So what's wrong with a Nikon N2000 / F301?

Excalibur2 · Sep 16, 2009

Well I don't know why but have just bought it off ebay, and I've only got a 50mm Nikkor lens........but loads of lenses with other cameras......LOL

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160361543760&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

rosey · Sep 16, 2009

It's a splendid camera, and I have three of them Sort of like an FG (very different in design) but with built-in winder. Very good metering and has never let me down. I also have the AF version called the N2020. Inexpensive cameras that usually ride in a foam chest in my car trunk.

votrepear · Sep 16, 2009

They are great cameras. I have worn out two of them.

Excalibur2 · Sep 16, 2009

rosey said:
It's a splendid camera, and I have three of them Sort of like an FG (very different in design) but with built-in winder. Very good metering and has never let me down. I also have the AF version called the N2020. Inexpensive cameras that usually ride in a foam chest in my car trunk.

Well it would be an upgrade from my EM....I think I have the collector's bug from P&S to medium format.

artistfriendship · Dec 14, 2009

I have a nikon f301. Pristine machine with auto advancing mechanism and electronic exposure metering. There are a few samples in my flickr.

mudman · Dec 14, 2009

gave one to my mum. Only complaint I have is the lack of DOF preview.

dynachrome · Dec 14, 2009

Nikon N2000

I have two N2020 bodies. These were the next model up from the N2000 and Nikon's first mass produced 35mm AF SLR. I don't use the N2020s for AF. They make nice manual focus cameras. One advantage they have over the N2000 is that the focusing screens can be changed. I have read that very long lenses can strain the lens mounts of the N2000 and N2020 bodies but my longest Nikkor is 200mm and all of my 200mm Nikkors are f/4 models. The one feature I miss on the N2020 is the ability to flip up the AI tab and use pre-AI lenses. This is the same reason I sometimes prefer an FE to an FE2.

Romary · Dec 14, 2009

I baught a F301 a very longue time. Still work perfectly. That's one of my favorite camera

mjs · Dec 14, 2009

I have an N2020 which rides in an old 6-pack can cooler in my car. It has the Nikon 35-70mm zoom lens and I'm astounded by how close the lens focuses. It's a very nice camera and lens and I love that it takes ordinary AAA batteries, too!

Romary · Dec 14, 2009

mjs said:
I love that it takes ordinary AAA batteries, too!

This is clearly a positive point

Excalibur2 · Dec 14, 2009

Still stuck with the 50mm lens on my N2000 so haven't used it at all, even Tamron lenses with Nikon adapter are more expensive than say Canon FD.

macrorie · Dec 14, 2009

I have the N2000, and it has many features that are convenient, and a metering system that seems quite accurate. The only downsides I see are the lack of a conventional shutter release socket and the fact that, at least on my example, the motorized shutter advance is rather noisy.

Colin Corneau · Dec 14, 2009

They are great cameras. I have worn out two of them.

Then they're not that great, I would suggest.

Excalibur2 · Dec 15, 2009

Colin Corneau said:
Then they're not that great, I would suggest.

Well if you can pick up the bodies for about £15....who cares.

Lightproof · Dec 15, 2009

the F-301 was my first 35mm camera. It is good enough if you don't need MLU and DOF preview. The fixed standart screen can be an issue, too.

But on the other hand, the bodies are very cheap. They are not very heavy and the batteries last "forever"... winding is just for transport, for respooling you have to use a crank. Loaded with lithium batteries, it is the perfect backup body for Nikon glass!

KrankyKraut · Dec 29, 2009

The N2000 is a durable workhorse with good ergonomics. A fast handling camera that has been my go-to street camera in Nikon mount. My favorite Nikon before I got the N80.

GarageBoy · Feb 25, 2014

Necro-thread alert
Just want to profess my love this series
Love the mini grip, love the AA/AAA batteries, love the LED display
It handles really well
I just wish it wasn't so LOUD

mweintraub · Feb 25, 2014

GarageBoy said:
Necro-thread alert
Just want to profess my love this series
Love the mini grip, love the AA/AAA batteries, love the LED display
It handles really well
I just wish it wasn't so LOUD

Hope you're still enjoying the N2020 you bought from me! Glad to see it's getting used!

trythis · Feb 25, 2014

I used one and thought, perfect for a first time nikon body (student, etc), last week I pulled it out and the 2nd shutter was dead. I had fun disassembling it and saving the bits for parts.

chip j · Feb 25, 2014

I wore out one in 10 yrs of shooting 100 rolls/yr, but it was used when I got it, and still worked w/the AA pack. My favorite meter readout of all Nikon f ilm cameras.

blockend · Feb 28, 2014

I had a F301 from new. Looking back, the images I took on that camera were as good and probably better than any other, including an OM1, pro Nikons, various Canons. Maybe because I stuck it and a 28mm lens in places I wouldn't have placed my 'better' cameras.

darkosaric · Feb 28, 2014

If cameras gives you nice images - then it is a keeper. Between cheap Nikon F301 who gives you nice images and Hasselblad or Leica who "does not feel right" and not give you nice results - it is clear with what you should choose .

My example: I had nikon F, F2, and F3. On the end I sold F2 because it did not feel right as nikon F and F3. Totally subjective, F2 is perfect mechanical masterpiece, but for me it did not worked.

blockend · Feb 28, 2014

darkosaric said:
My example: I had nikon F, F2, and F3. On the end I sold F2 because it did not feel right as nikon F and F3. Totally subjective, F2 is perfect mechanical masterpiece, but for me it did not worked.

Ditto. I craved an F2 to replace my much-missed F, but it never replaced the F in my affections and I sold it soon after.

Ap507b · Feb 28, 2014

I had one briefly a few years ago but didn't keep it long as I didn't like the lack of an aperture readout in the viewfinder, the lack of a depth of field preview & the finder display. It just seemed such a step backwards from the other MF Nikons that I am used to using, the FA, F3 & FE2. Nothing at all wrong with the photographs it took & just a matter of choice.

Have to ask myself why I keep looking at them on ebay when they are at £10 with no bids & thinking Hmm, should I buy another one?

GarageBoy · Feb 28, 2014

Yup, I think they are the least expensive bodies on the popular auction site
I did get 2 duds, though... (the three N2000s I got were still cheaper than the cost of one EM)

So what's wrong with a Nikon N2000 / F301?

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