The Nikon FE is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nikon in Japan from 1978 to 1983, and was available new from dealer stock until c. 1984. The FE uses a metal-bladed, vertical-travel focal plane shutter with a speed range of 8 to 1/1000 second, plus Bulb, and flash X-sync of 1/125th second. It had dimensions of 89.5 millimetres (3.52 in) height, 142 mm (5.6 in) width, 57.5 mm (2.26 in) depth and 590 grams (21 oz) weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black. As on the FM, its model designation did not appear on the front of the camera, but was engraved as a small 'FE' preceding the serial number on the rear of the housing.
Overview | |
---|---|
Maker | Nippon Kogaku K. K. |
Type | single-lens reflex |
Lens | |
Lens mount | Nikon F lens mount |
Sensor/medium | |
Film format | 35 mm |
Film size | 36 mm × 24 mm |
ASA/ISO range | ISO 12 – 4000 |
Film advance | manual |
Focusing | |
Focus | Manual |
Exposure/metering | |
Exposure modes | Aperture priority, manual |
TTL with siliconphotodiode | |
Metering modes | Centerweighted |
Flash | |
Flash | ISO standard Hot shoe |
Flash synchronization | 1/125 s |
Shutter | |
Shutter speed range | 8 s – 1/1000 s; Bulb; 1/90 s mechanical backup |
General | |
Optional data backs | MF-12 |
Optional motor drives | MD-11, MD-12 |
Dimensions | 142 × 57.5 × 89.5 mm |
Weight | 590 g (21 oz) |
Made in | Japan |
Released | 1978 |
The 1971 follow up to the Nikon F was the Nikon F2. Still aimed at the professional market and still a 'go-to-war' tough camera. The F stayed in production until 1974, a testament to the quality of the F more than a criticism of the F2.
History[edit]
The FE was the replacement for Nikon EL2 of 1977 and is a member of the classic Nikon compact F-series. It uses a rugged copper aluminum alloy chassis developed from the one introduced in the Nikon FM in 1977, with minor external controls and cosmetic differences. The Nikon compact F-series SLRs were moderately priced, semi-professional level stablemates to the company's premium-priced, professional level Nikon F2 (1971) and F3 (1980) SLRs. They were all-new successors to the Nikkormat F and EL-series of amateur level SLRs. With their quality construction, impressive durability and evolutionary technical innovation, the F-series were very popular with professional photographers, who prized their durability and ability to operate in extreme environments.
The FM/FE chassis proved to be remarkably long-lived. Nikon used it, with incremental improvements, as the backbone of the compact F-series from 1977 to 2006. The other members of the compact F-series are the Nikon FM2 (introduced in 1982), FE2 (1983), FA (1983) and the limited production Nikon FM3A (2001). The FE was discontinued with the introduction of the visually similar FE2, which had faster top and sync shutter speeds, as well as TTL (through-the-lens) flash metering, but which was no longer compatible with non-AI lenses.
Features[edit]
The FE is a manual-focus SLR with manual exposure control or aperture-priority autoexposure, and electromechanical components. As such, the FE requires batteries (two S76 or A76, or LR44 or SR44, or one 1/3N) to power its electronically controlled shutter. The batteries also power the FE's 'match-needle' exposure control system. This consists of two needles pointing along a vertical shutter speed scale on the left side of the viewfinder. In manual mode, a black needle points out the shutter speed recommended by the built-in, open aperture, through-the-lens (TTL), silicon photodiode (SPD) light meter, with 60/40 percent centerweighting, while a translucent green needle shows the actual camera-set shutter speed. The photographer adjusts the shutter speed and/or the lens aperture f-stop until the needles align.
In automatic mode, the FE's black needle indicates the shutter speed automatically set by the electronic circuitry in response to the light reaching the meter. The green needle is used to indicate that the FE is in 'A' mode. This system can be traced back to the Nikkormat EL (in the USA/Canada; Nikomat EL, rest of the world) of 1972 and continued until 2006 with the discontinuation of the Nikon FM3A.
The FE's auto-exposure lock mechanism is activated by pushing and holding the timer shutter release lever toward the lens mount; even though the exposure is fixed to the state of the instant the lever is pushed, the black shutter speed needle in the viewfinder does not reflect this and moves freely.
The FE has a 'full information' viewfinder very similar to the Nikkormat EL. In addition to the metering shutter scale, the viewfinder also displays the set lens aperture through an optical 'eye' (this particular feature missing on the Nikkormat EL) and has a flash 'ready' LED to give context to the metering needles. The viewfinder also introduced interchangeable focusing screens to the compact F-series: the standard Nikon Type K screen (3 mm split image rangefinder and 1 mm microprism collar focusing aids plus 12 mm etched circle indicating the area of the meter centerweighting) could be replaced by Type B (central 3 mm focusing spot plus 12 mm etched circle) and Type E (Type B plus a grid of five horizontal and three vertical lines; called the 'architectural screen') screens.
Major accessories for the FE include the Nikon MD-11, motor drive (automatic film advance up to 3.5 frames per second) superseded by the MD-12 which had an automatic shutoff that the MD-11lacked, the Nikon MF-12 databack (time or date stamping on the film), and the Nikon Speedlight SB-10 electronic flash (guide number 82/25 (feet/meters) at ASA 100). The MF-12's date function ranges until the year 2100.
Lens compatibility[edit]
The FE accepts all lenses with the Nikon F bayonet mount (introduced in 1959), with certain limitations or exceptions. Full lens compatibility requires support for the Aperture Indexing (AI) feature (introduced 1977), and thus the majority of Nikon lenses manufactured in recent decades will work. During the late 1970s, Nippon Kogaku manufactured approximately 55 Nikkor non-AI and Nikkor AI type lenses. They ranged from a Fisheye-Nikkor 6 mm f/2.8 220˚ circular fisheye to a Reflex-Nikkor 2000 mm f/11 super-long mirror telephoto. This was the largest and widest ranging lens selection in the world at the time.
The contemporary AI lenses for the FE were the Nikkor AI-S, Nikkor AI and Nikon Series E types. The newer AF-S Nikkor, AF-I Nikkor, AF Nikkor D and AF Nikkor autofocus lenses are also AI types. They will work, but with manual focus only.Most pre-AI lenses will also work on the camera, but the meter coupling lever used for aperture indexing on AI-lenses must be unlocked and raised (out of the way) before attaching the lens, and the exposure must be done when pressing down the depth of field lever. This feature was removed on FE2 (and FM2), and pre-AI lenses had to be converted before they could be used (by changing or modifying the aperture ring).
Nikon's most recent 35 mm film/full-frame FX digital SLR lenses, the AF Nikkor G type (introduced in 2000) lack an aperture control ring, without which there is no way to set aperture. AF Nikkor DX type (2003) lenses lack an aperture ring as well, and have a smaller image circles sized for the smaller sensors on Nikon's DX digital SLRs, thus projecting a black vignette circle onto the FE film plane. Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization system, available on some newer lenses since 2000, does not function on the FE.
Both IX Nikkor lenses (1996), for Nikon's Advanced Photo System (APS) film SLRs and very old 'invasive' Nikkor 35 mm fisheye lenses from the 1960s must not be mounted on the FE, as their rear elements will intrude far enough into the mirror box to cause damage.
Design history[edit]
Beginning in 1977 with the advanced amateur Nikon FM, there was a complete overhaul of Nippon Kogaku's entire Nikon SLR line. The 1970s and 1980s were an era of intense competition between the major SLR brands: Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax and Olympus. Between c. 1975 to 1985, there was a dramatic shift away from heavy all-metal manual mechanical camera bodies to much more compact bodies with microprocessor electronic automation. In addition, because of rapid advances in electronics, the brands continually leap frogged each other with models having new or more automatic features. The industry was trying to expand out from the saturated high-end professional and advanced amateur market and appeal to the large mass of low-end amateur photographers itching to move up from compact automatic leaf shutter rangefinder (RF) cameras to the more versatile and glamorous SLR but were intimidated by the need to learn all the gritty details of operating a traditional SLR.
Although Nippon Kogaku enjoyed a sterling reputation among professional photographers with their Nikon F2 of 1971, the F2 was far too massive, expensive and complicated for most amateurs and beginners.
Nippon Kogaku chose an unusually high standard of workmanship for amateur level SLRs. It kept using high strength alloy parts, hardened metal gearing, ball bearing joints and gold plated electrical switches, all made to precise tolerances and largely hand assembled, in the Nikon compact F-series. As a result, the Nikon FE could endure conditions that would cause virtually all other contemporary non-professional level SLRs to break down. A higher price was considered a fair trade for impressive durability.
The Nikon FE was a conservative design compared to its competitors. It can be described as a twin of the Nikon FM mechanical (springs, gears, levers) camera with precision electronic controls grafted on. Its unusual roots were most obvious in its backup ability to operate without batteries – albeit in a very limited fashion: completely manual mechanical control with two shutter speeds (1/90th second, marked M90, or Bulb) and without the light meter.
The FE's deliberately limited but tightly focused features were not intended to appeal to snapshooters with no intention of learning about shutter speeds and f-stops. Nippon Kogaku believed that advanced amateur photographers were not interested in every possible automated bell and whistle, but rather the highest possible quality and precision of control.
The Nikon FE was a good seller, but not as popular as more cheaply built and less expensive competing autoexposure SLRs, such as the Canon AE-1 (released 1976) or the Minolta XD11 (in the USA/Canada; XD7 in Europe; XD in Japan; 1976). Its design and functions were more similar to contemporary enthusiast SLRs such as the Leica R3. Time has proven that Nippon Kogaku's choice of simplicity over gadgetry made the FE tough and reliable, and it is now regarded as one of the finer SLRs of its generation.
References[edit]
- 'Nikon MF/AF Bodies – Lens Compatibility' http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm retrieved 3 January 2006
- Anonymous. 'Canon A-1: New Era in SLR Automation' pp. 6–11. Modern Photography's Photo Buying Guide '86. reprint from Modern Photography, July 1978.
- Anonymous. 'Nikon EM: Budget Priced 35mm Reflex' pp. 62–66. Modern Photography's Photo Buying Guide '85. reprint from Modern Photography, July 1979.
- Comen, Paul. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon Classic Cameras; F, FE, FE2, FA and Nikkormat F series. First Edition. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1996. ISBN1-883403-31-6
- Matanle, Ivor. Collecting and Using Classic SLRs. First Paperback Edition. New York, NY: Thames and Hudson, 1997. ISBN0-500-27901-2
- Peterson, B. Moose. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon Classic Cameras, Volume II; F2, FM, EM, FG, N2000 (F-301), N2020 (F-501), EL series. First Edition. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1996. ISBN1-883403-38-3
- Schneider, Jason. 'How The Japanese Camera Took Over' pp. 56–57, 78, 86. Modern Photography, Volume 48, Number 7; July 1984.
- Schneider, Jason. 'A Half Century of The World's Greatest Cameras!' pp. 56–59, 76, 124. Modern Photography, Volume 51, Number 9; September 1987.
- Schneider, Jason. 'Great Buys In Used SLRs!!' pp. 80–81, 130. Popular Photography, Volume 61, Number 11; November 1997.
- Shell, Bob translator and Harold Franke. Magic Lantern Guides: Canon Classic Cameras; A-1, AT-1, AE-1, AE-1 Program, T50, T70, T90. Sixth Printing 2001. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1995. ISBN1-883403-26-X
- Stafford, Simon and Rudi Hillebrand & Hans-Joachim Hauschild. The New Nikon Compendium: Cameras, Lenses & Accessories since 1917. 2004 Updated North American Edition. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2003. ISBN1-57990-592-7
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nikon FE. |
- Nikon Corporation global web site
- Best of the Rest – Part 10 : 'Nikon FE' from Nikon Corp online archives
- Modern Classic SLRs Series: Nikon FE from Photography in Malaysia
- Nikon FE by luis triguez
Autofocus |APS-format |Nikkorex with leaf shutter |Nikomat/Nikkormat |Manual Focus with electronic features (A mode) See also:Nikon DSLR cameras |
Overview | |
---|---|
Type | |
Lens | |
Lens mount | Nikon F-mount |
Focusing | |
Focus | manual |
Exposure/metering | |
Exposure | manual |
Flash | |
Flash | non-ISO hot shoe plus PC socket |
Shutter | |
Frame rate | 4,3 fps with MD-2 motor drive |
General | |
Dimensions | 152,5×65×102 mm |
Weight | 840 g without lens |
Made in | Japan |
Chronology | |
Released | Sept 1971 to Jan 1980 |
Successor | Nikon F3 |
The Nikon F2 is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) in Japan from September 1971 to 1980.[1] It used a horizontal-travel focal plane shutter with titanium shutter curtains and a speed range of 1 to 1/2000 second (up to 10 seconds using the self-timer) plus Bulb and Time, and flash X-sync of 1/80th second. It had dimensions (with DE-1 head, see below) of 98 mm height, 152.5 mm width, 65 mm depth and 730 g weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black.
The F2 is the second member of the long line of Nikon F-series professional level 35 mm SLRs that began with the Nikon F (manufactured 1959–1974) and followed each other in a sort of dynastic succession as the top-of-the-line Nikon camera. The other members were the F3 (1980–2001), F4 (1988–1996), F5 (1996–2005) and F6 (2004–present). The F-series do not share any major components except for the all-important bayonet lens mount ('F mount').
All Nikon professional F-series SLRs are full system cameras. This means that each camera body serves as only a modular hub.
F2S
F2S, open film door
F2 - bayonet F-mount
Nikon F2SB with DP-3 prism and GN Auto Nikkor 1:2,8 f=45mm lens
F2A - titanium body with DP-11 prism
F2A - titanium body with DP-11 prism
- 8References
Features[edit]
The Nikon F2 is an all-metal, mechanically-controlled (springs, gears, levers), manual focus SLR with manual exposure control. The camera itself needed no batteries, though the prism light meter did (and of course the motor drive if added). The F2 replaced the Nikon F, adding many new features (a faster 1/2000 second maximum shutter speed, a swing open back for easier film loading, a wider assortment of detachable finders and metering heads, a 250 exposure film back, a larger reflex mirror to ensure no vignetting, and a shutter release nearer the front of the camera for better ergonomics). It also offered a detachable motor drive, something the F only had as a custom modification. It was the last all-mechanical professional-level Nikon SLR.
Lenses[edit]
The F2 accepts all lenses with the Nikon F bayonet mount (introduced in 1959 on the Nikon F camera), with certain limitations or exceptions depending on the F2 version. The later F2A and F2AS Photomic variants (see below) require lenses supporting the Automatic maximum aperture Indexing (AI) feature (introduced in 1977). The manual focus Nippon Kogaku made AI lenses were the Nikkor AI-S, Nikkor AI and Nikon Series E types. The AF-S Nikkor, AF-I Nikkor, AF Nikkor D and AF Nikkor autofocus lenses are also AI types. The original Nikkor 'non-AI' (introduced before 1977) lenses, will mount but require stop down metering. Nippon Kogaku had a service to retrofit non-AI lenses with a new aperture ring with the AI feature to produce 'AI'd' lenses, but this service ended decades ago.
The older F2, F2S and F2SB Photomic variants (see below) require lenses with a 'meter coupling shoe' (or prong, informally called 'rabbit ears' by photography enthusiasts).[2] These lenses are the Nikkor non-AI, AI'd Nikkor, Nikkor AI and Nikkor AI-S types. Lenses without rabbit ears, such as the Nikon Series E, AF Nikkor, AF Nikkor D, AF-I Nikkor and AF-S Nikkor types, will mount but require stop down metering.
The F2 with plain/eye-level DE-1 prism (no light meter; see below) will work with either lens types. Note that the Nikkor AI-S and Nikkor AI types are AI types plus have rabbit ears and will function properly on all Nikon F2 variants.
Nikon's most recent 35mm film SLR lenses, the AF Nikkor G type (2000) lacking an aperture control ring; and the AF Nikkor DX type (2003) with image circles sized for Nikon's DX digital SLRs, will mount but will not function properly. A few exotic fisheye lenses from the 1960s require mirror lock-up and therefore an auxiliary viewfinder is preferred. IX Nikkor lenses (1996), for Nikon's Advanced Photo System (APS) film SLRs, must not be mounted on any F2, as their rear elements will intrude far enough into the mirror box to cause damage even with the mirror locked up.
In 1977 Nippon Kogaku made about 55 non-AI and AI lenses, ranging from a Fisheye-Nikkor 6 mm f/2.8 220° circular fisheye to a Reflex-Nikkor 2000 mm f/11 super-long mirror telephoto. This was the largest lens selection in the world by far.
The standard lens for most professionals was the Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4, but some preferred the Nikkor 35 mm f/2 with a wider field of view for grab shots. The Nikkor 105 mm f/2.5 was renowned for its superb sharpness and bokeh and was a favorite for head-and-shoulders portraits ('head shots').
Special purpose lenses included the Micro-Nikkors 55 mm f/3.5 and 55mm f/2.8, Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/4 for close-up 'macro' photography, the Noct-Nikkor 58 mm f/1.2 for low light photography, the PC-Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 shifting perspective control lens, the GN-Nikkor 45 mm f/2.8 for automatically setting the proper aperture for flash exposure based on distance (also useful as a very small/light 'pancake' lens), the Nikkor 13mm f/5.6 widest angle (118°) rectilinear lens for SLRs ever made, the Nikkor 300 mm f/2.8 ED IF fast telephoto useful for sports and wildlife photography, the versatile, but heavy Zoom-Nikkor 50–300 mm f/4.5 ED and the quick framing, but notoriously middling optical quality Zoom-Nikkor 43–86 mm f/3.5.
There were innumerable independent manufacturer lenses available in the Nikon F mount. The most famous was probably the Vivitar Series 1 70–210 mm f/3.5 Macro Zoom (released 1974), the first independent zoom lens to meet most professional photographers' quality standards.
Viewfinders[edit]
However, it was the F2's interchangeable viewfinders (also known as 'heads') [3] that marked it as a truly professional level SLR and was its greatest strength. By providing updated heads every few years, Nippon Kogaku was able to introduce new versions of the F2 and keep the basic body in the latest technology until production ended in 1980. Note that F2 heads were often sold separately from the body, mostly in black finish with about 10% in chrome, and it is therefore not unusual to see body/head combinations with mismatched serial numbers and/or colors.
The head on the basic Nikon F2 was called the Nikon DE-1. It provided a virtually 100% accurate viewing image, but was a plain pentaprism eyelevel viewing head with no built-in light meter and so had no metering or exposure information display, except for a flash-ready light. Unlike the other heads, about 90% of DE-1s were chrome finished. It was unpopular because of the lack of a built-in meter, but remained available for the life of the F2. F2 bodies with DE-1 finders maintain the highest prices on the secondary market.
If a pentaprism head with a built-in light meter was mounted on the F2, the camera became an F2 Photomic. However, since Nippon Kokagu made five different metering heads over the life of the F2, there were five different F2 Photomic versions. The use of any Photomic head requires that batteries (two S76 or A76, or SR44 or LR44) be installed in the F2 body to power the head's electronics.
The original Nikon F2 Photomic, packaged with the Nikon DP-1 head, was manufactured from 1971 to 1977. The DP-1 had a center-the-needle exposure control system using a galvanometer needle pointer moving between horizontally arranged +/– over/underexposure markers at the bottom of the viewfinder to indicate the readings of the built-in 60/40 percent centerweighted, cadmium sulfide (CdS) light meter versus the photographer's actual camera selections. Flanking the needle array on the left and right were a readout of the camera set f-stop and shutter speed, respectively. The needle array was duplicated on the top of the DP-1 head to allow exposure control without looking through the viewfinder. A Nikon F2 Photomic with Nikkor-S 50 mm f/1.4 lens had a US list price of $660 in 1972. Note that SLRs usually sold for 30 to 40 percent below list price.
Manufactured from 1973 to 1977, the F2S Photomic used the DP-2 head. Although it looked very different, the DP-2 was functionally very similar to the DP-1. It substituted an all-solid-state light-both-LEDs exposure control system using two arrow-shaped light-emitting diode (LED) over/underexposure indicators for better visibility in low light situations and better overall reliability. This was important, because the DP-2's CdS meter had better low-light sensitivity than the DP-1 – down to Exposure Value (EV) −2, instead of EV 1, at ASA 100. A chrome Nikon F2S Photomic with Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 lens had a US list price of $961 in 1976. Note: SLRs were usually discounted 30 to 40 percent from list.
With the DP-3 head, the camera became the F2SB Photomic, available 1976 to 1977. The DP-3 introduced three innovations: a silicon photodiode light meter (a first for Nikon SLRs) for faster and more accurate light readings, a five-stage center-the-LED exposure control system using +/o/− LEDs, and an eyepiece blind.
These three early Photomic heads required Nikon F-mount lenses with a meter coupling shoe ('rabbit ears', see above). Rabbit ear lenses required a special mounting procedure. After mounting, the lens aperture ring must be turned back and forth to the smallest aperture (largest f-stop number) and then to the largest aperture (smallest f-stop number) to ensure that the lens and the head couple properly (Nippon Kogaku called it indexing the maximum aperture of the lens – users called it the Nikon Shuffle!) and meter correctly. This system seems unwieldy to today's photographers, but it was second nature to Nikon and Nikkormat camera using photographers of the 1960s and 1970s.
The F2A Photomic came with the DP-11 head; the F2AS Photomic used the DP-12 head. The DP-11 and DP-12 (both introduced in 1977) functioned exactly the same as the DP-1 and DP-3, respectively, except that these heads supported Nikkor lenses with the Automatic Indexing (AI) feature (introduced 1977, see above). Nikkor AI lenses had a 'meter coupling ridge' cam on the lens aperture ring that pushed on a spring-loaded 'meter coupling lever' on the Photomic head to transfer aperture setting information. AI lenses allowed carefree lens mounting and ended the double twisting that used to allow observers to spot a Nikon/Nikkormat user from a hundred paces. The F2AS Photomic (DP-12 head) was the most advanced F2 version and the chrome version with Nikkor AI 50 mm f/1.4 lens had a US list price of $1278 in 1978. (SLR selling prices were typically 30 to 40 percent below list.) This, the last version of the Nikon F2 Photomic, has become the most desired and collected F2 today.
The F2S Photomic (DP-2 head) and F2SB Photomic (DP-3 head) also accepted the unusual Nikon DS-1 or DS-2 EE Aperture Control Units. The F2AS (DP-12) required the equivalent DS-12. These were early attempts by Nippon Kogaku to provide shutter priority autoexposure by having an electric servomotor automatically turn the lens aperture ring in response to the set shutter speed and light meter reading. The DS-1, -2 and -12 were bulky, slow and unreliable, and were feeble and inelegant attempts to add autoexposure to the manual exposure F2.
There were also three special purpose meterless heads available for the F2: the Nikon DW-1 waist-level finder (a non-pentaprism head; look down directly at the mirror-reversed image on the focusing screen), the DA-1 action finder (providing 60 mm of eye relief; extremely large exit pupil that can be viewed while wearing face masks, safety goggles, etc.) and the DW-2 6X magnifying finder (waist-level finder with magnifier; good for precise focusing).
Focusing screens[edit]
The F2 also had interchangeable viewfinder focusing screens. Nippon Kogaku's standard Type K screen had central 3 mm split image rangefinder and 1 mm microprism collar focusing aids on a matte/Fresnel background plus a 12 mm etched circle indicating the area of the meter centerweighting. There were 18 other screens available with a variety of focusing aids or etched guidelines choices, including none at all. Note that the screens for the F2 were interchangeable with the ones for the Nikon F, but not with later F-series SLRs.
The optional screens were:
- Type A – central 3 mm split image rangefinder plus 12 mm etched circle. Standard equipment with early F2s. Changeover to Type K occurred circa 1976.
- Type B – central 5 mm focusing spot plus 12 mm etched circle. Useful for close ups and long telephotos.
- Type C – central 4 mm clear spot with crosshair reticle. Very bright and useful for photo-microscopy, astrophotography, and parallax focusing method.
- Type D – plain matte screen. Best screen for use with long telephotos with small apertures.
- Type E – Type B with a grid of 5 horizontal and 3 vertical lines. Called 'architectural screen' and excellent for 'Rule of Thirds' pictorialist compositions. The most popular replacement screen.
- Type G – central 12 mm extra-bright microprism without matte background (cannot assess depth of field). Four versions (G1–G4) for use with specific focal length lenses. Not popular because switching lenses might necessitate switching the screen too.
- Type H – fullscreen extra-bright microprism; also cannot assess depth of field. Four versions (H1–H4) for use with specific focal length lenses. Intended for sports photography, but not popular because switching lenses might necessitate switching the screen too.
- Type J – central 4 mm microprism plus 12 mm etched circle.
- Type L – Type A, but with rangefinder set at a 45° angle from lower left to upper right. Permits focusing on horizontal or vertical subjects.
- Type M – central 5 mm double cross hairs with marked horizontal and vertical scales. Excellent for photo-microscopy.
- Type P – Type L, but adds 1 mm microprism collar and fullscreen crosshair. Originally marketed as the 'Apollo P screen,' it was a screen favored by NASA on the bodies they acquired for their use.
- Type R – Type E, but adds a 3 mm split image rangefinder to the center of the screen.
- Type S – for F2 Data (see below) only. Type A with etched marking for data imprint area.
- Type T – for F2 Type A with etched markings for taking pictures of TV screens.
The combination and wide selection of heads and screens allowed photographers to customize their F2s to their heart's content.
Accessories[edit]
Major accessories for the F2 included the Nikon MD-1 (introduced in 1971) and MD-2 (1973) motor drives, providing automatic film advance up to 5 frames per second, 6 if the mirror was locked up, plus power rewind. They both required a Nikon MB-1 battery pack holding 10 AA or LR6 batteries in two Nikon MS-1 battery clips. Note that the 5 frame/s rate required that the F2 have its mirror locked up and the MD-1 or -2 be loaded with two Nikon MN-1 nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries. (These batteries are long since dead.) With the mirror operating, the maximum advance rate is 4.3 frame/s; with AAs, the rate is 4 frame/s. The addition of the MD-1 or MD-2 greatly increased the overall weight of the camera. With a fully loaded MD-2/MB-1 and 50mm lens, the F2 would weigh in at just over six pounds.
The F2 also accepted the lighter, cheaper and less capable Nikon MD-3 motor drive. The MD-3 did not have power rewind and had an advance rate of 2.5 frame/s with the standard MB-2 battery pack holding 8 AA or LR6 batteries. Optionally, it could reach 3.5 frame/s with an MB-1 battery pack with 10 AA or LR6 batteries; 4 frame/s with MB-1 and MN-1 nicad battery.
The F2 could also mount the Nikon MF-1 (33/10 feet/meters film = 250 frames; required two Nikon MZ-1 film cassettes) and MF-2 (100/30 feet/meters film = 750 frames; required two MZ-2 film cassettes) bulk film backs. These were very useful if a photographer had a motor drive mounted and needed to take more than seven seconds worth of photographs. Note that the MF-2 and its MZ-2 cassettes are very rare.
Starting in 1976, Nippon Kogaku introduced the Nikon Speedlight SB-2 (guide number 82/25 (feet/meters) at ASA 100), SB-5 (guide number 105/32 (feet/meters) at ASA 100), SB-6 (guide number 148/45 (feet/meters) at ASA 100) and SB-7E (guide number 82/25 (feet/meters) at ASA 100) electronic flashes. Note that the F2 did not use a standard ISO hot shoe to mount flash units. Instead, the SB-2, -6 and -7E mounted in a unique-to-Nikon-F-and-F2 hot shoe surrounding the film rewind crank. Manually rewinding film could not be done with a flash mounted in this shoe because the flash blocked the crank. Standard ISO foot flashes can be connected to the Nikon shoe via the Nikon AS-1 Flash Unit Coupler.
The Nikon ML-1 Modulite was a wireless infrared remote controller with a 200/60 feet/meters line-of-sight range. It was a two part device: a handheld transmitter plus a camera mounted receiver. Note that the receiver needed to be connected to a motor drive. The Nikon MW-1 was a similar device, but was larger and more powerful and used radio signals for a longer 2300/700 feet/meters obstructed view range. The MW-1 could also control three separate F2s by broadcasting three different codes.
The Nikon MT-1 intervalometer allowed completely untended time lapse photography. It could fire the F2 for a specific number of frames at a particular shutter speed at set time intervals.
Nippon Kogaku also made scores of minor accessories for the F2, such as straps, cases, bags, remote firing cords, eyecups, eyepiece correction lenses, supplementary close-up lenses, lens hoods, filters and cases. In 1978 the complete Nikon photographic system of cameras, lenses and accessories totaled nearly 450 items priced in excess of US$110,000 – the most extensive and expensive in the world.
Special F2 Versions[edit]
There were several special purpose versions of the F2 manufactured in small numbers. Although they were all working cameras, today they are all rare collector's items.
The F2T was a special ultra-rugged version of the F2 (DE-1 head) with titanium bayonet mount, top and bottom plates, and camera back, plus a special DE-1T titanium covered meterless prism head, sold in parallel with the regular F2s from 1978 to 1980. Most F2Ts were given a special textured black finish but a very few came in natural titanium finish, including the first F2Ts and the very last F2s ever manufactured. Their serial numbers began with '92', e.g., 'F2 9201544.'
The F2 Titan was a black only late variant of the F2T, distinguished by the word 'Titan' engraved in Roman script on the front of the camera below the shutter release. They carry the number 79 in front of the serial number.
The H in the F2H of 1978 denoted 'High Speed'. It was yet another titanium armored F2 but this time with a fixed (not reflex), semi-silvered, pellicle mirror, manual lens diaphragm control and a mechanically matched titanium-armored Nikon MD-100 high speed motor drive. The maximum shutter speed is 1/1000 (vs. 1/2000 for other F2 models). The self-timer and shutter settings 'B' and 'T' were omitted. The depth-of-field preview button was replaced with a 'Full-Aperture Viewing Button'. The Nikon MD-100 motor drive was a modified version of the MD-2 motor drive and was powered by the Nikon MB-100. The MB-100 consists of two MB-1 battery packs (20 AA or LR6 batteries, or four Nikon MN-1 nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, providing 30 volts), weighing a massive 960 g empty and reaching 10 frames-per-second film advance rate. The F2H set included the Nikon MH-100 battery charger. All components (body, motor and batterypack) may be detached from each other. The bodies (7-digit serial number) and motordrives (6-digit serial number) do not have matching serial numbers, contrary to often repeated misinformation. Body serial numbers began with 7850001, e.g. 'F2 7850001'. Approximately 400 units were produced making the F2H extremely rare, the rarest of any 'production model' F2, and valuable.
As the name implies, the F2 Data had a primitive data back. It used a tiny internal flash unit to imprint the time, date or sequential number on the film. This data back recorded the time by imprinting a tiny picture of a slightly less tiny Seiko made analogue clock onto the film. It also had a special insert plate that the photographer could write on and have this note imprinted on the film. There were two versions of the F2 Data: one with the MF-10 camera back for standard 35 mm film cartridges and one with the MF-11 250 frame bulk film back. The F2 Data also came packaged with an MD-2 motor drive and your choice of DE-1, DP-11 or DP-12 head plus a special Type S focusing screen that marked the left side data imprint area. F2 Data bodies carry the numbers '77' in front of the serial number. Approximately 5,000 units were produced.
Finally there was the F2A Anniversary model. This was marketed as a collector's item of 4000 specially numbered bodies intended to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Nikon cameras in the USA. A plate was glued to the front of the camera below the shutter release noting, '25th Anniversary' (which has fallen off many bodies) and came in a special silver colored box. The F2A Anniversary was not authorized by Nippon Kogaku; it was the creation of the American importer, Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries (EPOI).
Current status[edit]
Because of the F2's durability, because there were so many manufactured (816,000 units) and because film SLRs have been largely replaced with digital equivalents in many markets, the F2 is still relatively common today and is available on the used market for low prices – US$200–400[4] depending on the head. However, these may be well worn examples used by professional photographers and are generally in mediocre condition.
The Nikon F2 is also collectable. If a pristine F2 body and head with date-compatible serial numbers is found, it will carry collector's items price tags. The black body version of the F2AS model, in near new condition, can exceed $1,100 at auction.[5]
References[edit]
- ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2017.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
- ^'50 years of lens mount evolution (Part II of VI)'. 17 September 2009.
- ^Nikon Article on F2's Debut, Nikon
- ^Nikon F2 completed auction prices, CollectiBlend.
- ^Nikon F2 AS completed auction prices, CollectiBlend.
Sources[edit]
- 'Nikon MF/AF Bodies – Lens Compatibility' http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm retrieved 3 January 2006
- Anonymous. 'Modern Photography's Annual Guide to 47 Top Cameras: Nikon F2 Photomic' p 117. Modern Photography, Volume 36, Number 12; December 1972.
- Anonymous. 'Annual Guide: 54 Top Cameras: Nikon F2-S Photomic' p 149. Modern Photography, Volume 40, Number 12; December 1976.
- Anonymous. 'Annual Guide: 46 Top Cameras: Nikon F2AS Photomic' p 129. Modern Photography, Volume 42, Number 12; December 1978.
- Anonymous. 'History of Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) Cameras: Debut of Nikon F2' https://web.archive.org/web/20071222225710/http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/d-archives/camera/history-f2.htm retrieved 11 September 2007
- Anonymous. 'History of Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) Cameras: Debut of Nikon F3' https://web.archive.org/web/20071218192225/http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/d-archives/camera/history-f3.htm retrieved 11 September 2007
- Comen, Paul. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon Classic Cameras; F, FE, FE2, FA and Nikkormat F series. First Edition. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1996. ISBN1-883403-31-6
- Comen, Paul. Magic Lantern Guides: Pentax Classic Cameras; K2, KM, KX, LX, M series, Spotmatic series. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1999. ISBN1-883403-53-7
- Gandy, Stephen. 'Nikon F2 Data' http://www.cameraquest.com/nf2data.htm retrieved 4 January 2006
- Gandy, Stephen. 'Nikon F2 High Speed 10 FPS' http://www.cameraquest.com/nf2high.htm retrieved 4 January 2006
- Gandy, Stephen. 'Nikon F2 Titanium' http://www.cameraquest.com/f2titan.htm retrieved 4 January 2006
- Keppler, Herbert. 'Keppler's SLR Notebook: Good Grief! Three Series 1 70-210 Vivitar Zooms???' pp 35, 74. Modern Photography, Volume 48, Number 8; August 1984.
- Massey, David; Bill Hansen & Larry Hicks. KEH.com catalogue Volume 12, 2005. Atlanta, GA: KEH.com, 2005.
- Matanle, Ivor. Collecting and Using Classic SLRs. First Paperback Edition. New York, NY: Thames and Hudson, 1997. ISBN0-500-27901-2
- McWhirter, Norris D. compiler. Guinness Book of World Records. 1979 edition. Bantam Books, New York, 1978. ISBN0-553-12370-X.
- Peterson, B. Moose. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon Classic Cameras, Volume II; F2, FM, EM, FG, N2000 (F-301), N2020 (F-501), EL series. First Edition. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1996. ISBN1-883403-38-3
- Richards, Dan. 'F Is For Family Tree' p 67. Popular Photography & Imaging, Volume 68 Number 11; November 2004.
- Schneider, Jason. 'How The Japanese Camera Took Over' pp 56–57, 78, 86. Modern Photography, Volume 48, Number 7; July 1984.
- Schneider, Jason. 'The Camera Collector: Four classic Japanese SLRs they made me put under glass for Modern's 50th Anniversary Party.' pp 74–75, 91-92. Modern Photography, Volume 51, Number 5; May 1987.
- Schneider, Jason. 'A Half Century of The World's Greatest Cameras!' pp 56–59, 76, 124. Modern Photography, Volume 51, Number 9; September 1987.
- Schneider, Jason. 'Bokeh: Splendor In The Glass' pp 60, 62-63. Popular Photography & Imaging, Volume 69, Number 3; March 2005.
- Shell, Bob translator and Harold Franke. Magic Lantern Guides: Canon Classic Cameras; A-1, AT-1, AE-1, AE-1 Program, T50, T70, T90. Sixth Printing 2001. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1995. ISBN1-883403-26-X
- Stafford, Simon and Rudi Hillebrand & Hans-Joachim Hauschild. The New Nikon Compendium: Cameras, Lenses & Accessories since 1917. 2004 Updated North American Edition. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2003. ISBN1-57990-592-7
- Tateno, Yokoyuki. 'Special titanium Nikon cameras and NASA cameras' https://web.archive.org/web/20060113234627/http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/rhnc/rhnc04f2-e.htm retrieved 10 January 2006
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nikon F2. |
- Nikon F2 articles from www.mir.com.my Photography in Malaysia
- Nikon F2 history page from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikon F2 T info page from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikon F2 viewfinders info page from www.cameraquest.com/classics Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest Classic Camera Profiles
- Nikon manual focus lens types info page from www.cameraquest.com/classics Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest Classic Camera Profiles
- Nikon F2 Photomic with MD-2 motor drive by luis triguez
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Autofocus |APS-format |Nikkorex with leaf shutter |Nikomat/Nikkormat |Manual Focus with electronic features (A mode) See also:Nikon DSLR cameras |