Nikon F2 scoop and shoot

[astral]

<p>Good Nikon F and F2 cameras are becoming a little difficult to find; so, this F2 with plain prism and Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4, plus MD-2 motordrive, was a <em>'done deal'</em> as soon as I saw it. <br /><br />It is in excellent condition, very clean, complete, and looks like it was owned by an enthusiast rather than being an ex-pro workhorse, so everything works as it should. All that was needed was to renew the light seals and blow some dust off it. <br /><br /><br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/15755935-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="529" /><br>

<br /><br />A roll of Kodak BW400 was the first test, with a quick (and not very good) dev-and-scan at a local emporium. The test was also an opportunity to use two of my favourite contemporary non-AI lenses - a Nikkor-HC 28mm f3.5 and a Nikkor-N 24mm f2.8 (see my portfolio).<br /><br />The big surprise was the single coated 50mm f1.4 Nikkor-H lens. I expected it to be noticeably different from my much later multic-coated AI Nikkor, especially at wider apertures. However, while the test shots were not demanding, especially regarding flare, the old Nikkor-S is evidently a solid performer with smooth o-o-f rendition ('bokeh') at full aperture. <br /><br />Stopped down I can't see any unpleasantness in the bokeh that often occurs in other fast 'standard' lenses. Sharpness is fine at 'normal' apertures, while at full aperture any unsharpness is, for me, usually a function of the shallow depth of field and long shutter speeds, rather than inherrent lens issues. Maybe there is a hint of a more 'classic' (i.e. not overly contrasty) look to images taken at f1.4 - f4, but at medium apertures it is a sharp, well-behaved lens, without any bad traits - what more do you want? <br /><br />So far, I have no reason to complain about the old 50/1.4 (except to myself for not carrying a monopod more regularly). Shots taken with the Nikkor-HC 28mm f3.5 and Nikkor-N 24mm f2.8 are much as expected - that is, nothing to complain about. has always pleased me. Although there is some illumination fall-off at f3.5 with the 28mm, but it has gone by around f5.6. The Nikkor-N 24mm f2.8 simply turns out excellent images, just as it has for the past 40 years.<br>

<br />So, to sum up: despite the lack of a TTL meter of later F2s, and more modern multi-coated lenses, a basic Nikon F2 is in my opinion still as good a tool as it was way back in the 1970s. But mostly it is fun and satisfying to use.<br /><br />A couple of images follow. Sadly the scans, done by a local photo booth are pretty awful, but at small sizes this is not especially noticeable. More images taken with the 3 lenses mentioned above can be seen in my <a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=1032697">photo.net portfolio </a>and 'mirrored' on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikkormat">Flickr </a>. <br /><br /><br>

AC</p>

<p><strong>Tearful, sightless Bacchus toasts passers by at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, England</strong><br>

<a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=1032697"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/15755934-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="495" /></a><br>

Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4 @ f5.6<br>

<strong><br /><br />Hardwick Hall "<em>More glass than wall</em>" - Derbyshire, England </strong><br /><br /> <a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=1032697"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/15755944-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="486" /></a><br>

Nikkor-HC 28mm f3.5 @ f11<br>

<br /><br /><strong>This 'Happy Chappie' guards the main door at Mount St Bernard Abbey, Leicestershire, England<br /><br /></strong><a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=1032697"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/15755948-lg.jpg" alt="" width="527" height="600" /></a><br>

Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4 @ f11<br>

<br /><br /><strong>"Gospels" at <strong>Mount St Bernard Abbey, Leicestershire, England<br /><br /></strong></strong><a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=1032697"><strong><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/15756133-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="557" /></strong></a><br>

Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4 @ f1.4<br>

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[JDMvW]

<p>Nice work<br>

and nice catch on the F2-- it's hard to find (and afford) the original F2 plain prism.</p>

<p>It makes an elegant package, both in style and in function.</p>

[John Seaman]

<p>Nice to see some classic black & white from the F2 - and not far from my neck of the woods either! I've got a black F2 with a black plain prism, but I would like an f1.4 lens to go with it. Thanks for posting, Alan.</p>

[rick_drawbridge]

<p>Great photographs from an archetypal camera, with few frills but with all the quality one could wish for. Good strong images, <strong>Alan</strong>; thanks for posting.</p>

[astral]

<p>Thanks gents. Well, the price for the whole kit was about the same as usual cost of an 'exc++' F2A <em>body</em> with working meter, but with a good lens and motordrive 'thrown in' . . . a "no-brainer!"<br /><br />John: I <em>may</em> have a 50/1.4 on a Nikkormat FT2 which is currently with Ed Trzoska at Birstall for a service - though it could just be a Nikkor-HC 50/2. I may sell these later in the year. I have an inside contact at Mount St Bernard, and can probably arrange a morning behind the scenes if you're interested.<br /><br />Thanks Rick - images were shot a few days ago in quite variable weather . . . we're still waiting for Spring 'up' here in the UK. Some colour shots later if/when the sun ever shines - plus I have a few more old lenses to re-discover.</p>

[sadanand]

<p>Nice images.<br>

That's a great find more so with plain prism. Agreed that old glass is a solid performer. I have the same wonderful 50mm lens.<br>

Thanks for posting.</p>

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[User_502260]

<p>I don't think the plain prism finder was available any earlier than the DP-1. I have DP-1 and DP-2 finders for my F2s but no non-metered prism finder. The f2 is a very capable camera but I prefer the Canon F-1 because its meter is built into the body so the finder is smaller. It's hard to have every version of a particular focal length. I have five 28mm Nikkors: 2.8cm f/3.5, 28mm f/3.5 H, 28mm f/3.5 'K' and two 28mm f/3.5 AI. One of the AI lenses gets most of the use. I donlt have a 24 Nikkor yet. Of the early 50/1.4s I have a pointy prong S and a round prong S. I don't think either of these was actually single coated but they were less well coated than the SC and later models. I consider the round prong lens the classic because it came out at about the time I started talking pictures (with a Konica). Still, I have used the pointy pring S more. Both are good lenses. </p>

[astral]

<p><em>"It's hard to have every version of a particular focal length."</em> <br /><br />Yes, Jeff - it's neither easy, nor cheap. That said, there was a time when many older Nikkors (right back to the Nippon Kogaku 'Tick Mark' versions) were more common and 'affordable' than appears the case nowadays. Like you, over the years I have picked up many versions of the commoner lenses: 50mm f2, 28mm, 24mm and 35mm. Most are good performers <em>if</em> their characteristics are understood and are used within their (known) limitations.<br /><br />Sadly, some of the lenses I would now like to own are out of my price range, but fortune occasionally smiles.<br /><br />I broadly agree with your comments on the early coatings - in some cases it is difficult to tell by eye just what coatings there are on many lenses; and manufacturers at the time were often rather vague about this for marketing and possibly patent reasons, etc. While modern coatings are so much better than in 'the olden days' I no longer care very much what the coatings are, or how many, as long as the lens works ok. The epithet <em>"Many a good tune is played on an old fiddle"</em> comes to mind.<br /><br />This new F2 is my 'top dog' Nikon at present, having displaced my F2AS. I also use a Canon F1n (also FTBn and EF) at times , but have so far largely resisted any temptation to get an earlier Canon F1, or any more cameras or lenses . . . More travel, more photography and less G.A.S. is the pledge . . . . . </p>

 

[john_narsuitus]

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<p>I don't think the plain prism finder was available any earlier than the DP-1.</p>

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<strong>I have also heard this from other sources. However, when I bought my first F2 on September 20, 1972 in Illinois, the standard DE-1 prism finder was all that was available in the United States.</strong><br>

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