Backup body to compliment my N2000?

[r.t. dowling]

I have an N2000 and I enjoy it very much. However, I'd like to

purchase another body to have as a backup. I'd like something that is

somewhat similar to the N2000 (program AE and DX would be nice) but

without a motor drive. Any recommendations?

 

Thanks.

[carl_madson]

Since you want a body without a motor drive your choices of cameras with an automatic exposure mode and DX are going to be really limited. As for non motor drive Nikon's with DX decoding the FM3A is going to be your only choice I believe. The FM3a has the traditional 60/40 centerweighted meter that can be used with an aperture priority mode available on the camera. An FE2 is a very similiar camera in looks and function but does not feature DX decoding. You might want to consider an FA. It has a very early form of matrix metering in addition to center-weighted metering. It also has P,S,A and M modes. The FA will also "matrix" meter with non-CPU AIS lenses. I owned an FA breifly and thought it was a great little camera. My only complaint about the camera was that the top plate of the camera is plastic. I got over it quickly but I was suprised when it first arrived in the mail. There is also the FG, once again I don't believe it has DX decoding. See the links below for more info:

<P>

<A HREF="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/fg/">FG</A><BR>

<A HREF="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfa/"> FA</A><BR>

<A HREF="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fe2/index.htm"> FE2</A><BR>

<A HREF="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/fm3a/manual/"> FM3a</A><BR>

 

<P>

Good Luck,<BR>

Carl

[rendy_cheng]

May I ask why you want to have a backup camera different from N2000? If I have a F5 and buying another F5 for backup might be too costly. So I buy a F3 or F100 for backup. However, a N2000 is not that costly. If you purchase a N2000 for backup, you will have two cameras work the same way. Just my 2c.

[r.t. dowling]

The reason I want something similar to, but not the same as, my N2000 is because the N2000 goes through batteries very quickly. I'd like to have something I can use in very hot or very cold weather without worrying about the batteries.

[mark_jordan3]

If you can forfeit the DX coding any of the bodies Carl listed would be excellent choices...they all go a very long way on a single set of batteries (and the replacements are very cheap). Not knowing what your budget is, for the price of a FM3A you could get into a decent second hand F3...which gives you AE plus mirror lock up and tank-like build. I've found the F3 to be a great compliment to my F100 when I'm in a position to slow things down a bit. Good luck!

[photojim]

You can get a new bottom plate for the N2000/F301 that will allow it to take AA batteries. They're cheaper, and the camera will last longer. B&H has them for about $20 each.