cham_saranasuriya Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Hi Guys, Today the digital camera users seem to be dominated, especially in the commercial world. Even DSLRs are available for under USD <1000.00 but still some of us tend to use the manual focus Nikon SLRs. Let alone some of us have spent even USD 1500.00 to acquire new F3HPs. So there should be something about them. I have mentioned specifically "manual focus" so that it includes not only F, F2, F2AS, FM, FM2 but also somewhat modern F3, F3HP, FM3a etc as well. I consider my personal best manual focus SLR to be F3HP for the following reasons:- 1) Classic feel and ruggedness. Have been to space and back as far as I understand!!! 2) Interchangeable prism/screens especially for macro type work, also other accesories that are available for reasonable prices on eBay. 3) Electronic shutter hence it is stepless, unlikely to be error prone in extremes of tempetrature. Downside is battery dependency. But I have used it for months or even a year without the necessity to change batteries. 4) Availability of the parts. Do not need live donors as for some of the other models. 5) Has earned its reputation over 20 year production cycle. Arguably the longest in Nikon line. Possibly the largest number of "F" bodies produced. This is just to name a few. I would like your opinions about the best manual focus Nikon SLR and the reasons behind? I understand the limitations of the term "best" so it is important to qualify your opinions!!!! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiayao_zhao Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I use F3HP as my main manual body with FM2N to back up. The reason? It's as solid as hammer and when I'm out on errend and want to eat nuts, I can use this body as a hammer to crush them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeroen dommisse Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 The F4, ofcourse :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholas_t. Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Nikon F - plain prism and a hand-held meter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_tan Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Hi, I've used (in chronological order) the following Nikon cameras: 1. FG 2. FA 3. FM10 4. FM2n 5. FM3A And I consider the FA the best of the lot that I've used. Best metering of its time, tough feel to it, great looker and comes with an eyepiece shutter. Cheers, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_eleftheriadis Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I agree about the Nikon F3HP. I am using this camera for 15 years without any problem. My second bodies are a Nikon FM2 and A NIkon FM3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 F3 HP, F3 HP, F3 HP, F3 HP, F3 HP!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olivier_reichenbach Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 F3HP, no contest. And that silky smooth rewind lever! Put a 28 f/2 AI or a 105 f/2.5 AI on that body and it's pure joy. In fact, I'm considering buying another F3HP, which I don't really need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd peach seattle, washi Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I like the F3 (non-HP) for all the reasons you cite, it's a great 'system camera'. If I don't need the motor drive or other accessories, I prefer to shoot with a pair of F2AS. I find the meters easier to use, and they have a nice heft and feel to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Call me old fashioned.I remember the scorn with which the F3's were met,being the 1st electronic pro body.My answer is the F2A.Now thats a silky smooth rewind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_nichols Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 F3 Non-HP, F2/DE-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_bradtke Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 F3HP They are very rugged. I dont turn mine off half of the time and the batterys last forever.Put the motor drive on it and will shoot 5 fps all day. If some one gets in my face when I am shooting with it I can nock the snot out of them with it and then take there photo while they are laying there bleeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnabdas Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 FM3A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea_browne Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 The F4. Seriously, I've never, ever, even tested the AF on mine. I've used F3HP, F3, F2, FM etc, the F4 is aweseome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ky2 Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 The D100 of course. ;) I have both the Fm3a and F3hp. I can't really favor one over the other. do I really have to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert_Lai Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 F3 non HP. The greater magnification (0.8x) makes it easier to focus with compared to the HP (0.75x). Put the DW-4 6x magnifier on it, and the accuracy of focusing becomes unbeatable. This camera will probably outlive me to be passed onto my great grandchildren (I'm 40 and don't have kids yet, but the F3 won't age). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_seaman Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Another vote for the F4... It fits 1 through 4 of your criteria and it matrix meters on ai lenses... The fact that it can autofocus too is just a bonus! :) Jim Seaman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcbride Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 There is simply nothing better than a Nikon F3. I'm not crazy about the High Eyepoint finder, so I'll pass on the HP part. Just the same, Nikon made (makes?) so many wonderful specialized finders for the F3, the HP wouldn't be missed by most photographers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond bradlau Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 "I've never, ever, even tested the AF on mine" Andrea, are you kidding? Oh I just had a look at the photo you posted, great shot and hope tp see more and my vote for the best would be for the S2, but since it not an SLR I guess it wont count, my reason is it make a great second camera (fits in my pocket) to take along with my newer Nikon Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontus_gustavsson Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I tested the AF on my F4 when I got it, only because I have a cheap 35-70 AF that I never use and wanted to see if the AF worked. Haven't taken a photo with AF yet... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christopher_cline1 Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 F2. Any F2. Indestructible, won't let you down if the batteries die, an ergonomic masterpiece. Close second, the original FM for all the same reasons. F2 wins for features (100% viewfinder, 1/2000 shutter speed, mirror lock-up, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I would have to say the F3 when shooting with ambient light (my preference is the Sports/Action finder, not the HP finder). The FM3a is superior when shooting with flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil_parker Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 My favorite MF Nikon is the uh... F3A. This is an F3 body and upgraded viewfinder that incorporates bright LED metering of the F2AS, plus spot meter and focus confirmation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn_rahman Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 FM3A FM3A FM3A FM3A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiayao_zhao Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 F4 is also great, but a little burden to my shoulder. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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