F2 or something Else

I've been looking into getting a used 35mm SLR. A few people have pointed me into the direction of a

Nikon F2. I'm looking for an all manual camera that will work without batteries. Is this the direction to go

or not? I mostly do black and whites and my price range is around $300. Does anyone have any

suggestions of a good SLR with most of the same features?

Ryan

 

The Nikon F2 is a great iconic camera but a little bit of overkill for use now as a mainly B&W camera. They were built for taking in to war zones and to still work in floods and freezing conditions.

 

If you want a camera with a light meter, the meters of these cameras now are unreliable, hard to fix and hard to find parts for.

 

They were also built as part of a system so not to utilize the huge system is a bit of a waste.

 

For less money there are a lot of Nikon cameras that are smaller lighter cheaper and more modern.

 

Consider a Nikkormat for $75 you should buy a fantastic example if you shop around ,a Nikon FM or FM2 around $75-$175, F3's are available for around $300.

If you don't need a motor drive or interchangeable prism, and if you like a classic camera consider a Nikkormat FTN and for $300 you can buy a camera and 3 lenses if you are a good shopper.

 

If you are a student of classic design and a bit of a collector then go for a Nikon F2, I have a black F with standard prism that I think is the most beautiful camera ever made and will never part with but I actually like using my Nikkormat better it really is a superb no B.S. camera.

An F2 is a fine choice for black and white. Hardly overkill. It has a 100% viewfinder, which is great for any print film since you aren't going to mount it. You see everything your going to get on the negative. I don't find the light meters to be unreliable at all. An F2A or F2 Phototomic will treat you just fine and there are a number of places to have the cameras and meters serviced.

 

My dad gave me his F2A a couple of years ago. Its still working just fine. Black and white or color.

 

Just about any of the various F2 bodies are within your price range.

I vote for the Nikon F2AS. Been using mine since 1971

and has never let me down. Batteries are only for light meter.

Works fine without any. Some DP12 finders do develop ring-resistor

problems, for after 36 years, mine is still running fine.

 

/Clay

Unless you need the 100% viewfinder and bullet proof chassis of the F2 series, a FM2N might be a better and more practical choice. It will certainly be easier to find a "cherry" FM2 at a more reasonable price than a F2, particularly the later F2A and F2AS (collectors have inflated F2AS prices).

 

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/filmcamera/slr/1980-1984/fm2/pdf/fm2(spec).pdf

 

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/fm2n/fm2manual/index.htm

F2 or F, though it's hard to find the latter with a working Photomic head, and the prism finders are hard to find. I ended up paying more for a plain prism than for the body.

 

Very nice meters like the Gossen Luna Pro series are available, though the ones like the SBC that use 9-volt batteries are better than those depending on the no-longer-available mercury batteries.

 

A Nikkormat EL is a sweet camera, but it is electronic, however, so does not meet your criteria. Nikkormat FTn tends to develop meter problems.

You've received sound advice. Hard to go wrong with an F2. There are various metered prisms from which to choose. I much like the DP-12 prism, which makes for an F2AS. Be aware that the addition of a motordrive makes for a large and heavy rig (8 AA batteries). We've been shooting F2AS (2 bodies) and an F2SB (DP-3 prism) without a hitch. The big, bright viewfinder of the F2 is the cat's pajamas.

 

Other options within your budget include the FM family of bodies: FM, FM2, FM2n. (The most modern version is the FM3a but is beyond the budget.) Of the FM's I'd opt for an FM2n. The MD for an FM is much smaller than that of the F2, though the frame-rate is slower (3 fps). The FM bodies are smaller and lighter than the F2.

 

There are other manual, battery-less choices: Nikkormat and Nikon F but I'd stick w/ one of the F2 or FM bodies. The F3 requires batteries for all but one shutter speed.

Yes, an F2 is (IMHO) the best way to go, the prices nowadays are unbeleievable. You can purchase an F2 from various sources, ..Ebay, or KEH Camera , for example... It'll be totally mechanical, except for the meter, and if you fortunately get an un-metered finder for a low price, you can use a hand-held meter to figure your exposures...in any event, you will have a solid, reliable workhorse of a camera that won't let you down...keep in mind that the camera may need to be "serviced", as it will be a few decades old..there are some options in that department, but afterwards you will be quite happy...

I use an F2 for tripod mounted b&w photography, and as mentioned, I paid as much for the unmetered DE-1 finder as I did for the camera body, about $300. The FMs work without batteries but you'll be limited as far shutter speeds. After I bought my F2 I needed to have it serviced (CLA), so it ended up costing me around $700., plus you'd want a handheld meter unless you're good at estimating exposure. I also installed a Beattie grid screen. I love this camera and I'll never sell it. The original metered finder that came with it never worked right. I think you'd have to be very lucky to find a working metering F2 for $300, but I suppose it's possible. I would whole-heartedly recommend the F2, but when all is said and done, expect to spend more than $300.

The only precaution I'd offer is that any decades-old camera like the F2 might need a CLA - not major repairs, just tuning up, adjustments to ensure the shutter speeds, etc., are accurate, and v-e-r-y careful lubrication, which is best left to experts. A CLA by a competent repair tech is likely to cost around $150 in addition to what you pay for the camera.

 

OTOH, some folks advertise used cameras that have recently been serviced and will usually provide some evidence to support it, such as a receipt. Those are usually good deals because the previous owner already paid for the work done.

 

Otherwise, I'd suggest the FM2 or FM2N. These are much more recent cameras and far less likely to need any servicing. They're reasonably light in weight without compromising solidity. Very straightforward, easy to use, fully functional without batteries, other than the light meter.

 

Between the FM2N and F3 (I have both) I can't say I have a strong preference. The FM2N is more travel friendly, the F3 is better for nighttime photography because of the brighter viewfinder. Not that the FM2N finder is bad - it's actually very good. But nothing beats the pro F-series viewfinders.

 

One thing about the F2, tho': it has a certain cachet the other cameras don't quite match. It looks and feels like a classic.

<The FMs work without batteries but you'll be limited as far shutter speeds.> Jeffery, the FM family of bodies have and continue to remain very popular because only the meter needs battery juice. Every shutter speed remains fully functional without batteries...a critical feature for those who wander off the beaten path and/or into battery-crippling frigid temps.

Perfect metering isn't that important in B&W, and getting an FM would save you some money for extra lenses. Also, I'm finding the prices mentioned somewhat high: I can find a nice FM/F3 kit with a few lenses for around 300 euros.

I have used the F, F2 and FM2n models. I sold the F2 because if the shutter speed dial moves from X (1/80) to 1/125, which it can easily do unknown to the photographer, the camera is programmed so switch to M synch. After this happened to me twice and left me blank negatives, I sold it. I like the old meterless F. For you, I would recommend the FM2n. It is smaller, lighter, has a good meter built in, and is totally mechanical. It is also substantially newer and will probably not need much maintainance for years. The focusing screens are interchangable. It has more shutter speeds than you will ever use and can synch with electronic flash at 1/250. This is nice for "synchor sunlight" (fill flash in daylight).

 

Ken

Lilly, thanks for the heads up! You're absolutely right: without batteries, you just lose the meter. Sorry about the mistake.

Something to watch out for with F2s is that thin foam bumper in the top of the mirror box gets really brittle and basically rots away over time. Another reason you should get the camera serviced after buying it.

Fm2 for me!

F2 is my favorite camera. Ever. Rock solid piece of kit.

Another vote here for the F2. I have a few and just purchased one for my #2 son. I paid 175 for it w/o a lens and it came with a 6 month warranty.

Thanks for the input. I'll be trying to find one on Ebay. I'm lucky to have a guy in town who

can service my camera in less than a week. Hopefully I'll find what I want.

Been there, done that, have lotsa Nikon holy relics.Unless you're planning to do months in a hyper-remote location, get something that swallows AAs.N90s bodies work wonderfully as MF cameras and run forever on 4 cheap, available-anywhere batteries. FM2ns are nice but not free in decent, low-rollage condition. My point, though, is to focus on function and cameras that deliver it reliably.F and F2s are just too old, too expensive, and too pricey to service when compared to the tsunami of newer used Nikon film gear available. But if making a retro fashion statement matter more, then buy into it.

The idea is that I really don't want a camera that eats batteries. Why miss a great photo while

you're waiting to put in a new pair a energizers? Why not just go digital for that stuff?

Gary,

 

Your right, I recently bought a very good F5 from a student for $300.00 and a Nikon 2020 can be had for less than $50.00.

 

In reality the only reason to use an old camera is to make some sort of a statement, it's a bit like driving a Morgan over a Boxster, dynamically unjustifiable but I know what I would have.

 

Steve

Ryan,

 

I sent you an email regarding a Nikon F2A I have listed for sale in the photo.net classified area

"The idea is that I really don't want a camera that eats batteries."

 

Ditto. Much as I enjoy using my D2H and despite the improved battery life compared with the D1 series, it's still a battery hog. I have three EN-EL4's to keep it's voracious appetite under control. That's enough for a typical month of shooting between recharges, depending on how much chimping I do. Which depends on what I'm photographing - when it's people everyone wants to take a peek, so chimping is often unavoidable.

 

With my FM2N or F3HP attached to their respective motor drives (MD-12, MD-4), I can go more than a year between battery changes. In fact, I usually change the AA cells before they're exhausted just to prevent leakage and damage to the terminals.

 

With the button cells in the FM2N and F3HP without motor drives, I haven't needed to change batteries in, what?, five years? And spare button cells weigh next to nothing compared with spare EN-EL4's.

I think you have to keep in the mind that the F2 has some features over the FM2, like 100% viewfinder, interchangeable viewfinders, intermediate shutter speeds from 1/80 to 1/2000 second, and mirror lockup, but the F2 doesn't accept a standard cable release.

 

Even though it is a robust camera, I pretty much baby mine on a tripod, sort of like a mini view camera, especially with a 28/3.5 PC lens. Lastly, flash photography is not ideal with it's slow sync speed.