dynachrome
Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,757
- Format
- 35mm
I have many nice manual focus SLRs. One of my favorites is the Canon F-1. It came out just as Nikon was transitioning from the F to the F2. I find the size and shape of the F-1 less ungainly that that of the F or F2. The meter is built into the body so the standard prism finder is not so big. You get a 12 degree spot meter and a nice variety of focusing screens. It seems more common to find an F-1 with a working meter or a meter which can be serviced than to find a Nikon F or early F2 in the same condition. The F-1 and F-1n models have the older CdS type meters. With a Nikon F2 you can get a later DP-11 or DP-12 meter prism and also have AI functioning. The problem is that the F2A and F2AS models are much more expensive. The newer Canon F-1N (1981 to about 1996) has improved metering, slightly improved finder brightness and more metering modes but is missing mirror lock-up. Motor drives for the Canon F-1 or Nikon F2 are large and cumbersome. If I need to shoot with a motor and I can live with no removable finder and 3.5 FPS then a Nikon FE or FE2 with an MD12 is a lot easier to handle. Both of these cameras have interchangeable focusing screens and that makes them easier to use with slower lenses or for macro work.