Nikon F2 Photomic or Canon F-1n?

[madNbad]

The little Reveni cube meter can be carried on a neck strap or for a bit more they offer an accessory shoe on a wrist strap so you can feel like Spider-Man while metering.

 

[chuckroast]

One thing worthy of consideration is batteries. I'd pick a camera that can use currently available batteries if you want to use a meter. The original Canon F-1 uses the 1.35V mercury cells. There used to be a guy in Russia who sold Russian made cells on Ebay, but obviously that's not an option anymore. I bought some and they work perfectly in an F-1.

I have an original F-1, but my preference would be for a New F-1. Still has the classic SLR feel, but uses a 6V battery and has a lot of options available to customize it to your needs.

Certainly look at Pentax as well, there are lots of K mount lenses out there which are excellent and a lower price point than Nikon or Canon.

If you consider a Nikon F, be aware that they are bottom loading and considerably slower and more fiddly to load film than later cameras that are back loading.

You do have to try them out, for me the New F-1 fits my hands the best.

Gratuitous camera photos...

View attachment 345049

Old batteries can be replaced with an appropriate adapter. The Nikons use the MR9 adapter, I suspect the Canon might also, though I've not checked.

 

[jimjm]

Old batteries can be replaced with an appropriate adapter. The Nikons use the MR9 adapter, I suspect the Canon might also, though I've not checked.

Yep, the Canon F-1 and F-1n will work with an MR9 adapter and 386 silver-oxide battery. The Nikon FTn metered prism requires 2 adapters and batteries.

 

[Craig]

Were any F’s used on Apollo missions, or was it just a marketing gimmick used by Nikon? I thought all of the cameras carried on the missions were Hasselblads.

Apparently on Apollo 15 and every manned space flight after that. https://www.nikonlenswear.com/why-nikon/nikon-with-nasa/

 

[SodaAnt]

Apparently on Apollo 15 and every manned space flight after that. https://www.nikonlenswear.com/why-nikon/nikon-with-nasa/

Thanks. I consider myself an expert on the history of the space program, particularly Apollo, and I didn’t know that.

 

[Craig]

I fared well with the Sunny 16 rule...

B&W I'm assuming? I wouldn't trust that with slide film.

 

[madNbad]

Thanks. I consider myself an expert on the history of the space program, particularly Apollo, and I didn’t know that.

Did you pick a camera yet? If not the group will be discussing why it was ok for John Glenn to use a camera he bought at a drugstore but NASA gave Hasselblad a boat load of money.

 

[SodaAnt]

Did you pick a camera yet? If not the group will be discussing why it was ok for John Glenn to use a camera he bought at a drugstore but NASA gave Hasselblad a boat load of money.

Not yet. Still considering an F2 or F-1, but have also added the New F-1 to my list. Watching eBay for a good candidate.

 

[madNbad]

Not yet. Still considering an F2 or F-1, but have also added the New F-1 to my list. Watching eBay for a good candidate.

New F1 world be a good candidate, modern batteries and a good choice of lenses. Or you could be like John Glenn and wander into Walgreens.

 

[chuckroast]

B&W I'm assuming? I wouldn't trust that with slide film.

They shot both, at least with the 'Blads:

Astronaut Still Photography During Apollo - NASA

At the beginning of the space program hardly anyone thought of photographs from space as anything more than a branch of industrial photography. There were

history.nasa.gov

 

[Craig]

No, I was replying to the idea of a plain prism F and using "sunny 16" as an exposure meter. I wouldn't do that with slide film.

 

[chuckroast]

No, I was replying to the idea of a plain prism F and using "sunny 16" as an exposure meter. I wouldn't do that with slide film.

D'oh, I were cornfuzed ...

 

[Besk]

The little Reveni cube meter can be carried on a neck strap or for a bit more they offer an accessory shoe on a wrist strap so you can feel like Spider-Man while metering.

Several years ago while touring the old Brest Fortress (Belarus) with my adult step-son I was using my Voigtlander meter mounted on a shoe on a wrist band. He asked me to quit using it that way. He said people were looking at me suspiciously.

 

[madNbad]

Several years ago while touring the old Brest Fortress (Belarus) with my adult step-son I was using my Voigtlander meter mounted on a shoe on a wrist band. He asked me to quit using it that way. He said people were looking at me suspiciously.

It’s amazing that people think nothing of unabatedly photographing or taking videos with their phones but you’re suspicious because you were using an actual camera.

 

[SodaAnt]

It’s amazing that people think nothing of unabatedly photographing or taking videos with their phones but you’re suspicious because you were using an actual camera.

I’m somewhat leery of using a spotmeter like a Pentax digital spot in this country because it looks somewhat like a pistol.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Did you pick a camera yet? If not the group will be discussing why it was ok for John Glenn to use a camera he bought at a drugstore but NASA gave Hasselblad a boat load of money.

'
Because Hasselblad built custom cameras to NASA's specifications and designed and built lenses to meet NASA's requirements. When was the last time a drugstore did that?

 

[faberryman]

I’m somewhat leery of using a spotmeter like a Pentax digital spot in this country because it looks somewhat like a pistol.

If that is a concern to you, then don't use one.

 

[faberryman]

Did you pick a camera yet? If not the group will be discussing why it was ok for John Glenn to use a camera he bought at a drugstore but NASA gave Hasselblad a boat load of money.

Because NASA didn't know just how terrible a camera Glenn's Ansco Autoset actually was. Also Walter Schirra hadn't planted the Hasselblad bug in NASA's ear yet.

 

[madNbad]

Did you pick a camera yet? If not the group will be discussing why it was ok for John Glenn to use a camera he bought at a drugstore but NASA gave Hasselblad a boat load of money.

Now back to helping the OP choose between the F2, the F-1 and now the New F-1.

 

[SodaAnt]

If that is a concern to you, then don't use one.

That’s like telling women not to wear skirts because they invite unwanted attention from men.

 

[faberryman]

That’s like telling women not to wear skirts because they invite unwanted attention from men.

Hardly. My comment was not misogynistic. It wasn't political either. And the Pentax Digital Spotmeter doesn't look any more like a gun than a camera with a wide, normal, or short telephoto lens does. Now a camera with a long telephoto lens could be a problem. People have gotten shot using those, particularly at night. My advices stands. If you think a Pentax Digital Spotmeter looks like a gun, and you therefore fear for your safety, don't use one.

 

[SodaAnt]

Anyone know if there’s a table that correlates Canon New F-1 serial numbers with date of manufacture? I’m aware of the date code stamped in the film compartment, but in most eBay listings that code is impossible to read but the serial number is clearly visible.

 

[Craig]

I have not seen a table like that. I checked mine and it starts 255XXX and was made June 1986. Date code FA06.

I have another one with date code W413, which decodes to April, 1982 and the serial number is 268XXX. Not sure how to explain the apparent discrepancy there, unless the top cover has been switch at some point in the past.

Some references here: https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/486464-the-last-f-1/

Mine with the 268 number is clearly out of the date sequence for others built around that time. Mine has been heavily used, so I wouldn't be surprised if it has been serviced and parts changed in the past.

Looks like the first cameras were around 100,000 and the last 312,XXX.

 

[chuckroast]

Anyone know if there’s a table that correlates Canon New F-1 serial numbers with date of manufacture? I’m aware of the date code stamped in the film compartment, but in most eBay listings that code is impossible to read but the serial number is clearly visible.

Canon Date Codes by Ken Rockwell

Canon Date Codes by Ken Rockwell

www.kenrockwell.com

 

[SodaAnt]

Canon Date Codes by Ken Rockwell

Canon Date Codes by Ken Rockwell

www.kenrockwell.com

As I mentioned above, I’m aware of the date codes, but they’re stamped in dark gray paint in the camera’s film compartment and are typically not visible or readable in eBay listing photos, hence the request for dates corresponding to serial numbers.

Thanks anyway. I’m sure someone will find that link helpful.