Nikon F2 35mm Film Camera Overview / Review (Part 1)
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2013
- This is an overview of the Nikon F2 professional 35mm film camera that was produced from 1971 to 1980.
The controls and features of the camera are explained in detail.
Part 2 of the Nikon F2 overview is here: • Nikon F2 35mm Film Cam...
Please see my Nikon F overview here: • Nikon F 35mm Film Came...
Here is the web address of Sover Wong for servicing or repairs: www.soverf2repair.webs.com/ - Наука та технологія
Bought one in 1977,still works perfectly, meter went out few years back but camera performs flawlessly,Nikon sure set the standard for professional cameras.
Brilliant video overview. I picked up a nice F2 a few months back but have been a little intimated as to how everything functions. Now I am 100% confident in how to use it. Thanks and please keep these magnificent camera vids coming!
GrandmasterBBC Glad you found it helpful!
That is a gorgeous F2
This is my dream film SLR. I think it's the best fully mechanical ,all manual 35mm SLR ever made.
All of your Nikons are in such amazing condition! Awesome reviews too; first place I come when researching a camera.
Thanks for posting this video; it was clear, quick to the point, and the info keeps coming. It answered a lot of questions I had. Good to see people keeping the manual technology alive.
Thanks for your kind comments. You are the reason why I do these videos!
Thank you for your comments.
The good thing about the F2 is that it "matured" during it's production span. Through the use of interchangeable finders, it did achieve automatic indexing when the AI lens was introduced.
Also the shutter speed is visible in a window in the viewfinder.
You have to remember this camera first came out in 1971! It had quite a few improvements over the F (see my Nikon F overview video).
The F2 is still regarding by many as the best mechanical full manual camera.
Lucky enough to own two in black, identical to yours and in very similar condition. Very thorough rundown you’ve done here!
Great video! Bought a Nikon F2AS and this video was very helpful understanding the basic functions. Thank you!
Extremely informative. Both Parts 1 & 2 are the best tutorials I've seen on the F2. Thank you very much.
Tom Burch I appreciate your comments.
Excellent concise run through. Many thanks.
Brilliant review, going to find part now. Great camera I want one !
Thanks! Great review of all the essential features. Your video is my GO TO for remembering how to remove the finders.
Thanks!
Thank you for making these F2 videos. I just got one and your videos came in handy to get familiar with the features.
Excellent superb F2 Nikon Color-Colour SLR Film Camera for the early 1970s!!!
Great, thorough videos. Much appreciated.
A beautiful example of a fantastic camera - I recall brand new examples had a particular smell. We actually had customers refuse to buy the new F3 early on and they were willing to pay more for one of the last F2’s. Same when Canon changed the F1N to the new F1 (AE).
That's a very nice F2 you have. I have a black F2 Photomic like yours and a chrome F2AS that I sent to Sover Wong to service.
Great video, the camera looks brand new
That F2 is mint!
OK, you convinced me. I bought one a month ago and do love it. (You might have mentioned that it weighs about as much as a small boat anchor though.) I’ve watched this video a dozen times now. You’ve told me more about it than the owner’s manual. Thank you.
I do hope you’re well. It’s been a long time since you’ve posted. I’ve missed your lessons.
Thanks for the comments. Glad you like the F2. I'm well thank you. May do some more reviews again, can't say for certain.
Whoa! This looks brand new out of the box 😮 nice thorough video.
Nice video I see by the serial number that f2 was made in 1971. Beautiful camera I have many of them,
Brand new F2 congrats!
Hi could you advise what rubber eyepiece ring is needed for a f2 photomic same as yours. I am thinking of buying one soon but the rubber ring to eyepiece of the finder.
That is A real black beauty ! I have A chrome one that is also in near mint condition.This is perhaps the best mechanical 35mm SLR ever.
the good day you put the battery in there? thanks
um all good i should have watched it all the way through, i really like your reviews cheers
thanks you so much for pronouncing Nikon properly
The F2 s a beautiful camera, I have a chrome version. Tough as nails!
Thanks for this great video! I have this same body (recent find), but the viewfinder on mine doesn't have the window read out in the front. Any disadvantage to not having that feature?
The little window is only required on the DP-1 finder to show the setting of the maximum aperture when mounting a lens.
I love your videos. Learn a lot from them. Could you advise me please. I am looking at brand new F3T or a mint F2 photonic which looks unused. Both from Japan in boxes. Which one is best please
I started my photo hobby 35 years ago so clued up on film ( Canon FTB and F1 ) but Clueless regarding Nikon film cameras . Thank you
Very good video. Stupid question but when holding the camera and looking through the viewfinder how easily can you change the shutter speed using your index finger? Can you do it by moving the base of the knob or do you need to adjust the knob on the metered view finder?
With the metered finder, the shutter speed is changed by turning the knob on the top. With an unmetered finder you turn the base of the knob (the actual shutter dial). Both can be adjusted using just an index finger while looking through the viewfinder.
I have a FM3a and a FE, but this is my next camera come march!
Hi, I’m looking at getting a F2 with DE-1 prism (meter less). Due to that finder not having a meter, does the advance lever have to stick out when taking a shot like it has to when using a metered prism - or can the lever be pushed back forward to the ‘off/closed’ position. I’m left eyed so having to have the lever sticking out would literally be a pain :) Great set of videos you have created. Many thanks.
Shane Ferguson No, you can leave the lever pushed in (or flush to the body).
Will that 3v dl13n battery work in the cameras that use two lr44s? My Pentax ME, for instance? It appears to be a direct replacement
It will fit, but it may make the light meter incorrect.
Oh wow! The Nikon F-2 AS Photomic was my first serious 35 mm camera. Mine had the silver top. Your all black model looks awesome sir, like she was new from the box. Only sad thing is she does not have any character marks. I assume this camera has not seen much action.
Bill23799 I run a film through it now and again! :)
Nice video, really informative! I just bought myself an F2. I am bit edgy that the lens it comes with is a 50mm f/1.4 (like yours). I have been using an olympus trip 35 that has a fixed 40mm f/2.8 lens and I am someone who enjoys a wider focus when shooting. I have considered getting a Nikon zoom 35mm-70mm but I am unsure how well that would work with the F2.. not to mention that it is a f/3.5 which is a bummer. I’d appreciate your advice. Thanks!
A 35-70mm zoom will work with an F2 as long as it has the prongs (or rabbit ears) or is an AI or AI-S lens for the DP-11 or DP-12 finders. However, I would recommend buying a 35mm prime lens as it will be better quality and much more useful in lower light or when a higher shutter speed is required.
Samsung9alaxy many thanks!
Excellent video!
+Samsung9alaxy
I've an odd question. As we know, production of F2 stopped in 1980. In 1985, how much do you think a good quailty used F2 would cost from a shop in the UK in pounds sterling? I am researching the 1980s. Many thanks.
rod dale Don't know! I do have a price list from 1985 with Nikon's new cameras in.
Thanks for the reply. My rough guess is somehere between 150 to 200 in 1985 pounds for the body. Cheers.
Wow, that looks factory fresh. Where has it been for the last 40 years?
It looks a little more worn now!
my finder does not have the connector to the rabbit ears on the lens. IT does however have one that looks like a square bit, but it does ot work for some lenses. :P any issues there?
Sounds like you've got either a F2A or F2AS. The finder will have "A" or "AS" on the front. They use the AI coupling system for the metering. Older (pre-AI) lenses will mount but will not automatically meter when you change the aperture.
My finder states the "A" in the front and it is a DP-11 finder. Would this be an issue for the metering for my lenses as they do support both the rabbit ears and the DP-11 indexing thing.
Can you put a Nikon f waist viewfinder on that camera?
Yes! You just won't have the Nikon nameplate.
DOES it has aperture priority mode? thanks
No Ryan, manual exposure control only.
Beauty
Which Photo labs do use for colour and black & white? - thank you
dscolourlabs.co.uk/
+Samsung9alaxy Thanks
Where do you find such clean examples of your F2 & F3 camera's ?
Ebay! Just be patient and choose wisely.
+Karma 7 I got a flawless black F2 AS from Bellamy Hunt at japancamerahunter.com - he's based in Tokyo and is entirely reliable and provides excellent service.
O Templeton
Thank you for the info. I'll check it out on line.
so, you don't have any light meter when you make photos using the waist level viewfinder. How do you make photos with the right exposure if you don't have the light meter of the standard viewfinder?
You need to use an external light meter or use the sunny 16 rule ( en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16_rule). You can get a light meter app to use on most phones!
Samsung9alaxy Well, you can easily recognize through my questions that I'm a beginner in photography. I would like to ask you more things (and excuse me for my english, it's not my first language). You know, today I just use a dslr and I see that in several situations I need to do bracketing to obtain a good photo, for example when I make a photo of a panorama, usually I must do two photos on a tripod with different exposures and then I must combine them.
In the last days I saw several photos on flickr (or other websites) made with film cameras: they usually appear not sharp like digital photos, sometimes colors are not vivid like those of a digital photo (well, they have been scanned, too) but despite this I appreciate those photos for a kind of equilibrium (in the exposure) that often I don't find in photos made with digital cameras (unless bracketing has been used). Is this only a personal impression?
Marco Autiero If you're doing a panoramic shot, you need to use your camera in manual exposure mode. Then your photos will all come out the same brightness, unless there is a change in light while you are taking them!
Hi again mate, i have pressed the button to check the light meter battery and its fine the meter needle goes half way like you said but does the needle move when you press the shutter half way as im now confused on how it gives you a reading
You need to move the advance lever to the standoff position (so you can see the red dot) to activate the meter. It will then keep measuring the light and give you an exposure reading until you push the advance lever back in again.
+Samsung9alaxy Hi, I have a question I am hoping you can help me with. The ASA speed setting knob is stuck on 100. I cant turn it. How can fix it?
Nevermind I just got it LOL
+Jessica Britton Good! What did you do?
+Samsung9alaxy I pushed the knob up, I guess I have an older or newer model that you have to push up than turn.
how did you get that in such a gorgeous condition?..wow..
yea it looks amazing.
Is the battery simple to source.?
Yes.
Hey there, how much would you say this camera would be worth today?
I really can't say! It depends on the condition, if it's been serviced, how much someone wants to pay and what country you live in. Mine would probably fetch around £250 + on eBay UK.
Where did you find one that clean.
eBay!
How is it like carrying the F2 on your neck with that thin strap?
It's OK, because there's a thick rubber section in the middle.
Samsung9alaxy I just bought an F2 and this video was very helpful. Thanks
It is the best 35mm ever made!!!
PS to last message. The 2 cameras are around same price .
They are totally different cameras. The F2 is fully mechanical and the F3 has an electronic shutter and aperture priority. Personally I prefer the F3 but if the electronics fail you have a door stop, whereas the F2 can still be repaired.
Continued..... is missing thanks
Swansong 007: Part two is here:
ua-cam.com/video/pkID7q7B_f0/v-deo.html
Looks like mine. A true monster
Omniscient Television: Seems all your lenses are AI lenses which have a cut out on the aperture ring for coupling with the protruding lug on the DP-11 finder. These will all meter correctly and have no issues. The rabbit ears are for coupling with the earlier finders and will have no effect on the metering on your camera.
Thank your for your reply. I apologize for asking such wired questions. I have never used this 35mm camera before. I did do some further research it stated that the seals in the door and for the mirror needs to be replaced, and mine are certainly not even there. I wish to begin using this camera soon. Would you know any service station in Canada or world wide?
I use Sover Wing for my repairs & service. He is based in England. Here is his Web address: www.soverf2repair.webs.com/
You may also find a local service center by asking on this website: www.nikonians.org
I would recommend you become a member and post your question on the forums.
Excellent video. You should work on your monotonous voice 😉 but the subject is passionate. Thank you
Never had a Pentax camera, so my opinion would be totally biased!
эх, охуеть, такой аппарат и в идеальном состоянии. У нас в России таких мало
Nikon DP-1 fix
It looks like it has hardly been touched in 40 years
Dude need to clean and trim your nails 😝 otherwise good review 👍
Why no image samples? So annoying
clean your fingernails...