Nikon F2 Photomic or Canon F-1n?

SodaAnt · Jul 16, 2023

I sold all of my 35mm gear years ago and went completely digital. Now I want to get back into film and am looking for a vintage 35mm slr. I have no existing equipment, and will be starting from scratch, so compatibility with an existing system is not an issue.

The two cameras I’m considering are the Nikon F2 with a photomic metering head and the Canon F-1 or F-1n (note: not the Canon New F-1).

Availability of esoteric lenses isn’t an issue as this camera will be used mostly casually with a 50mm or 35mm lens.

Any reason to choose one of these over the other?

GregY · Jul 16, 2023

SodaAnt said:
I sold all of my 35mm gear years ago and went completely digital. Now I want to get back into film and am looking for a vintage 35mm slr. I have no existing equipment, and will be starting from scratch, so compatibility with an existing system is not an issue.

The two cameras I’m considering are the Nikon F2 with a photomic metering head and the Canon F-1 or F-1n (note: not the Canon New F-1).

Availability of esoteric lenses isn’t an issue as this camera will be used mostly casually with a 50mm or 35mm lens.

Any reason to choose one of these over the other?

I'd say the feel of the camera in your hands. I've used both & at the time they were current, my preference was always for the Nikon. The T-90 & Canon EOS 1 changed that entirely. They both have great glass. Personally i view them as tools and how they feel in my hands means a lot to me.

BrianShaw · Jul 16, 2023

Either one; it really depends on which direction you prefer for focussing.

Paul Howell · Jul 16, 2023

It is becoming difficult to find a F2 with a working meter, I have not seen as much concern about the Canon as the meter is in the body. I had a F2 that I used on daily bases in the late 70s and early 80s, must have run 1000s of rolls of film through it, got in serviced once a year. Never had a Canon F 1, did handle them a few times and thought it was well balanced. What is interesting is that while the Army, Air Force and Marines used Nikon, when Topcon left the market, the Navy chose the Canon F 1 as it's replacement. In terms of functionality, as the meter is in the body, if you use a WL or other finder keep you still have the meter.

Steve Bellayr · Jul 16, 2023

Batteries: Nikon F2 takes 2 A76 Canon F-1 needs Criscam converter MR-9 + 386 Silver Oxide

250swb · Jul 16, 2023

I only know what the answer is for myself, but which camera manufacturer has best integrated its SLR lens mount into the most camera bodies? If you can work that out then imagine any other cameras you may want to try, buy, or dream about in the future and you have an answer whether it will be Canon or Nikon.

BradS · Jul 16, 2023

faberryman · Jul 16, 2023

What is the heaviest 1970s era SLR you can buy for taking casual photos with a 35mm or 50mm lens?

Paul Howell · Jul 16, 2023

70s? How about Minolta XK with integrated motor drive and Minolta 50mm 1.2. Second Swiss Alpa 11E with Kern Swiss 50 1.7 macro.

faberryman · Jul 16, 2023

Paul Howell said:
70s? How about Minolta XK with integrated motor drive and Minolta 50mm 1.2. Second Swiss Alpa 11E with Kern Swiss 50 1.7 macro.

I eliminated the Minolta XK because I thought the integrated motor drive was overkill for casual photos. And I didn’t know anyone took photos with Alpas. I thought they just collected them.

Sirius Glass · Jul 16, 2023

Ignore the opinion of others, which one feels better in your hands. Both are good cameras.

Paul Howell · Jul 16, 2023

How about a Leica SL 2, there a few Alpa shooters, not many, when a working PJ I only knew one, he shot for a German newspaper chain.

George Mann · Jul 16, 2023

These old cameras often need complete refurbishing, so factor that into the cost of purchase.

Both of these models are heavy and bulky. I use my F2 with an add-on grip and fully supportive strap.

I personally don't use Canons because I much prefer the rendering of Nikkor lenses.

cerber0s · Jul 16, 2023

I own both a Nikon F2 with the DP-11 viewfinder, and a Canon F-1n. The Canon is my personal favorite, but you can't go wrong with either. The Nikon has the advantage of better lens compatibility. A F2 with a DP-1 viewfinder can use all AI and non AI lenses, as long as they have the mouse ears. A F2 with a DP-11 viewfinder can take all AI lenses, as well as a lot of the modern AF-lenses.

Still, I prefer the Canon, it's the way it feels, and I like the light meter.

Nicholas Lindan · Jul 16, 2023

The F2 sold in awfully large numbers: you can still find very competent repairmen; parts are available (albeit used, taken from salvage bodies); accessories and lenses are easy to find.

The Canon F-1, not so much.

And to muddy the waters - have you considered an F3?

BobD · Jul 16, 2023

I've owned both and I don't see a huge advantage with either over the other but if you wanted to find accessories such as alternative finders, you'd have an easier time finding them for the Nikon, I think.

dynachrome · Jul 16, 2023

I own both and prefer the Canon. With the Nikon you must keep your eye carefully centered from top to bottom to see the meter reading. The Canon is more forgiving in this respect. I find the Canon finder more elegant in shape and size. I wouldn't rule out a New F-1 because it has the fast responding silicon meter cells. I have two Canon F-1s, two F-1ns and many New F-1s. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I am now on vacation with two Minoltas. Sometimes I need a rest from the heavy machines.

SodaAnt · Jul 16, 2023

Nicholas Lindan said:
And to muddy the waters - have you considered an F3?

Yes, I have. I ruled it out because I had one in the 1980s and want to try something different, hence the F2 or F-1.

mshchem · Jul 16, 2023

Nikon F5 minty

Paul Howell · Jul 16, 2023

If you have somewhat deeper pockets, I have a yenning for a Leica R 6, all mechanical, the price of the body, for that matter a R8 is within reason, it's the cost of the lens. There are so many good points about both the Canon F1 and Nikon F2, hard to decide.

mshchem · Jul 16, 2023

I would find a nice, little used, AF body that allows the use of older manual focus lenses, Nikon would be my choice, the fresher the better N80, F5, F4, F6 (F6 are pricey)
I love the old Nikons I have them never use them

Don_ih · Jul 17, 2023

faberryman said:
What is the heaviest 1970s era SLR you can buy for taking casual photos with a 35mm or 50mm lens?

Nikkormat? You could drive nails with one (and the meter still won't work).

Paul Howell · Jul 17, 2023

I think the Nikkormate, Konica T3, and Minolta 202 would all weigh in about the same. The Konica T4 was a bit smaller and lighter than the T3, with the motor winder and 6 AA it would be heavier than the T3 or Minolta 202. then the XK standard version with a 50mm 1.2.

4season · Jul 17, 2023

This is a tricky choice, because both cameras represent the apex of mechanical 35 mm camera design. I sure would love to have one of those special edition olive green Canon F-1s!

If forced to choose, I might choose Nikon F2, because it gives me the option to choose a meterless prism, and sometimes I feel lazy and do not wish to deal with the complexities of failed light meters and (especially) systems of strings and pulleys used to move mechanical viewfinder displays.

Plus I've already serviced my own Nikon F, and expect that the internals of the F2 would be similar.

I've also performed less intensive service on the Canon F-1. The presence of the light meter and it's mechanical displays within the camera body adds a bit of complexity. I don't know that it was any worse than Minolta SRT: That one was daunting at first, though I eventually figured it out.

mshchem · Jul 17, 2023

Don_ih said:
Nikkormat? You could drive nails with one (and the meter still won't work).

I have an FT3 minty, paid a friend (who had it given to him) 33 bucks. Built like a tank. Has shutter adjustment on lens mount ?

Great camera and cheap. The last EL version gives auto exposure cheap

Nikon F2 Photomic or Canon F-1n?

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