I have an F2 with the DP-1 viewfinder: I have mostly non-Ai lenses, so the DP-1 viewfinder is essential. And like you, I prefer a meter rather than LEDs: I guess that's because I used Nikon and Pentax fully manual cameras back in the late sixties and early seventies when I was a photographer and photo editor for my college newspaper.
I agree that the F2 is the best SLR mechanical camera of all. The Leica SL(2) is also amazing but not as modular as the F2. I've had my older copy (F2S) for close to 30 years, never CLA'd and works like a charm, exposures with slide film are dead accurate!
I recently inherited my grandfather’s F Photomic and F2 with DE-1 and DP-1 finders. The latter is likely the camera that took the first photos of me walking as a baby over 40 years ago. Pop was a press photographer and suffice to say both cameras have been thoroughly thrashed then parked when he upgraded (his last camera was an F3 he used until retirement in 1991). The F2 is black however the right hand of camera is so heavily brassed it might as well be raw ;-) Yet both cameras still operate fine despite being buried in a camera bag probably since 1985 or so, just need fresh seals, a quick clean and lube and some retightening of the winders as they’re a bit loose. Run literally thousands of rolls through a camera and I guess that happens over time, even with a Nikon. You’re not wrong about the cost of some of the accessories though. The DE-1s are worth more than a decent F2 kit if in near mint condition. I don’t think Pop’s ever got used. Actually lovely to look through and the camera looks better for it too (and lighter).
Great video. A few years ago I inherited my father’s Nikon F, a 1965 model.. I appreciate it, it’s build and silky smooth lens when he bought it secondhand in the 1970s. I got hooked on Nikon, but being a poor a student, I could only afford an FM model. However, a year ago I watched a series on RUclips about all of the Nikon professional F series of cameras and I decided to buy an F2 from Japan on eBay… I haven’t been disappointed either, it’s a much more polished and refined update on the original F. I think it’s slightly smaller,but it oozes quality. Like you, I have the A version of the Photomic head with AI connection. I also like the viewfinder which I find very clear and bright. It takes me back to that long lost time of my youth. It forces you to take a much more considered approach to photography.
Good video. As you said small improvements vs the legendary « F », but so useful : the location of the shutter button in the front ( better than the F and the F3 for me) , the backdoor articulated, the shape more round than the angular « F » far more pleasant to handle, the speed up to 1/2000, the « T » mode and all what you explain in short everything is well thought and breath usage and professionalism. On my side I can prefer the FE or FE2 for its compactness and weight but you have here with the F2 one of the most well made and nice looking full mechanical camera ever made and one of my favorite. A great great camera that you can have for less than 200€ now (yours for 120€ is in an incredible state). I like to use it with the 35mm f2 and 105mm f2.5. Thanks.
I love the F2AS which I got from the UK in mint condition. It's a solid workhorse with outstanding build quality. You're right regarding the needle - it's so much better than a +/- LED.
I think you missed to mention how much heavier and bulkier this camera is than something like an FE of FM2n. Yes, it has more features and a more solid build than either of those, but for casual shooters F2 is (relatively speaking) a bit overkill.
Blooming brilliant camera. F2AS is my manual focus go to. F3P is only when I do need / want aperture priority & TTL flash. I want a DP11 for the needle. I use DP3 & DP12 but it’s led is sometimes difficult to see in bright scenes outside. But you can close the viewfinder shutter to meter from the top. DP12 is SBC blue cell so very usable even today. Low light sensitivity beyond cameras of its day.
Agreed. The LEDs are a pain, especially for those of us with less than perfect eyesight. It's also worth mentioning the huge weight. As an older disabled person it's almost impossible to haul it around whilst also using my walking stick.
Love the F2, but the cameras was completely off my radar until last year. Got a nice black one for very little with a broken metering prism. I now use exclusively it with the DW-2 x6 magnifier and 35mm shift lens.
Mine has a less smooth feel than my FM. It is however a heavily used press camera that hasn’t seen a service since the 1980s, so I’m sure there’s improvement to be made. You can definitely feel the difference between horizontal and vertical shutter curtains though.
@@SprocketHoles F3 has a fully ball-raced mechanism, completely over engineered and pure sex. I’d consider the Olympus Pen FT to be a bit ‘gritty’ feeling, definitely not nearly as smooth as the F2 or even my flogged-to-fook F for that matter.
I have an F2 with the DP-1 viewfinder: I have mostly non-Ai lenses, so the DP-1 viewfinder is essential. And like you, I prefer a meter rather than LEDs: I guess that's because I used Nikon and Pentax fully manual cameras back in the late sixties and early seventies when I was a photographer and photo editor for my college newspaper.
I agree that the F2 is the best SLR mechanical camera of all. The Leica SL(2) is also amazing but not as modular as the F2. I've had my older copy (F2S) for close to 30 years, never CLA'd and works like a charm, exposures with slide film are dead accurate!
You didn’t mention the significance of the green vs white shutter speeds. Also the T mode and the self timer allows for up to 10 second exposures.
I recently inherited my grandfather’s F Photomic and F2 with DE-1 and DP-1 finders. The latter is likely the camera that took the first photos of me walking as a baby over 40 years ago. Pop was a press photographer and suffice to say both cameras have been thoroughly thrashed then parked when he upgraded (his last camera was an F3 he used until retirement in 1991). The F2 is black however the right hand of camera is so heavily brassed it might as well be raw ;-) Yet both cameras still operate fine despite being buried in a camera bag probably since 1985 or so, just need fresh seals, a quick clean and lube and some retightening of the winders as they’re a bit loose. Run literally thousands of rolls through a camera and I guess that happens over time, even with a Nikon.
You’re not wrong about the cost of some of the accessories though. The DE-1s are worth more than a decent F2 kit if in near mint condition. I don’t think Pop’s ever got used. Actually lovely to look through and the camera looks better for it too (and lighter).
Great video. A few years ago I inherited my father’s Nikon F, a 1965 model.. I appreciate it, it’s build and silky smooth lens when he bought it secondhand in the 1970s. I got hooked on Nikon, but being a poor a student, I could only afford an FM model. However, a year ago I watched a series on RUclips about all of the Nikon professional F series of cameras and I decided to buy an F2 from Japan on eBay… I haven’t been disappointed either, it’s a much more polished and refined update on the original F. I think it’s slightly smaller,but it oozes quality. Like you, I have the A version of the Photomic head with AI connection. I also like the viewfinder which I find very clear and bright. It takes me back to that long lost time of my youth. It forces you to take a much more considered approach to photography.
Must watch Mr Woo’s discussion on the F2
The best damn camera ever made.
Good video. As you said small improvements vs the legendary « F », but so useful : the location of the shutter button in the front ( better than the F and the F3 for me) , the backdoor articulated, the shape more round than the angular « F » far more pleasant to handle, the speed up to 1/2000, the « T » mode and all what you explain in short everything is well thought and breath usage and professionalism. On my side I can prefer the FE or FE2 for its compactness and weight but you have here with the F2 one of the most well made and nice looking full mechanical camera ever made and one of my favorite. A great great camera that you can have for less than 200€ now (yours for 120€ is in an incredible state). I like to use it with the 35mm f2 and 105mm f2.5. Thanks.
I love the F2AS which I got from the UK in mint condition. It's a solid workhorse with outstanding build quality. You're right regarding the needle - it's so much better than a +/- LED.
If your winding is gritty it is definitely your camera...on my F2 the winding has a very smooth action.
Same for me :)
I think you missed to mention how much heavier and bulkier this camera is than something like an FE of FM2n. Yes, it has more features and a more solid build than either of those, but for casual shooters F2 is (relatively speaking) a bit overkill.
Congrats on the complete set, can’t wait for your FM3A video 😅
Blooming brilliant camera. F2AS is my manual focus go to. F3P is only when I do need / want aperture priority & TTL flash.
I want a DP11 for the needle. I use DP3 & DP12 but it’s led is sometimes difficult to see in bright scenes outside. But you can close the viewfinder shutter to meter from the top.
DP12 is SBC blue cell so very usable even today. Low light sensitivity beyond cameras of its day.
Agreed. The LEDs are a pain, especially for those of us with less than perfect eyesight. It's also worth mentioning the huge weight. As an older disabled person it's almost impossible to haul it around whilst also using my walking stick.
Love the F2, but the cameras was completely off my radar until last year. Got a nice black one for very little with a broken metering prism. I now use exclusively it with the DW-2 x6 magnifier and 35mm shift lens.
The 6x mag finder and a shift lens, that's an odd combo.
@@SprocketHoles The experience is similar to using a Hasselblad 500 and WLF; not so good for actions shots, but the screen image is magnificent.
Excellent video. Great teaching
Also; Should be no grit in the advance, all 3 of mine are smooth and nice.
Mine has a less smooth feel than my FM. It is however a heavily used press camera that hasn’t seen a service since the 1980s, so I’m sure there’s improvement to be made. You can definitely feel the difference between horizontal and vertical shutter curtains though.
Gritty was the wrong choice of word, its not gritty but not a sweet as the F3. It seems a bit worse based on other cameras Ive felt from the era
@@SprocketHoles F3 has a fully ball-raced mechanism, completely over engineered and pure sex. I’d consider the Olympus Pen FT to be a bit ‘gritty’ feeling, definitely not nearly as smooth as the F2 or even my flogged-to-fook F for that matter.
another con: from the F to the F3, you're pretty much limited to Nikon flashes and their proprietary mounts.
There is adapters for normal flashes AFAIK but yeah its kinda silly.
AS-1