Canon F1n vs. Nikon F2? Really, is one better than the other?

[blockend]

These were not meant for "the people" they were working tools for professionals designed and manufactured to withstand the rigours of professional use not intended for the mass market, there were plenty of lighter and capable less expensive consumer models available made at the time by both manufacturers at the same time for people needing lightness.

That was my point. When 35mm was the only photojournalist format around, and PJs were counted by the hundred from the National dailies to the local rag, pro SLRs had a definite point. Now I doubt anyone uses 35mm for photojournalism, and 35mm in professional use of any kind is virtually unheard of.

You'd have to be committed (in both senses!) to use an F-1 or F2 as a carry round camera today.

 

[Fixcinater]

That was my point. When 35mm was the only photojournalist format around, and PJs were counted by the hundred from the National dailies to the local rag, pro SLRs had a definite point. Now I doubt anyone uses 35mm for photojournalism, and 35mm in professional use of any kind is virtually unheard of.

You'd have to be committed (in both senses!) to use an F-1 or F2 as a carry round camera today.

I know of quite a few fashion/lifestyle pro photogs that use it today. They may also use 6x6 or 6x7 when appropriate (and Instax!) but 35mm is still in there. Handy that nearly all "pro" level gear from the late film era has a digital body so you can use the same excellent glass on both.

 

[benjiboy]

That was my point. When 35mm was the only photojournalist format around, and PJs were counted by the hundred from the National dailies to the local rag, pro SLRs had a definite point. Now I doubt anyone uses 35mm for photojournalism, and 35mm in professional use of any kind is virtually unheard of.

You'd have to be committed (in both senses!) to use an F-1 or F2 as a carry round camera today.

That was my point. When 35mm was the only photojournalist format around, and PJs were counted by the hundred from the National dailies to the local rag, pro SLRs had a definite point. Now I doubt anyone uses 35mm for photojournalism, and 35mm in professional use of any kind is virtually unheard of.

You'd have to be committed (in both senses!) to use an F-1 or F2 as a carry round camera today.

Even today Nikon and Canon are making top of the range professional quality digital S.L.R.'s with all metal bodies and superior weather sealing than the consumer models.

 

[blockend]

I know of quite a few fashion/lifestyle pro photogs that use it today. They may also use 6x6 or 6x7 when appropriate (and Instax!) but 35mm is still in there. Handy that nearly all "pro" level gear from the late film era has a digital body so you can use the same excellent glass on both.

That's true but it's in the margins, probably less than 1% of what it was given editorial/photojournalism output as a whole. In film days professional photographers were already embracing point and shoot, toy and antique cameras. 35mm SLRs are part of the mix now, along with Super Ikontas, Holgas, Hasselblads, etc.

Some amateurs will aspire to the qualities 35mm professional SLR cameras offer, but I assume few of them will use one as a daily carry round, but it takes all sorts.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

That was my point. When 35mm was the only photojournalist format around, and PJs were counted by the hundred from the National dailies to the local rag, pro SLRs had a definite point. Now I doubt anyone uses 35mm for photojournalism, and 35mm in professional use of any kind is virtually unheard of.

You'd have to be committed (in both senses!) to use an F-1 or F2 as a carry round camera today.

Ah well, time to nip off to the nearest nuthouse. I have either an F2 or a Kiev 4 with me 9 days out of 10, usually the F2.

 

[blockend]

Ah well, time to nip off to the nearest nuthouse. I have either an F2 or a Kiev 4 with me 9 days out of 10, usually the F2.

Nurse! Nurse! He's escaping! There was a time I toted a Mamiya Press and 6 x 9 back as my walkaround. The therapist said I needed an XA4 and a Lumix. I still take a Nikkormat or Kiev if it's a short stint and matron isn't looking, but the idea of lugging one round as an all-day or holiday camera when I can keep a camera in my pocket is not gratifying. But I am an antique.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Nurse! Nurse! He's escaping! There was a time I toted a Mamiya Press and 6 x 9 back as my walkaround. The therapist said I needed an XA4 and a Lumix. I still take a Nikkormat or Kiev if it's a short stint and matron isn't looking, but the idea of lugging one round as an all-day or holiday camera when I can keep a camera in my pocket is not gratifying. But I am an antique.

I was at a social fuction recently, toting the black F2a that the camera fairy brought me last September. The publisher of a local magazine asked if I was a photographer, I explained that while I had worked professionally it is now simply for my own amusement. When I handed her the camera, she exclaimed "that's heavy!!" to which I responded "yes, it's made of metal, not plastic".

 

[flavio81]

In fact, I currently own two F-1ns, one F-1N, two F2s and one F3. I have motor drives for all of them, just because I like motor drives.

I also own a decent selection of Canon FD and Nikon manual focus lenses. And you know what? I don't really have an overall preference. There are lenses in each system that I prefer, for sure. I like my Canon FD 24mm f/2.8 SSC better than my Nikon 24mm f/2.8 AIs,for example. I definitely like the FL 35mm f/2.5 better than my Nikon 35mm f/2,

Hi Cooltouch, long time no see. I didn't enter here because I forgot the name of the new forum.

Currently i'm having the following (in the Canikon section):
One F-1
Two F-1N (including a 1984 LA Olympics model)
Two Nikon F2
One Nikon F
Nikkormat EL, Nikomat FTN

This is my whole Canikon collection. I can't really decide which camera I like more: The F-1N or the plain F-1. Next in ranking is the F2, which does many things right. But I have actually dreamt many times and in my dreams i was out there using the (plain) F-1. Of all the cameras I own (over 23), only that one appeared in my dreams. This should mean something.

Agree with your assessment of the FDn 24/2.8, it is an excellent lens which I miss a lot. Now the closest I have is the FDn 28/2.0 which is great. I also have a SMC Takumar 28/3.5 which is really great and tiny! In fact i own two.

As for your comparison of 35mm lenses, I owned the FL35/2.5 but I think the Nikkor-O 35/2 is better in every way. A gem. In fact in 35mm i have, right now:

FDn 35/2.8 -- very sharp and compact.
FD 35/3.5 -- optically perfect but big and heavy for what it is
Nikkor-O 35/2 Pre-AI -- beautiful rendering, a keeper
PC-Nikkor 35/3.5 -- versatile and compact, i like it, however needs to be stopped down a lot
PC-Nikkor 35/2.8 -- optically much better, but also bigger.
Carl Zeiss Jena 35/2.4 multicoated -- perfect, a keeper

50mm... there's so much to choose, i think I like the FDn 50/1.4 better than the Nikon-SC 50/1.4 only because the Canon is smaller. Both are great lenses,though. I have also the Pentax-A 50/1.4 which is even smaller and feels very good in the hands; haven't tested it though.

HOWEVER, my favorites whenever weight doesn't matter, are the 58/1,4 Nikkor-S in #1, and in #2 the Canon FL 55/1.2. Both are fantastic.

85mm I only have:
- the Jupiter-whatever russian 85/2, which IMO is overrated
- the Canon EF 85/1.8, which is perfect
- the Canon FDn 85/1.8, even more perfect because it's smaller and better made than the EF.

100mm: I don't own the famed Nikon 105, but I think the FDn 100/2.8 is a great lens. I've owned the Nikon 105/1.8 AI in the past, but only used it with cropped-frame digital, so can't have a fair opinion.

135-- this is my favorite tele focal lens, and I own/owned a lot of lenses in this FL, i could write a treatise. I'll limit myself to current lenses:

Nikkor-Q 135/3.5
-- very good 135, nice bokeh, sharp. A sleeper! Mine is the 2nd version (mid-late 60s)

Canon R 135/2.5
-- this is a very rare lens, from about 1960. Bokeh is extremely nice. This is a big and heavy lens and different in formula to the famed FD 135/2.5 version. It appears to be a double gauss design (!!) Color saturation/contrast appears (in slides) to be lower than usual.

Carl Zeiss Jena 135/3.5 MC
-- optically perfect! high contrast, sharp, everything is awesome. But very heavy for what it is.

S-M-C Takumar 135/2.5 (latest version)
-- optically perfect!! awesome!! easily the best 135 i own. Fairly compact for being a f2.5. This lens is making me a Takumar fan. Even myself, a Canon fan, must admit that this appears to be a better lens than the contemporary Canon DL 135/2.5 S.C., which is a fan favorite (and I owned.)

Takumar (Bayonet) 135/2.5
-- impressively compact. But optically is just acceptable (it is a 4 element lens...)

I have compared the Nik, CZJ and SMC Takumar using a FF DSLR and the winners overall were the CZJ and the SMC takumar in everything (bokeh, saturation, sharpness). The Nikon as good as them in sharpness and bokeh but with lesser color saturation. It is impressive how close are the three in image rendering(!), not so easy to distinguish them if using identical conditions and subject.

200mm I currently have the SMC Pentax, Nikkor AI, and Canon New FD. All are 200/4. I am confident all of them are equally great, with the Canon being the most ergonomic due to internal focus. I have also had the FDn 200/2.8 IF, and miss it, although it's a bit big.

So, conclusion? No conclusion, really. My only conclusion is that I like the F-1N as a camera, more than the Nikon offerings (i've owned a F3 as well). Lenses, it's very hard to choose, and the question IMO is not just "Canon vs Nikon"; i have great lenses from other brands; Pentax is a powerhouse here, as well as CZJ. In medium format I like my Mamiya glass a lot.

 

[flavio81]

The Nikon F2 is without question the better camera, I know this to be an incontrovertible fact.
How do I know this?
I have a pair of F2s.

Me too, but I prefer my F-1s. Still, for the awesome Nikon lenses, there's the awesome Nikons.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Me too, but I prefer my F-1s. Still, for the awesome Nikon lenses, there's the awesome Nikons.

I hope you see the intentional solipsism in my post
The F1 is on my list of "grab one when the price is right" cameras, I already have an FTbn, so might as well... besides, they're gorgeously made and the lenses are very good indeed.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I hope you see the intentional solipsism in my post
...

First tetrapyloctomy and now solipsism. I never expected Photrio would become an ESL course for me.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

First tetrapyloctomy and now solipsism. I never expected Photrio would become an ESL course for me.

"Potiosection", the art of slicing soup
"Mechanical avunculogratulation" , building machinery to greet uncles.
And of course you know that "tetrapyloctomy" is the art of splitting a hair four ways.
From "Foucault's Pendulum" by Umbert Eco.

 

[MattKing]

From "Foucault's Pendulum" by Umbert Eco.

I'm assuming you mean the English translation, not the original Italian (I think) .

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I'm assuming you mean the English translation, not the original Italian (I think) .

Yes, the translation.

 

[flavio81]

I hope you see the intentional solipsism in my post
The F1 is on my list of "grab one when the price is right" cameras, I already have an FTbn, so might as well... besides, they're gorgeously made and the lenses are very good indeed.

Hope you get it soon! The FTbN is a fine camera but the difference between it and an F-1 is like the difference between a 70's Volvo 240, and a 70s Mercedes 350SEL.

 

[mshchem]

"Mechanical avunculogratulation" , building machinery to greet uncles.

to greet MATERNAL uncles.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... an F-1 ..

Welcome back. While you were gone, I got this:

 

[mshchem]

Me too, but I prefer my F-1s. Still, for the awesome Nikon lenses, there's the awesome Nikons.

OK so here's a question for you Nikonocanonites. I have a F2 body 78xxxxxxxx, It's reading 2 V at the two posts that feed the meter on top of the body? I checked my other 3 or 4 F2 bodies all read 3V? tried switching, batteries, finders etc. It's in the body!! I think this is the Universe telling me to give the body to a kid I know, without the Ai finder, He can buy a $30 non-functioning finder and all is right with the world. What say You all. Give it away and be done with it? Please say yea because, this camera thing is getting out of hand. Since 1973 this is the first time I have had a fault with a F2.
I've never held either but the New F1 or the Pentax LX makes me want one.
Mike

 

[flavio81]

Welcome back. While you were gone, I got this:

View attachment 198336
View attachment 198337

Many congrulations!! Also, you'll get big biceps with that combination... XD

 

[Theo Sulphate]

You could do that. But... battery contacts and meter contacts clean?

 

[flavio81]

OK so here's a question for you Nikonocanonites. I have a F2 body 78xxxxxxxx, It's reading 2 V at the two posts that feed the meter on top of the body? I checked my other 3 or 4 F2 bodies all read 3V? tried switching, batteries, finders etc. It's in the body!! I

What?!

It must be internal corrosion. I'd suspect the on-off switch that is coupled to the advance lever. Something that a repairman would easily fix. I'd repair that F2 if it's the only one you have.

 

[mshchem]

All the contacts Are clean, I think Flavio has got it right some sort of a minor internal corrosion. It may be a problem with the battery compartment. The center contact seems weird, I think it may be loose. I still have four other F2 bodies and 3 F bodies. Prisms of all types. I'm giving free lessons to college kids that I know through the local shop. One young man use digital for work but love film. I think I will just give him the camera. Any local college kid that wants a developing tank I have at least 30 stainless Nikor tanks, reels etc. I try to fix them up. Trying to share my experiences so they can have fun with film.

I have 2 F5 bodies and some really nice AF-D lenses, I love those cameras, especially with my Nikkor 85 1.4 AF-D, I've had all kinds of short telephotos This lens is magic, I shoot at f 2, it's truly amazing.

 

[mshchem]

Welcome back. While you were gone, I got this:

View attachment 198336
View attachment 198337

Awesome!

 

[E. von Hoegh]

OK so here's a question for you Nikonocanonites. I have a F2 body 78xxxxxxxx, It's reading 2 V at the two posts that feed the meter on top of the body? I checked my other 3 or 4 F2 bodies all read 3V? tried switching, batteries, finders etc. It's in the body!! I think this is the Universe telling me to give the body to a kid I know, without the Ai finder, He can buy a $30 non-functioning finder and all is right with the world. What say You all. Give it away and be done with it? Please say yea because, this camera thing is getting out of hand. Since 1973 this is the first time I have had a fault with a F2.
I've never held either but the New F1 or the Pentax LX makes me want one.
Mike

Either the battery box, the switch (both under the baseplate) or corroded wiring. I had the same issue with one of mine, a badly neglected but little used Dec. '79 black F2A.
You need a JIS 0000 and a small pin spanner to remove the baseplate, mine just needed the switch cleaned.

 

[benjiboy]

My original post should have been specific. I did say that the finish is the matte black finish but did not say that it was the "new" F-1. So I'll say it now: I have the "New" F-1

You said, "the finish was matte black on the F1n" ( lower case n ) the F1n is the intermediate of the three versions of the model, and like the original F1 has a glossy piano black finish. not matte. The new F1 is the F1-N ( upper case N ) that's the one with the matte black finish.