Nikon F2 (Page 2): You can do fine without the meter coupling prong - just employ stopped-down metering. You’ll be focusing and viewing wide open, the camera will stop the lens down to...

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

EricMGB1974 wrote:

It will mount and work but will not couple with the meter without the rabbit ears.

You can do fine without the meter coupling prong - just employ stopped-down metering. You’ll be focusing and viewing wide open, the camera will stop the lens down to your selected aperture when you take the shot.

User ID

kcooke wrote:

Thanks. I am considering buying this camera because I want to get back to film on occasion for fun. Mostly black and white. The lens I intend to use is a 50mm f1.8 series E. It came on an old FG that I bought new a long time ago. While its not that great it does take pretty good photographs when you do your part. This is an AI lens but does not have the rabbit ears. Ive read it multiple places that it would work on this camera with the DP-1. Is that true or false? Thanks

You’ll be doing stop down metering. That should enhance the “retro” quality of using it.

It seems to me your priority is not so much related to the medium of film as to the kick of a wacky old camera outfit. If so, you will love that one.

OTOH if it’s really the film medium that matters, get a more realistic outfit. What you’re looking at there is a vintage hot rod, rather than a nostalgic, but not seriously ancient, daily driver.

I used a pair of non-metered F2 right up to the end of the film era. No nonsense devices, pretty much the reflex version of an M-Leica. If digital had never become useful I’m sure Id still be using F2’s. We had F3 at wirk but I preferred my no-frills F2’s. The F3 were our last film cameras.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

amfoto1 wrote:

Be sure to check the battery holder and insides of the battery compartment for the motor drive. A lot of those end up with hidden damage due to battery leaks.

Hmmm... that looks very similar to one of the two F2s stolen from me a couple years ago, along with some other gear. (I'm certain it's not because the specs are slightly different, not to mention you and that camera are in Alabama and mine was stolen in

I’ll check it out if the guy will ever call me. I hate Craigslist......
Also if you send me the serial number of your stolen cameras I will check that too. Thanks

kcooke Loc: Alabama

RWR wrote:

You can do fine without the meter coupling prong - just employ stopped-down metering. You’ll be focusing and viewing wide open, the camera will stop the lens down to your selected aperture when you take the shot.

👍

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Well actually I’m looking for a 35 mm camera to do some film based photography. it’s what I grew up with. This one is available locally and when I was young a Nikon F2 was a good camera so I’m not sure if it is wacky other than the motor drive and battery pack. I estimate that I will only shoot one or two rolls of film per month. The rest would be via digital cameras.

What would you consider a more realistic outfit for under $200? Thanks for the input!

User ID wrote:

You’ll be doing stop down metering. That should en... (show quote)

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

My second 35mm, over 50 years back... a great camera, and the optics were superb... had over 20 lenses for it, including a 50mm f1.2 if memory serves... I took photos at a friend's ordination about 50 years back and just turned the negatives over to the church's local archivist about a year back. A fast lens was needed because I couldn't use flash. I also picked up a Nikormat (sp?) for taking onto project sites and for rough use. Fond memories.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

kcooke wrote:

Well actually I’m looking for a 35 mm camera to do some film based photography. it’s what I grew up with. This one is available locally and when I was young a Nikon F2 was a good camera so I’m not sure if it is wacky other than the motor drive and battery pack. I estimate that I will only shoot one or two rolls of film per month. The rest would be via digital cameras.

What would you consider a more realistic outfit for under $200? Thanks for the input!

Assuming you're a Nikon shop already, look at ebay for F4s or F3s. If you just want a film camera, the Canon AE1 fits in that area along with a cheap FD lens like the FD 50mm f/1.8. The AE1 Program is a bit more automated and bundled with a manual focus 50mm lens that probably come in less than $200, if you shop a bit. There's a few EOS Rebel models that are very bare-bones that run all of Canon's EF-mount, autofocus and IS-enabled lenses, where the body costs $50 or less.

I have a Canon T90, one of Canon's final advanced manual focus bodies with automated exposure and film advance in the body. I broke one of the lugs such that you can no longer attach a camera strap. You can have it just for the postage ($25) and you then just need the FD lens(es) to start shooting.

RichinSeattle

I found (and bought) a new light meter for my even older FTn. It works perfectly, and I assume it will for the limited use it's going to get.

Regarding focus, the focus screen (under the viewfinder) can be changed out for one you want. I'd strongly recommend getting a split-image screen if it doesn't already have one.

torchman310 Loc: Santa Clarita, Ca.

Grab it while it's still available. But the variety of "G" lenses built for digital probably wont work on it. I had an F2 and absolutely loved it until a coupling in the photomic head went bad. There were no parts available at the time. Good luck with your find.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Thanks for the tip

RichinSeattle wrote:

I found (and bought) a new light meter for my even older FTn. It works perfectly, and I assume it will for the limited use it's going to get.

Regarding focus, the focus screen (under the viewfinder) can be changed out for one you want. I'd strongly recommend getting a split-image screen if it doesn't already have one.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

👍👍👍

torchman310 wrote:

Grab it while it's still available. But the variety of "G" lenses built for digital probably wont work on it. I had an F2 and absolutely loved it until a coupling in the photomic head went bad. There were no parts available at the time. Good luck with your find.

User ID

kcooke wrote:

Well actually I’m looking for a 35 mm camera to do some film based photography. it’s what I grew up with. This one is available locally and when I was young a Nikon F2 was a good camera so I’m not sure if it is wacky other than the motor drive and battery pack. I estimate that I will only shoot one or two rolls of film per month. The rest would be via digital cameras.

What would you consider a more realistic outfit for under $200? Thanks for the input!

It’s only wacky as that complete outfit. The F2 alone is a great choice. The only cheaper challenger is an F, and for me (were I so inclined) it must have a plain prism. Really nice F’s are disappearing. An F is only preferable if it’s a solid $$ savings. The F2 is the boss.

JFaassen

Still have my black F2 Photomic from 1973 with 50mm F 1.4 - I'll never get rid of them - fabulous, indestructible camera!

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Paul thanks for the generous offer on your T90. I may take you up on that. I have a friend who still has their AE-1 and A1 with a good complement of lenses. I believe she would sell to me but I don’t know how much she will want. I guess you could say I’m looking for an all mechanical camera with an exposure meter and the Nikon F2 available locally got my attention.

I’m not a Nikon shop, all of my current DSLR cameras and lenses are Canon except for one Nikon 50mm f1.8 E left over from years ago. My wife does shoot Nikon DSLRs but doesn’t have that many lenses. Thanks again Paul.

CHG_CANON wrote:

Assuming you're a Nikon shop already, look at ebay... (show quote)

kcooke Loc: Alabama

User ID wrote:

It’s only wacky as that complete outfit. The F2 alone is a great choice. The only cheaper challenger is an F, and for me (were I so inclined) it must have a plain prism. Really nice F’s are disappearing. An F is only preferable if it’s a solid $$ savings. The F2 is the boss.

👍👍👍