but I want a manual focus body.

My simple requirements:

• Nikon F mount
• Under $200
• Aperture-priority

Thanks for your suggestions.

just pay as little as possible for one - now that film is nearly dead! 😉

 

[former member]

Just a quick feature list of the Nikon EL2: uses PX-28 batteries, essentially 4 Silver-Oxide MS76. Takes AI lenses, can use non-AI lenses with stop-down metering. Used Silicon Photo-Diodes for the meter, opposed to the older CDS cells. Mirror lock-up and DOF preview. Electronic copal square shutter, follow-needle manual over-ride like the FE. Type K focus screen, not removable. Takes the AW-1 autowinder, not worthwhile. Same basic chassis as the Nikkormat FT3, except shutter speed dial on the top deck. This is essentially the Nikon FE electronics before they were stuffed into an FM sized chassis. No double exposure lever, aperture not visible in the viewfinder.

 

[pvg]

F2 vs F

F2 vs F

I have been using for many years two bodies, an F and an F2. Both are excellent. However, in my experience, the F body has needed less maintenance (e.g., the slow shutter speeds failed in the F2) and it seems to be structurally stronger.

 

[italy74]

Actually I'd go for the FM3A but it's not within the range of orice or given choices, so I'll remain to FE2 (FM2n would be nice but it's not aperture priority camera)

 

[Fuchs]

F3 plain prism if you want AE and do not wear glasses, FM/FM2/FM2n if you can live with manual exposure

 

[wlewisiii]

F2 Photomic $90
50/1.4 multicoated non-AI
80-200/4.5 traded, shipping cost $14

Keep your eyes open and you'll be surprised what falls in your lap. Plus non-ai lenses are cheaper 😉 Of course this is my first Nikon so of course it's what I'd recommend LOL

 

[Jamie Pillers]

My black FE2 will be in the classifieds in the next few days. 🙂

 

[Mablo]

FM2👎 is to me the most 'Leica like' Nikon SLR body. I like it a lot. I'm kicking myself having sold it. My current F100 is great but I still miss the FM2n sometimes. FE2 is another very good one. For a backup body I think a FG could fit the bill nicely. It's smaller and lighter but still a real Nikon.

 

[nobbylon]

FM2👎 is to me the most 'Leica like' Nikon SLR body. I like it a lot. I'm kicking myself having sold it. My current F100 is great but I still miss the FM2n sometimes. FE2 is another very good one. For a backup body I think a FG could fit the bill nicely. It's smaller and lighter but still a real Nikon.

REAL Nikons only have single digits 😀

 

[Chris101]

I really like the FG. It is capable, well, as capable as a Leica M, it has good metering, and a good metering display that is easily readable, always. It is light, even pocketable, and has a good control layout. I really enjoy using it, often even more so than the larger Nikons.

Me too. I paid so little for my FG, that I don't mind leaving it in the car (well, not in the Arizona summer, it would melt!) I like the size, and it takes real purdy pictures. 😉

It's got super OTF flash metering.