Nikon F2 Metering

[CMoore]

I looked on Youtube, but all i could find was a discussion concerning the lens. Is there a Video/Tutorial that shows how the body on an F2-AI meters.?
I have an F2A, but it will not meter with an AI Lens unless i drop down that piece of metal to engage the "Non AI Ears".
I am wondering if there is a video that shows the difference between the F2 and F2 AI bodies.....how the AI body couples with the lens, if you know what i mean.
Thank You

 

[saman13]

Could you post a picture of your F2 from the front?

I have an F2A (F2 with DP-11 finder) and there is not a bar that will engage the rabbit ears. It sounds more like you have a DP-1 (No white A printed on the front of the finder).

Also, I'm not sure if you know, but every F2 is the same body. There is no Ai and Non-Ai body. It is the finder that is different. There are certain finders that will meter with only Ai lenses (like the DP-11 and DP-12 if I'm not mistaken, I have a DP-11). These finders do not have the small pin that will fit into the rabbit ears of the lenses. Instead it has a small indexing tab that will hang down concentrically with the lens mount. If you want to use a non-ai lens with one of these you need to push this tab up and out of the way and then you can meter using stop-down metering.
The DP-1, DP-2, and DP-3 were made for Non-Ai lenses and have the small bars that will fit into the rabbit ears. However, these will meter with any lens that has the rabbit ears, ai or non-ai. The only issue you will run into is if you are using an E-series lens or other lens without the rabbit ears. In that case you will need to use stop down metering.

If you pop the finder off the body, below the eyepiece mount on the finder you should be able to read what model the finder is. Let us know what you find out.

 

[swchris]

II have an F2A, but it will not meter with an AI Lens unless i drop down that piece of metal to engage the "Non AI Ears".

What do you mean with 'that piece of metal to engage the "Non AI Ears"'?
What are "Non AI Ears"?

 

[Chan Tran]

I think the OP meant the AI aperture coupling. On the F2A and F2AS this coupling can be retracted up and out of the way when using pre AI lenses. So normally with AI lenses it has to be down.

 

[CMoore]

Could you post a picture of your F2 from the front?

. If you want to use a non-ai lens with one of these you need to push this tab up and out of the way and then you can meter using stop-down metering..

Right...sorry. I had this all backwards. My CAMERA is fine.....its PHOTOGRAPHER was confused.

 

[mshchem]

If You have a A metering prism there should be a A on the front of the prism. The indexing coupling is DOWN with red dot exposed for Ai lenses. If you retract the coupler this allows the meter to be used in "Stop down" mode with the older lenses. The lever should be down and the red dot showing for normal use with all modern lenses, other than the crap Nikon makes today without manual f stops. Older lens will mount regardless of the position but the meter may not function .

 

[CMoore]

If You have a A metering prism there should be a A on the front of the prism. The indexing coupling is DOWN with red dot exposed for Ai lenses. If you retract the coupler this allows the meter to be used in "Stop down" mode with the older lenses. The lever should be down and the red dot showing for normal use with all modern lenses, other than the crap Nikon makes today without manual f stops. Older lens will mount regardless of the position but the meter may not function .

Right...sorry. I had this all backwards. My CAMERA is fine.....its PHOTOGRAPHER was confused.
I had forgotten that my 4-5 Non AI Lens had been CONVERTED.....so i thought everything was acting bass ackward.
COMPLETELY my fault.

 

[mshchem]

Here's another worthy fella worth sending a couple bucks to now and then. Butkus F2A DP-11 manual

http://www.cameramanuals.org/nikon_pdf/nikon_f2a_finder_dp-11.pdf

 

[mshchem]

Right...sorry. I had this all backwards. My CAMERA is fine.....its PHOTOGRAPHER was confused.

Just do what I do ,I leave out the battery. Getting Old is fun, Everyday I re-discover something I have forgot

 

[CMoore]

Just do what I do ,I leave out the battery. Getting Old is fun, Everyday I re-discover something I have forgot

Oh Please God.....just shoot me.
I made a completely embarrassing mistake.