Valuing an F2 w/DP-1, 50mm 1.4, and Flash (Braun)

Pentode · Jan 4, 2021

Enjoy your new camera! I think you did fine on the price. Not the Deal Of The Century, but a perfectly square deal.
That 50/1.4 is a peach - very sharp and has a nice quality on backlit subjects. The camera might need a CLA or it might not, but you might consider getting one regardless as cheap insurance; getting it serviced will make you aware of any issues you might not notice until you've ruined a roll of film (such as shutter capping or slow speeds too slow or light leaks....) and will give you peace of mind to use the camera for years without having to have it looked at again.
As far as technicians go, Sover Wong's reputation is amazing but Nikon made a lot of these cameras (REALLY a lot!) and any experienced service tech should know their way around one. It was an enormously popular model.
A CLA is likely to run you between $100-200.

Eric S · Jan 4, 2021

Pentode said:
Enjoy your new camera! I think you did fine on the price. Not the Deal Of The Century, but a perfectly square deal.
That 50/1.4 is a peach - very sharp and has a nice quality on backlit subjects. The camera might need a CLA or it might not, but you might consider getting one regardless as cheap insurance; getting it serviced will make you aware of any issues you might not notice until you've ruined a roll of film (such as shutter capping or slow speeds too slow or light leaks....) and will give you peace of mind to use the camera for years without having to have it looked at again.
As far as technicians go, Sover Wong's reputation is amazing but Nikon made a lot of these cameras (REALLY a lot!) and any experienced service tech should know their way around one. It was an enormously popular model.
A CLA is likely to run you between $100-200.

Thank you...
If you were sending one for a CLA, who would you send it to? (if you don't mind sharing)

Pentode · Jan 4, 2021

Eric S said:
Thank you...
If you were sending one for a CLA, who would you send it to? (if you don't mind sharing)

I don't mind sharing but I'm actually between service techs at the moment. The guy I used for several years has moved away and hasn't set up his new shop yet.
I just sent a camera to Zacks Camera Repair in Rhode Island because his reputation is very, very good but I can't vouch for him first-hand until the work is complete.
Nippon Photo Clinic in NYC is very, very good but also quite expensive. Their CLAs typically run over $200. I've used them and they do a great job but you definitely pay for it.
I recently used Garry's Camera Repair in Illinois for a job. I found his communication to be a little lacking but the work was very well executed and his price was excellent so I haven't ruled out using him again.

Tel · Jan 4, 2021

Last year I bought an F2 from Blue Moon Camera in Portland Oregon. It was well serviced and has worked perfectly. (The meter is dead, but I bought it knowing that, since I always meter off-camera.) I went to them because I bought a Bronica SQ from them about five years ago and it works perfectly too. They have an in-house repairman and from my experience he's good.

Edit: +1 on the congratulations--that looks like a very sweet deal.

Eric S · Jan 4, 2021

Thanks Pentode!
Nippon Photo Clinic feels ... "clinic-y" to me... but I am sure they have white glove service and do great work.
Zack's website reads much friendlier and I'm going to talk to them.

Blue Moon Camera makes me want to jump in my car and make the 2500 mile trip to check them out. Pretty damn cool. I'm gonna reach out to them as well. Thank you Tel!

BrianShaw · Jan 4, 2021

I’m skeptical... the man doesn’t seem to understand British beer... be careful!

CMoore · Jan 4, 2021

I have sent a few different things to Zacks.
He seems like an honest guy that loves what he does.

Tel · Jan 4, 2021

Eric S said:
Blue Moon Camera makes me want to jump in my car and make the 2500 mile trip to check them out. Pretty damn cool. I'm gonna reach out to them as well. Thank you Tel!

I went there when I was in Portland for a film festival and the place blew me away. I didn't think stores like that still existed.

Huss · Jan 5, 2021

Zacks is superb. He was the only tech able to fix the light leak in my Leica M5. None of the super experts, including Leica Germany, could do it.

Something like a Nikon would be a cake walk for him.

bdial · Jan 5, 2021

Another plug for Zacks, he does very good work.

ronwhit · Jan 6, 2021

Yes to Mike Zack. Has done several CLA's for me with no problems.
ronwhit

Eric S · Jan 6, 2021

Mr Zack and I have exchanged emails and my order form is filled out and ready to go.
Just waiting for the post to show up with my minty new F2...

Pentode · Jan 6, 2021

Eric S said:
Mr Zack and I have exchanged emails and my order form is filled out and ready to go.

He just received my camera on Monday so it looks like you and I are both going to learn together whether or not he lives up to his stellar reputation!
(I actually looked for bad reviews and couldn't find a single one anywhere!)

Eric S · Jan 8, 2021

Eric S · Jan 8, 2021

I'm super happy. The meter doesn't work and many wise folks foretold. It powers up, but testing it against 2 other known good camera meters (including one that made these pictures)... the DP-1 was saying a 1/1000 shutter at f2.8 in my kitchen when the other two read 1/8th a second (at 400 ISO).

If you want to see more pictures of my new friend there's a link here.

Thanks for the moral support and for the abundant wisdom.

AgX · Jan 8, 2021

I can only refer to the picture in this thread: it is super clean. As clean as if it would have left my workshop, and I am very critical on cleaniness, even when one of mine is battered.

Nitroplait · Jan 8, 2021

Eric S said:
I'm super happy. The meter doesn't work and many wise folks foretold. It powers up, but testing it against 2 other known good camera meters (including one that made these pictures)... the DP-1 was saying a 1/1000 shutter at f2.8 in my kitchen when the other two read 1/8th a second (at 400 ISO).

If you want to see more pictures of my new friend there's a link here.

Thanks for the moral support and for the abundant wisdom.

Beautiful camera! Congratulations.
I recall a friend of mine had a meter abnormality on his old, new to him, F2 w DP-1 - I don't recall exactly what. He claimed he fixed it by going through all ISO settings and turn the shutter from B to 1/2000 and back, for each ISO setting.
It may be worth a try.

Eric S · Jan 8, 2021

AgX said:
I can only refer to the picture in this thread: it is super clean. As clean as if it would have left my workshop, and I am very critical on cleaniness, even when one of mine is battered.

Some q-tips were harmed in the making of this image

Eric S · Jan 8, 2021

Nitroplait said:
Beautiful camera! Congratulations.
I recall a friend of mine had a meter abnormality on his old, new to him, F2 w DP-1 - I don't recall exactly what. He claimed he fixed it by going through all ISO settings and turn the shutter from B to 1/2000 and back, for each ISO setting.
It may be worth a try.

Thank you! I'm going to try this!!!

logan2z · Jan 8, 2021

Eric S said:
I'm super happy. The meter doesn't work and many wise folks foretold. It powers up, but testing it against 2 other known good camera meters (including one that made these pictures)... the DP-1 was saying a 1/1000 shutter at f2.8 in my kitchen when the other two read 1/8th a second (at 400 ISO).

If you want to see more pictures of my new friend there's a link here.

Thanks for the moral support and for the abundant wisdom.

Beautiful camera. I thought I was over the idea of getting an F2 but now I'm not so sure. Thank you very much!

Andrew Patteson · Jan 8, 2021

This thread makes me happy. Thanks!

zanxion72 · Jan 8, 2021

Eric S said:
I'm super happy. The meter doesn't work and many wise folks foretold. It powers up, but testing it against 2 other known good camera meters (including one that made these pictures)... the DP-1 was saying a 1/1000 shutter at f2.8 in my kitchen when the other two read 1/8th a second (at 400 ISO).

If you want to see more pictures of my new friend there's a link here.

Thanks for the moral support and for the abundant wisdom.

I can say only one thing! Gorgeous! It is worth getting the plain prism finder for this.

Huss · Jan 8, 2021

Eric S said:
I'm super happy. The meter doesn't work and many wise folks foretold. It powers up, but testing it against 2 other known good camera meters (including one that made these pictures)... the DP-1 was saying a 1/1000 shutter at f2.8 in my kitchen when the other two read 1/8th a second (at 400 ISO).

That's just the amazing light gathering capabilities of that lens! Sucks in 7 more stops than other lenses at the same aperture setting!

Eric S · Jan 8, 2021

hahaha... who needs fancy coatings.... coatings schmoatings

Ariston · Jan 8, 2021

Eric S said:
I'm super happy. The meter doesn't work and many wise folks foretold. It powers up, but testing it against 2 other known good camera meters (including one that made these pictures)... the DP-1 was saying a 1/1000 shutter at f2.8 in my kitchen when the other two read 1/8th a second (at 400 ISO).

If you want to see more pictures of my new friend there's a link here.

Thanks for the moral support and for the abundant wisdom.

Eric, check out the SECOND page of this thread:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/dp-11-meter-issues.180501/

Since yours is responding, it is worth trying to clean that resistor ring. I think the DP-1 should be the same. It is not that hard to get to. Don't take the leatherette off; it's not necessary.

Turn the finder upside down. There are four screws holding the rubber down to remove, then four screws under that, and that's it. Take some alcohol and clean the inside of that big ring carefully, and make sure the brush is making good contact.

Valuing an F2 w/DP-1, 50mm 1.4, and Flash (Braun)

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