Where have all the Nikons gone?

[trendland]

The lady of the house still has her F301 (N2000 in the US) she bought new in 1986 - works like a charm (even the built-in alarm clock) !

Yes I know my original one from 1987 is broken - but it has seen dramatical jobs.
A cheap camera (cheaper than F3 to that time) but real stabile.2004 I was able to repair it buy myselve. But later it crashed again heavily. I would never do such shootings with expansive equipment.
But it is still working (but I can't look through the viewfinder) mirror trubbles.
with regards
PS : 1988 most proffessionals don't like the "new" F3 - I can't understand this.
With the F4 I felt the same as others with F3.
Real fellows swear on F2 - they gave me recomandation :"Better you buy a used F2 than a new F3" but F2 was too expensive to that time in good condition - so it was to every time a max. rare camera.

 

[BrianShaw]

(snip)
PS : 1988 most proffessionals don't like the "new" F3 - I can't understand this.

With the F4 I felt the same as others with F3.
(snip)

I understand old curmudgeons that didn't like the newer technology... but if this was such an problem why did they sell so many of them and build them for so many years?

Regarding F4 (and anything after F3)... I'm with you!

 

[trendland]

Last year my son-in-law bought an F2 with working meter and lens at a very reasonable price from a dealer with guarantee, so they are out there. Have had Fs from 1959 and two years ago got an F2. Meter didn’t work but I never liked Nikon’s bulky meters and put on a standard prism. Of course when buying cameras used by professionals should be avoided, and best if owned by MD or successful lawyer. Good F2 cameras are out there, but patience is required.

I would not see this as you.There are still real good F2 in auctions but nowbody of us may afford the pricing today.
And with the pricing we may (normaly) can afford you can buy a used F2 with smal risk (it is one of most stable cameras) but all of them are very heavily used.
Exeptions you may see with Theos Post -
but he was much much earlier than others.
So if you want to spent 2000 bucks you may spent in addition time for research but I remember some from specialized dealers. (phantastic conditioned).
The point of mine is :"years ago you had the need of more research - but there we're private auctions with granddad's "unused" Nikon at a pricing around $150,-
And with much luck there was the change to get the rare F2 in "new" at this pricing. Today dealers specialized to the last offerings from private sellers.
Special the phantastic manual lenses see a revival (and higher and higher pricing)
But good conditioned Nikon lenses you never saw for less (exeption the days of beginning digital hysteria)....
with regards

 

[trendland]

I understand old curmudgeons that didn't like the newer technology... but if this was such an problem why did they sell so many of them and build them for so many years?

Regarding F4 (and anything after F3)... I'm with you!

Well - 89% of buyers of a so called "proffessional" 35 mm camera are amateuric photographers. They might loved F4's autofocus.The rest who bought F4 were press photographers who need a fast 35mm System.
Real photographers (sorry for this term) did not used this F4 - they got Leicas to that time (if they used 35mm - most did not use smal formats).
By the way F4 first generation is still real cheap...but how want to buy this ugly platic monsters....
with regards

 

[trendland]

"who want to buy this ugly plastic monsters"
(30 years old F4's)
wrong spelling above from "fast typing"
-sorry

 

[trendland]

I have six of them (4x F2AS, 1x F2A, 1x F2), four with MD2-MB1s. Three bodies are "mint" as are two of the motor drives. I'd sell my first-born before I'd part with any of them...

Hey hey "selling first born" - can you just tell at what pricing (around) your mind condition f2 was and at what year?
with regards

PS : By the way "real mint" to me is a relative term. Some say:" this F2 I can offer you is real mint but you have to know it is a camera of an age > 40 years.
That is the condition Theo showed.
You have little scratches onto camera surface and mostly black color is a little damaged.But that is meanwhile a very rare and expansive condition.
"Real mint is the same as new - not a single little scratch a.s.o. like this :

(No worry it is not mine - so burglars pls. don't come over)

 

[Arlen Anderson]

Greetings APUG/PHOTRIO, This is my first post on this great site. Thread inspired me to go in search of the Nikon F2AS. Some things are just meant to be, because I found an original owner F2AS that may not even been used or just a few shutter actuations! A son was selling this camera that his Dad had bought new and had not used. I'm glad I did this as I was able to complete my Nikon series of Professional cameras. At least one from each era. I'm very glad and excited to be able to find one this nice to complete my collection. Thanks APUG for all the great conversations!

 

[mshchem]

This is the first time that I read about F2s being unreliable. But years are passing indeed, and what yesterday could be the most advisable choice, today could indeed have turned into the choice for the most patient diehards. Still, it's quite disconcerting reading how someone swears on these machines being unreliable and costy to maintain, and then in the next message someone else swearing over them being a tank.

I have used Nikon F2 cameras since 1973 as an amateur. I've yet to experience any kind of failure . I have replaced foam on a couple F bodies over the years. Another note several years back I compared meter readings from a F, F2, F3, F5 and a Minolta IIIF meter. Using a 18% gray card all meters gave readings that did not vary by more than 1/3 EV. All the cameras I own are old but not worn. I think other than foam, these cameras only fail after several hundred thousand cycles. A camera that has been used by a working journalist for years is probably going to need repairs. If you get a excellent example from a reliable dealer, I personally would not expect problems .
Best Regards Mike

 

[trendland]

Greetings APUG/PHOTRIO, This is my first post on this great site. Thread inspired me to go in search of the Nikon F2AS. Some things are just meant to be, because I found an original owner F2AS that may not even been used or just a few shutter actuations! A son was selling this camera that his Dad had bought new and had not used. I'm glad I did this as I was able to complete my Nikon series of Professional cameras. At least one from each era. I'm very glad and excited to be able to find one this nice to complete my collection. Thanks APUG for all the great conversations!

Congratulatons I just see you do it right - and we others should learn from you :
(to buy the right stuff at the right time to best price)
with regards

 

[trendland]

I have used Nikon F2 cameras since 1973 as an amateur. I've yet to experience any kind of failure . I have replaced foam on a couple F bodies over the years. Another note several years back I compared meter readings from a F, F2, F3, F5 and a Minolta IIIF meter. Using a 18% gray card all meters gave readings that did not vary by more than 1/3 EV. All the cameras I own are old but not worn. I think other than foam, these cameras only fail after several hundred thousand cycles. A camera that has been used by a working journalist for years is probably going to need repairs. If you get a excellent example from a reliable dealer, I personally would not expect problems .
Best Regards Mike

You are normaly identfy proffessional press used F bodys from massive damage. In normaly cases the F cameras are still working but are looking as they are coming directly from the "frontline".
Some did come indeed from such areas in the past - some was missing together with their owner : "war photographers".
By the way - this type of photograpers were the pioneers of 35mm proffessional press photography.Before vietnam campagne photography smaler as 120/ 4x5 had no professional reputation.
I don't want to image who terrible it would be to shot with Rolleiflex 6x6 or Hasselblad under enemy fire.
F2 did it !
with regard

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have to confess: I have not searched for nor bought a Nikon F or Nikon F2. Not that they are bad cameras. Nay, I think that they are excellent cameras. I just have not made any effort, serious or otherwise to buy one. My bad.

 

[macfred]

...
F2 did it !

F3 did it too. Some of you might remember the Nikon F3 advertisement in Germany (not my photograph):

Nikon F3 advertisement by wolf4max, on Flickr

 

[Moopheus]

Did Japan camera dealers vacuum up all the good Nikon F2 bodies while nobody was looking?

I don't know why it would seem odd that Japanese dealers would have relatively good supplies of things originally made in Japan. And I've purchased a few items from Japanese dealers on ebay and have generally had fair dealings with them.

 

[abruzzi]

I don't know why it would seem odd that Japanese dealers would have relatively good supplies of things originally made in Japan. And I've purchased a few items from Japanese dealers on ebay and have generally had fair dealings with them.

yup. I bought most of my old Pentax glass from sellers in Japan, and have always had a good experience. If they use EMS shipping it makes it here in a week too.

 

[chip j]

NIKON-the Grand Old Man of 35mm slrs!

 

[BrianShaw]

Well - 89% of buyers of a so called "proffessional" 35 mm camera are amateuric photographers. They might loved F4's autofocus.The rest who bought F4 were press photographers who need a fast 35mm System.
Real photographers (sorry for this term) did not used this F4 - they got Leicas to that time (if they used 35mm - most did not use smal formats).
By the way F4 first generation is still real cheap...but how want to buy this ugly platic monsters....
with regards

Agreed, but I was asking about you saying the majority of pros didn't like the F3...

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The Blue Moon website shows CLA'd F2's, F2A's from $200 to $450.

That doesn't seem expensive for a fully functioning F2.

 

[mshchem]

You are normaly identfy proffessional press used F bodys from massive damage. In normaly cases the F cameras are still working but are looking as they are coming directly from the "frontline".
Some did come indeed from such areas in the past - some was missing together with their owner : "war photographers".
By the way - this type of photograpers were the pioneers of 35mm proffessional press photography.Before vietnam campagne photography smaler as 120/ 4x5 had no professional reputation.
I don't want to image who terrible it would be to shot with Rolleiflex 6x6 or Hasselblad under enemy fire.
F2 did it !
with regard

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you are saying . Good day

 

[trendland]

yup. I bought most of my old Pentax glass from sellers in Japan, and have always had a good experience. If they use EMS shipping it makes it here in a week too.

I made excelent experience too with Japan dealers. I bougt a Pentax 2xconverter 6x7. At the time I got my new P67II I did not buy because it was priced nearly at 800 bucks. The main issue from Japan dealer my point is : It was not so much the extreme cheap price - I was affraid about the condition (therefore the cheap pricing ?) The pictures of the item did look good - but who knows.
Seconds after I hold the converter from Japan I my hand (I had to pay taxes before) I realized : IT WAS A NEW ONE !!!
with regards
PS : Of course Janpan dealers are sitting at the source with Japan equipment - a little advantage.

 

[trendland]

yup. I bought most of my old Pentax glass from sellers in Japan, and have always had a good experience. If they use EMS shipping it makes it here in a week too.

I made excelent experience too with Japan dealers. I bougt a Pentax 2xconverter 6x7. At the time I got my new P67II I did not buy because it was priced nearly at 800 bucks. The main issue from Japan dealer my point is : It was not so much the extreme cheap price - I was affraid about the condition (therefore the cheap pricing ?) The pictures of the item did look good - but who knows.
Seconds after I hold the converter from Japan I my hand (I had to pay taxes before) I realized : IT WAS A NEW ONE !!!
with regards
PS : Of course Janpan dealers are sitting at the source with Japan equipment - a little advantage.

 

[trendland]

Sorry for posting twice - cellphone doubled the post (not the first time)

 

[trendland]

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you are saying . Good day

In wartime it is bad to build up a tripod under enemy fire and shot 4x5.
Therefore Rollei 6x6 and Hasselblad gave advantage and 120 format was good enough. But to focus (at the frontline is a real risk).So some used Leica cameras.
Nikon offered a Leica "like" 35mm and began with Nikon F. From war photographers other professional noticed statements of remarcable reliabitity of Nikon 35mm. So first professionals ordered Nikon F (mostly to shot press photography) others hold on LeicaM.
Most shot 5x7 with professional work.
Later amateuric photographers saw Nikon cameras in proffesional hands.
The beginning of Nikons reputation at the time (before this) german camera industry delivered the whole world with their products (cameras and lenses) and don't care about Japan cameras. A big failure by the way.
And under extreme condition Nikon F don't have a need to focus it. Some hold their motorized "F" over their head and covered while shoting pictures. No way with Hasselblad and Rollei 6x6 from my point.
with regards

 

[trendland]

F3 did it too. Some of you might remember the Nikon F3 advertisement in Germany (not my photograph):

Nikon F3 advertisement by wolf4max, on Flickr

Yes they all did it F/F2/F3.......Canon was later if I remember right. The point on Canon was the Canon AE1 much later.
They did it in oposite direction to Nikon.
With the million selling AE1 Canon began it's reputation from amateuric photographers who loved the cheap pricing and shot with exposure automatic
control.
with regards

 

[Les Sarile]

And under extreme condition Nikon F don't have a need to focus it. Some hold their motorized "F" over their head and covered while shoting pictures. No way with Hasselblad and Rollei 6x6 from my point.
with regards

With the much bigger WL finder in these MF cameras, you can actually focus while shooting overhead. You cannot properly focus the tiny 35mm WL finders this way.

 

[Les Sarile]

Yes they all did it F/F2/F3.......Canon was later if I remember right. The point on Canon was the Canon AE1 much later.
They did it in oposite direction to Nikon.
With the million selling AE1 Canon began it's reputation from amateuric photographers who loved the cheap pricing and shot with exposure automatic
control.
with regards

I am not sure what you mean or if you're just not aware of other pro cameras s during that time but this may help.