tyler_willmon Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 I'm an amateur photographer and I have an old honeywell ESII pentax that I have been using, but I want to try out something different. I'm still doing film for school, so i thought i would stick with the vintage for now. I've been researching the ole' Nikon F2, but I'm not sure what finder I want to have on it. I'm thinking the DP-1 or DP-12. I realize that the 12 is expensive and maybe too much for me, but is it too professional or should I go the the DP-1 or even something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick_evans1 Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Hi The Nikon F2 is an excellent series of cameras, the DP-1 head is the oldest of them all and I have heard that if they break then getting them fixed could be a problem. The DP-12 was I think the last one and much better than the earlier heads, better built, better metering but still fully manual. I think that either machine will give you what you want (I am after an F2 as well, wish I had not part exed the one I had), other than that: If you want to stick to full manual camera (batteries only used for the meter) then you could go for the Nikon FM series just as versatile as the F2 but without interchanagable heads. The other machine worth looking at is the Nikon F3, this was a professional camera, but also gave you some automatic exposure facility in the form of Aperture Priority and the direct replacement of the F2 series. You will need the batteries to power the camera (when the batteries fail you get no meter and it will only fire at one set speed). I have just recently got one of these cameras and run a couple of films through it and it is fantastic, easy to use and I find the meter very accurate (not bad for a camera made in the 80's) The main advantage of the FM and F3 is that they are cheaper and easier to get hold of than the F2's, plus being younger, if they do go wrong easier to get fixed. If you are interested to know I have a Nikon FA, F3, F4, F3 and I am after an F2 and I do use them. Have fun with which ever machine you go for.. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norm_clarke Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Hi Tyler, I have used and owned several models of the F2 range and have alway's been very pleased with the performance and durability. It's true the later heads are better than the DP1's but if you are lucky enough find an amateur owned model as I have it will satisfy most needs. Alongside the FE the F2 is a very substantial beast but you will be hard put to find fault with it. With prices very good at present a bargain is not hard to find. A DP11 finder may fit you needs they do not have the same cachet as the DP12. Good luck with your search! normclarke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Forget it. F2s fall into two broad categories: over-priced curios or beaters with problems. I'd look to the FM/FE variants, especially the FM2(N) bodies if you're after something purely mechanical. It's still easy to find these in remarkably good shape since they were amateur cameras that often saw little hard use relative to their age. You might luck out and find a low-mileage F3 but again these were pro cameras that tended to be worked to death, legendary toughness notwithstanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gman Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 If you can find a good used F2 and you like the feel of the camera...then get one. The DP-11 is supposed to be the best but I have two DP-1's and one DP-3 and have never had a problem with them tho I know they will be needing CLA's in the next year or two. After that they should last another 20 years or so. You can do a Google search for Sover Wong...he does many services for F2's and motor drives. Robert Decker repairs meters and has a good reputation. The F2 is a very basic, rugged, all manual professional camera. It is from the 70's, but still a very good camera. If you want some automation then you may want to go with the F3 or FE series. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionfoto uk Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 There are many excellent high quality F2 out there, used but not battered, that have many years of good use left in them. FM and FE also good. I owned an F3 at one time and it was a superb camera... ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry b. Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 I have an FM2n, F2A (DP-11), and an F3. There are some more considerations beyond those already mentioned. One is that the F3 has an 80-20% center-weighted metering pattern, and the F2s and FM series average readings over the frame to a greater extent. Also, you get 100% viewfinder images with the F2 and F3, but some cropping with the FM series, and this is an important difference if you are concerned with precise composition. The FM series are lighter and easier to carry around, but heavier lenses balance better on the F series cameras. If you go with an F2, it would be better to get an F2A or F2AS so you you can use Nikon autofocus lenses without stopped down metering, and have appropriate lenses for the time when you go digital, if you stay with Nikon. Finally, if you anticipate a lot of low light photography, meters with LED readouts (F2AS and FM series) are much easier to use than match-needle systems (F2, F2A) or the F3 LCD screen. They are all great cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klix Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Unless you know the seller or can find one in pristine condition, I'd pass on an F2. Most that are for sale are beaters / heavily used, so you'd be stuck with possible repair costs. I have an F3, FE2 and FG, and while the build quality of the F3 is superior tothe other 2, the simplicity and size of the FG makes it the most fun to use. It's usually what I grab when I'm on my way out the door. The site below contains a wealth of info on all things Nikon. http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/slrmain8090.htm KL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runkel Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 If you take the time to locate a good F2AS (not that difficult), you may pay a premium compared to something like an FM2n, but not necessarily an unreasonable premium. The F2AS is no more a "curio" than any other metered manual-focus camera, and remains one of the very best such cameras ever made. In my opinion, cost is the only reason to get something other than a DP-12. The DP-12 is the only metered finder that does not use the failure-prone and unrepaceable ring resistor, which is reason enough to favor it. I suspect the F2 is easier to repair than the F3 becasue it doesn't have the electronics. Surely there must be more repair people equipped to work on an F2 than an F3. If you are planning to use flash, you are better off with something like an FM2n or FM3. The F2 has a relatively low sync speed and requires a weird add-on flash shoe that is not centered over the lens. You should really post your question in the Nikon Forum, and check the archives. I think there was a long thread on the relative merits of the F2 and F3 not long ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Sorry, Matthew but F2s are quite difficult to get serviced properly(aside from specialist/cultists like Sover Wong) since they're now ancient history to Nikon--something that can't be said of the FM2N or F3. They're legendary, just like my pretty black F Photomic FTn, but aren't really the thing for everyday use.The F3 strikes me as the camera of choice among Nikon's manual focus "system" bodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_lai Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Gary, there are still quite a few good service people who can take care of the F2. I live in the 'burbs of Toronto, and I'm within walking distance of at least two (Commercial Camera and Winball Camera). Both have done excellent work on mine. Even Nikon Canada will still service old bodies. A couple of years ago Nikon Canada told me they could CLA a Nikkormat FTN, which is several years older than the F2. Of course, if parts are required you may have a problem but then, a lot of repairs do not require parts replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_helmke Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 I'm afraid Gary Watson is way off base here. I can get excellent service work on my F2's in the rare event one needs service, at a shop 2 hours from my home. It isn't expensive and the F2 is a much better piece of equipment than any of the FM variations. A quick look at Ebay will find dozens of them, most in very good condition, for under $300 and usually under $200. A set just sold a few minutes ago with a clean black DP-1 body, a 20/4, 105/2.5, I believe a 35/2 and a 55 micro for about $502!! I remember paying $700 for my first DP-1 F2 and another $650 for an MD-2. I believe gas was 40 cents a gallon more or less. You'd have had to bleed real blood for all of that when it was new and it is still outstanding equipment. By all means, stick to the F2 Tyler. Shop intelligently and you can put together a super kit for very little money and it will last you many years and thousands of rolls of film. An F2A or AS would be the best bets but a DP-1,2 or 3 will be just fine. I have 2 DP-1's and they are in good shape and an F2AS on a motor drive that also a pleasure to use. Rick H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 No dice, Rick. I pale to think of what condition those eBay F2 kits are in. The ones I've seen recently were either positively fungal from decades in storage or battered from years of hard, indifferent use. They're nice cameras but I value function over retro fashion statements. It's just too much trouble to reno dead metered finders or lay out $ for a CLA(another near-scam in many cases)when newer, operable stuff is available for the price of an F2.That's my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_lai Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Gary, sure there are people who neglected their cameras or abused them, but that doesn't mean there aren't any decent specimens left. If you look around I'm sure you can find plenty of nice examples. I've had 2 F2 bodies, both bought used on that auction site within the last 6 years. Neither one was covered in fungus nor did they look like they were in a war zone. I had both serviced to make sure there were no surprises (both needed the foam replaced and one needed adjustment of the fast shutter speeds, nothing major). Tyler, if you're still interested in an F2, here's my $0.02. What lenses do you intend to use with it? If you will be using only manual focus lenses and want to save money, get a pre-AI (DP-1/2/3) finder in good condition. If you get a DP-1, make sure the meter needle moves smoothly. I've not tried the DP-2. The DP-3 is the best of these (same as the DP-12 but in pre-AI form) but is somewhat rare. A pre-AI finder will allow you to use pre-AI lenses, which are super cheap now, or AI/AIS lenses without modification and you will get full function out of the meter. With an AI finder, you can use pre-AI lenses too, but you'll have to use stop-down metering with them which is a bit of a PITA. On the other hand, if you will eventually switch to an autofocus body and will buy AF lenses, get an AI finder. AF lenses do not have the metering prong to couple with the pre-AI finders so you could still use them with a pre-AI finder but will have to meter stopped down (or have the prong added). Do not buy any G lenses, they don't have any manual aperture control so they don't work with any of the F2 finders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_helmke Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Gary it sounds like we've had quite different experiences on these cameras. I push the F2 because I think it is a superb camera. I've got three and am looking for a fourth. Of those three, two were in good shape from the outset and the third needed some help. It is an early 72xxxx body and needed foam and some small mechanical help. It's now in perfect though not collectible shape and I'm into it for less than $200. The other two totaled $600 and came with an MD-2 and 3 lenses. Maybe my experiences have been abnormally good but I would continue to advise people like Tyler to find a good one and use it. Parts and service are easily available, it is well designed and I haven't seen anything in the manual focus category to top it. Lucky for both of us our preferred cameras are easy to find. Rick H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_helmke Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I guess if I were to make a specific reccomendation, get an F2A or AS. Stick to AI lenses, manual focus. I've bought both of those camera bodies for less than $250 each. 28mm/3.5 was $40. 85/2 was $50, a 50/1.4 was $40. A very used but super sharp 80-200/4.5 was $50. I'm telling you, if you want to go out and make pictures now is the time to get the good stuff. Rick H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 No fight re: the baked-in goodness of the F2. I simply believe they're a poor choice for a beginner given their age, relatively high prices, flash issues, and so-so accessory availability.Face it, they're 30+ years old. People hang onto them for good reason but the prices for clean examples are relatively steep around Toronto. Ailing beaters are another story. I still believe the FM/FE variants are a better deal for someone like Tyler who may ditch film in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runkel Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Reasonable people can differ about how easy it is to get good service for an F2, and even what good service is. Here in Seattle we have several independent repair shops known to do excellent work on this model. By contrast, I have other cameras of similar vintage that are eminently suitable for daily use yet have only one or a few specialist repair people in the country. You wouldn't use these cameras professionally without a proper back-up, of course, but that's a different point. Putting aside the repair issue and the flash issue, what is an F2AS but a better version of the FM2n? I don't see how one is recommendable and the other not. Gary, I think it's possible to make all of your valid points without the overlay of rhetoric about the F2 being a curio, a relic, a fossil, a cult item, a fetish item, a retro fashion statement, etc. Indeed, that is what you have done in your post immediately preceding this one, and anyone considering an F2 would be wise to think carefully about your points. People getting into photography these days are inclined to think of film itself as a retro fashion statement and view classic film cameras much as they would steam engines. Many of us here know they are wrong. I think it's sad to needlessly dissuade those rare individuals who have found their way to considering an F2, a Leica M3, a Rolleiflex or any of the other "curios" that in important ways can't be matched by anything made in the last 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Look, I own a load of this stuff, love it, shoot it, and disparage friends who try to compare the build quality of an D70 with an F3HP. I'm "in" as far as fondness for old school Nikon goes, OK? But if I were just starting out, I'd be very wary of laying down a wad of cash for an F2 and a pile of Nikkors. Old Minolta MF bodies and quality Rokkor lenses are practically free these days. That's what I'd advise for what will arguably become disposible technology sooner than any of us would welcome. Let's let it be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler_willmon Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 Wow, I'm amazed at how many posts I got. Although at the end, it seemed that some we're a little bicker dominated, but hey, everyone has different opinions. As someone I know says, everyones goat is different. Anyways, I am about to buy a Nikon F2 with a DP-2 finder on it. So to everyone that posted, thank you and take care. tyler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_helmke Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Naaahhh, we're just opinionated. Actually I have a feeling I'd enjoy a shoot with Gary though I've never met him and live a long long way from him. The good part is we all like Nikons so we can't be all bad. Good luck with your new camera. I'm betting you'll love it. For the record your DP-2 finder makes it an F2S. Same as the regular Photomic, the DP-1 except it uses LED's instead of a needle. Good stuff. Rick H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Check out www.nikonlinks.com, Tyler. Also study the "big Malaysian site" for encyclopedic coverage of the F "system" cameras(i.e., F, F2, F3 etc.). Rick and I are just hardcore Nikonistas 8^) who are renowned for their pathological lack of ambivalence when it comes to their fave toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_dahn Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 <p>Quite a bit late to the party, but I own 8 (yes, eight!!) F2's, all purchased from eBay, and there wasn't a dud in the bunch. I've had to replace some foam, but that's been the extent of the problems, and I expect to have to do that with any used camera.<br> The F2 series was truly the epitome of the mechanical camera, and we'll never see the likes of it again.<br> I also have 3 F3's, and will usually grab an F2 before one of them.<br> BTW, I just bought a beautiful F2S, with MD-2/MB-1, and a DS-1 for less than US$400.<br> I'd like to know how you feel about the camera now, Tyler.<br> Jeff</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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