Most beautiful Nikon

[darkosaric]

What is your most beautiful Nikon? Not best to use, but most beautiful - as a design, and look only.

For me is original silver F, with plain prism. Second is the silver F with Photomic prism. Third place is black F2 with plain back prism . All with non-Ai lenses, which are most beautiful lenses IMO.

 

[AndyH]

I agree. Plain prism finder F. Although the S rangefinders came pretty close in the simple, elegant design department.

Andy

 

[mshchem]

F. plain prism in chrome. They put the shutter release in the wrong place. Otherwise perfect (especially with the Apollo F advance lever)

 

[LeftCoastKid]

F2 w/DE-1 in black.

 

[macfred]

Plain prism F

 

[BradS]

My most beautiful Nikon? it has to be this well loved Nikon F2 with DE-1 finder.
This one is a little beat up but, I guess, beauty is a subjective thing.

 

[Main_Cogg]

Another vote for the chrome, plain prism F. It set the standard for so many years.

 

[k.hendrik]

FM & F5

 

[Pieter12]

F4s. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

 

[BrianShaw]

I think they are all beautiful in their own way... but the greatest beauty I see in any of my Nikons is in the viewfinder.

 

[abruzzi]

Chrome Nikkormat FTn. I'll agree that the plain prism F and F2 are very nice (and that the metering prisms for both are clunky and ugly.) However the F has the shutter in the wrong spot. I'd probably tie the F2 with the FTn, but I'd give the older FTn with the all metal advance lever a small preference over the F2:

 

[narsuitus]

(#1 F2) (#2 F4) by Narsuitus, on Flickr-

 

[GRHazelton]

I'd favor either the lovely S2 or the plain prism F. Both exemplify function distilled to the essentials. As far as the S2, the Contax IIa is more beautiful, but the OP had asked about Nikon. And the S2 is more user friendly than the Contax. Looking at non-Nikons, the Canon P is a beautiful, user friendly LTM rangefinder, perhaps more friendly than the S2. As an owner of all the above cameras, I am really stressed! Time for a gin Martini, on the rocks,with TWO olives....

 

[GRHazelton]

Chrome Nikkormat FTn. I'll agree that the plain prism F and F2 are very nice (and that the metering prisms for both are clunky and ugly.) However the F has the shutter in the wrong spot. I'd probably tie the F2 with the FTn, but I'd give the older FTn with the all metal advance lever a small preference over the F2:

Gotta agree on the shutter! Olympus and the Nikkormat got it right. Left hand handles focus, F stop and shutter, and right hand does film advance and firing. Much better than a top-deck shutter dial. While as a dedicated Pentaxian I love my Pentax MXs the shutter wheel is stiff....a bit off-putting on an otherwise lovely little "box."

 

[George Mann]

Did somebody say F4?

 

[Chan Tran]

Did somebody say F4?

My vote is for the F3 but someone says others I wouldn't disagree except if they say the F4.

 

[Kino]

I like the F with Photomic finder or the Nikomat; both of which I have pretty pristine examples. The F plain prism is clean, but that doesn't take away from the Photomic finder in my book.

 

[BobD]

The SP

 

[George Mann]

The SP

Certainly can't argue with that!

 

[Ariston]

What, no love for the stunningly gorgeous N90S?

 

[BobD]

The ugliest might be the Nikonos RS

 

[mshchem]

The ugliest might be the Nikonos RS

Oh no! Cool as anything made. The Western World tried ( from what I heard.) to ban the export to "adversaries" . This was amazing spy gear for commercial and government sneaky types. If I had money to burn I would have a couple. What would make it really useful would have been a optional 250 exposure film back.

I bet the marketing genius behind this is a legend!

 

[guangong]

F with plain prism. Most elegant in simplicity. No battery to die without warning. No meter to worry about. Computer is in my head and not in camera. Compact...with pancake lens easily pocketable in jacket pocket. While not the first 35 mm SLR, the Nikon F made it the dominant camera type for 35mm.

 

[swchris]

F2 w/ DE-1. Chrome or black, doesn't matter. My opinion....

 

[jwd722]

Without a doubt the Nikon F w/ eye level prism. Beauty in its simplicity.
Second would be F3 followed by F4 or maybe F4 followed by F3, a hard decision.