The Value of a Number - Nikon F2

ChristopherCoy

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I've been on the prowl for a late production F2A in black, and thus I've been scrolling through hundreds of eBay listings. I ran across this listing and this listing, which have asking prices of $1750 and $1780. These are "25th Anniversary" edition F2A cameras. Per the internet, sales prices for these cameras have been anywhere from $699 to $2499 with varying degrees of swag included (original boxes, packaging, warranty cards etc)

After doing some research I learned that the "25th Anniversary" models were not actually Nikon's doing, but rather a gimmick of Ehrenreich Photo-Optical, the US importer of these cameras at the time. To celebrate 25 years in business (1954-1979) EPOI would import the cameras, engrave a number on the bottom plate, and stick a cheap plastic "25th Anniversary" badge on the front. Apparently the whole thing was a marketing stunt done without Nikon's authorization. It is said that you could send off a card and receive a wooden plaque with your name and cameras serial number on it.

And that's when I remembered this listing which has an asking price of $250, with offers accepted. It stuck out because I remembered the engraving and shrugged it off as a school marking or something else like that. I figured it was probably part of a fleet of cameras that saw heavy use and it was the identifying mark. Turns out, I think this is #1901 of the 2500 "special edition" bodies, since they were numbered 25-0001 to 25-2500. (Some places say it was a run of 4000).

I think that all the collectors value in this $250 one is gone because it's not "mint", it doesn't have it's original box, and there's no plaque or paperwork certifying it as one of the 25th anniversary edition... but I did stop for a minute and wonder if the seller knew what it was, and if there may be a few more dollars to squeeze out of it if it could be bought at a deal. I also thought about submitting an offer for it, but decided to hold out for a mint black F2A that I truly want.

The 25th anniversary edition, and the "deal", respectively.

 

CMoore

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If that Head/Prism is good, you could buy that for 250 and wait for a good deal on a Black F2, swap the head and sell the Silver one.
Not sure why they are called silver. Even those are 80% black.
 
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ChristopherCoy

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If that Head/Prism is good, you could buy that for 250 and wait for a good deal on a Black F2, swap the head and sell the Silver one.
Not sure why they are called silver. Even those are 80% black.

That's a good idea, except the numbers would have to match. It's a thing I have. I don't know why.
 
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ChristopherCoy

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I know. I sound like those horse people who talk about their horses "papers"... which doesn't make a lick of sense cause you can't ride the papers.
 

CMoore

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I know. I sound like those horse people who talk about their horses "papers"... which doesn't make a lick of sense cause you can't ride the papers.
If you can afford it and its important to you....go for it.!
Pride Of Ownership
 

wiltw

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I can obtain an F2, and engrave a unique number on the bottom plate, so it is literally 'one of a kind'...
...I wonder what I could sell that for on eBay... do ya think $25,000 is reasonable?!


 
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ChristopherCoy

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I can obtain an F2, and engrave a unique number on the bottom plate, so it is literally 'one of a kind'...
...I wonder what I could sell that for on eBay... do ya think $25,000 is reasonable?!



I know right. A few numbers separate these, but their prices are wildly different, and for no other reason than a marketing play.
 

MattKing

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I know. I sound like those horse people who talk about their horses "papers"... which doesn't make a lick of sense cause you can't ride the papers.
Last time I checked, you can't breed Nikon F2s for profit, so I'm not sure that a camera's "papers" matter the same way.
 
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ChristopherCoy

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Last time I checked, you can't breed Nikon F2s for profit, so I'm not sure that a camera's "papers" matter the same way.

You live a sheltered life Matt. You'd be surprised what you can do for profit these days.


But no, papers don't matter to me. Having equipment built in the same era does though. I can't bring myself to buy a 1972 body with a 1977/78/79 finder. It's just not how it's supposed to be.
 
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ChristopherCoy

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What about using lenses that aren't made in the same year?

For my lenses I want all AF-D. They have aperture rings so that I can use them on the F2 with the DP-11 finder, and I can also use them with auto-focus on my F5, as well as my D700.

And I specifically want the DP-11 finders because I prefer the needle readout instead of the LED's.
 
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