Nikon F2 DP-1 battery check question. (I already know about Sover)

trythis · Mar 6, 2016

Hi and yes I already know about Sover Wong! Every single F2 meter thread on the web mentions him and I am sold on his prowess as the F2 repair god. But I still would like to ask the www about this.

I have an F2 with a DP-1 that works fine. The camera speeds are good enough for me, the curtain has a minor wrinkle but again, its in great shape. The meter is accurate after some adjusting of the variable resistors.

Only thing that is weird is that sometimes the power cuts out to the meter but the thing that makes it cut out 90% of the time is if I bump the battery test button on the meter. It shows like the power is off when I press it half the time and shows a charged battery half the time.

The wind lever switch in the bottom is super clean as are the battery wires. No corrosion and the camera power contacts on top never lose power with the lever out.

So has anyone had this problem before and know what would cause the battery test button to turn off the meter?

trythis · Mar 6, 2016

I have been inside already and cleaned the rings and adjusted the resistors so thats no problem, I just cant electrically figure out why a test switch would operate like an off switch.

trythis · Mar 7, 2016

You are correct in your assumptions!
but something else is happening now that I am not sure about. pointed at a lamp the meter pegs off [+( \)-] now with a very overexposed combination of aperture/shutter speeds like f2.8 at less than 1/8s and then slaps back to [+(/ )-] if I move the aperture ring or shutter speed in one position. It operates normally as long as I am moving toward less exposure. Maybe I am going out of its EV range but I cant imagine it would just peg to the off position... I am thinking there must be a dead spot on one of the rings.

trythis · Mar 7, 2016

Oh, DUH! I had turned the ASA up above 1600, once I brought it back down to 400 it was back to normal! Glad you said that about the cut off, that's what was doing it.
Also the battery test button seems to be getting more reliable unrelated to the ASA goof up, perhaps its just needing some exercise. This camera has been sitting unused for years, possible decades judging by the thick dust.

trythis · Mar 8, 2016

I agree with you but prefer the newer FA or an F100 over the F4 or F5. The bigger ones are nice but too heavy as are the Nikkormats. The F3HP is heavy too but I like it even if it shares the wacky flash location of the F2.

I emailed Mr. Wong and he said it was the battery tab that you can't see which meant removing the mirror box on the camera. Its pretty easy compared to some equipment (F3!)
The tab was barely tarnished so I am skeptical but after all that the battery check works much better. It does crap out if I test it 10 times in a row and comes back to life after 2 or 3 seconds. Maybe the wire or some wires have some resistance, or maybe that's normal...why would anyone keep pressing that button anyway?

The meter is off a stop from my F3 but I will try a roll before adjusting anymore.

blockend · Mar 9, 2016

APUGuser19 said:
Once again, the budget Nikon for "advanced amateurs" beats the flagship Nikon like a drum. If you want the best in Nikon equipment, look for the name "Nikkormat" on the front.

As an ex-owner of F and F2 Nikons, and the owner of a few Nikkormats I concur! I've never had a problem with an old Nikkormat that wasn't solved by winding the advance a few hundred times. The pro model electrics on the other hand are a barrel load of monkeys.

Xmas · Mar 15, 2016

blockend said:
As an ex-owner of F and F2 Nikons, and the owner of a few Nikkormats I concur! I've never had a problem with an old Nikkormat that wasn't solved by winding the advance a few hundred times. The pro model electrics on the other hand are a barrel load of monkeys.

You need a large sample size to make any statement.
Look at last UK general election.
Both my DP-1 are early have had a hard life and still work ok.
Meaningless statement.

blockend · Mar 17, 2016

Xmas said:
You need a large sample size to make any statement.
Look at last UK general election.
Both my DP-1 are early have had a hard life and still work ok.
Meaningless statement.

You've snookered yourself! The fact your meters are still functioning doesn't represent a median either. There are sufficient anecdotes regarding failing Nikon electronics of the manual era to suggest they haven't passed the test of time. That is not to compare them with other manufacturer's metering systems, simply to say a still functioning meter from an F or F2 that hasn't been got at in the meantime, is probably an exception.

Nikon F2 DP-1 battery check question. (I already know about Sover)

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