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Nikon F2 - 35mm SLR camera
A Brief Description
The F2 was the second professional calibre SLR to be produced and mass marketed by Nikon Corporation. It was introduced to the world in late 1971 and raised the bar for this type of camera by forming part of a massive system of accessories, such as interchangeable prisms, focussing screens, motor-drives, flashes and many other bits and pieces designed to make the life of the professional photographer that much easier. It also featured a metering range for films from ASA 6 to 6400. Entirely mechanical in design, the camera works without batteries at all shutter speeds (batteries are only used to power the various metering prisms).
Specs
Shutter speeds: 1sec to 1/2000sec; T and Bulb; self timer delay of up to 10sec exposures
Synch speed: 1/80sec
Shutter type: Titanium
Weight: 840g
Mirror Lock-up
Variants
F2 eyelevel; F2S Photomic; F2SB; F2A; F2AS; F2 HighSpeed Models I & II; F2 Titan; F2 Data
Editors comments
The Nikon F2 is probably the finest piece of mechanical engineering to have come out of Japan in the 20th Century. Just by holding one of these magnificent cameras in your hands you bear witness to the amount of care and thought that went into its design. The feel of the shutter release, the smooth film advance...sheer bliss.
The F2 body is basically a standard piece of equipment across all the variants. Essentially its the prism that is mounted onto the body that determines the correct model nomenclature. For instance, with the DP-1 prism the camera is known as the F2 Photomic, whereas if you mount a DP-12 prism it becomes a F2AS. Apart from the electrical contacts for the flash synch and the battery used to power the various metered prisms, the F2 is a purely mechanical camera. This means it will fire at all shutter speeds without requiring any batteries.
If you have a Nikon F2 and you know how to meter with a handheld meter, it is the perfect companion to use on almost all Nikkor lenses that have aperture rings, regardless of whether they are AI or non-AI.
Depending on the model and condition you can expect to pay anything between US$120-800 for a Nikon F2. Sadly, like most SLR's, the prices of these cameras have slipped since the advent of digital photography and there is an abundance of them on the used market (which is also testament to their enduring quality).
Tell us what you think of the Nikon F2:
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 The Nikon F2
2: August 22, 2006, 11:48:29 AM by AFSif the prices stay good for a bit longer, once I have another lens I need and a TC, this will be next on my list. I have always found the F2 to be absolutely gorgeous.
The Nikon F2
3: August 22, 2006, 12:07:01 PM by DallasIt is a fine, fine camera and if you look after it, you will have something that should outlive you. Mine was an early 1972 model, so it's almost as old as I am, but definitely in better condition!
Something interesting about the Nikon F2 is that next to the Nikon F4 it has the highest Nikkor lens compatibility available. It can use pre-AI, AI and AF lenses (some with limitations). The only lens series it wouldn't be able to use (that I can think of) is the G series lenses. That's the area where the F4 trumps it - the F4 can use G series lenses in P and S modes.
The Nikon F2
4: August 23, 2006, 02:37:29 AM by AFSit is quite yummy, isn't it :smile:
thankfully I should have cheap access to darkroom facilities at college.....i'm very excited about being able to shoot film then.
The Nikon F2
5: August 23, 2006, 08:46:38 PM by GoGo
Harrison,
Glad to hear you will be shooting film, film likes to be shot with a mechanical body and there is none more deserving than the F2. I still have mine and I recently picked up a twin for it. Collectors are hot for the F2's out there but a shooter rather than a collector piece will serve you well. If you plan on shooting b/w film pick one and stay with it, make only small changes to your developing method for the first few attempts and don't over agitate your developer.
You are going to really like the skin tones you can get with b/w film. And you may have an interesting subject or two available?
The Nikon F2
6: August 23, 2006, 09:10:19 PM by AFSI hope so in the subject department, Giorgio :smirk: college will be good in that regard.
I have shot Tri-X 400 in the past and love the results. So i'll probably use that for my B&W
Re: The Nikon F2
7: January 28, 2007, 07:51:59 PM by nfotoI own ALL of the Nikon F2 versions, a total of some 9 or 10 bodies if memory serves me correctly. The favourite always was the F2 Titan, an incredibly tough and robust tool. Second came the F2SB.
I no longer use any of them, but memories linger on. And I still think the F2 was the best camera ever produced by Nikon. The "F" was revolutionary, the "F2" evolutionary and polished off the rough edges of the "F" in all aspects (not just literally).
Re: The Nikon F2
8: January 29, 2007, 10:59:41 PM by AFSOkay, I broke down and bought one. F2A, would have preferred a Titan or AS but those were out of my price range. I'm adding an AR-1 soft release, maybe a few other accessories soon.
Re: The Nikon F2
10: January 30, 2007, 10:15:44 PM by AFSI've already had the F3, but I've used the F2 before and it really called to me. It's a mechanical masterpiece.
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Nikon F2