Does anyone still use their Nikon F2 regularly?

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 8, 2012

Just glancing at this... a long, long time ago (1978?) I handled what I think I can recall as being an F2 Photomic? Is this what this camera is? For my small hands back then, it must have been quite a haul-up (being confined to a wheelchair with distrophy at that time, since long, long recovered). But a few years later I was the owner of a Nikon F3, probably the next new kid on the block after the F2? Fascinating that the F2 workhorse is still in use and much loved by so many. I vaguely recognised it from the photo in the posts. I haven't seen one second hand for many years so I guess they are rare.

Paul Goutiere · Aug 8, 2012

Poisson Du Jour said:
Just glancing at this... a long, long time ago (1978?) I handled what I think I can recall as being an F2 Photomic? Is this what this camera is?

Yes.

Poisson Du Jour said:
I haven't seen one second hand for many years so I guess they are rare.

Not too rare. Ebay has quite a few for sale in various states of repair.

E. von Hoegh · Aug 8, 2012

Paul Goutiere said:
I guess my old F2 isn't quite out of date yet.

I found 3 rolls of Fuji Pro 160, in my freezer. Expires 2014.
I found 2 rolls of XP-2

I better use it up.

Out of date?

My F ('68) is the newest camera I use regularly. The other stuff goes back to 1905 or so, and I use that pretty regularly, too.

Out of date? really?

E. von Hoegh · Aug 8, 2012

Chan Tran said:
Your FM2 with the high shutter speed of 1/4000 does have a vertically travelling slit but since it has 1/200 (fm2) flash sync speed and that means the shutter curtain travels very fast and reducing the distortion you wanted to almost none.

Correct. You need a Graphic or Graflex with the slow traveling shutter curtain, use a low tension setting and the smallest slit.

lxdude · Aug 8, 2012

Poisson Du Jour said:
I handled what I think I can recall as being an F2 Photomic?

Ah yes...the Photomic. The only problem is you have to replace the nuclear pellet inside it every 650 years.

edcculus · Aug 8, 2012

My main camera is the F2 Photomic.

Although I got a Canon F1 from my Grandfather recently with a MUCH larger assortment of lenses and accessories, I still prefer the feel and use of the Nikon for some reason.

E. von Hoegh · Aug 8, 2012

lxdude said:
I wish I'd never gotten rid of mine. With the plain prism they had great balance and were such sweet, simple machines.

The F with plain prism has a similar feel and balance.

Marc Akemann · Aug 8, 2012

I have a black F2 Photomic and a chrome F2 with a meterless prism. One or the other get used at least weekly.

Uncle Bill · Aug 8, 2012

I do, two with DP-1 meter heads (one black, the other chrome) and a black F2S.

Chan Tran · Aug 8, 2012

I haven't used one since 1984 when someone stole my F2AS. I would probably still use it often today if I still have it.

Paul Goutiere · Aug 8, 2012

The F2 when coupled with the motor drive is an impressive looking machine. I've never owned or used the motor drive, and I have a F4s so I likely don't need another camera with a motor drive, but one day I'll get one anyway.

Any preferences for a motor drive? MD-1, MD-2 ??

Poisson Du Jour · Aug 8, 2012

lxdude said:
Ah yes...the Photomic. The only problem is you have to replace the nuclear pellet inside it every 650 years.

A what?
Where!?

Chan Tran · Aug 8, 2012

Paul Goutiere said:
The F2 when coupled with the motor drive is an impressive looking machine. I've never owned or used the motor drive, and I have a F4s so I likely don't need another camera with a motor drive, but one day I'll get one anyway.

Any preferences for a motor drive? MD-1, MD-2 ??

I would say get the MD-2. I was still my dream to have the F2 with the MD-2/MB-1 combo. As far as real performance the MD-2 isn't as great as the MD-4 for the F3.

lxdude · Aug 9, 2012

Poisson Du Jour said:
A what?
Where!?

In there somewhere. It's quite small. You don't have to worry about it until sometime after the year 2600. I'm sure Sover Wong will have replacements.

LJSLATER · Aug 9, 2012

Paul Goutiere said:
The F2 when coupled with the motor drive is an impressive looking machine. I've never owned or used the motor drive, and I have a F4s so I likely don't need another camera with a motor drive, but one day I'll get one anyway.

Any preferences for a motor drive? MD-1, MD-2 ??

The MD-2 has a plastic gear that loves to self-destruct. Get an MD-1 or consult Sover Wong for an easy fix for the MD-2. I have an MD-1; it's damned heavy but I can't imagine life without it, mostly because I like having a hand grip (I don't use a camera strap; my camera needs to be in my hand, ready to go, or else it doesn't get used).

If you can get a battery pack with the AA holders, lithium batteries work great. They make the camera top-heavy though.

narsuitus · Aug 9, 2012

LJSLATER said:
If you can get a battery pack with the AA holders, lithium batteries work great. They make the camera top-heavy though.

Please explain how adding batteries to the bottom of the camera make the camera "top-heavy."

Vilk · Aug 10, 2012

narsuitus said:
Please explain how adding batteries to the bottom of the camera make the camera "top-heavy."

'cuz they're light

to the original question--three in rotation, at least one works every day

MFstooges · Aug 10, 2012

I hate this thread cause it gives me F2 itch!

John_Nikon_F · Aug 10, 2012

Paul,

At the moment, my two main cameras are a Nikon F Photomic FTn (late "apollo" version - seen in my avatar) and a Nikon F2AS. I also have a Nikomat FTn that I use from time to time, and a Nikon F4s that needs a couple pieces to be useable (MS-21 insert for MB-21 and the DP-20). Both the F and F2 currently have motor drives on them. The F wears an F-36 with cordless pack that's missing the little contact plug, and the F2AS has an early MD-2/MB-1 drive on it. To make the drive lighter, I have lithium AA's installed.

Re: the nylon gear issue, it only affects later MD-2's, usually the ones with the black plastic anti-twist tabs. You'll probably be safe with a motor drive in the 400xxx-429xxx serial range. Mine is in the 423xxx serial range and works fine.

-J

John_Nikon_F · Aug 10, 2012

Chan Tran said:
I haven't used one since 1984 when someone stole my F2AS. I would probably still use it often today if I still have it.

Dia,

Why not replace it? They're very cheap these days, at least, when you compare their prices to what they were 3-4 years ago. KEH has BGN grade black F2AS bodies for $254.00, plus shipping. The MD-2/MB-1 drives have also come down in price. Not uncommon to be able to get one for about $100.

If you've the funds necessary, head on over to the KEH site and pick one up. Who knows, it might even wind up being your old camera.

-J

tom_micklin · Aug 10, 2012

I use it a lot... along with a Hasselblad 500CM

Vilk · Dec 30, 2012

MFstooges said:
I hate this thread cause it gives me F2 itch!

Vilk said:
to the original question--three in rotation, at least one works every day

dang! make that four...

ArtO · Dec 30, 2012

I have 2 and use them every other month or so.

BradleyK · Dec 30, 2012

I use an F2AS/MD2-MB1 as my "insurance policy" whenever I am shooting on back-country excursions, when batteries have a curious tendency to fail. As well, I rotate in and out throughout the year an F2A and a pair of F2s (DE1s, all with drives) in order to keep all in working order. No techno-phobe, I also use an F6 and a trio of F5s...

John_Nikon_F · Jan 26, 2013

As evidenced by my .sig, I now have a pair of F2's. Black AS with MD-2/MB-1 and a chrome A.

Does anyone still use their Nikon F2 regularly?

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