F2S Vs F2SB

CMoore · Oct 10, 2016

No doubt some of you guys Have/Had both.
Was the SB a "big" improvement, or did it just meter a little bit better.?
thanks

Leigh B · Oct 10, 2016

The SB finder has two features not present in the S:
1) eyepiece curtain - This blocks the eyepiece so light cannot enter and influence the meter.
2) flash ready light - Illuminates when an attached and compatible flash is ready to fire.

Other than those, the S and SB finders are identical to the best of my knowledge.

- Leigh

TheTrailTog · Oct 10, 2016

The DP2 and DP3 use different cells and have different readouts as well.

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf2/prisms/dp2/index1.htm
http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf2/prisms/dp3/index1.htm

swchris · Oct 10, 2016

I have both DP-2 and DP-3. I'm using DP-2 most of the time since the readouts are bigger and better visilble in bright light (e.g. on the beach).

CMoore · Oct 10, 2016

Interesting info...Thanks.
I have never had one (SB) in my hands, so i am curious. I suppose the SB has more "Sensitivity"...not sure how much that matters.
I would probably prefer the larger LED of the S Model, which i do own, for the reason(s) you mention.
Thanks Again

cooltouch · Oct 11, 2016

No, the SB does not have more sensitivity -- at least I don't think it does. Both the S and SB allow the meter to work down to 10 seconds (the AS does also). The SB was a late improvement of the S -- more compact, for one thing. Nikon got rid of the S's large hump on top. But the SB wasn't made for very long before the AI mount came out. Enter the "A" and "AS" finders (DP-11 and DP-12, respectively). The SB and AS are virtually identical except for the lens mount. So, because of the SB's short product run, it is the most uncommon of the F2 finders, and often fetches a premium because of this.

Despite the S's rather ungainly look with that big hump, I like it. Like swchris, I prefer it because its readout is bigger and thus brighter, so it works better in bright sun conditions.

swchris · Oct 11, 2016

The DP-3 should be better (faster response time) than the DP-2 since it's using silicium cells instead of CdS cells. But this doesn't help me if I cannot see which led is glowing...

CMoore · Oct 11, 2016

More good info.....Thank You
I think i will be happy with my 2S. No need for the 2SB after reading your posts. I am not somebody that will benefit by an ultra fast meter.
I "accidentally" bought a 2A last year. I somehow did not notice the 'A' in the pictures, and the seller never mentioned it. Other than being set up for the AI lens, i guess they are not a big deal (again) for me.
The 2AS seem to be going for A Lot of money these days. But i probably would get no big benefit from that either.
I am 56 years old...ease of Vision/Sight is a 'Plus' for me.
Thanks again for all the 2S info.

Chan Tran · Oct 11, 2016

But the F2S only has 2 LED's instead of the F2SB or F2AS with 3 LED's.

cooltouch · Oct 12, 2016

No big deal. Correct exposure is to have both LEDs lit. Sure a lot easier to see than one little "o".

awty · Oct 13, 2016

I have the f2sb with the d-p3 head and its great. Have no problem reading LED's in bright sun or low light, the speeds & aperture are harder to see. Meters to 8 secs accurately and fast.......but now I have an f3 its going to be hard to choose.....haven't used any other f2.

cooltouch · Oct 13, 2016

It might be easier to choose between an F2 and an F3 when it comes time to accessorize, especially with respect to motor drives. MD4's for the F3 are cheap and plentiful. MD-2/MB-1's for the F2 are neither cheap nor plentiful. It's a superb motor drive combo though and still much cheaper than it used to sell for back in the days of film.

F2S Vs F2SB

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