Nikon F2SB vs F2AS :: DP-3 vs DP-12

[abruzzi]

Curious—some internet sources suggest the DP-12/F2AS was a far more advanced metering prism than all the other prisms, but all the specs I can see suggest DP-3/F2SB is equivalent but for pre-AI “rabbit ear” lenses.

what is the truth?

 

[CMoore]

Curious—some internet sources suggest the DP-12/F2AS was a far more advanced metering prism than all the other prisms, but all the specs I can see suggest DP-3/F2SB is equivalent but for pre-AI “rabbit ear” lenses.

what is the truth?

As far as The Meter..... i thought they were equivalent.

 

[Dennis-B]

The two prisms both use SPD (Silicon Photo Diode) for the meter. It's a real advancement from the CDS finders.

 

[jimjm]

Meter sensitivity on both was the same, EV -2 to 17 at ISO 100. I believe the only major difference is the DP-3 can meter with any pre-AI, AI or AIS lens that has rabbit ears. The DP-12 requires an AI, AIS or AI-converted lens to meter wide-open. Unconverted pre-AI lenses must be stopped-down to meter. The DP-12 will also meter with any later Series E or AF lenses that lack rabbit ears, but have an aperture ring.

 

[abruzzi]

As far as The Meter..... i thought they were equivalent.

That’s what I thought, and the specs I’ve seen suggest the same. But I’ve stumbled over several reviews/comments on the internet that suggest otherwise.

it doesn’t really matter much, I want to use non-AI lenses on an F2, so I’ll be going with a SN, I’m just wondering if I will miss anything. I suspect the silicon sensor is the big difference with the previous meters (and of course the needle/leds).

 

[jimjm]

This is my understanding of the major differences between the metered F2 finders:

DP-1 (F2 Photomic): CdS cells ; 6 - 6400 ISO ; EV 1 thru 17 ; Needle display; full-aperture metering with pre-AI, and AI, AIS lenses with coupling prong
DP-2 (F2S): CdS cells ; 12 - 6400 ISO ; EV -2 thru 17 ; LED display; full-aperture metering with pre-AI, and AI, AIS lenses with coupling prong
DP-3 (F2SB): SPD cells ; 12 - 6400 ISO ; EV -2 thru 17 ; LED display; full-aperture metering with pre-AI, and AI, AIS lenses with coupling prong
DP-11 (F2A): CdS cells ; 6 - 6400 ISO ; EV 1 thru 17 ; Needle display; full-aperture metering with AI, AIS, Series E or AF lenses with aperture ring, pre-AI lenses meter stopped-down
DP-12 (F2AS): SPD cells ; 12 - 6400 ISO ; EV -2 thru 17 ; LED display; full-aperture metering with AI, AIS, Series E or AF lenses with aperture ring, pre-AI lenses meter stopped-down

I have several bodies with a mix of DP-1 and DP-11 finders, and I use different pre-AI, AI and AIS lenses. I'm gradually getting my favorite pre-AI lenses converted to AI so I can also use them on later bodies like the F3, FE2 and FM2. John White does a great job with these at a very fair price. If you really want to use pre-AI lenses (without conversion), I'd go with the DP-1 if you like the meter needle, or the DP-2/DP-3 if you like LEDs. These latter two may be harder to find, and the DP-1 is probably the least expensive of the F2 finders. If it has not been serviced recently, you will almost certainly want to factor in the cost to have the meter cleaned and calibrated.

 

[__Brian]

The DP-3 and DP-12 are equivalent- as stated, I have both. I prefer the F2SB as it can use AI and Non-AI lenses.

The DP-2 with CDS cells can take many minutes to settle down with the EV -2 reading, the DP-3 and DP-12 do not have "memory" problems that the CDS cell has.

 

[swchris]

The DP-2 has much brigther/bigger LEDs than the DP-3 or DP-12. At least for my eyes. I's in fact my favourite F2 finder.

 

[abruzzi]

I currently have a F2 with the DP-1. However it has an issue that the meter requires that I need open it up (i.e turn the aperture to wide open and the shutter to slow) before the needle jumps to life, then I close things up, and it meters correctly. I know the CdS doesn’t see anything different when I perform that action, but it frequently requires I do that action before it wakes up.

I figured I’d start with the best camera I could get before sinking money on service. Since some of my favorite Nikon lenses are non-AI, I figured the F2SB was the ticket, but I wanted to check in on the F2AS to see if it was worth it. KEH had an “EX” F2SB for a little more than I wanted to spend, but I figured I’d give it a shot.

 

[__Brian]

Are you looking to buy a second F2 or just a replacement meter?

 

[Chan Tran]

Never had the SB because I started out with the AS when I bought my first camera but I think they are identical except the SB is for Pre AI and the AS is for AI. The SB was introduced not long before the AS. In fact it was still available new when I bought the AS. I was young so more expensive and newer must be better huh? The S is significantly different.

 

[abruzzi]

Are you looking to buy a second F2 or just a replacement meter?

I bought a second one. Mostly because I couldn’t find any DP-3s for sale anywhere except attached to an F2.