My late dad was a professional photographer in the late 60’s/early 70’s-he worked in a darkroom for a tech company in Portland, Oregon. I have his old Nikon F2 that he bought new in 1972. Much as he used it, he was very particularly; it’s still in beautiful condition. I use and love it quite a bit myself. I also have his old Nikkormat FT2 he bought to have as a back-up for the F2 (I understand that was common for Nikon photographers in those days). Though the Nikkormat has notably fewer features, it’s also a wonderful camera. Great walkthrough video!! Seems like there are TONS more videos on the F3, so I’m always glad to come across a quality video on the F2 like this. Nicely done🙏🏼
Jonathan, I have been shooting with the Nikkormat and Nikon F2 as a pro and pro/hobbyist for more than 50 years. I am still shooting with them to this day and continue to enjoy hearing knowledgeable and articulate individuals like yourself review this amazing camera line in detail. It’s like rereading a favorite book or enjoying a familiar song that brings back so many memories. Coincidentally I’m taking my 4.5 year old grandson out tomorrow and let him shoot his first roll of film with the F2 and 50mm f1.4. And I’m going to document the occasion with my Hassey 500cm. Keep up the great work. I look forward to your videos.
Great summary intro! These are just great cameras and by virtue of a long production life and popularity among amateurs who babied their gear, still can be found in great shape for reasonable money despite their top-flight build quality. I think it’s worth emphasizing that the older Pre-AI bodies work with all but the most recent F-mount Nikon lenses-any lens with the rabbit ear coupling will be fine-whereas the F2A and F2AS will work only with AI lenses or pre-AI lenses that have been converted. The newer lenses are generally technically better, especially for color photography, but if it’s technical quality you are after, then you will be much happier with modern gear or vintage medium format. The pre-AI lenses in my view fit the aesthetic of the F2 body best and yield images with the look from that time. And they are usually somewhat cheaper for examples of similar condition. The LED readouts of the S and SB (or A and AS) had a lot of geewhiz in the day, but the good ol’ analog needle is the easiest to use of the three because it shows incremental change as you turn the aperture ring or shutter speed dial rather than just two or three lights of the S and SB, which is pretty primitive. But the LEDs do look cool! Much better than the F3’s LCD which is very hard to read by comparison.
Thanks for your comments - always appreciated. Agree totally that the needle read out is clearer although the LEDs are better in low light (and the meter has a slightly wider EV range). I've another video discussing non-AI (pre-AI), AI and AIS couplings: ua-cam.com/video/9ZLSSsHrCNE/v-deo.html
Can I ask what you meant by 'LED readout?' I have a Nikon photomic and I'm just trying to learn all the ins and outs of it- thank you! (I'm not fully aware of all the nicknames yet).
So basically if you buy the first F2 body only from 1971 you can with no problems mount the latest viewfinders DP12 and it would be the same as the F2AS??
Thank you for your comment. Are you referring to the bulk film, scientific and Polaroid models? These are interesting from a collector’s perspective only. A topic for a future video but not relevant here.
@WorldwideCameraExchange Thank you for your prompt response. I'm actually replacing the damaged standard door and can find no information in the downloaded manual as to how this is removed. It's quite a tome however, so I may have missed that particular section.
Thank you for sharing this was very helpful! I am deciding between buying a Nikon F2, F3 or F2 Photomic S.. It has been confusing to figure out the difference and your video helped! I have a question though regarding the interchangeable viewfinders. I am wanting to use a waist level view finder and I see there are a few different types. The DW-1, 2, 3, and 4? I am not sure which ones are compatible with which Nikon-F2 variants (or if they are all compatible). Do you have any knowledge of this? If so, I would really appreciate the help!! Thank you :)
Replacing the foam light seals isnt that too difficult a job and doesn't require specialist tools or even dismantling the camera. Pre-cut replacement foam can even be sourced on eBay or Esty
Yes, it isn’t particularly difficult but it’s important to use the correct material. If it’s too thick or too dense the back might not close properly. If it’s too thin it will leak light.
Hi Jonathan I was wondering that there is a small switch in the front of the photomic view finder I just could not find any use for it any idea what it is Thanks
I found it it is the battery check switch..since I just bought it the needle was not moving properly so every time I hit that switch nothing happened that's why I was wondering what the heck it is for now I find out and when meter works it shows the battery state.Thank you.@@WorldwideCameraExchange ho
Hey so i have a question I hope you can help me with, I just got an F2, I got just the body as I already had F Mount lenses from my D3400. The lens I have is an AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1.8g. Any tips on how to adjust the aperture as it doesn’t do the coupling thing. I’m have the photomic version btw
There are some hacks online … but nothing I’d recommend. Your best option is to pick up an older pre-AI Nikon lens. They’re common and can cost less than a few boxes of film.
My late dad was a professional photographer in the late 60’s/early 70’s-he worked in a darkroom for a tech company in Portland, Oregon. I have his old Nikon F2 that he bought new in 1972. Much as he used it, he was very particularly; it’s still in beautiful condition. I use and love it quite a bit myself. I also have his old Nikkormat FT2 he bought to have as a back-up for the F2 (I understand that was common for Nikon photographers in those days). Though the Nikkormat has notably fewer features, it’s also a wonderful camera.
Great walkthrough video!! Seems like there are TONS more videos on the F3, so I’m always glad to come across a quality video on the F2 like this. Nicely done🙏🏼
Thanks - much appreciated. Yep, the older Nikons are fantastic and if you look after them well will serve for decades.
Jonathan, I have been shooting with the Nikkormat and Nikon F2 as a pro and pro/hobbyist for more than 50 years. I am still shooting with them to this day and continue to enjoy hearing knowledgeable and articulate individuals like yourself review this amazing camera line in detail. It’s like rereading a favorite book or enjoying a familiar song that brings back so many memories. Coincidentally I’m taking my 4.5 year old grandson out tomorrow and let him shoot his first roll of film with the F2 and 50mm f1.4. And I’m going to document the occasion with my Hassey 500cm. Keep up the great work. I look forward to your videos.
Thank you - you're very kind. I hope your grandson enjoys the F2 ... lucky little lad!
Worth mentioning that F2SB and F2AS uses a silicon photodiode (SPD) and all the other metering
heads uses the older CDS type.
Thanks for your input, always appreciated.
Great summary intro! These are just great cameras and by virtue of a long production life and popularity among amateurs who babied their gear, still can be found in great shape for reasonable money despite their top-flight build quality. I think it’s worth emphasizing that the older Pre-AI bodies work with all but the most recent F-mount Nikon lenses-any lens with the rabbit ear coupling will be fine-whereas the F2A and F2AS will work only with AI lenses or pre-AI lenses that have been converted. The newer lenses are generally technically better, especially for color photography, but if it’s technical quality you are after, then you will be much happier with modern gear or vintage medium format. The pre-AI lenses in my view fit the aesthetic of the F2 body best and yield images with the look from that time. And they are usually somewhat cheaper for examples of similar condition. The LED readouts of the S and SB (or A and AS) had a lot of geewhiz in the day, but the good ol’ analog needle is the easiest to use of the three because it shows incremental change as you turn the aperture ring or shutter speed dial rather than just two or three lights of the S and SB, which is pretty primitive. But the LEDs do look cool! Much better than the F3’s LCD which is very hard to read by comparison.
Thanks for your comments - always appreciated. Agree totally that the needle read out is clearer although the LEDs are better in low light (and the meter has a slightly wider EV range). I've another video discussing non-AI (pre-AI), AI and AIS couplings: ua-cam.com/video/9ZLSSsHrCNE/v-deo.html
Can I ask what you meant by 'LED readout?' I have a Nikon photomic and I'm just trying to learn all the ins and outs of it- thank you! (I'm not fully aware of all the nicknames yet).
Some Nikon F2 cameras have a needle readout for metering, others use LEDs instead. For most users it isn’t a significant difference.
@@WorldwideCameraExchange ah I see, thank you!
So basically if you buy the first F2 body only from 1971 you can with no problems mount the latest viewfinders DP12 and it would be the same as the F2AS??
Yes!
No mention of the interchangeable back variants or how to remove the door. Do you cover this on another video, please? Thanks.
Thank you for your comment. Are you referring to the bulk film, scientific and Polaroid models? These are interesting from a collector’s perspective only. A topic for a future video but not relevant here.
@WorldwideCameraExchange Thank you for your prompt response. I'm actually replacing the damaged standard door and can find no information in the downloaded manual as to how this is removed. It's quite a tome however, so I may have missed that particular section.
There’s a silver pin on the inside of the hinge which you need to pull down to remove the Nikon F2 back.
Thank you for sharing this was very helpful! I am deciding between buying a Nikon F2, F3 or F2 Photomic S.. It has been confusing to figure out the difference and your video helped!
I have a question though regarding the interchangeable viewfinders. I am wanting to use a waist level view finder and I see there are a few different types. The DW-1, 2, 3, and 4? I am not sure which ones are compatible with which Nikon-F2 variants (or if they are all compatible). Do you have any knowledge of this? If so, I would really appreciate the help!!
Thank you :)
Nikon DW1 and DW2 are for the Nikon F2. The DW3 and DW4 are for the Nikon F3 cameras.
@@WorldwideCameraExchange thank you so much for your help !
Always happy to help. Enjoy your Nikon.
Replacing the foam light seals isnt that too difficult a job and doesn't require specialist tools or even dismantling the camera. Pre-cut replacement foam can even be sourced on eBay or Esty
Yes, it isn’t particularly difficult but it’s important to use the correct material. If it’s too thick or too dense the back might not close properly. If it’s too thin it will leak light.
Great post. Just bought myself an F2 Photomic and still reading up on it. Finding it hard to get the waist level finder though. 😭
The Nikon F2 waist level finder is relatively common. With patience I’m sure you’ll find one. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks a lot, Jonathan. Is it possible to use a Godox Speedlite TT685 II or a Canon flash on a Nikon F2 with PC sync?
Any flash with a synch cord should work fine. Just check the user manual.
@@WorldwideCameraExchange Perfet thanks a lot. 🙌🏼
Hi Jonathan I was wondering that there is a small switch in the front of the photomic view finder I just could not find any use for it any idea what it is Thanks
I’m not sure which switch you mean? Maybe to lock the AI coupling out of the way?
I found it it is the battery check switch..since I just bought it the needle was not moving properly so every time I hit that switch nothing happened that's why I was wondering what the heck it is for now I find out and when meter works it shows the battery state.Thank you.@@WorldwideCameraExchange ho
Love your videos!... I have an f2as with a inoperative
Depth of field ,is it worth having it fixed?
It’s worth having a repairer take a look. Sometimes mechanical issues can be fixed quite easily.
Hey so i have a question I hope you can help me with, I just got an F2, I got just the body as I already had F Mount lenses from my D3400. The lens I have is an AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1.8g. Any tips on how to adjust the aperture as it doesn’t do the coupling thing. I’m have the photomic version btw
There are some hacks online … but nothing I’d recommend. Your best option is to pick up an older pre-AI Nikon lens. They’re common and can cost less than a few boxes of film.
I have the F2A is this from 1977
The Nikon F2A was introduced in 1977
I obtained a nice example with the DP3 head . So far so good. If and when the meter goes no big deal, sunny 16 all the rest of the way
If it’s in good condition and is used regular there’s no reason it shouldn’t go on for years!
I have a 1977 F2A with motor and battery pack
Nice camera!