Nikon Mechanical Camera Body Recommendations . . .

Huss said:

Some people just ignore requests! NO BATTERY RELIANCE!!!

I would not recommend a metered F, as at this age the meters are flaky if they even work. But a standard F body is pretty cool. Metered F2s can be flaky too - my F2AS needed to have the meter repaired by Sover Wong as the circular resistor thingy wore out. But the body is full mechanical and frankly nicer than the F - I had several of both, and now only have the F2 series. There is nothing the F does better apart from look cooler!
The other mechanical Nikons are the Nikkormats and the FM series. I had two FT2s, the meters are very limited in EV range compared to modern metered bodies. Even the meters in the F2AS are much more sensitive. And also Nikkormats suffer from jumpy meter needles/erratic readings due to age.
The FM series are pretty solid. Never had a problem w my FM or FM2. My FE2 (electric) on the other hand suffered from shutter timing failure.

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Aperture priority capable but all shutter speeds available when batteries die? That's what you get with the FM3A when you consolidate the aperture priority and meter of the FE2 with the fully mechanical and battery independence of the FM2.

Agfa Ultra 100-21-29B by Les DMess, on Flickr

And as an added bonus, Nikon didn't restrict the meter when first putting in a roll of film until you advance the counter to 1 like they did with their other aperture priority capable cameras.

Hi!

I agree with (mostly) everyone else. Get an FM, F2A, or Nikkormat FT3.

Should you choose, your AF Nikkor 28-85mm f 3.5-4.5 and AF Nikkor 75-300mm f 4.5-5.6 can easily be modified to work with pre-1977- manufactured Nikon camera bodies as well because they already have pilot holes pre-drilled to guide the mounting of the old style "Pre-AI metering prongs."
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Mete...5-ab9b-43d7-a12c-6465625c0fb5&redirect=mobile]
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-F-Ap...6-dff0-4329-b495-00f54bba210f&redirect=mobile]

I don't know what kind of engineer you are, but chances are good you could complete the drilling and installation yourself.

Having said that, my own advice is: Don't bother! Not only will the ease and feel of manual-focusing your AF lenses suck, you would then have to deal with accomodating their variable-aperture design. Uugghhh! Every time you zoom either one of your current lenses, you would be obliged to compensate the camera's exposure settings accordingly (because their light transmittance varies with the chosen focal length).

Marc

millardmt said:

Hi!

I agree with (mostly) everyone else. Get an FM, F2A, or Nikkormat FT3.

Should you choose, your AF Nikkor 28-85mm f 3.5-4.5 and AF Nikkor 75-300mm f 4.5-5.6 can easily be modified to work with pre-1977- manufactured Nikon camera bodies as well because they already have pilot holes pre-drilled to guide the mounting of the old style "Pre-AI metering prongs."
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Mete...5-ab9b-43d7-a12c-6465625c0fb5&redirect=mobile]
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-F-Ap...6-dff0-4329-b495-00f54bba210f&redirect=mobile]

I don't know what kind of engineer you are, but chances are good you could complete the drilling and installation yourself.

Having said that, my own advice is: Don't bother! Not only will the ease and feel of manual-focusing your AF lenses suck, you would then have to deal with accomodating their variable-aperture design. Uugghhh! Every time you zoom either one of your current lenses, you would be obliged to compensate the camera's exposure settings accordingly (because their light transmittance varies with the chosen focal length).

Marc

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Of course if you're shooting most b&w or color negative film, all you have to do is meter for the slowest aperture - in effect overexposing the shot, as the film can absorb that and so much more. Process at box speed and you wouldn't even notice it in the results.

momus said:

That's my main camera. If you put it on P it will do all the focus and exposure for you, and if you aren't happy w/ the meter reading in the viewfinder,slide the AE lock and lock the exposure where you want it. Yes, it has a complicated menu but I never go into it. These are essentially pro cameras, but they won't feel like a classic Nikon SLR in your hands.

AF lenses won't be as nice to focus on a manual focus SLR as a manual focus lens, they're not really well damped. You'll have to do some serious research on the older cameras because of potential lens compatibility issues.

The Nikkormats are tough as nails too, there's so many different Nikons SLRs to choose from, your choices sounds fine. I've used them all probably and usually end up buying a Nikkormat, but get put off by the weight and lack of eye relief for my glasses. So it's invariably replaced w/ the n8008s. Those things just work, and the exposure is always on the money.

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I find Nikon'exposure methods most reliable in general.

Locutus of Borg said:

I have settled on a Nikon F or F2 body. If you would recommend another Mechanical Nikon . . . which one and why? Remember . . the ONLY THING I want the battery to do is run the exposure meter.

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The FM and FM2 that are being recommended here are, internally, very similar to the FE and FE2 cameras. Surprise surprise, the FE and FE2 are "mechanical" cameras too, the electronics govern the firing moment for the 2nd curtain but otherwise the mechanics are the same and thus suffer from the same mechanical problems.

Just send the camera to a CLA with a reputed technician and be happy, otherwise it will eventually fail due to lack of lubrication and cleaning, be it "electronic" or "mechanical".

Too much fear uncertainty and doubt over the "electronical" FE and FE2 which, on their heyday, were the premium / more advanced model.

Thanks again everyone for the great replies. I am fortunate to have so many friends on this forum to share their knowledge a noob like me. I have certainly learned a lot about the Nikon system reading these threads.

I have decided to just keep the n8008s for it's spectacular lenses, the AF Nikkor 28-85mm f 3.5-4.5
and the AF Nikkor 75-300mm f 4.5-5.6 and continue to look for a Nikkor 50mm F1.4 to round out that system.

I recently acquired (several weeks ago) a beautiful Pentax KX (made in Japan) with the SMC-M 50mm F1.4 Lens for cheap.

My K1000 SE it at Eric Hendrickson's shop and hope to get it back soon.

I also have 3 Canon AE-1P cameras and a good selection of Canon lenses for them. One was my deceased Fathers . . the other two were gifted to me

Thanks again.

Locutus of Borg said:

1: AF Nikkor 28-85mm f 3.5-4.5
2: AF Nikkor 75-300mm f 4.5-5.6

Are these lenses compatible with the older Nikon bodies??

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Apologies for the late reply -- hopefully my contribution is useful... I have the 28-85 (along with a 35-105 and 70-210) that came with the N8008 I bought from a friend. I have used the with older Nikons (specifically FG and FE) and they do work just fine, but the focus ring is not geared for manual use so it's harder to set the focus and have it stay put if the camera vibrates (which is more likely with a mechanical camera). They will work but a proper MF lens has a better focus action.

AFAIK those lenses will work with any Nikon that doesn't require the "rabbit ears" for the meter pin.

I know what you mean about the N8008 -- it's a camera I respect but don't enjoy using much; it's a bit too much like digital for me. I prefer manual-focus, manual-wind cameras, but I am not bothered by electronic shutters. I find them very reliable and they are unlikely to lose their timing as a mechanical shutter will. My personal favorite Nikon is the FG, the one everyone hates. I had an FE but never really took to it -- the meter recently died and I don't intend to repair it.

Nothing wrong with the F2 but they do get rather pricey (as does FM2 and FM3 series -- FM is a better deal). Personally for all-mechanical I prefer the Pentax KX -- great camera and the glass is great and much more affordable than Nikkor lenses.

EDIT: Just saw your last reply and saw you bought a Pentax KX! Wonderful, great camera. The SMC Pentax-M 80-210 is a nice zoom lens and pretty affordable.

Aaron