I rarely get GAS, but...

[logan2z]

I've been fighting off the urge to buy a Nikon F2 for a while. I had an opportunity to buy an F2AS from a reputable dealer a couple of weeks ago but talked myself out of it (I don't need it, I already have an FM and an FT3, it's heavy, I don't even use SLRs much, blah blah).

What I'd really like is an F2 with the unmetered prism but those seem to be more $$$ than I want to spend on another SLR. But an opportunity has just come up to buy a very clean F2A. I don't really care much about a meter since I'm used to using unmetered rangefinders and a handheld meter, but the price is much better than an F2/DE-1. So, since the camera will include the meter, it may as well be working and I'm curious how reliable is the DP-11? I've read mixed things about its reliability when compared to the DP-12 but have no real-world experience with either.

Is the F2A a good choice, or should I wait for another F2AS? Or just hold out for an F2 with a DE-1 at a decent price? The other option is to just be happy with what I already have, but that seems to be rather difficult at the moment

 

[Huss]

My DP11 is flaky. Sometimes the meter seems to be giving a correct reading, other times it is way off. On that F2 I just use the DE1 head because of it.
My F2AS had to have the meter repaired by Sover Wong. It started to give erratic readings, and his new resistor wheel thingy fixed it. Moral of the story? These things are old, so any of these metered heads may need work.

 

[Horatio]

Go for it. You can always sell it later for a profit.

 

[Paul Howell]

Well 40 years ago I had a F2 with DP-1, it was used, only a year old and lightly used when I bought it, it worked without an issues until I traded it in for a F3P. In meantime, it's been 40 years, the F2s were used many pros in many different roles, I would just add the cost of a CLA and what ever repairs that might be needed to the cost of the F2 and have it gone over before you become frustrated with a dodgy camera.

 

[logan2z]

Well, the F2A I was looking at just sold, but I appreciate the feedback on the metered finders. I'll keep my eye out for a F2/DE-1 at a reasonable price.

 

[Huss]

Well, the F2A I was looking at just sold, but I appreciate the feedback on the metered finders. I'll keep my eye out for a F2/DE-1 at a reasonable price.

What is a reasonable price?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Go for it. You can always sell it later for a profit.

heard that so many times; never worked for me.

 

[logan2z]

What is a reasonable price?

Good question. For reference, the black F2A I was looking at was $225, in excellent condition (9+, according to the seller), and sold by a reputable dealer (authorized Leica, Hasselblad, etc) with a 90-day warranty. So I'd say a 'reasonable price' would be somewhere in that range. Certainly not the $350-$500+ I see many sellers asking for on eBay (most of whom are in Japan).

 

[Huss]

Good question. For reference, the black F2A I was looking at was $225, in excellent condition (9+, according to the seller), and sold by a reputable dealer (authorized Leica, Hasselblad, etc) with a 90-day warranty. So I'd say a 'reasonable price' would be somewhere in that range. Certainly not the $350-$500+ I see many sellers asking for on eBay (most of whom are in Japan).

Camerawest? They have really good prices on so much stuff. I would have jumped on that if I was in the market as they are 'local' and you could have tested the meter etc.

 

[George Mann]

Good question. For reference, the black F2A I was looking at was $225

Yes, but one with a good DE-1 finder will cost you considerably more.

 

[George Mann]

I have an F2 with a late DP-1 finder which has a factory ring resistor. It is dead accurate.

Also, I find it to be better balanced with a buttergrip than my Nikkormats.

 

[logan2z]

Camerawest? They have really good prices on so much stuff. I would have jumped on that if I was in the market as they are 'local' and you could have tested the meter etc.

Yes, it was Camerawest. I've bought lots of gear from them but most of their used stuff is located at their Rancho Mirage location, which is about a 9 hour drive from me. But I probably should have grabbed it anyway

 

[logan2z]

Yes, but one with a good DE-1 finder will cost you considerably more.

Apparently. I'll probably just 'make do' with my FM and FT3 when I want to use an SLR.

 

[Paul Howell]

Or look for a later model F with non metered head, I think Nikon made many or standard heads for the F than for the F2.