old Nikon info

[mark_spencer3]

I have always wanted an old classic Nikon F or F2, and now have

finally bought one. I am looking or some basic info pertaining

to Nikon "history" and definitions. Im sure some old-time Nikon

buffs would be willing to dust off the answers to the following:

 

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1. What is the difference between the F and the F2, functionally.

 

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2. Does "Photomic" mean that the camera has the metered prism?

 

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3. What is different between the F2 and the F2A ?

 

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4. Do the old F and F2 utilize "AI" lenses?

 

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5. Are any of the older Nikons "un-repairable" (parts not avail.)?

 

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6. Are the older "S" lenses as good as the newer Nikkors ?

 

...thanks for the help!

[gary_watson]

Have a look at this wonderfully quirky Malaysian, arguably among the

best on all things ancien Nikon:

 

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www.mir.commy/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikkormat/index.htm

 

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Follow the links to Mike Liu's site for specifics on metered finders.

[daryl_hiebert1]

I'll second Gary's suggestion. The site has TONS of info!

[hiroshi_shigematsu3]

1. Not much difference, but later F2s have better built-in meters and

AI couplings.<br><br>2. Yes, but later F2s with metered prism do not

necessarily have the "Photomic" designation.<br><br>3. F2 comes with

the DE-1, a standard non-metered pentaprism, while F2A comes with the

DP-11, a Photomic finder that has AI meter coupling and analog

exposure meter.<br><br>4. You can attach AI lenses on both F and

F2.<br><br>5. As long as I <b>heard</b>, there no longer is a supply

of variable resistors which are used inside the metered prisms of

these cameras. So, if it is true, the answer would be

"yes."<br><br>6. The old Nikon's (Nippon Kogaku, then) "S"

designation only means that lens has seven elements. Unless you

meant AI-S lenses, it is unlikely that old Nikkor will match the

performance of the newer ones. The early Nikkor lenses have single

coating, while the latest Nikkor have advanced multi-coatings, and

are prone to flare. Although, this does not mean you cannot get

excellent results with older Nikkor lenses. It is just like

different tools have different characteristics.<br><br>Mark, if you

are interested in Nikon's history, <a

href=http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/society/index.htm>this link</a>

will serve you well.

[alan_gibson]

I regularly use F's and F2's. The major functional difference to me

is that the meters on F2's work, but those on F's don't. I read on

some forum somewhere that someone is making the variable resistors

for the F's, so they might be repairable.

 

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I suspect Hiroshi means 'the latest Nikkor have advanced multi-

coatings, and are <b>less</b> prone to flare.'

[hiroshi_shigematsu3]

Please excuse me for my confusing English, Alan.<br><br>Actually, it

should read; "<i>The early Nikkor lenses have single coating and are

prone to flare</i>."<br><br>Hope this clears the things out.

[gary_watson]

My apologies for screwing up the URL I passed along earlier. It should

read:

www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikkormat/index.htm

 

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Older, non-Ai Nikkors can be true bargains. Over the past 2 years I've

gathered a small collection of near-mint gems on the cheap: 85/1.8,

55/3.5 micro and an 80-200/4.5. None went for over $150 CDN; all are

pin sharp.

[ron_shaw]

I agree the older lenses are a real bargain, and very sharp. Putting

slides up against those taken with the newest glass at our local photo

club reveals no noticable difference to the judges, so the newer glass

certainly isnt obviously better. I still think something as simple as

film selection makes a far bigger difference than older/newer lenses.

As far as the single coated lenses being worse for flare, this also

isnt so obvious. I have some old lenses which are very resistant to

flare, single coated or not. Anyway, a lens hood takes care of most

situations. (You ARE using a lens hood, arent you?). As far as the

differences in the F and F2 (I use both), the F has a top shutter

speed of 1/1000, the F2 1/2000. The F has a top flash sync speed of

1/60 sec, the F2 1/80 sec. The batteries for the F meter are in the

meter housing, in the body for the F2. The F2 has a better mirror

lockup scheme. Other than that, the two are pretty much alike. If the

old meters arent working, dont mess with them. Just get a decent

incident meter (handheld), and be done with it. You can get good ones

starting at about $70.

[mark_spencer3]

Thanks for all the great answers to my questions. What a great forum.

I recently bought an F2 and will probably never sell it! Through the

past twenty years I have owned many cameras, buying and selling,always

looking for something better. With medium format, I have settled on

Hasselblad; as for 35mm - I believe the Nikon will get along with the

Hasselblad ! Sometimes the best is not always the newest!