Holy Trinity of Manual Focus Nikon SLRs...

[George Mann]

They are all larger and heavier than they need to be.

Which is exactly why my ultra reliable 3rd generation Nikon FM is my goto mechanical camera despite owning an F2.

 

[brian steinberger]

I've never understood the "I need a camera that works without batteries, so I'm not stuck with a dead camera if the battery fails" thing. You carry spare film don't you?

For me (and I’m sure others) the no battery thing is more about not having electronics that can fail and leave you with a dead camera. These cameras are all getting older. I prefer to use an electronic camera to shoot in aperture priority mode, but have both because why not?! FM2 and FE.

 

[abruzzi]

Which is exactly why my ultra reliable 3rd generation Nikon FM is my goto mechanical camera despite owning an F2.

The F2 is refreshingly light after schlepping a Rollei 6006 around all day, but my favorite light camera is the Pentax MX.

For the F2, somehow I’ve ended up with four of them. 2 with the original finder, one black, the other chrome, and two with the last finder for pre-AI lenses, again one black one chrome. Those are F2SB models and are essentially the same metering as the F2AS but for pre-AI lenses.

I’ve never had an F, but if I got one I’d want the unmetered finder. I have an F3 and F4, but never really use them. My collection of AI lenses is far more limited than my pre-AI.

 

[flavio81]

I've never used a F4 nor held one. I would like to own one some day.

I think the F4 is awesome, but, truth to be told, a 6x4.5 SLR is barely bigger and heavier and will give you far higher image quality...

 

[flavio81]

Those are F2SB models and are essentially the same metering as the F2AS but for pre-AI lenses.

I’ve never had an F, but if I got one I’d want the unmetered finder. I have an F3 and F4, but never really use them. My collection of AI lenses is far more limited than my pre-AI.

All great choices. I sold nearly all my Nikons (i've had F, F3, FE, FM, FM2, EL, EL2, Nikkormat FT2, FTN, EM, FG) and kept my F2AS and FM, although the latter will be replaced by a FE one day.

Indeed the F is easier to use with the unmetered finder. I always thought it had the best shutter noise of all Nikon cameras except for the mechanical Nikkormats, which really have a satisfying sound.

I also prefer pre-AI lenses, that's where the Nikon soul dwells.

 

[images39]

The FM3A has become quite expensive.

You can say that again. It seems that FM3a prices have been steadily rising since it was released. It appears that the market supports this. Sure wish I had gotten one earlier on.

Dale

 

[Cholentpot]

I think the F4 is awesome, but, truth to be told, a 6x4.5 SLR is barely bigger and heavier and will give you far higher image quality...

I've found my 645 camera to be on part with 6x6 and higher to be honest. Also the original FE is overlooked. I suspect Nikon over engineered their first electro mechanical camera. It's one of my most used SLRs.

 

[abruzzi]

Indeed the F is easier to use with the unmetered finder. I always thought it had the best shutter noise of all Nikon cameras except for the mechanical Nikkormats, which really have a satisfying sound.

I also prefer pre-AI lenses, that's where the Nikon soul dwells.

Actually my first camera was a Nikkormat FTn that I bought used in the late 80's when I started college. It had the Nikkor H 50/2, and I shot with that for ~15 years until I thought digital was taking over. Then it went in a drawer and forgotten for another 15 years. When I pilled it out, it still worked perfectly. So I have a soft spot for the early Nikkormats. I have a number of them to go along with the F2.

(actually a lot of credit for the Nikkormat reliability probably goes to the Copal square shutter, which seems to be pretty bulletproof.)