You all might kill me but.... I have been a Canon user in Nikon vs Canon terms. However I have really been interested in picking up an F, maybe an F3, and putting it to test along side my new F1. Any thoughts on the comparison?
Anyone here collect & use Nikon F's?
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I'm more or less a Canon fan as well, but own (and have owned) many Nikons and Nikkors.
Do you have a "New F-1"? Or you mean you have recently bought an "F-1"?
The closest camera to the New F-1 (F-1N) is the Nikon F3 and I find the F-1N a nicer, better camera. So much that I sold my F3. Mainly, the viewfinder and meter display on the Canon is vastly superior, more convenient, more readable. Mechanically it has also the hybrid shutter, giving you many battery-free speeds, unlike the F3. On the F3 you only have one manual speed (1/90), and you can't fire it with the regular shutter button: You need to use a separate shutter trigger.
As for the F-1 (old), it is better made (higher quality finish) than the Nikon F and F2. It is a nice camera as well, however for some reason the viewfinder on my F and F2 is a bit brighter, if this matters a lot to you.
Comparing the Canon F-1 versus the Nikon F2 fitted with a CdS match-needle Photomic (a proper comparison), i'd say:
- If shooting from 1 sec to 10 seconds using the camera timer matters to you, the Nikon F2 can do it standalone. The Canon F-1 can do it if you fit the "Booster T Finder" accesory, which enables timed shots up to 30 seconds (or more?) and extends the metering range to very dark levels.
- The Nikon F2 has a 100% viewfinder. This might matter to you (i don't care, though).
- Finders and focusing screens are easier to change on the Canon F-1
- The Canon F-1 is able to do shutter-priority AE in a "honest" way. That is, without the embarrassing device that Nikon offers for achieving such thing.
- The Canon F-1 uses the "partial" metering pattern, which is excellent and IMO a bit more useful than the regular "centerweighted" pattern.
- Both cameras, mechanically, are very refined and bulletproof.
- Both cameras have a wide lens selection, and their lenses are as good as they could be made at those eras.
- Brighter finder on the Nikon, as i said. However, my F-1 is a 1st version model, the 1976 revamp of the F-1 (known as "F-1n") has a brighter screen.
Comparing with the Nikon F2AS (that is, with Silicon photodiode meter and LED display), i find the Nikon F2 better than the F-1.
Comparing the Canon New F-1 and the Nikon F3:
- I already mentioned that the F-1N is easy to use without batteries
- F-1N offers shutter priority AND aperture priority
- F-1N shows you clearly when are you in Auto (aperture priority AE) mode, by totally changing the viewfinder display layout.
- F-1N can show you, at the same time:
a. The shutter speed
b. The aperture that the meter suggests
c. The aperture that you have actually chosen
The F3 only shows you (a,c)
- You can change the metering pattern by changing focusing screens on the Canon. There are three patterns, all of them very useful:
a. Centerweighted
b. Partial (really good!!)
c. Spot
- Nikon offers TTL OTF (off the film plane) flash
- The F3's motor is supposedly lighter.
- I find the shutter release "feel" of the Canon more confident than the one in the F3.
Having said all that...
You must treat yourself to a plain-prism Nikon F. It's a classic machine that works smoothly, bare-bones, that helps you concentrate totally in the picture. And it can fit all Nikon lenses (except G-series).
The F2 improves on it, but not so much. If you need to have only ONE Nikon camera get the F2, otherwise get both.
I did not like the F3 so much, having owned and used one.
Think of the F as a Porsche 356, classic and fun
Think of the F2 as a 70s Porsche 911, faster and classic
Think of the F3 as an 80's Porsche 944, it might be nimbler but it's not the same classic experience.
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A minor correction, which I know you already know:
Shutter priority only with the power winder or motor drive.
Aperture priority with the AE finder.
Although I own and have used Nikon F through F4 for decades, I appreciate Canon as well. I don't have an F-1 or F-1N, but I do have an EF and it's wonderful.
Interesting. One of my cars is a 2008 Cayman S and I'd compare it to a Nikon D810 - good performance, but I hate all the electronic add-ons that I don't use, need, or want.
The Nikon system outshines many makers in that all the lens will fit on all their cameras. I use any lens, with one exception, on all the bodies, from the F, FE, FA, F3, and digital. The exception is one Fish eye lens that requires mirror lock up. This feature, coupled with their build quality, sets them apart from all others, IMHO.
Not true. See: Pre-AI lenses and the current G-series lenses.
Not true at all. There is roughly a 20-year sliding window of compatibility. You cannot mount pre-AI lenses on an F5 or F6 without modification. Many Nikon digital cameras won't accept pre-AI, such as the D700. Nikon G lenses won't work on mechanical Nikons such as the F3 (no aperture ring). Even AI and AIS won't matrix meter on an F5 and there are limitations with them on digital bodies as well.
Check out this chart,
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm
Nikon has done a commendable job, but there is no full compatibility.
All Canon EF lenses and EOS bodies since 1986 are fully compatible. All Leica M mount lenses are compatible on M bodies (film) since 1954. All Hasselblad C/CF lenses are compatible with 500-series bodies since 1957.
And there are several Nikon lenses that require mirror lock up!
PE
PE
nikon is extremelly attractive design art until you see the mechanism of the camera , it is garbage sold with handsom package , lenses are sharp but not soft , too much contrasty and highlights always blow up , colors are from package industry , I dont give a dime to nikon.
i loved using my $5.00 American Cancer Society store, Nikon FA! Until I broke this!! Please help!
20150812_182808 by Americo Rodriguez, on Flickr
20150812_182808 by Americo Rodriguez, on FlickrNot true for M Leicas you can get physical damage if you try verboten combinations.
Well said Theo. I HATE the fact that all modern Nikon lenses come in "G-series". So that means that if I purchase the lens, it will be unusable on my Nikon manual "classic" cameras.
It also makes them unusable with my Canon EOS (EF mount) cameras, since I don't have the aperture ring. While with the Pre-AI, AI and AF lenses, i do have the aperture ring and can use them really easy with an adapter.
Let me just add that with Canon is very easy:
- All FD, New FD, and FL lenses mount in all Canon FD/FL cameras.
Even most ancient "R" lenses can be mounted and used in most Canon FD/FL cameras.
- And only one lens requires mirror lockup, the 19/3.5, which was quickly superseded by a retrofocus (19/3.5R) version that -of course- does not require mirror lockup and has great optical performance.
- All EF (EOS system, electronic) lenses can be mounted an used in all Canon EOS cameras, digital, analog, APS-C, full frame, etc. Retaining 100% compatibility and features.
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Anyone here collect & use Nikon F's?
You lost the pivot pin that holds the lever in place. That is a very simple fix. Since you don't have the pin, use part of a drill bit of correct diameter and length to act as a replacement. Or part of a sewing needle may work.
This is how you remove the knob: hold film fork inside the film door so it doesn't rotate and unscrew the rewind knob.
Pay very close attention to how the parts go together.
I can fix if you are unsure and are willing to pay for shipping but it is a very easy repair.
i loved using my $5.00 American Cancer Society store, Nikon FA! Until I broke this!! Please help!
You lost the pivot pin that holds the lever in place. That is a very simple fix. Since you don't have the pin, use part of a drill bit of correct diameter and length to act as a replacement. Or part of a sewing needle may work.
This is how you remove the knob: hold film fork inside the film door so it doesn't rotate and unscrew the rewind knob.
Pay very close attention to how the parts go together.
I can fix if you are unsure and are willing to pay for shipping but it is a very easy repair.
That is genius! I would not have know this, if it weren't for your help! I really need to fix this asap, my son just started 9th grade, and he wants to use it!! He has shown more interest lately, and I am more than willing to encourage him!
In fact the last thing I was shooting, were geese and my son was there helping me, until I must have wound the lever to tightly, or something, and kaboom, it comes off, and I lost hope, because I didn't know how to fix it, and the ducks and geese were scurrying, plus, I looked like a doof in front of my son! 
We also shot this!
Americo J Rodriguez-5 by Americo Rodriguez, on Flickr
Americo J Rodriguez-17 by Americo Rodriguez, on Flickr
Anyone here collect & use Nikon F's?
Glad to help! Just act like it was your idea so your son thinks you're awesome
Those pictures are amazing.
Glad to help! Just act like it was your idea so your son thinks you're awesome
Those pictures are amazing.
Glad to help! Just act like it was your idea so your son thinks you're awesome
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