Man that F2 looks absolutely mint! Mine is at the opposite end of the spectrum, was my grandfather's press camera (one of them anyway, he had at least two Fs and an F3 as well) and half of the black paint has been brassed off! Yet, despite thousands upon thousands of rolls put through it and having been stuffed in a bag for about 30 years, it still works almost perfectly. Fresh light seals and a little CL to get back the slow speeds is all it needs.
I’m one of those who feel the F2 is at the top of the mechanical 35mm camera mountain. Mr. Woo had to blast through that very fast, but a thorough examination of the F2’s features and operation, including all of the accessories mentioned, could span an hour or more. I would happily sit through such a video.
The comment that this camera was built like a tank was so true but once you add the battery pack and the motor drive it looks like one as well. While some might hate AA batteries the advantage is that you can find them anywhere, if you are on a shoot today and you forget your spare battery your shoot is over, even if you have your charger you lose a lot of time. you may be 5 minutes from a store or gas station and can get batteries and go back to your shoot. Sometimes old technology is not so bad. Very well done John and Mr. Woo, wonderful camera, looks mint.
Back in the late 1960s, when I worked for a newspaper, I used a Nikon F with non-metered prism with no motor drive. In 1971, I replaced my two Nikon F SLR cameras with two F2 bodies with motor drives, and non-metered prism. Later, I used the F3 for auto exposure with the built-in light meter. Lastly, I used the F4 for shooting auto focus lenses with built-in motor drive and built-in auto exposure light meter. I no longer own or use the Nikon F or F3. However, I still shoot with the F2 and F4. To this day, the F2 remains my favorite 35mm SLR.
I agree, Nikons will last forever if you look after them. My wedding present from my father was a Nikon FE, already many years old when I got it, and two outstanding Carl Zeiss lenses. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary and the FE is going as strong as the day I got it. I guess it'll last me into retirement. I disagree with the last statement "not like cameras these days" as when our first daughter was born, we got a Nikon D70, which we still use weekly, has travelled the world with us from all over Europe, to Africa, and back. We use it in the harshest conditions, including in the tropical rain forests, and it does not die. Its only "drawbacks" compared to modern DSLRs are peripheral - like the memory card, or "only" having 6 Megapixels, which frankly, gives more detail than a good ISO 100 film anyway, and lower resolution images "weigh" less, so are quicker and easier to manipulate. I just hope that my kids and future grandchildren get to enjoy and learn using these wonderful tools, like I have done.
Little error with the explanation of the self timer. It is not for long exposure, it is a lever to set up to 10 seconds self timer. Great video again from Mr Woo as always. 😊
The self timer has two functions. 1 as a normal self timer. For speeds 1sec to 1/2000 after cocking shutter, wind on self timer, press the silver button self timer kicks in 2 as a long exposure setting 2,,4,6,8,10 sec timer Set shutter to B, twist collar to T, twist self timer lever to desired speed2,4,6,8,10 release shutter button. Shutter will be timed as set. Remember to rest collar back to L after use
Great video gentlemen! If you were to buy only one Nikon film camera, what would it be? I don’t have one and I’m thinking F2, F3, or F6. I had the opportunity once to buy a near mint F2 and never picked it up. Regrets there! I have an old D200, one lens and a flash, that’s it for Nikon for me. But I’d like a Nikon film camera. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Man that F2 looks absolutely mint! Mine is at the opposite end of the spectrum, was my grandfather's press camera (one of them anyway, he had at least two Fs and an F3 as well) and half of the black paint has been brassed off! Yet, despite thousands upon thousands of rolls put through it and having been stuffed in a bag for about 30 years, it still works almost perfectly. Fresh light seals and a little CL to get back the slow speeds is all it needs.
I’m one of those who feel the F2 is at the top of the mechanical 35mm camera mountain. Mr. Woo had to blast through that very fast, but a thorough examination of the F2’s features and operation, including all of the accessories mentioned, could span an hour or more. I would happily sit through such a video.
BTW that particular copy of the F2 is mint including the drive. Belongs to a collector
The comment that this camera was built like a tank was so true but once you add the battery pack and the motor drive it looks like one as well. While some might hate AA batteries the advantage is that you can find them anywhere, if you are on a shoot today and you forget your spare battery your shoot is over, even if you have your charger you lose a lot of time. you may be 5 minutes from a store or gas station and can get batteries and go back to your shoot. Sometimes old technology is not so bad. Very well done John and Mr. Woo, wonderful camera, looks mint.
I still use one today: Nikon F2S from 1974, and I purchased my 1st Nikon F in 1971. Both are built for more than 50 years in use.
Back in the late 1960s, when I worked for a newspaper, I used a Nikon F with non-metered prism with no motor drive.
In 1971, I replaced my two Nikon F SLR cameras with two F2 bodies with motor drives, and non-metered prism.
Later, I used the F3 for auto exposure with the built-in light meter.
Lastly, I used the F4 for shooting auto focus lenses with built-in motor drive and built-in auto exposure light meter.
I no longer own or use the Nikon F or F3. However, I still shoot with the F2 and F4. To this day, the F2 remains my favorite 35mm SLR.
I agree, Nikons will last forever if you look after them. My wedding present from my father was a Nikon FE, already many years old when I got it, and two outstanding Carl Zeiss lenses. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary and the FE is going as strong as the day I got it. I guess it'll last me into retirement. I disagree with the last statement "not like cameras these days" as when our first daughter was born, we got a Nikon D70, which we still use weekly, has travelled the world with us from all over Europe, to Africa, and back. We use it in the harshest conditions, including in the tropical rain forests, and it does not die. Its only "drawbacks" compared to modern DSLRs are peripheral - like the memory card, or "only" having 6 Megapixels, which frankly, gives more detail than a good ISO 100 film anyway, and lower resolution images "weigh" less, so are quicker and easier to manipulate. I just hope that my kids and future grandchildren get to enjoy and learn using these wonderful tools, like I have done.
What a beast to carry around that rig must be.
Little error with the explanation of the self timer. It is not for long exposure, it is a lever to set up to 10 seconds self timer. Great video again from Mr Woo as always. 😊
The self timer has two functions. 1 as a normal self timer. For speeds 1sec to 1/2000 after cocking shutter, wind on self timer, press the silver button self timer kicks in
2 as a long exposure setting 2,,4,6,8,10 sec timer
Set shutter to B, twist collar to T, twist self timer lever to desired speed2,4,6,8,10 release shutter button. Shutter will be timed as set. Remember to rest collar back to L after use
That is the absolutely cleanest F2 in existence, surely
Yes it is owned by a camera collector who buys only mint cameras . No scratches and he pays top dollar
What a joy to watch. ❤
John that Nikon F2 looks Brand New. Learning Stuff Everyday! Thank You for the Video. Cheers!
Ya Randall it belongs to a buddy of mine who a camera collector and everything he has is pristine
Mr Woo for President!
In my opinion, the F2 is the best camera ever made.
i love this guy
thanks, love it
Great video gentlemen! If you were to buy only one Nikon film camera, what would it be? I don’t have one and I’m thinking F2, F3, or F6. I had the opportunity once to buy a near mint F2 and never picked it up. Regrets there! I have an old D200, one lens and a flash, that’s it for Nikon for me. But I’d like a Nikon film camera. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I would go for a F2 or F3 HP
@@Photojouralist123 thank you!
The Canon New F-1 are the best ever made analog SLR professional system Camera ! The Nikon F2 was Nikons best, but it was second to the Canon !
Great choice - loved everything about the F2 (except for maybe the hotshoe ... 🦘
Hot shoe was amazing 🤩 it’s a perfect camera