Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
Anyone here shoot any of the Photomic F2's?
Nikon F2 Photomic shooters?
- Thread starter Gary R. Smith
- Start date
Pete Askew
Admin
Yes, but not for a fair while.
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
Supposedly, the F2 is/was Nikon's premier/best made SLR. Hand assembled. All mechanical.
There are four versions of the Photomic finder (for the F2).
I'm apparently having another flair-up of G.A.S. and have been looking at F2's. It appears that I can get a clean F2 Photomic for about $200 with a working meter. If I want the F2AS, it's going to cost me $500. I suspect at least 1 of my existing Nikkor lenses will work on the plain-vanilla F2 but my AF Nikkor lenses would need the AS.
The Rollei 3.5B doesn't have a meter at all and it takes GREAT shots (and only will ever have one lens).
Why do I want an F2 Photomic? I have a perfectly functional FE.
Explain G.A.S. to me and what is the cure?
There are four versions of the Photomic finder (for the F2).
I'm apparently having another flair-up of G.A.S. and have been looking at F2's. It appears that I can get a clean F2 Photomic for about $200 with a working meter. If I want the F2AS, it's going to cost me $500. I suspect at least 1 of my existing Nikkor lenses will work on the plain-vanilla F2 but my AF Nikkor lenses would need the AS.
The Rollei 3.5B doesn't have a meter at all and it takes GREAT shots (and only will ever have one lens).
Why do I want an F2 Photomic? I have a perfectly functional FE.
Explain G.A.S. to me and what is the cure?
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Pete Askew
Admin
There isn’t one I’m afraid...
These cabinet are now bursting at the seams!
Nikon SLR cameras fall into two broad categories; digital cameras (designated by the letter D followed by a number) and film-based cameras (designated by the letter F followed by a number/letter). The numbers (and, in some cases additional letters) after the first letter code relate to the model / type of camera. Thus you have cameras such as the D7000 and the, recently released, D600 (cameras fitted with and APS-C sized DX sensor and 'full frame', 35mm film frame sized, FX sensors respectively).
Nikon D600
Image...
Nikon D600
Image...
These cabinet are now bursting at the seams!
Here's a shelf-by-shelf breakdown of the F cabinet.
Top shelf: Nikon F Apollo with Nikkor 55mm f1:1.2, waist-level finders, cable release and eyepiece dioptre.
Second shelf: A trio of Fs with various Nikkor 50mm f1:1.4 lenses.
First shelf: From right to left, F2 with motor-drive and Nikkor 35mm f1:1.4, F2 with an aperture control attachment, F3 HP with a motor-drive and Nikkor 85mm f1:1.4 plus...
Top shelf: Nikon F Apollo with Nikkor 55mm f1:1.2, waist-level finders, cable release and eyepiece dioptre.
Second shelf: A trio of Fs with various Nikkor 50mm f1:1.4 lenses.
First shelf: From right to left, F2 with motor-drive and Nikkor 35mm f1:1.4, F2 with an aperture control attachment, F3 HP with a motor-drive and Nikkor 85mm f1:1.4 plus...
Paul Taylor
Well-Known Member
I have one, and love it. Great camera, and robust. I also have a Nikkormat FT2 and really enjoy that camera. Amazingly both meters on both cameras both work and are accurate.
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
What finder is on yours Paul?
Ralph Turner
Well-Known Member
The place I worked in back in the late 80s/ early 90s had a rather well-worn one of these adapted to fit one of our microscopes (had metering prism with the asymmetric satin chrome fascia). I never actually got to use it in anger, so to speak. Nikon is a brand that I've never really got involved with very much. I did once consider getting an FM2 but the problem was (being a lefty) that I was at odds with the film advance lever needing to be pulled out slightly for things to work (if I've remembered correctly).
Ralph Turner
Well-Known Member
@Pete Askew that's an impressive display. My little cabinet is over-stuffed with all manner of items, from the good to the bad, to the indifferent, basically a jumbled mess lol.
Pete Askew
Admin
Mine is sadly no longer so sparse as when this was taken. It is all Nikon F though. Later this year it should all move to new display case though.
I do have a D1, a D2 and several variants of the D3 (still in use) too. They are nowhere near as interesting though and I have never found a compelling reason to upgrade beyond a D3x. I actually switched to the Fuji S-series when the first Nikon digital bodies appeared as they performed better for what we were doing at the time (there are a couple of S5 Pros still in use in the lab) than the D200 on whihc they were based. Hence the D1 was bought just to fill a gap as it were as it was in mint condition (and still in its box!). I might add a shelf to hold one of each.
I do have a D1, a D2 and several variants of the D3 (still in use) too. They are nowhere near as interesting though and I have never found a compelling reason to upgrade beyond a D3x. I actually switched to the Fuji S-series when the first Nikon digital bodies appeared as they performed better for what we were doing at the time (there are a couple of S5 Pros still in use in the lab) than the D200 on whihc they were based. Hence the D1 was bought just to fill a gap as it were as it was in mint condition (and still in its box!). I might add a shelf to hold one of each.
Paul Taylor
Well-Known Member
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
Looks like the original DP-1 finder. How often do you use it?
I suspect that would be the version I'll end up with - assuming that I can't calm this attack.
I suspect that would be the version I'll end up with - assuming that I can't calm this attack.
Paul Taylor
Well-Known Member
I have probably ran 25 or so roll through it since i got it late last year - however the person I got it from owned it from new and it was his main workhorse for decades as a photographer for a few local newspapers and magazines. I bought the F2, the FT2, and 4 or 5 lenses from him. It is a great camera to have in my rotation. lol.
That being said - it doesn't do anything any better or worse than any of my other 35mm cameras of the same style/period. I would be just as likely to pick up my Nikkormat FT2, Canon F-1 or Voigtlander VSL1-TM if I want that style of shooting.
That being said - it doesn't do anything any better or worse than any of my other 35mm cameras of the same style/period. I would be just as likely to pick up my Nikkormat FT2, Canon F-1 or Voigtlander VSL1-TM if I want that style of shooting.
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
This is what I keep coming back to.
Thanks Paul.
There is a super clean one on eBay auction. I'll give it a shot and see how things work out.
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
You're right Pete, there isn't.
I pulled the trigger on an F2 Photomic with a working meter. I ought to have it next week. I'm planning to take it to the coast the following week along with the Rollei. Will probably load them both with color.
Tony Warren
Well-Known Member
"GAS" Gary is a phenomenon experienced by photographic enthusiasts with no warning when suddenly you don't have to support children, don't need to go to work anymore (for some anyway), have lots of time, or make it, to pour over books, magazines, online listings etc turning up a whole cornucopia of cameras you only once dreamed of but have now come within financial reach. The shorter version is becoming that child in the candy store. Thank you digital and the mobile phone.
I had a Nikon F3HP - a brilliant camera - and 21, 28, 55,60, 85, 105 and 200 Nikkor lenses. I now just have a F801 and 55. The finder is the same as the HP and AF is such a help at my age.
I had a Nikon F3HP - a brilliant camera - and 21, 28, 55,60, 85, 105 and 200 Nikkor lenses. I now just have a F801 and 55. The finder is the same as the HP and AF is such a help at my age.
Tony Warren
Well-Known Member
Oh yes, as Pete says, there is no cure I'm afraid other than to hand over all your financials to your wife.
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
I'm afraid you are correct.
However with the arrival of the F2, I'm sure I won't ever need another...
Pete Askew
Admin
Absolutely, and that worked just like that for me! 
Pete Askew
Admin
And just to prove the point, this most certainly wasn’t sitting under the bookcase at the bottom of the stairs for the last 6 months!
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
F2AS w/motor drive and attached DS-1 aperture control.
