Nikon F2s--should I buy?

Tom1956 · May 16, 2014

I've found a 1974 Nikon F2S body is what appears to be pretty nice condition at $139. There's a couple of the tiniest dings on the chrome, but so many cameras out there have these and are still pretty cameras. All in all though the black paint on the finder and the body ends looks decent, and the camera is still nice looking. What do you guys think? Thanks.

Xmas · May 16, 2014

check foam, shutter curtains, slow speeds, etc.

Tom1956 · May 16, 2014

Thanks--I know all that. I'm just talking about price. Whaddya think?

MDR · May 16, 2014

Go for it

mgb74 · May 16, 2014

I wouldn't sell my F2a for that. I assume you've checked the meter (ring resistor issue).

snapguy · May 16, 2014

well

You have not informed us whether you want to put it in a frame, stick it to the wall and admire it, or take pitchers with it. If it is the latter the dings are astride from the point. The price sounds pretty good to me or are you the kind of dude that has to have the best price no matter how long you have to wait? We all have our little foibles. It seems a mere pittance, dollar-wise.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 16, 2014

Price is great assuming it's not some dried out camera that was fished out from being dropped in a lake and is all rusted and fungusy inside. Does the meter work?

jimjm · May 16, 2014

If the speeds are good, meter appears accurate and no other issues, then it sounds like a good buy. Make sure self-timer, mirror lockup and stop-down lever also work. If the foam seals need replacing, easy DIY and no big deal. Jon Goodman used to sell foam replacement kits and I've serviced at leat a half-dozen bodies from one kit. One benefit of the DP2 prism is the LEDs make low-light photography easier than the other meters that use the match-needle. Solid-state electronics are also more reliable than the match-needle prisms.

Remember that the F2S is a Non-AI model, so must be used with lenses that have the rabbit-ears for correct meter coupling. Stop-down metering otherwise. If you replace the prism with the DP-11 or DP-12 then you get proper AI coupling for later lenses, including AF lenses with aperture rings. With a non-metered plain prism, it's one of the nicest looking cameras IMHO.

Tom1956 · May 16, 2014

Thanks folks but I let that camera go. I had a temporary case of brain-block and had forgotten my Nikon history. It's a F2Sb I'm keeping my eye out for.

pdjr1991 · May 16, 2014

Why go f2 when the f5 selling for about 150?

Nick Merritt · May 16, 2014

A lot harder to find an F2S than an F5. And I think there were a lot fewer of the F2S made than the F5. If all's working, I would not hesitate.

Tom1956 · May 16, 2014

pdjr1991 said:
Why go f2 when the f5 selling for about 150?

Because Nikon ceased to exist after the F2. Just as the Chevy Camaro was only produced from 1967-1969.

summicron1 · May 16, 2014

Tom1956 said:
Because Nikon ceased to exist after the F2. Just as the Chevy Camaro was only produced from 1967-1969.

and leica pretty much disappeared after the M4.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 16, 2014

pdjr1991 said:
Why go f2 when the f5 selling for about 150?

Haha. That's a good one.

Chan Tran · May 17, 2014

pdjr1991 said:
Why go f2 when the f5 selling for about 150?

I have an F5 which I bought new in 2002 and used very little about 20 rolls of film thru it. I take great care of it so cosmetically is perfect with all the boxes and packaging and I would be happy if I could trade it for the F2AS which I bought in 1977 and someone stole from me in 1984.

blockend · May 17, 2014

I had an F2AS but never got on with it, and sold the camera without a backward glance. My plain prism F, I certainly miss. The nicest looking and handling SLR I ever owned.

pdjr1991 · May 17, 2014

Sad but true.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

RalphLambrecht · May 17, 2014

st that price? go for it and give it some love;it will love you back more than anything else born in 1974.

pdjr1991 · May 20, 2014

Agreed. There a dream to shoot with. I bought mine when i started college 3 1/2 years ago and they were about 500 then.

Tom1956 · May 20, 2014

I ended up with a 1972 F2 Photomic that had apparently been dropped, but still works, and looks OK. Won't cost me anything after I finish working on the other F2 belonging to the buddy who had both. I earn one by fixing the other. Right now have his DP-1 finder apart because of erratic meter movement.

Nikon F2s--should I buy?

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