shutterbug.'s Review of Nikon F2 35mm SLR camera
21st Jul 2003
Overall Rating
- Value for money

- Features

very rugged shutter;
mirror lock-up (lacking on almost all current cameras);
PC sync socket (needed for studio flash...also lacking on almost all current cameras);
fully operative, except meter, without battery;
great resale value in F2AS configuration;
interchangeable finders and screens;
100% viewfinder (exactly what you see winds up on film, no more and no less);
even though discontinued over 23 years ago, accessories and parts are easily obtainable
Bad Points
HEAVY (downside of rugged);
relatively expensive but you get most if not all of your money back when you sell;
hard to find cosmetically nice samples on the used market
General Comments
If you get an F2, the DP-11 finder makes it an F2AS which is the most advanced and desireable configuration with AI lens indexing. One of the nicest things about the F2 is that it won't leave you in the lurch if your batteries die and it uses readily available MS-76 silver oxide or A-76 alkaline batteries.
You can also use virtually every Nikon SLR lens ever made except for the new G-series (no aperture ring...aperture is set electronically on the newest low-end Nikons). Other than that, you can use the 21mm f/4, 8mm f/8, 7.5mm f/5.6, and 10mm f/5.6 which all require mirror lock-up. You can use NAI Nikon lenses with stopped down metering (or pick up a NAI finder for your F2), you can use AI and AIS lenses. You can even use the AF and AF-D lenses and while they won't autofocus (that is a feature that must be supported by the body) they will operate the same as a lens of the same era as your F2...no difference at all. So, it is also a great back up if you're into the Nikon AF system or even the Nikon Digital SLR system (gotta be careful as Nikon is just beginning to make a few special lenses for their Digital SLR system that will not cover the area of a 35mm negative).
I also use this camera with my Bowens Prolite 100's (studio flash) and the combo works great. I believe (check with Nikon on your model) that all Nikons will work flash sync signals up to 15 volts...this one certainly does.
All this being said, if you won't used the features I listed under "good points", you can save money by getting the Nikon FM instead...and you can mount both AI and NAI lenses on it as the body's coupling tab can be flipped out of the way for a NAI lens.
On average, people found this review very helpful
Web Links
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Nikon F2 Professional Series SLR camera - Index Page
System overview and instruction manuals available in HTML format. ... | Back | to Main Index Page of Nikon F2 Series SLR models; | Back | to Main Index Page of Pictorial History of Nikon SLRs
www.mir.com.my -
Extension Tubes - Nikon F2 Macro-photography
Modern Classic SLR Series ; Macro/Close-up Photography with Nikon F2 Series bodies; ... | Back | to Main Index Page of Nikon F2 Series SLR models; | Back | Main Index Page of Pictorial History of
www.mir.com.my -
Nikon F2 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Nikon F2 is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) in Japan from September 1971 to June 1980. It used a horizontal-travel...
en.wikipedia.org -
Nikon F2 Finders
The Nikon F appeared in 1959, followed by the Nikon F2 in 1970. They are generally considered the most reliable of all mechanical 35 SLRs. The F2 is an improved F. Together they are the...
www.cameraquest.com -
Nikon F2 Specifications
Viewfinder: Nikon F2; Eyelevel finder DE-1 as standard; interchangeable with 8 other types, including 5 metered prisms ... Accessory shoe: Provided; special Nikon F2-type located at base of rewind knob;
www.nikonlinks.com -
NikonLinks - Home Page
Nikon Users ... Other Nikon Equipment; Binoculars, Microscopes, etc. ... Nikon Users' Gallery; Nikon users images from around the world
www.nikonlinks.com -
Nikon F / F2
Nikon F2: The F2 was designed to fix some of the ergonomic and mechanical flaws of the F. The finder doesn't vignette with long lenses, the prism finders now lock on, the wind lever is...
www.photoethnography.com -
Nikon F2 Reviews
So is the F2.... Having a computer in a camera make the decision for you is foolish. IMHO ... It is the best manual SRL ever made, and with the range of Nikon lenses and accessories, your only limit
www.photographyreview.com -
Nikon | Imaging Products | History of Products
History of Nikon Rangefinder Cameras ... History of Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) Cameras; Debut of Nikon F2 ... Nikon S3 Year 2000 Millennium Model
imaging.nikon.com -
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 G First Test: Introduction
First test of Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 G on Canon 5D DSLR ... First look: Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 G ... > See also: Nikon 14-24mm v Contax N 17-35mm v Contax 21mm f2.8 Review
www.16-9.net



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