nikon f2 review

Have a picture of Nikon F2 35mm SLR camera?, please send it to us.
Picture courtesy of Phaethon.

Average Ratings

Photograph Quality	10/10
Features	8.9/10
Ease of Use	9.3/10
Value for Money	9.9/10
Reviewer Rating	9.9/10
Overall Rating	9.4/10

100% Recommended10 out of 10 Reviews

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By shutterbug. on 21st Jul 2003

shutterbug.'s Ratings

Features	10/10
Value for money	10/10
Overall value	10/10
shutterbug.'s recommendation

Good Points

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.

Total Respect: +7