Nikon F2AS in black: is it really highly collectible?

[Alan Gales]

Black cameras were associated with professionals as they often used studio lights and the chrome on cameras could produce reflections.
Chrome wears better.
But there is something about black lacquer over brass that seems to make a camera body better looking.

I heard that pro's and street photographers preferred black because they felt it was less obtrusive. I don't know. I just think in most cases it looks better but of course that is just my opinion.

 

[Huss]

Not for 1974 I didn't, unless you have a time machine that really works. Great thing- I walked out of the car with a few bruises, and the car was rebuilt to run another 150,000 miles. The radiator had to be replaced, as it was ripped out of the car.

The point is, choice of materials is important for damping an impact. Some metals absorb energy, deform, and lessen the impact on the rest of the structure.

You just said 'a plastic car'. Thus comparing it to a plastic car. Not to something that didn't exist..

Glad you were ok.

 

[darkosaric]

You just said 'a plastic car'

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duroplast

 

[Chan Tran]

I heard that pro's and street photographers preferred black because they felt it was less obtrusive. I don't know. I just think in most cases it looks better but of course that is just my opinion.

I don't know but I paid $25 extra for the black version of my F2AS back in 1977.

 

[benjiboy]

I don't know but I paid $25 extra for the black version of my F2AS back in 1977.

That's about right Chan, I used to sell them at a professiona dealerl and the Black ones in the U.K were £ 10 more,Nikon said it was because the piano black Paint had to be applied on top of the chrome and baked on, this was common with many other brands too.

 

[AgX]

Did they paint on chrome? Chrome is not the best base for varnishes. I only know varnishes at cameras instead being applied on un-chromed brass. But I am ignorant on Nikons.

 

[BradS]

Did they paint on chrome? Chrome is not the best base for varnishes. I only know varnishes at cameras instead being applied on un-chromed brass. But I am ignorant on Nikons.

The observable evidence suggests that they painted on brass...not chrome!
When the paint rubbs off one sees brass, not chrome.

 

[ic-racer]

I'd call it 'desirable' rather than use the word 'collectible' because that later implies to me it won't be used.
For example I find the black Nikon N75 more desirable than the silver, but I do have both. The black is very rare in the USA, especially labeled "N75" rather than "F75."

 

[blockend]

That's about right Chan, I used to sell them at a professiona dealerl and the Black ones in the U.K were £ 10 more

Was it really only a tenner? I recall the difference being higher in the 1970s, more like £25.