Nikon F2A... anyone seen one for sale?

freecom2

freecom2

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Seems to be a distinct lack of them around on most of the dealer sites... there's several on ffordes but they are overpriced. Not a single one on eBay recently either! Anyone know who is hiding all of them? :wave:
 
And in comparison, the Nikon F3 seems to be plentiful and cheaper as well...

What is it about these Nikon F that makes them so attractive!
 
freecom2 said:
What is it about these Nikon F that makes them so attractive!
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Dunno but any Nikon camera (other than P&S) are useless to me as they wont take my lovely M42 lenses and Nikon lenses are too expensive anyway and even if Nikon lenses are better than say Canon...... could you see the difference in practice. :thumbsdown:
 
The Nikon F2 is a work of art and a classic camera, so maybe people are hanging on to them until after Christmas.

When I was at the Wolverhampton Camera fair in September a chap there had a stack of F2's, all versions and all conditions, I was suprised how much he was asking for some of them.

Nikon glass better than Canon glass?

A debatable point but I doubt, even with modern day glass, you can tell the difference between them.
 
excalibur2 said:
Dunno but any Nikon camera (other than P&S) are useless to me as they wont take my lovely M42 lenses and Nikon lenses are too expensive anyway and even if Nikon lenses are better than say Canon...... could you see the difference in practice. :thumbsdown:
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Brian, I'm not too concerned by that stuff - I shoot Nikon digital and I really like the Nikon film bodies, so it works out well. I got the lenses I use regularly at prices that were good value for money, so I'm content :thumbs:

Knikki said:
The Nikon F2 is a work of art and a classic camera, so maybe people are hanging on to them until after Christmas.

When I was at the Wolverhampton Camera fair in September a chap there had a stack of F2's, all versions and all conditions, I was suprised how much he was asking for some of them.
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Shame I live nowhere near Wolverhampton! The F2 Photomic (DP-1 head) tends to go for relatively little, less than the F3 - there's one on MW Classic for £75 at the moment - but it doesn't support metering with AI lenses so it's no good for me.
 
freecom2 said:
Brian, I'm not too concerned by that stuff - I shoot Nikon digital and I really like the Nikon film bodies, so it works out well. I got the lenses I use regularly at prices that were good value for money, so I'm content :thumbs:
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Ah having a Nikon digital camera makes sense :thumbs:
For me part of the fun in using film is using old lenses esp M42 so while it can be fun using M42 cameras (well some :lol: ), I can use a M42 adapter on my T90 and use spot metering......h'mm not many old M42 cameras can do that also Nikon and Olympus can't either, so it's just another reason why I always steer newbies away from Nikon and Olympus as e.g. a Canon is more versatile.
 
MindofMel said:
Need something to take pictures of my hassy with!
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:lol::lol:

MindofMel said:
Cheapo d90 / fuji x10 would work out cheaper than a polaroid back and film for test exposures when im strobing as well.
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Ah, that makes sense - why not get something like an even cheaper D40, which has extremely fast x-sync? (1/500s)

That way it would have the full range of flash sync as you would get in a Hasselblad (that goes up to 1/500s), the perfect companion. In contrast, the D90 is only up to 1/200s.
 
freecom2 said:
Seems to be a distinct lack of them around on most of the dealer sites... there's several on ffordes but they are overpriced. Not a single one on eBay recently either! Anyone know who is hiding all of them? :wave:
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Phillips Cameras in Norwich had a lovely boxed Chrome F2A for sale a few weeks ago. Please buy it to take the temptation away from me:lol:

He doesn't have a website I don't think, he sells from a small shop in the Tombland district of the city. I am not at home at the moment but will find his number and post it up later if you are interested.

I should state I have no connection with this seller, but I do find home very helpful and knowledgeable, an old school camera seller.
 
Jao said:
Phillips Cameras in Norwich had a lovely boxed Chrome F2A for sale a few weeks ago. Please buy it to take the temptation away from me:lol:

He doesn't have a website I don't think, he sells from a small shop in the Tombland district of the city. I am not at home at the moment but will find his number and post it up later if you are interested.
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Thanks for the heads-up Adrian, unfortunately I'm looking for a slightly brassed black copy - although still definitely interested in this one, at the right price!

The number I got from here is: 01603 625261

Does that sound about right?
 
Jao said:
Phillips Cameras in Norwich had a lovely boxed Chrome F2A for sale a few weeks ago.
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Is this the shop almost opposite to main entrance to the Cathedral, if it is then I have drooled over the stock in the window many a time.
 
freecom2 said:
Thanks for the heads-up Adrian, unfortunately I'm looking for a slightly brassed black copy - although still definitely interested in this one, at the right price!

The number I got from here is: 01603 625261

Does that sound about right?
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Yep that is his number. I think he is shut until the 3rd January and he tends to only open on wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. It might be worth giving him a ring, he may well have other F2A's. he sells a lot of different kit but is an Nikon user and significant Nikon expert.

wickerman said:
Is this the shop almost opposite to main entrance to the Cathedral, if it is then I have drooled over the stock in the window many a time.
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It is on Wensum Street, this turns into the road that the main entrance to the cathedral is in but a good bit further down the road. I always visit when in Norwich, although it is dangerous on the wallet!
 
Jao said:
It is on Wensum Street, this turns into the road that the main entrance to the cathedral is in but a good bit further down the road. I always visit when in Norwich, although it is dangerous on the wallet!
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Thanks Adrian. It was the one I was thinking of, I have just found it on Google street view.

There also used to be an equally small second hand camera shop at the end of Colgate, do you know it is still there? I haven't been up Colgate in years.
 
David, yes Exposure Cameras on Colgate are still there. Very cheap stuff, I often go there for filters and hoods and I have have bought bits of darkroom kit from them too. In many respects I am amazed they are still trading I have never seen anyone else in there. Another worthwhile place to call in for filmies if in Norwich!
 
excalibur2 said:
Ah having a Nikon digital camera makes sense :thumbs:
For me part of the fun in using film is using old lenses esp M42 so while it can be fun using M42 cameras (well some :lol: ), I can use a M42 adapter on my T90 and use spot metering......h'mm not many old M42 cameras can do that
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Might be because M42 mount cameras are 25 years older than the T90, however I think the Mamiya 500/1000 series had spot meters if that's what you must have, nice cameras oozing style and character.


excalibur2 said:
also Nikon and Olympus can't either,
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Nikons meter just fine, the spot meter on my F3 metered fine on M42 and I understand the spot meter on the Olympus OM2S with M42 meters......just fine


excalibur2 said:
so it's just another reason why I always steer newbies away from Nikon and Olympus as e.g. a Canon is more versatile.
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I know you do but you should paint the full picture and not a load of half truths, its true some cameras don't spot meter, its also true you lose infinity focus with some adapters.....so what ??
Canon is not more versatile, the T90 is a versatile camera, but its not something many peeps enjoy owning, and its no more versatile than anything else, take any plastic fantastic mid 80's slr, they're all versatile, they all function beautifully and they're all.....instantly forgettable.
 
joxby said:
Might be because M42 mount cameras are 25 years older than the T90, however I think the Mamiya 500/1000 series had spot meters if that's what you must have, nice cameras oozing style and character.

Nikons meter just fine, the spot meter on my F3 metered fine on M42 and I understand the spot meter on the Olympus OM2S with M42 meters......just fine

I know you do but you should paint the full picture and not a load of half truths, its true some cameras don't spot meter, its also true you lose infinity focus with some adapters.....so what ??
Canon is not more versatile, the T90 is a versatile camera, but its not something many peeps enjoy owning, and its no more versatile than anything else, take any plastic fantastic mid 80's slr, they're all versatile, they all function beautifully and they're all.....instantly forgettable.
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...and you don't like the Canon F1 either :D
 
FC2 you could try LCE Worcester they are advertising a F2A for about £160 odd on the web it appears to be 4 star.

C
 
excalibur2 said:
...and you don't like the Canon F1 either :D
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Well the difference between the F1 and the T90 is night and day, its true, Canon never really nailed SLR's stylistically imo, but at least the F1 has a bit of something.
I had an A1 for a while, nice camera before it started coughing all over the gaff.

Anyway, there are no F2's because there are less auctions at Christmas, F2's are a shade rarer than average but come the new year when everybody gets back in to the swing of things, F2's will go back to normal levels of availability.
 
Yes that's the one, pity there's no pic or mention of colour though. Four stars usually indicates reasonably good condition, should be worth a phone all.

C
 
joxby said:
Well the difference between the F1 and the T90 is night and day, its true, Canon never really nailed SLR's stylistically imo, but at least the F1 has a bit of something.
I had an A1 for a while, nice camera before it started coughing all over the gaff.
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..but my logic is sound for newbies and users (not collectors) i.e. A canon FD camera for best bang for buck lenses (and bodies), and able to use M42 lenses with no infinity problems. In fact I would add:- get a Konica camera (I have three) while prices are still reasonable, best for the lenses and it can also take M42 with no problems.
 
Ceejay said:
Yes that's the one, pity there's no pic or mention of colour though. Four stars usually indicates reasonably good condition, should be worth a phone all.
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Managed to get pictures, it's a black F2S in very good condition and it looks absolutely lovely. The biggest problem is that it wouldn't work with any of my AI lenses :bang: it needs lenses which have the "rabbit ears" and the only one I have is a 50mm f/1.8. Shame that...

Phillips Cameras is closed until Jan.

excalibur2 said:
..but my logic is sound for newbies and users (not collectors) i.e. A canon FD camera for best bang for buck lenses (and bodies), and able to use M42 lenses with no infinity problems. In fact I would add:- get a Konica camera (I have three) while prices are still reasonable, best for the lenses and it can also take M42 with no problems.
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Canon FD lenses are dirt cheap at the moment, the AE-1 Program + 50mm f/1.8 combination is still very good value for money used. But recommending a T90 so it can spot meter with M42 lenses? That's only going to appeal to a tiny number of people - even amongst everyone at F&C (already a niche group), I bet there's only a proportion of us that even bother with spot metering (I know I don't). A good centre-weighted meter (with easy adjustment) will do me just fine!
 
:D


Edit - how odd, only half of my post appeared...
 
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freecom2 said:
Canon FD lenses are dirt cheap at the moment, the AE-1 Program + 50mm f/1.8 combination is still very good value for money used. But recommending a T90 so it can spot meter with M42 lenses? That's only going to appeal to a tiny number of people - even amongst everyone at F&C (already a niche group), I bet there's only a proportion of us that even bother with spot metering (I know I don't). A good centre-weighted meter (with easy adjustment) will do me just fine!
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Well I have tried to go Nikon on inheriting my father's EM, and did buy a N2000 body for about £8 :clap:, mind you they have to share one Nikkor 50mm f1.8 :'( ...... but I did buy a tamron adapter and use it sometimes with their lenses :thumbs: And the EM? It's stored and although many don't like this cheap camera, it gave my Father and I plenty of very good correctly exposed shots. :thumbs:
My choice of Nikon would be a black FM2n.
 
There was a few lines of writing, which I now can't be arsed to retype :thumbs:

Anyway, isn't Odd what we do here?
 
RaglanSurf said:
Who are you calling odd?
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avatar38128_6.gif
:bonk::bonk::bonk:
 
Shut it Kermit :bat:
 
I decided to contact Sover Wong to see if he had any in stock instead :thumbs:
 
Had a peep in the window of LCE in Guildford. They've got a Black F2AS with lens, think its a fifty. Priced at £399. Fortunately they were closed, yesterday....or it might have been mine.

I've lusted after an F2 since 1977. Couldn't afford it then. Gonna have to satisfy myself (coulda worded that better) someday.
 
freecom2 said:
I decided to contact Sover Wong to see if he had any in stock instead :thumbs:
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Wise move. His servicing/restoration work on the F2 is incredible. If you want an F2 that is guaranteed to be in fully-overhauled tip-top working condition when it leaves him and with finely calibrated shutter speeds, then Sover is your man. His prices may appear to be on the high side, but they are not if you factor in the unparalleled servicing he undertakes.
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Wise move. His servicing/restoration work on the F2 is incredible. If you want an F2 that is guaranteed to be in fully-overhauled tip-top working condition when it leaves him and with finely calibrated shutter speeds, then Sover is your man. His prices may appear to be on the high side, but they are not if you factor in the unparalleled servicing he undertakes.
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Definitely, his reputation amongst F2 users seems to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for an Exc/User F2A it's looking to be more than £300 - it may be a serviced, perfect example, but that's a staggering amount for an F2.

I may start looking at F3 bodies instead... :help:
 
Well the Nikon F3 is certainly a capable camera, rugged and dependable and probably eaiser to get hold of the various bits and bobs for it.

I had one for a while but eventully got rid of it.
 
freecom2 said:
Definitely, his reputation amongst F2 users seems to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for an Exc/User F2A it's looking to be more than £300 - it may be a serviced, perfect example, but that's a staggering amount for an F2.

I may start looking at F3 bodies instead... :help:
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It is a lot of money, yeah. But then you need to bear in mind what your F2 might be like without a service. They are old cameras that have probably had a lot of use. When I bought mine and sent it to Sover, about half the shutter speeds were way off, to the point that some of them were useless. Of course I didn't know that for sure until I sent it to him. On that basis, I came to the conclusion that with a camera like that you either need to buy one that has been serviced or get it serviced properly. Sover does a before and after report on the speeds, and calibrates to tighter tolerances than Nikon. And that's just the start of his thoroughness.

With an F3 the electronic shutter is I think much less prone to becoming inaccurate, and F3s generally are very good value at the moment. Not difficult to pick up a very nice one for £120-£150. It's obviously a very different experience to an F2, but not better or worse IMO.

I am lucky enough to have both. :cool:
 
freecom2 said:
Definitely, his reputation amongst F2 users seems to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for an Exc/User F2A it's looking to be more than £300 - it may be a serviced, perfect example, but that's a staggering amount for an F2.

I may start looking at F3 bodies instead... :help:
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As lovely as the F2A is I do think the F3 might be a better and more reliable camera. I am biased and have owned one from new that is still my main shooting camera. It has never missed a beat, I love the viewfinder, the weight and its overall feel.

For me no other camera comes close and I own a lot of others, but I have to acknowledge I am very biased.

About 6-7 years ago when nobody wanted film cameras at all I bought two well used but servicable F3's purely to use as 'the spares department' for my F3. To date I have had no call on the spares cameras and my F3 has shot some film even if its just one frame almost every month since I bought it back in 1993.

Love it or hate it, it is a classic Nikon and the longest running production Nikon pro model body to date I believe. That long production run says it all!
 
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Knikki said:
Well the Nikon F3 is certainly a capable camera, rugged and dependable and probably eaiser to get hold of the various bits and bobs for it.
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Indeed - and whilst I loved the feel of an F2, an F3 might suit me better - aperture priority and better support for AI/AI-S lenses.

TheGreatSoprendo said:
With an F3 the electronic shutter is I think much less prone to becoming inaccurate, and F3s generally are very good value at the moment. Not difficult to pick up a very nice one for £120-£150. It's obviously a very different experience to an F2, but not better or worse IMO.
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No doubting Sover Wong's expertise at all - but it's just a lot of moolah to spend on a 35mm camera, that's basically good Rolleiflex money. I can't help but equate it to medium format, and when I do, it just doesn't hold up :shrug:

MindofMel said:
Which has the better viewfinder in your opinion?
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Probably depends on which head you put on each one - the viewfinder information on everyone is different, especially with the F2.

Jao said:
About 6-7 years ago when nobody wanted film cameras at all I bought two well used but servicable F3's purely to use as 'the spares department' for my F3. To date I have had no call on the spares cameras and my F3 has shot some film even if its just one frame almost every month since I bought it back in 1993.
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Wouldn't be prepared to part with one would you? :help: :naughty:

I should just be happy with my superbly capable FE2 and be done with it!
 
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