F2 or F3 and why?

momus said:

I only have an N70 and N8008s, so should probably disqualify myself since the two of them together cost only $67! But I once owned both the cameras the op mentioned and liked them both. MF cameras are fun to shoot, but I prefer the convenience and always superb metering in the AF bodies more. There have been times when the spot meter, AE, AE lock, and rapid motorized film advance were able to get shots that would have been impossible to get any other way. If I wanted the best MF camera, it's already here, a Leicaflex Standard. In the end, it's going to a new home and it's lens is currently on the n70. The AF Nikons just make better tools.

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I spent the last thirty years before retirement working at or on computers. Computers are masterful decision makers -- indeed, that's the whole reason for their existence. Someday I hope that computers will emulate and ultimately surpass organic life in every way -- and then we can finally pull the curtain down on our shameful history and pretend none of our disgraceful behavior ever happened.

Until then, why would any photographer unpressured by time or job constraints ever want his camera to make important decisions for him? It never ceases to amaze me.

Marc

Old Gregg said:

The F3 is the only manual focus era SLR with a tolerable photo taking sound. I have tried dozens of them in recent years, of all brands, and the sound they all make is as if something's broken inside. I am not talking loud, I am talking tinny, metallic, unrefined, and harsh. Even the latest FM3a (which I own) is like that. Eww... I feel like this single achievement of the F3 counterbalances its awful viewfinder LCD somewhat.

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Weird. I've owned and used quite a few miniature format cameras over the years but I've never noticed the sound that the camera makes during an exposure to have any effect on the photos.

AnselMortensen said:

Pffft.
Nikon F3HP for the win, hands down....
In a street fight, you will win.
Case closed.

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This is where I disagree. In a street fight I have more confidence in the F2 surviving if I slugged someone with it, than the F3 with it's wafer thin prism housings. (unless you got a P or Ti model).

The best sounding SLR that I have is the Olympus Pen FT. It really is remarkable, and has something to do with its mirror and shutter design. It is so responsive and clean sounding. It really is the closest thing to a Leica M in feel. (apart from film wind-on - that feels crunchy).

flavio81 said:

Care to explain more of the double jointed mirror? I once serviced a SR-7S and the mirror appear to have a swingback mechanism. This allows larger mirrors. The Pentax 6x7 has a swingback mirror too, the K2 too.

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That's all I meant. I've heard it called double jointed is all.

Not much of a Nikon fan, but still like the F2 (got 2 of them and a host of lens). Strong, rugged camera. Never had a F3 but really dont see a reason to use one at the moment.

This thread was just of academic interest until I got an F2 myself just a few weeks ago. I already had an F3HP and an FE2, having recently sold off my Nikkormats. I find these three somewhat "canonical" (see what I did there). I can do just about anything involving manual focus lenses with them. The F2 can mount the few non-AI lenses I have. I have the DP-1 Photomic finder, and it's surprisingly good. I can see almost to the corners and the needle and speed and aperture are easy to read with the illuminator window admitting light in from the top of the finder (as compared to the aperture direct readout of the F3 and FE2 which are often dim. The F3 has the best viewfinder for me as a glasses wearer. Yeah, the LCD is kind of tiny and not great for manual metering. The backlight is pathetic (and mine works). The FE2 is great for travelling light and using daytime fill flash with its high sync speed, but the low eye relief is a pain.

Nikon F2 Photomic, Nikon FE2, Nikon F3HP by Howard Sandler, on Flickr