My collection grows

[Photoguy365]

Tools of the Trade by Joel Ducote, on Flickr

Just picked up the F3 today. I've always wanted one, but they were always more than I wanted to spend. Happened across a great deal on an HP model and couldn't resist. The FE2 was my first Nikon, purchased in 1993 for my photojournalism classes in college. The F4 I used professionally as a newspaper photographer. The F5 and F100 were picked up when I started doing weddings. The F100 is my least favorite of the group. Now I just need the F and F2 to round out the collection.

 

[darkosaric]

F and F3 are my favorites in all Nikon line . What about the lenses ?

 

[Photoguy365]

F and F3 are my favorites in all Nikon line . What about the lenses ?

I have an AIS 50mm on the F3 right now. When I went to the F4 platform, I sold off all but the 50 to purchase AF lenses. I wish I would have held on to some of them now. I had a sweet 105mm and a very sharp 28mm. Would love to have those back now. But when you're young and trying to compete with the "big boys," you do foolish things...lol! the first AF lens I purchased was a 80-200mm 2.8 AF-D. That lens was my goto for sports. (I had grand delusions about working for Sports Illustrated. lol!)

 

[darkosaric]

I have sold many nikkors, and later buy them again. Now I have 2x 105mm and 2x 50mm for my Nikons , not selling them again.

 

[saman13]

About this time last year, I had 2x of:
F2
FE
FM
EM

I've sold off one of each of them by now, except for the EMs. Not even worth the hassle of selling and shipping those for what they're going for.

All of those cameras were picked up "for parts" for very little money ($40 or under for each of them) and ended up being functionally fine, or needing very little work.

 

[Paul Howell]

Tools of the Trade by Joel Ducote, on Flickr

Just picked up the F3 today. I've always wanted one, but they were always more than I wanted to spend. Happened across a great deal on an HP model and couldn't resist. The FE2 was my first Nikon, purchased in 1993 for my photojournalism classes in college. The F4 I used professionally as a newspaper photographer. The F5 and F100 were picked up when I started doing weddings. The F100 is my least favorite of the group. Now I just need the F and F2 to round out the collection.

There is always the F3P, the F2 Apllo, the F6, and of course a SP with motor drive.

 

[Robin Guymer]

I've also had a great week picking up a F3 and F4 at under $100AUD each (discounting the immaculate F2/50m non ai lens). Was not going to buy a F4 but couldn't resist at that price. Now it's one of my favourites. But what about the FA for your collections? I find mine a superb camera to use with similar functionality to the F4 without the weight. The multipoint metering/ spot metering choice makes the FA an easier camera to use than the specific spot metering of the F3 which must cause many beginners to incorrectly expose.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

...The multipoint metering/ spot metering choice makes the FA an easier camera to use than the specific spot metering of the F3 which must cause many beginners to incorrectly expose.

The F3 does not have spot metering; it's centerweighted averaging.

 

[Photoguy365]

Honestly, I’m not really interested in the F6. I’d prefer to pick up the classics. The ones with real field history. I am sure that the F6 is an outstanding camera, but how much press time did it really get? My last paper job we transitioned from the F5 to the D1.

 

[Robin Guymer]

The F3 does not have spot metering; it's centerweighted averaging.

Yes sorry, should read heavy centre weighted at 80/20 defined into the small 12mm circle compared to say a F4 that is 60/40 on the centre weighted setting between the multipoint and spot. What I am suggesting is the FE2 and FA are a lot more forgiving for exposure of a scene whereas the user of a F3 needs to be more aware of just where the correct exposure is and utilise the exposure lock a lot more.
Robin.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Honestly, I’m not really interested in the F6. I’d prefer to pick up the classics. The ones with real field history. I am sure that the F6 is an outstanding camera, but how much press time did it really get? My last paper job we transitioned from the F5 to the D1.

The Nikon F6 was never intended by Nikon to be a camera for the professional press corps. Rather, it was intended for less demanding use.

http://www.nikonf6.net/resources/the-value-of-unique-pictures/

.

 

[guangong]

There was a time in the not so distant past when a photographer would have been happy to be able to own one or perhaps two Nikons. Count your blessings.

 

[Photoguy365]

There was a time in the not so distant past when a photographer would have been happy to be able to own one or perhaps two Nikons. Count your blessings.

I do count my blessings. I was one of those photographers that saved pennies to buy one when I was in college. When I purchased my F4, it was the most money I have ever spend on any one thing. I think I ate ramen noodles for a month afterwards. I am truly shocked at where the prices for 35mm cameras have fallen to.

 

[Sirius Glass]

First of all you need the F-100.
Then you need to expand into MF with the Hasselblad line.

 

[Photoguy365]

First of all you need the F-100.
Then you need to expand into MF with the Hasselblad line.

 

[Photoguy365]

If you look at the picture, there is an F100 on the front right side. I actually have a Maymia 645. I’ve only put a hand full of film through it though.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you look at the picture, there is an F100 on the front right side. I actually have a Maymia 645. I’ve only put a hand full of film through it though.

Ah yes, the '0' was hidden. Now is the time to buy a Hasselblad.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... I am truly shocked at where the prices for 35mm cameras have fallen to.

It truly is astonishing. Right now the Nikkormat and F4 are absolute bargains. Also the Canon FTb.

Even Hasselblad and its Carl Zeiss lenses are more affordable. Except for the SWC - which is worth triple its weight in gold.

The 553 ELX is another true bargain today.

 

[benjiboy]

I've sold a lot more cameras than I've bought in the last year because I'm trying to rationalize them, but I still have six S.L.R's that I want to keep.

 

[guangong]

My own rationalization process is to no longer buy anymore cameras...although there are several I still want to tryout I have been able to resist temptation (but I might give in for an unlikely affordable and usable Alpa body w Leicaflex adapter). My cameras unintentionally have been accumulated over the years since the late 1950s, so not really a collector. However, without collectors there would be no museums. The one camera I do not regret dumping was my Hasselblad 1000F, which was mechanically the worst camera I ever owned.

 

[Sirius Glass]

My own rationalization process is to no longer buy anymore cameras...although there are several I still want to tryout I have been able to resist temptation (but I might give in for an unlikely affordable and usable Alpa body w Leicaflex adapter). My cameras unintentionally have been accumulated over the years since the late 1950s, so not really a collector. However, without collectors there would be no museums. The one camera I do not regret dumping was my Hasselblad 1000F, which was mechanically the worst camera I ever owned.

I was advised by my Hasselblad repairman not to buy the Hasselblad 1000, Hasselblad 1600, and other early models except to be shelf queens.

 

[saman13]

I was advised by my Hasselblad repairman not to buy the Hasselblad 1000, Hasselblad 1600, and other early models except to be shelf queens.

I was advised by my checking account to not buy any Hasselblads.

 

[guangong]

I was advised by my Hasselblad repairman not to buy the Hasselblad 1000, Hasselblad 1600, and other early models except to be shelf queens.

When I bought 1000F there was no alternative Hasselblad. Except for Ektar that came with camera I used a Kilfit lens which was later used on Leica after demise of my 1000F. Then much later bought Rollei 2.8F for MF. However, Hasselblad handled well and when 2000FCM came out I bought it because I could use many Leica and Kilfitt lenses already owned. At the time already having lenses made camera somewhat more affordable.

Sirius, as told to me, the early Hassy 1600 and 1000 shutter mechanisms were designed by a Swedish watchmaker and not by someone experienced in shutter design, which must be more robust...not to mention the need to follow a precise procedure for advancing film on 1000 and not mess up shutter (I did this twice and promptly got rid of camera). Perhaps someone on APUG can confirm or disprove this bit of hearsay about watchmaker designing shutter.

From my memorable experiences with 1000F more than a half century ago, perhaps in a museum of mechanical failures but not a shelf queen. Maybe a shelf lacky.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I was advised by my checking account to not buy any Hasselblads.

Hasselblad can be hard on the finances, but still the prices are lower since the digital age.

 

[Sirius Glass]

When I bought 1000F there was no alternative Hasselblad. Except for Ektar that came with camera I used a Kilfit lens which was later used on Leica after demise of my 1000F. Then much later bought Rollei 2.8F for MF. However, Hasselblad handled well and when 2000FCM came out I bought it because I could use many Leica and Kilfitt lenses already owned. At the time already having lenses made camera somewhat more affordable.

Sirius, as told to me, the early Hassy 1600 and 1000 shutter mechanisms were designed by a Swedish watchmaker and not by someone experienced in shutter design, which must be more robust...not to mention the need to follow a precise procedure for advancing film on 1000 and not mess up shutter (I did this twice and promptly got rid of camera). Perhaps someone on APUG can confirm or disprove this bit of hearsay about watchmaker designing shutter.

From my memorable experiences with 1000F more than a half century ago, perhaps in a museum of mechanical failures but not a shelf queen. Maybe a shelf lacky.

The Hasselblad 1600 and Hasselblad 1000 were designed with metal focal plane shutters to avoid the burns caused by the Sun on Leica cameras. The metal shutters were too hard to maintain and were not robust enough for a camera. Victor Hasselblad redesigned the camera as the V series is which lens shutters and those cameras are more robust, but it is a good idea to stick to the cameras from roughly 1985 and on.