F2 or F3 and why?

[Jon Buffington]

If you had both, and could keep only one, which one would it be and why? I have both but feel like I don't need both. I have waaaaay too many cameras and feel like 2 pro, mf nikon bodies is too much. Very much curious of other owners experience.

 

[cjbecker]

Have had both, prefer the f2, but use the f3hp. Sold all 3 f2’s I've had and keep the f3hp, I use it for slides and like having data imprinting, and a (useable) winder. The feel of the f2 is superior, but the useably of the f3 is better.

 

[Les Sarile]

I have waaaaay too many cameras and feel like 2 pro, mf nikon bodies is too much.

I feel like you may be in the wrong forum . . .

 

[Huss]

Jon, which version of the F2? Closest to the F3 would be the F2AS.
I have both, and, err... for you I'd pick the one that is more fun to use.

 

[ic-racer]

I have way too many mechanical manual focus cameras from that era to need any more. Having written that, it would be nice to have a complete set while they are still easily obtainable on ebay at reasonable prices. F2, F3, F4, F5. I already have the F6 and F100. What is 'reasonable price?' Well, I paid almost $2000 for the F6 so, all 4 other for less than that.

 

[Huss]

I have way too many mechanical manual focus cameras from that era to need any more. Having written that, it would be nice to have a complete set while they are still easily obtainable on ebay at reasonable prices. F2, F3, F4, F5. I already have the F6 and F100. What is 'reasonable price?' Well, I paid almost $2000 for the F6 so, all 4 other for less than that.

You coulda bought an F, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6 for $2000.

F100 doesn't belong in this group. It is not a single digit F camera, and the others do not have plastic snapping film backs.

 

[ic-racer]

You coulda bought an F, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6 for $2000.

F100 doesn't belong in this group. It is not a single digit F camera, and the others do not have plastic snapping film backs.

Almost did. Once the quit F6 production I decided that was the time to get a new one. The point being if an inexpensive F6 broke, no big deal, I'd just got a new one. Of course that came to an end, so I got the new one.

F100 is part of the other collection I'm assembling; the AF cameras. F55, F75, F80 and so on.

I did buy a shelving closet two years ago, just for cameras, and it is already overflowing...most of the camera brands I enjoy continue to do down in price on the used market. Maybe it is because the 'social media' crowd only knows Leica and some point-and-shoot they saw on facebook and ignores the rest.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I came to photography via meterless, no electronics camera. I'm still confident to get exposure right even at changing light.
I never even considered to deal with F3.
Got F2, amazing camera. Build like nothing else. Sold it to some local enthusiast, beginner.
After all, I'm not mechanical SLR person...
My first camera to get pictures with was FED-2. If it was Zenit, I'll never sold F2 .

 

[jwd722]

Probably the F3. Why? Tough one to answer. I prefer the size and ergonomics a bit more over my F2 especially with the motor drive attached. Both are keepers in my opinion.
A while back I traded my F2A for an F3 even though I already had one, now have two, one with the DE-2 finder and one with the DE-3. I missed the F2 so I bought another F2A and plan on keeping it and the F3's.
Choices are great which is why I also have an F, F4, F5, F100, FE, FG and an FA.
Like I said, choices are great.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Huss, it is the f2a....the f3 I have has the motor drive with it and is very nice but an earlier one. I worry about the LCD problems? Should I? I like both for different reasons.

The truth, neither get used a whole lot. I find myself shooting the n90s with 28-85 out of convenience, an old IIIc because, heck, small and simple. I really like my XK, built like a tank and is a shooter's dream...along with the m5. I don't touch my canon fd stuff at all anymore and just got the F1 less than a year ago. Too many systems, too many cameras.

The f3 though is what I would probably keep because I prefer aperture priority shooting as I shoot that the most. I just worry about long term reliability vs the f2...all mechanical. And I like simple, so there is the plus for the f2.

I guess the answer is keep both.

 

[mrosenlof]

I have both. It would be a difficult decision for me to pick one. Fortunately I don't have to. (Did not vote on this one)

 

[mshchem]

I should sell all my Nikon 35mm stuff. I shoot much more medium format these days

 

[BKP]

I worked at a lab years ago that had a F3. Battery dependent, always seems to die when stores are closed. Luckily my personal F2A was in my bag. I'm no fan of the F2AS. I like many of you have too many bodies. I have six black F2A's but use my FT3 the most, lately. Sold my 8x10 and 5x7 stuff. 4x5 stuff will be next. The F2A is my choice of the best camera made. bk

 

[Swordman]

F2 because I like mechanical cameras. I actually think battery powered cameras are better in that they don't need to have the shutter calibrated every so often, but I just prefer the mechanical ones.

If I was to rank the Nikon pro line, it'd be as follows:
Nikon F2
Nikon F4
Nikon F3
Nikon F
Nikon F6
Nikon F5

They're all good. The F5 is at the bottom because it's gigantic.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

F2as hand down - it's the pinnacle of the mechanical line.

MFL

 

[Craig75]

The golden rules - if someone says should i buy xyz the answer is yes, yes you should.

If someone says should i sell xyz the answer is always no, no you shouldnt.

 

[narsuitus]

Back in the late 1960s, I bought two Nikon F bodies.

In the early 1970s, I replaced the two F bodies with two F2 bodies and much later three more F2 bodies.

I later bought an F3 body.

I replaced two of the five F2 bodies and the one F3 body with two F4 bodies.

Today, I still shoot with three F2 bodies and two F4 bodies because I rely on the dependability of the F2 manual/mechanical bodies and the auto focus of the F4 automatic/electronic bodies.

The F2 is my personal favorite manual/mechanical 35mm SLR.
Other manual/mechanical cameras I have used and liked include:
Mamiya RB67 medium format SLR
Mamiya C220 medium format TLR
Fuji 6x7 and 6x9cm medium format rangefinders
Leica M6 35mm rangefinder
Canonet QL17 G-III 35mm rangefinder
Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR
Fuji ST705 35mm SLR
Nikonos III 35mm underwater camera
Calumet 4x5 inch view camera
Graflex 4X5 inch press camera

The F4 is my personal favorite automatic/electronic 35mm SLR.
Other automatic/electronic I have used and liked include:
Nikon EM
Nikon N2000
Nikon N70
Pentax ME
Contax G1

 

[Chan Tran]

I had the F2AS new in 77 until it was stolen in 84. I have F3HP since 82. Initially I prefer the F2. Bought the F3 because the MD-4 motor drive is much less expensive than the MD-2/MB-1 set. However, I now prefer the F3 for using and since I don't have the F2 I feel I do want one even if I would rarely use it.

 

[Paul Howell]

I used both the F2 and F3P when a working PJ, the F2 is a workhorse, rugged, reliable, the F3P was a sports car, small, easy to handle, additional features, the P model was weather sealed, the winder and drive were faster then drive for the F2. The F2 was kept in production well after the F3 was introduced as many professionals did not trust the F3 shutter. But, that was 30 years ago, how long will the electronics in the F3 hold out? If I had to choose, if shooting action is important then the motor drive on the F3 wins, if not the F2, along with a beater body for parts.

 

[BradS]

The problem is that all of these are "old" now. Clearly, the F3 was far superior to the F2 when new but today, all we have available to us are old and, obviously, used. At this point in time, it is impossible to make any meaningful blanket statement about which is better (except on purely subjective grounds, like esthetics or ergonomics). Any single individual of one model could be better or worse than any individual of the other model. So, unless you're willing to buy, thoroughly evaluate and repair a fairly large sample (more than ten) of each model...there's no way to know which is "better" (again, based upon purely objective criteria).

 

[Nitroplait]

I own 3 F2's and 1 F3 (and 1 F). Never thought that was too much.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Interesting responses everyone.

In the poll, looks like about 2:1 preference over the f3 at this time.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Film photography is an island, and it's resources are quickly becoming sparse. The battery operated tools are going to burn up or break long before the hand held screwdriver and saw. Those with battery operated tools are going to be living under palm fronds while everyone else with hand tools will still have a cabana to sleep in. I'm packing my tool box with as many hand held tools as I can to prepare for the long haul.

 

[BradS]

many repairs are contingent upon availability of parts. Without parts, no repair is possible. Notice this is true whether the part is a machined part or an electronic circuit board. It is exactly the same. No parts, no repair. Thus all mechanical cameras have no real advantage over those dependent upon electronic circuits.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Notice this is true whether the part is a machined part or an electronic circuit board.

In the event the end of times come, and parts are no longer available, I would think it would be easier to machine a gear out of a raw piece of metal, than it would be to build a circuit board.