F2a or F3HP ?

hello,

i got 3 nikon bodies, an F5, an F2a and an F90X. I use the F5 for

everything where the bulkyness and the weigth dont bother me. After i

got the F5 i hardly use the F90X anymore, except when i need a modern

body thats smaller or less expensive to replace than the F5. The F2a

is my standard camera with the AIS 28mm lens for both landscape and

if i have nothing special to shoot but want to carry a camera just in

case.....

 

In recent years i noticed that the price of the F2s are going up -

well actually going down less than some other bodies because F2s in

good condition are becoming more of a collectors item than more

recent bodies. I heard that in the near future parts may become

sparce so i think i might sell the F2a and move to an F3HP wich seems

possible with little extra money.

 

does anybody have a long lasting relationship on both bodies and can

tell me what i will loose and/or win, especially in ergonomics and

reliability? will the service situation really be any better for the

F3? one thing that bothers me about the F3 is that there seems only a

black edition available. does anyone have a direct comparison on

quality, reliability and ergonomics on the FM2 or FM3? the improved

flash support is somewhat attractive but i would not want to part

from the fun i have everytime i use the F2.

 

cheers

walter

 

any comments welcome .

cheers

walter

<em>"F2a or F3HP ?" --Walter Schroeder<br>

</em><br>

This is such a naive question I cant believe it. You

clearly have NAS. Here is what you MUST do. Keep the Nikon F2A

and buy a Nikon F3. That is to say, "F2a and F3HP" not

"F2a of F3HP."<br>

<br>

<em>"one thing that bothers me about the F3 is that there

seems only a black edition available." --Walter Schroeder<br>

</em><br>

Not true! There are beautiful "chrome" Nikon F3/T(s).

Please see photo below. They do cost a little more and are

somewhat hard to find.<br>

<br>

<em>"...but i would not want to part from the fun i have

everytime i use the F2." --Walter Schroeder <br>

</em><br>

OK, to be serious for a moment you likely regret parting with the

F2a. I still have my F2As that I bought new in 1979 and I will

not sell it.<br>

<br>

The FM2n and FM3a are fine cameras and they are very well built.

The F2 and F3 are extraordinarily well built cameras. Even if the

meter fails on the F2A you can still use the camera without quite

nicely. The body of the F2 will remain repairable for many years

through the use of salvaged parts.<br>

<br>

I recently bought an F3HP and converted it to an F3 with a DE-2

finder. My primary reason for buying the F3 was to use it for

macro with the DW-4, 6x waist level finder, because the F3

retains the center weighted meter for both ambient and TTL flash.

My F5 retains only a 6mm spot meter when its DW-31 finder is used.<br>

<br>

All these cameras have their strengths and weaknesses. If you

want to go light the FM2n and FE2 are great cameras. I dont

have an FM3a but I recommend it as its based on the FE2 and

it is extremely similar except for the hybrid shutter the works

at all manual speeds from 1 second to 1/4,000th without batteries

and a few other improvements.<br>

<br>

Im not selling my F2 and I recommend that you not sell

yours. Im sure you will love the F3.<br>

<br>

All the best,<br>

<br>

Dave.<div></div>

Dave - you look into my sole .-P . to keep the F2 and get the F3 in addition is what i really want.

 

but i have a tendency to accumulate nice mechanical gear and then i run out of space and when i look at all that stuff i may find out i am more nuts than i want to be :-P

 

- yes i have seen chrome F3 's but none in good condition for sale for about 6 month - so dont wetten my appetite by slipping this pic of the chrome F3 into the discussion - purely unfair :-P

 

cheers

walter

I have several F2s and an F3. They are different cameras, so the answer should come from how you work.

 

Exposure: The F3 allows for aperture priority as well as manual, while the F2 is going to need input for both aperture and shutter speed before each exposure. In changing light, the F3 has saved me over and over again by letting me concentrait on the subject.

 

Flash: The F3 can do everything the F2 can do... and it also allows for TTL flash. Doing things like flash-lit macro shots with extension and shifting apertures is easy with the F3 and a TTL flash.

 

Motor drive: The MD-4 is readily availible for the F3. F2 drives were more complicated and are not as easy to locate this long after the system has been replaced by the F3. The MD-4 powers the camera when attached, and allows for many remote release accessories.

 

Build quality: Both cameras represent the best that Nikon could offer at the times of their status as the flagship for the line. I love them both and often just marvel at how well thought out the designs are. Both are incredible!

 

Reputation: What can you say... both earned Nikon its place in the camera world as THE professional system.

 

Get them both if you can't decide. Getting my F3 did not make me sell off my F2s, and getting my F2 didn't make me sell any of my Fs, and...

How could you even contemplate selling your F2? You didn't REALLY think that, did you? I don't own the F2, but my brother does. If you want a motor drive for the camera, they are still available, if you look. A lot of the later ones are non-functional because of a broken nylon gear used in the drive train. However, he rehabilitated both his drives by adding an aftermarket bronze replacement gear for the defective nylon one.<p>Having lived with an F3 for the past 20 years, I can say that you won't regret buying one! They are beautiful, rugged, and reliable. Most of all, they feel just right in your hands. Working one doesn't feel at all like I'm using a pocket calculator, like many newer gadgets (cameras) tend to be. As for replacement parts, Nikon has promised availability until 2010. After that, parts will still be available by cannibalization of existing cameras. The F3 was made for 20 years, so there are a lot of them out there.<p>The "silver" F3s are actually titanium topped versions, with panels (top, bottom, and back?) made out of titanium. They are super rugged. However, the champagne colour finish wasn't extremely durable, and many of them look ratty now. They later made black painted titanium F3s, if I'm not mistaken.<p>As David said, you know you want to own both the F2 AND the F3!

NAS is a serious problem! I had an F2 and an FM that I inherited. The F2 developed some problems and I replaced it with another. Then I bought an FE2 thinking that I would get rid of something. The FE2 would replace the FM, but my FM is really beat up and wouldn/t bring much, but makes a great "go anywhere" camera. I then bought an F3 (not HP) and told my wife that I would probably sell the F2. Two years later, I still can't decide which one to part with. Unless you sell your F2 first, you will have both if you buy the F3!!

<em>"Unless you sell your F2 first, you will have both if you buy the F3!!" --Nord Zootman</em><br>

<br>

Which is precisely what are friend Walter needs!<br>

<br>

NAS is not evil, NAS is good!

<em>"Unless you sell your F2 first, you will have both if you buy the F3!!" --Nord Zootman<em><br>

<br>

Which is precisely what <u>our</u> friend Walter needs!<br>

<br>

NAS is not evil, NAS is good!<br>

<br>

---<br>

<br>

How was than for a strange phonic sort of typo?

Well, I am certainly afraid that the correct answer is the same as the NAS answer: BOTH

 

Besides, having 2 bodies you can use at one time for 2 different types of film is the mark of a serious photographer.

What! You are not going to Get an F3HP and a Nikon Ftn and keep the F2??!! People are letting you off too easy!

Get the F3. Keep the F2a. And then go get an FM3a. Then an FE2.

 

You can NEVER have too many, and they really don't take up much space.

 

-Dave

What a lively discussion! Personally, I like the black version over the chrome-colored version, from a visual standpoint: elegant simplicity. The version with all of that chrome-colored trim looks like a much cheaper camera to me (yes, we have an FG in my immediate family).

<<..In fact the DP11 (F2A)is the most reliable and repairable of all the meter heads, as it uses a brass resistor ring which can be cleaned and re-used (the DP1 uses a carbon ring which can *sometimes* be cleaned). >>

 

Jay: seems you mixed the DP-1 with the Photomic Tn/FTn. The last one has a carbon ring, while the DP-1,the DP-11, the DP-2 and the DP-12 have same brass resistor rings. I repaired a few of them.

<i></i>I've used them both but I am an F3 user. The F3 is much superior if a motor drive is important to you because you don't need to adjust the firing rate like on an F2. Opening the film back on a motorized F2 takes a Ph.D. or two the first time you try to figure it out! The battery solution for the MD-4 is also much better. If you read the June 1980 Modern Photography review, you'll note how the marvel about the size and weight of the MD-4. I guess with an F5, you don't really need a motorized F3. Either camera has its strengths, I suggest you go with the NAS flow!

"What a lively discussion", Kenneth you said it! Yes quite a few comments. So in the end i will see what i get offered. I keep the F2 and wait if the F3 is what i really want. It will take a while until i know - by that time i will have forgotten that i wanted to sell the F2 anyway .-P

 

Yes Mike - i will not use a motor drive since i got the F5 and the F90 if i want to go all automatic. Why i prefer the F-series over FMxx is the mirror lock up, quite usefull for landscapes, entirior or macro work. also the chrome edition I prefer because i dislike the wearoff sign of the black models i have seen. Its my impression that the chrome is more resistant to abrasion - also in the sun a black body can get very hot. So i give up beauty for function :-P

 

Thanks for all the input. I will post what i got - but it will take some time .

 

cheers

walter

If you wear eyeglasses the F3HP is hard to beat. Also, even though the F3 was introduced 20 years ago, it was being sold new by Nikon until very recently. Therefore parts will be around for a long time yet. I love my F3/T for it's durability and ease of use

~ ; - )

harald i did not mention it , but this is the reason why i especially looked for the HP in the F3 line. I occasionally dont take my glasses off - but would like to be able to focus - adjust the finder to be able to use it with or without glasses. it really depends on the situation. Really the F3HP , perhaps the Titanium model so far are my nr. 1 candidates - but if i see one of the 2nd favorites in mint good serial number and good source i go for it.

 

one of the reasons i dont want to part from my F2 is not technical anyway - i got it from a good friend.

 

cheers

walter

F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 -- simply the best!

I would for sure keep the F2 and add on the F3. I sold my F2 about 6 years ago. That was one move on the chess table I wish I could take back. I do love that F3 though with it's 80% centerweighted metering. Mine's about 8 years old and the "brassing" itself makes it look like a work of art. The "F" cameras whether it's a an F or an F2 or F3 etc. are worth their wait in gold.