"Paul Rubin" <http://phr

"Paul Rubin" <http://phr.cx@NOSPAM.invalid>

wrote in message news:7xfzem87yb.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com...

> Nick James <dukepowers@verywarmmail.com> writes:

> > Hi I've got a chance to buy this Nikon F2 with DP1 prism in NZ for

> > around 160USD (private sale)

> >

> > http://www.nickjames.org/php-cgi/gallery/album05/nikon_f2

> >

> > Now I don't know much about Nikon cameras but I will have a chance to

> > look the camera over before buying - are there any specific gremlins I

> > should look out for - the owner claims:

> Ya know, questions like that come up from time to time. As important

> a classic as the F2 is, unless you have a desire to own a piece of

> history as opposed to just getting a practical shooter, I don't

> especially recommend buying this thing. It probably needs some

> maintenance at its age (mirror foam, meter adjustment, and stuff like

> that), and even afterwards you've got a big tank of a camera that

> doesn't take a normal flash, doesn't take a normal cable release,

> won't meter with current AF lenses unless you get them modified, has

> 1/80 flash sync (IIRC), weighs a ton, and if you add the MD2 motor

> then it weighs even more.

> Think of it as the equivalent of buying an original 1964 Ford Mustang.

> There are few greater thrills that a car buff can have, and it may

> even be the envy of your friends, but if you just want a practical

> daily driver, you're better of with something more modern.

Well.................;-)

The Nikon F2 is STILL one of the great picture-takers,

and it *will* meter with almost all reflex Nikkors, including

AF lenses (with stop-down metering, not hard to use, and

arguably more accurate with all lenses than the standard

method...). Its VF is still tops (sharp all over the screen,

and without linear distortion - and near 100% coverage),

it is VERY durable, and if the meter works without

"bobble", it is easy to calibrate, if necessary. Mirror foam

is easy to replace with cut-down sticky-back common

weather-stripping (only the front edge needs replacing,

if at all). Unlike many current cameras, its flash contacts

will survive use with high-voltage switching flashes, and

it is not hard to place a standard-shoe flash on a side

bracket, where it belongs anyway. Cable adapters often

come with $5 air-bulb releases - these can be used with

standard releases. I replace the stock F2 eyepiece with

an FE/FA/FM glass-rubber eyepiece for use with glasses.

What the F2 is is an accurate, reliable, precise picture-taker

that does not need batteries to operate (except for metering).

It accepts all Nikkor lenses ever made (except for "G"

lenses - but including the 8, 7.5, 6.2, and 21mm lenses

that will fit little else), and makes shooting a pleasure again.

At $160US (assuming it is in good operating condition),

it is a bargain that will return far more than its price (and

it will retain its monitary value, unlike most alternatives).

David Ruether