What is the most rugged F and why?

Ariston · Dec 8, 2020

It's probably been asked before, but I would like to hear fresh perspectives.

I have an F, F3, and an F4. I would probably say the F, just because it is mechanical. The F4 feels very solid, though. The LCD light in my F3 is not working, so I can't vote for it (though it may have had a rougher life).

What are your thoughts? If you have more than one, rank them.

If you are a camera repairman (or know one), what do you consider the toughest based on your repair experience?

cerber0s · Dec 8, 2020

I'd like to toss in the F2 there

MattKing · Dec 8, 2020

If you have an F that has been well used and currently is working well, it clearly is rugged.
The F was introduced when I was 3 years old. I'm certainly not working as well as when I was 3!

Paul Howell · Dec 8, 2020

I used F, F2 and F3P when working for the wires, never had an issue with them. The F3P was weatherized, as is the F4, the F3P had the self timer removed had a built in hot shoe, so less to go wrong. Still, most of the folks I worked with thought the F2 was stronger never knew what made them think the F2 was stronger. Unless someone tested to destruction don't know which would fare better.

RLangham · Dec 8, 2020

I have heard that F2 is more rugged than F. I don't know, I've never used F.

My opinion is that it really depends on what kind of potential trauma you want your camera to bear up to. I think all-mechanical cameras handle atmospheric humidity better, and depending on the lube can definitely handle cold weather better, as batteries stop working efficiently in cold temps.

My F2, however, does not like prolonged cold exposure. The mirror stops wanting to go up.

As for drop damage my money is probably on the electronic ones, if they're well-built.

narsuitus · Dec 8, 2020

I have owned and used the Nikon F, F2, F3, and F4. I still own and use the F2 and F4.

All were rugged and very reliable.

I personally prefer the manual/mechanical F and F2 over the automatic/electronic F3 and F4. However, based on my ownership and usage, I cannot provide proof that one is more rugged than another.

Nikon F4 & F2 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

jimjm · Dec 8, 2020

I own, or have owned, several examples of each of the F, F2, F3 & F4. The F3 was the only one that has ever "failed" on me, when the LCD display began fading on a well-used body that was over 30 years old. Otherwise, they've all been great.
I'd vote for the F2 as the toughest, as Nikon probably learned a lot from widespread feedback from PJ's using the F so extensively, and incorporated many improvements. Also, not being as electronics-dependent as later models.
I have an F2 body that looks like it's been thru the wringer. I bought it years ago as a parts body for $20, and discovered that everything works perfectly. It's just as smooth as my cleanest F2, speeds are all spot-on and the mirror box, shutter and film chamber are in excellent condition. I just stuck an old brassed F plain prism on it and it's been a great shooter. Fair amount of brassing and lots of dings all over the top and bottom plates and warped/bulging front plate surrounding the lens mount. It appears someone took a ball peen hammer to the finder release button as it's surrounded by dings. Hell, I haven't even replaced the mirror foam yet, I just keep using the darn thing.

NB23 · Dec 8, 2020

The more time goes by, the more I keep
Reading about F3 failures.

My rating would go like this.

F. You can take a bath with it. And when it dries, you can use it no problem.

F2. Just no bath. Everything else OK.

F4. A tank.

F5. A tank.

F3. If you bump it where the rewind lever is, there is the motherboard: you toast the camera. And various other small issues that I keep reading here and there.

Dan Fromm · Dec 8, 2020

None will survive being used to drive nails.

Ariston · Dec 8, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
None will survive being used to drive nails.

Sure they will. You just have to drive the nail lens first.

The F2 will probably be my next purchase. Although I said my F3 was the least reliable, I should mention that it may be the most enjoyable to use, nonetheless.

Colin Corneau · Dec 8, 2020

I'd have to second the F2 for all the points mentioned already.

Although I have to think the toughest Nikon F was the one that stopped a sniper's bullet from killing Don McCullin.

Paul Howell · Dec 8, 2020

The F2 will probably be my next purchase.

How about F2 with standard unmetered Nikon DE-1, if you can find one.

awty · Dec 8, 2020

The black F with eye level view finder.

Just ask Dennis.

RLangham · Dec 8, 2020

jimjm said:
I own, or have owned, several examples of each of the F, F2, F3 & F4. The F3 was the only one that has ever "failed" on me, when the LCD display began fading on a well-used body that was over 30 years old. Otherwise, they've all been great.
I'd vote for the F2 as the toughest, as Nikon probably learned a lot from widespread feedback from PJ's using the F so extensively, and incorporated many improvements. Also, not being as electronics-dependent as later models.
I have an F2 body that looks like it's been thru the wringer. I bought it years ago as a parts body for $20, and discovered that everything works perfectly. It's just as smooth as my cleanest F2, speeds are all spot-on and the mirror box, shutter and film chamber are in excellent condition. I just stuck an old brassed F plain prism on it and it's been a great shooter. Fair amount of brassing and lots of dings all over the top and bottom plates and warped/bulging front plate surrounding the lens mount. It appears someone took a ball peen hammer to the finder release button as it's surrounded by dings. Hell, I haven't even replaced the mirror foam yet, I just keep using the darn thing.

Funny, my F2 has much less cosmetic damage and yet X sync and the top speed are both nonfunctional. I don't know what caused that but it goes to show you can never tell. It has one bad ding by the lever and signs of heavy use... on the X-sync problem I imagine the contact may have just worn down to where it's not touching.

Sirius Glass · Dec 8, 2020

RLangham said:
Funny, my F2 has much less cosmetic damage and yet X sync and the top speed are both nonfunctional. I don't know what caused that but it goes to show you can never tell. It has one bad ding by the lever and signs of heavy use... on the X-sync problem I imagine the contact may have just worn down to where it's not touching.

Candidate for a CLA. No excuse.

RLangham · Dec 8, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
Candidate for a CLA. No excuse.

No, I know. I was going to send it to Mike Trost last week but I found a listing for an F2S in great shape with an ugly winding lever (broken so the seller has it wrapped in electric tape) for only about twenty bucks more than Mike Trost charges for simple repairs--$100 USD shipped. A deal like that doesn't come around every day. That's less than a third what I paid for my F2SB, and a good bit below market price for the F2S. I snagged it. Probably use the body more than the finder--the DP-2 is transitional and in my view a little flawed.

I'll send my first F2 body off to Mr. Trost the next time I have a big check from my antique store booth. For now I'll use that body... should arrive soon.

AnselMortensen · Dec 8, 2020

Hmmm....
I've used F's, F2's F3's, and F4's.
My F4S failed me in sub-zero temps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when photographing Eddie Cheever with the Olympic Torch...I got 2 shots, then it gave up.
My F3HP failed me one summer day in Palm Springs, CA when the temperature outside was ~105°F...got nada....it worked fine after it cooled down.
Other than those issues, they've all been pretty rugged.
The F4 is definitely the most flash-friendly, however.
The F is a PITA to load, because the back comes off completely.
I currently only have an F3HP...because glasses.

flavio81 · Dec 8, 2020

Most rugged "F"? Probably the Spotmatic F or the (Canon) F1... Or the Rolleiflex 3.5F...

Oh well in the Nikon world, surely it's NOT the F3, which can't even keep its memory lock in place. However, I like it a lot.

Probably the F2 is more rugged, even though the F looks more tough.

flavio81 · Dec 8, 2020

NB23 said:
The more time goes by, the more I keep
Reading about F3 failures (...)
F3. If you bump it where the rewind lever is, there is the motherboard: you toast the camera. And various other small issues that I keep reading here and there.

Yep, my former F3's meter died silently while my camera was just stored inside its bag for a few months. Now I pray my current F3 doesn't die.

Ariston said:
Although I said my F3 was the least reliable, I should mention that it may be the most enjoyable to use, nonetheless.

I agree. My preferred Nikon. The contemporary Canon F1N is superior in many aspects, yet the F3 is more enjoyablle in the hands.

flavio81 · Dec 9, 2020

AnselMortensen said:
Hmmm....
I've used F's, F2's F3's, and F4's.
My F4S failed me in sub-zero temps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when photographing Eddie Cheever with the Olympic Torch...I got 2 shots, then it gave up..

What did you do? Backup camera?

AnselMortensen · Dec 9, 2020

No backup...I got the shot needed.

RLangham · Dec 9, 2020

AnselMortensen said:
Hmmm....
I've used F's, F2's F3's, and F4's.
My F4S failed me in sub-zero temps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when photographing Eddie Cheever with the Olympic Torch...I got 2 shots, then it gave up.
My F3HP failed me one summer day in Palm Springs, CA when the temperature outside was ~105°F...got nada....it worked fine after it cooled down.
Other than those issues, they've all been pretty rugged.
The F4 is definitely the most flash-friendly, however.
The F is a PITA to load, because the back comes off completely.
I currently only have an F3HP...because glasses.

Battery failure due to chemical change at low temp?

eli griggs · Dec 9, 2020

Cold temps cam make any battery fail, IME, and Sub-Zero will be a tough but to crack, if camera's, motor drives, etc are no protected to some degree.

Keep your batteries in pockets or well insolated packs and have several, all new, to swap out during a shoot, or better yet, an external power line to a device with a battery pack in a 'warm' pocket or pouch.

Glove warmers are also an option, though I've only been in conditions a few times to warrant that step, which needs several layers between batteries and warm (hot) pack.

Heat likely caused a circuit board to expand and short/fail.

I have a Grundig 400 YB that used to stop working in 95°F heat, but eventually, 'out grew' that condition.

Canon F1n and F1N AE, then Nikon F and F2, in that order.

I had a F1n (2ed gen.) all over Enewetok Atoll, with at least forty or fifty hours in Huey flight time, heavy salt spray, 24/7, passing showers, condensation from moving up into cooler air or
lying through/above rain, etc.

No so much as a hiccup and Mount Rainier, a week on the cusp of the glacier, in the dead of winter, as well as weeks in Yakima, all season's, were taken in stride without a single failure.

I like the F's removable back, it breaks up routine handling, just for fun.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 9, 2020

jimjm said:
I own, or have owned, several examples of each of the F, F2, F3 & F4. The F3 was the only one that has ever "failed" on me, when the LCD display began fading on a well-used body that was over 30 years old. Otherwise, they've all been great.
I'd vote for the F2 as the toughest, as Nikon probably learned a lot from widespread feedback from PJ's using the F so extensively, and incorporated many improvements. Also, not being as electronics-dependent as later models.
I have an F2 body that looks like it's been thru the wringer. I bought it years ago as a parts body for $20, and discovered that everything works perfectly. It's just as smooth as my cleanest F2, speeds are all spot-on and the mirror box, shutter and film chamber are in excellent condition. I just stuck an old brassed F plain prism on it and it's been a great shooter. Fair amount of brassing and lots of dings all over the top and bottom plates and warped/bulging front plate surrounding the lens mount. It appears someone took a ball peen hammer to the finder release button as it's surrounded by dings. Hell, I haven't even replaced the mirror foam yet, I just keep using the darn thing.

View attachment 261192 View attachment 261193 View attachment 261194 View attachment 261195 View attachment 261196

oh my gosh; never seen suc an abused camera. I always treat mine like ladies.

GKC · Dec 9, 2020

I haven't used all the Fs to make a fair comparison but my F2 is as rugged as they come.

What is the most rugged F and why?

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