The pinnacle of camera design? A 1979 Nikon F2

[@jamesmorrell2901]

I was heavily involved with film photography back in 1969 through 1971 as a photojournalist and photo editor for my college newspaper. Back then I used Nikon F Photomics that belonged to the newspaper, and I learned many of the tricks of shooting manual cameras. I've been away from film for many years now: I recently bought a Nikon F2 Photomic body to go along with a Nikkormat FTN and five Nikkor prime lenses I bought within the past six weeks or so. Just handling a manual camera again is a real joy: I've been concentrating on the Nikkormat, which I bought it first, but I'm looking forward to shooting with the F2.

[@nazahamed5860]

dear lord, that is one mint looking F2.

[@garyallen7868]

You're absolutely right, I love using my F and F2 to this day. Been in this for over fifty years and still get excited to go out see what pops up, you just never know.

[@robertyoung1777]

They are beautiful machines that feel great in use!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Agree!

[@eric2685]

Build quality in the film cameras is usually far better than with modern digital equipment , particularly with that notorious peeling away of the rubber from Nikon bodies . Yes , agree with what has been said about the creative and thinking aspects to picture taking . Maximising depth of field using Hyperfocal Distance is something I used a lot way back when . Still have an F2 Nikon , which I do use occasionally . Am midway through a roll of Ilford HP 5 at present .

[@burneshollyman2621]

Simply the best YT channel on cameras out there! If I lived in UK I would only buy cameras from your store. Keep up the brilliant videos!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks!

[@tommymonolo]

Totally agree ! I’ve just recently got into medium format and the challenge is epic ! I have the Mamiya 645 1000s which is beautiful…. Saying that I’m yearning for a hasselblad 50cm on a daily basis 😊! Keep on shooting on ! Great videos ! Tommy.😊

[@phillipP8848]

i agree 110%. Thank you for your reveal about Film Cameras.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was useful!

[@jamespowers8826]

I agree. The DE-2 finder was bulky to me; but, with the DE-1, it was a sweet camera.

[@HansRutenbrecher]

Very well said sir. Getting my second F2 Titanium in the mail today. Greetings

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The titanium version is the best of the best!

[@peter2712]

The F2 is my daily carry camera. Excellent video. Best way to understand the basics, use a manual camera.

[@AlbertMartino-b9l]

You are so right. Like so much today companies lower to you not thinking..point and shoot.

[@bondgabebond4907]

Can't disagree with you. I purchased my 1979 Nikon F2A new in Japan. It is my baby and is still with me. Hundreds of rolls went through that camera, and it still looks almost as new as the day I bought it. Never failed me. But due to the expense of film/processing, I moved into the digital world with wonderful Sony digital mirrorless cameras. Getting all the attention now is my aging but excellent Sony A7R3, a photographers dream camera.

[@IanBray-v6p]

Bravo Jonathan, couldn’t agree more. I shoot almost exclusively on film and meter with a handheld light meter, it is about being in control of taking the photo. Keep up the good work 👍

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - appreciated

[@cameraprepper7938]

I think that the Nikon F2 was the best made analogue 35mm SLR Camera !

[@flyingo]

Totally agree. Once I experienced my first F2 I had to get more. I’ve had Mr. Sover Wong in the UK - the top Nikon F2 person there is - service 3 or 4 of mine and they are like new. I know they’ll outlive me.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Beautiful cameras!

[@CalumetVideo]

I have a late model F2 from 1979, mint condition and can say that it’s probably the best of the professional 35mm manual focus cameras and probably far more serviceable. I am selling my mint F3HP, while it is a gem of a camera, has some great features, I just don’t use it enough and it will be harder to find service should the electronics fail.

[@trondsi]

I just got my first Nikon F2 last week. I was lucky with the light meter shutter etc, as everything is almost as new. What a great camera.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

It’s a fantastic cameras - enjoy!

[@joerg_koeln]

100% agree. I took my Nikon F2AS into my last vacation (it comes with a built-in meter) and it's still fun to use. The build quality is so much nicer than my D850, which is a great camera, but too many camera-assisted functions.

[@reflux043]

I wanted to get into manual photography, and reason i got my first fujifilm x-t20, was because its very similar to old school slr's, with analog dials/controls on the body. It's the best camera ive ever owned!

[@JBKidderman]

Just want to say how much I appreciate the concise and informative videos. Thanks for them! I just purchased a F2AS from a Japanese dealer on EBay. Maybe that’s a “no-no” but I’m fairly uninitiated on procuring vintage camera equipment. There is some fungus on the focus screen. Do you have any recommendations on mitigating that? They seem easy enough to replace. Does this fungus essentially infect the entire camera and should I look into returning it? Any advice is appreciated.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

I’d check the viewfinder and mirror very carefully. Minor fungus on the mirror is probably cleanable but if it’s inside the finder it’ll need to be stripped to be cleaned. The fungus can permanently damage the coatings so if you have any doubt about the camera I’d send it back.

[@paulatterby7507]

Agree with everything you said. I had a number of these and currently own an F2as. Mechanical simplicity, just like a Leica, cameras that dont get in your way.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

‘Cameras that don’t get in your way’ - exactly!

[@davidjenkins8009]

The very important point which you sort of made but not really clearly is that the tactile process of these cameras adds to the pleasure. Also adding to the pleasure is knowing, when you do get a good photo, that it was a difficult process with lots for you to do and choices to make. Film is expensive and difficult, as are all pleasures. My favourite camera, the Rolleiflex SL66, but I agree that the Nikon F2 is probably the ultimate 35mm camera. Such a large system and all beautifully made.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, agree, particularly the lenses. Manual vs AF - there’s no comparison.

[@Dale.m.photoimages]

Fully agree with you, Johnathan! I mainly shoot with my hasselblad 503cxi. I do shoot digital as well. I still have my nikon F2 photomic from the early 80's.. The one thing I wished, if ppl newer to photography could get into a darkroom and actually process and print their own film. They are missing a big chunk of what photography is and was.

[@chhindz]

I have one of those. I later tried a new camera a few years back and found it had a delay after pressing shutter. I shuddered and had no desire to own one.

[@naturligfunktion4232]

I actually prefer the smaller FM. Everything feels better and more quality on the F2. It is truly a joy to operate and shoot, but it is just a bit clunky. The FM is small and nimble and I notice that I take it out more

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting. I agree, the FM is excellent. There are many fantastic cameras from the 70s and 80s. Pentax Spotmatic, Olympus OM1, Canon F1, Leica M4, Leica M4-P, Leica M6, Hasselblad 500CM, Rolleiflex, Nikon FM and Nikon FM2. All mechanical, all simple. All photographically pure.

[@naturligfunktion4232]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange sometimes it is nice with apeture priority though! :D

[@flowermaze___]

This and the Canon F1, pinnacles.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, both fantastic cameras.

[@JerryMungo]

While digital cameras took control away from the photographer post processing software like Photoshop gave it back. Ansel Adams would be astounded with what can be done today IMO. The pendulum is swinging back with smart phones making photography too easy. But now we have a choice. Let the software do everything or we can take full control of the creative process.

[@miles-thesleeper-monroe8466]

I cut my teeth in my youth on a Zenit TTL then a Practika BCX i was so elated to upgrade to the BCX! Paid for with pocket money and birthday money. Looked at the Nikon as a Ferrari or something out of my reach. But totally agree about that "science" you have to learn which stands you in good stead.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

My first was a Zenith EM!

[@Stephen.C.]

No built in meter takes some gloss off.

[@2008erichuang]

F2-AS light metering is accurate.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Some are accurate but others won’t be. That’s why it’s important to test. If a meter is consistently out then it’s easy to make adjustments. However, some can be erratic, in which case they’re virtually useless.

[@thomasz1543]

I disagree. It is not totally absurd putting all money into film! I am getting to the point where I feel that digital is a solution only for situations where analog doesn’t work….e.g. I keep my digital camera for scanning film…

[@davidjenkins8009]

Digital has its place where film is either too expensive to waste or just not convenient. For example, photos of things you want to sell on eBay. Photography of film equipment you want to use to illustrate a book on film equipment. I am writing a book on the Rolleiflex SL66. The photos of cameras etc and any photos of the camera being used, will be on digital. Of course the photos being used in the book as photos will all be taken with the SL66. Similarly, my daughter takes photos of every meal she has out and shares on social media, too expensive to do such nonsense with film. So in a sense, I sort of agree with you, I just wanted to make the point that digital has a much bigger place than just scanning.

[@reinhartreuschel5499]

It's all right: so pro but so pretty simple and 'small' without any Photomic. @philosimot