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

Hydrangeas from the garden

A
Hydrangeas from the garden

  • 2
  • 2
  • 45
Field #6

D
Field #6

  • 4
  • 1
  • 62
Hosta

A
Hosta

  • 15
  • 9
  • 133
Water Orchids

A
Water Orchids

  • 5
  • 1
  • 75

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
197,914
Messages
2,766,790
Members
99,500
Latest member
Neilmark
Recent bookmarks
1

rosey

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
139
Location
Toledo, Ohio
Format
35mm
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.
 
OP
OP

Excalibur2

Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
423
Location
UK
Format
35mm
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.
 

mudman

Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
335
Location
Saratoga Spr
Format
Multi Format
gave one to my mum. Only complaint I have is the lack of DOF preview.
 

dynachrome

Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2006
Messages
1,746
Format
35mm
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.
 

mjs

Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
1,123
Location
Elkhart, Ind
Format
Multi Format
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!
 
OP
OP

Excalibur2

Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
423
Location
UK
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
126
Location
Maine, USA
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
2,366
Location
Winnipeg MB Canada
Format
35mm RF
They are great cameras. I have worn out two of them.

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

Lightproof

Member
Joined
May 3, 2009
Messages
81
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
43
Location
Southern Cal
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2012
Messages
992
Format
35mm
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

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 22, 2008
Messages
1,725
Location
Dallas, TX
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
1,208
Location
St Louis
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
2,193
Location
NE Ohio
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
5,049
Location
northern eng
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
4,568
Location
Hamburg, DE
Format
Multi Format
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 :smile:.

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

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
5,049
Location
northern eng
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2008
Messages
184
Location
Surrey, UK
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2012
Messages
992
Format
35mm
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)
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom