Your favorite Nikon MF SLR film camera

[kivis]

So many to choose from. Which would choose if you could only have one?

 

[Dshambli]

I do only have one, and it's an FM-10. In high school, I decided I wanted to learn photography. So I got a job solely to buy a camera (an FM-10). I used to get so angry, but I didn't want a crutch. Now I have a very close attachment to it. So it's more of a sentimental attachment than anything.

 

[Bob-D659]

I already have six, so ......... Any one of them would do,

F x 3, Nikkormat FTN x 2, F3.

Probably an F, no batteries required. Second choice the F3, purely for the TTL flash metering for macro work.
.

 

[Neanderman]

F2A or F2AS

 

[LyleB]

FM/FM2

Light, well built, easy to see meter in any light, fun.

 

[elekm]

I own and F2A and FE. Like them a lot.

I have a Nikkormat FT3, which is also excellent.

I have a Nikon EL2 -- eats batteries. Large, very heavy. Given the choice, I would pick the FE over the EL2, even thought their extremely similar in features.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

FM2

 

[brucemuir]

F2 over the F only because of the 1/2000th extra stop advantage but I like the feel of the original F a bit better.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

I only have FM2n and F3 and prefer FM2n to F3 and F3 to FM2n, depending on the moon phase, which leg I got up on in the morning and if I liked my morning coffee or not.
But if I had to choose just one, it would have to be both.

 

[blockend]

I loved my plain prism F but sold it (doh!) and the F2 is okay but nicer to look at than to use. On balance I prefer my Nikkormats.

 

[Aja B]

Gotta' go with the F2AS or F2SB for their 'less is more' qualities, in general, and in particular the improvements over the F re: mirror-lock, forward location of shutter spd dial, ADR, LED metering, 1/2000th and slow speeds. That the F2 permits long exposures (minutes, hours) without a cable-release is a bonus. If much flash is involved, FM3a for TTL metering.

I use an F occasionally but never cared much for the sharper edge of the film advance lever, preferring that of the Apollo, and mirror-lock may require a wasted frame.

 

[jglass]

FM3a: best of everything in manual focus bodies.

 

[Pumalite]

FM, Fe, FM2, F, F2AS, Nikkormats.

 

[brucemuir]

I use an F occasionally but never cared much for the sharper edge of the film advance lever, preferring that of the Apollo, and mirror-lock may require a wasted frame.

Yes, the Nikkormats had better MLU standard.
Seems odd when you think about it and at todays prices for a Nikkormat, they are great bang for buck if you don't need to switch viewfinders.

 

[removed-user-1]

After buying, using, and selling a wide variety of 35mm camera makes and models, I finally have my dream kit: both an F3HP and an FM2. If I had to choose only one of those it would be the F3 (but it would be a hard choice).

 

[lxdude]

F2 with plain prism.

P.S.: Either chrome or black is fine. PM me for the address to send it to.

 

[Vsanzbajo]

FM3A

 

[Clay2]

F2AS and MD-2 Motor Drive.

Best regards,

/Clay

 

[BobD]

For AI lenses: the FM/FE series.
For non-AI: the Nikkormat EL
For AF lenses: the N2020

 

[perkeleellinen]

I'd stick with the FM2 that I've used for the last 10 years or so, it's my only camera now and for the last few months I've been shooting solely with a 24mm lens.

 

[rhmimac]

EM+E50mmf1.8,low cost, only a small battery set needed, weighs nothing, theft proof(who cares for this cheap old thing?),A-B and M90 who needs more?,center weight TTL

done,

this thing goes where I go

 

[Vilk]

F2

 

[Chan Tran]

I have owned F2AS, F3HP, FE, FM, EM, FA as far as the manual focus cameras are concerned. My favorite is the F3HP although it was not love at first sight. It just grew on me. I do like the F2AS a lot but I like the F3HP more.

 

[Paul Goutiere]

In descending order of fondness:
1) F2
2) F3HP
3) FM2 (don't own)
4) Nikkormat (don't own)
5) F4S

 

[2F/2F]

F2 over the F only because of the 1/2000th extra stop advantage but I like the feel of the original F a bit better.

Ditto, and add the convenience of the hinged back door. Might as well make it one of the later auto indexing models while we are at it.

But nothing, and I mean NOTHING, feels as good to shoot to me as the F. I just chose the F2 for a few reasons of practicality. In the end, it is about how well a camera provides you with what you need in order to do what you want to do, not some romantic feeling about how great it "feels" to shoot it. By choosing the F2, I give up the utmost in "feel" and "style" that I get with the F in order to be able to change my film more quickly and use a faster shutter speed. The F2 has a few important added features over the F, but without going so far as to make it seem like an overkill electronic wonder camera, like the F3.

It is also really hard for me not to name the early Canon F-1. Great, great cameras. Everything I need, and nothing I don't. But maintenance and repair have proven to be hell for me with these cameras.