Why did I buy a Nikon F2? (Rant)

[Pumalite]

Sorry you had trouble with your F2. I've had 2 since seventies. Never a problem.(7404xxx, 7406xxx) I like them; as my F and Nikkormats. Maybe you'll like better the FE or FM or FE2 or FM2 or FM3A. I have them all and very happy with them

 

[CGW]

I totally disagree: age in itself plays a very small role (o.k., foam seals, etc., for those cameras which have them).

A mechanical camera can almost always be repaired by a good repairperson.

An electronic camera on the other hand, if some proprietary electronic component is no longer available, is simply a paperweight.

Also, auto-everything cameras have far more components which could go bad; AF motors, advance motors, LCD screens, many more electronic circuits, possibly lots of plastic, not to mention all the *necessary* extra "features", many of which could contribute to a catastrophic failure.

Age matters. Low rollage F2s are very rare. Repairs are problematic, thanks to parts issues and the dearth of service resources(good or otherwise). An irreparable camera is a doorstop--whether mechanical or electronic. Shutter accuracy is an issue with elderly cameras, especially "experienced" examples. Funny but I've owned a range of late model Nikon AF models--some new, most used--and none has failed.One of my F3s, an early non-HP, has a faded but still visible LCD display whose electronics are no longer available. It was probably the only failure-prone bit on a 30 year-old body. I suspect the future reduction in 35mm film/processing options will close in before my Nikon AF bodies crap out. I'd be less confident going into that uncertainty with an F or F2. I just don't consider them a workable option any longer, especially given their sometimes inflated collectible prices and dwindling repair services.

 

[DaveO]

Why buy such an old camera? Keh Camera has used Nikon F100's for between $ 200-300. They have a much better meter and are much newer. Plus they have auto focus if you want to use it.

DaveO

 

[Les Sarile]

Why buy such an old camera?

Why not . . . ;-)

 

[2F/2F]

This is dumb. It is very simple.

Buy an F2, and get it working if needed, if you want a camera like an F2.

Buy a newer camera if you want something like a newer camera. Keep it long enough, and you will need to fix it too.

Would you tell someone to buy a new Mustang fastback if an old Mustang 2+2 was just right for what they wanted to do with a hot rod? Sure, on a technical level, the new one is "better" in almost every way, and will probably be more reliable in the short term. That does not make it a replacement if it is not what one wants to drive, however.

 

[CGW]

Why not . . . ;-)

Time for the NAS 12-step Program, Les. Remember, you're either in recovery or denial.

 

[lxdude]

Why not . . . ;-)

Wow- look at all those open mouths to feed. I hope you have lots of lenses!

 

[Black Dog]

And several miles of film!

 

[Les Sarile]

Time for the NAS 12-step Program, Les. Remember, you're either in recovery or denial.

There is no denying that I don't want to recover from this total immersion mode!

Wow- look at all those open mouths to feed. I hope you have lots of lenses!

But still not enough although I am looking into various adapters to use lenses from one mount to another.

Bellows are a lot of fun too!

 

[Aja B]

Well, I see I’m arriving a little late. I didn’t take the time to read all posts but having (shooting!) several F2’s I thought I’d offer a comment. Service has never been a problem. Competent repair shops are as close as my local post office. With very few exceptions parts are never a problem; bodies are ‘mated’…that’s a nice way of saying ‘cannibalized’ via a donor body. There are plenty of low-mileage F2’s out there…several having found their way to my porch. In 10 years I expect to have more problems with service/parts for the F5, F100, FM3a, etc. than with the F2’s.

Ready for some good news? Sover Wong now offers replacement ring-resistors for the F2SB and F2AS meters (DP-3 and DP-12 prisms, respectively), including a lifetime warranty. Excuse me while I torch a roll of Tri X in the esteemed F2SB.

 

[Marvin]

I have never had a F2 but the F5, N80, and N75 that I have always been great and never seen a repair shop. I think the F5 would be repairable but the N80 and N75 might be throw aways.