Nikon F2

A brief outline of the Nikon F2 manual focus SLR film camera

This page is dedicated to the superb Nikon F2 camera produced by Nikon between 1970 and 1980. The Nikon F of 1959 was the first truly professional 35mm SLR film camera and the Nikon F2 is arguably the best ever mechanical professional 35mm SLR ever made. The basic Nikon F2 had just a plain prism head (DE-1) or a waist level finder with no metering. The F2 era represented the end of the fully mechanical camera, later professional Nikon cameras would have an electronically timed shutter, the Nikon F2 was evolved as far as mechanical cameras would be.

The Nikon F2 remained in production and the last word in design for 10 years, this was partially due to the cameras ability to support numerous different light metering viewfinder/heads (DP-1, DP-2, DP-3, DP-11, DP-12) which were able evolved as technology advanced allowing the camera to be updated to state-of-the-art. Three different motor drives were produced for the F2 to allow the camera system to best meet task requirements, a range of 19 different focusing screens also allowed the camera system to be further tailored to any situations needs.

When necessary the Nikon F2 could be fitted with a 5 fps motor drive and a 250 frame bulk back, although the camera became heavy and bulky it made it possible to at 5fps for a continuous period of 50 seconds. Polaroid backs were available for the camera, the quality was severally limited by the instant films capability but allowed the photographer to check the composition and lighting effects before committing to 35mm film when there may not have been a second opportunity for the shoot.

Basic specifications of the Nikon F2 MF SLR Camera
Production period (later availability via stock)	1970 to 1980
Lens meter coupling type	N/A
Maximum aperture coupling range	N/A
ASA film speed range	N/A
EV range at ASA 100	N/A
Meter sensor type if applicable	N/A - DE-1 plain pentaprism viewfinder
Shutter type and curtain material	Horizontal Titanium foil focal-plane mechanical
Shutter speed range	10 to 1/2000 second (using self timer) + Bulb
Auto exposure modes available	None
Flash exposure type and maximum sync speed	Electronic flash 1/80 second
Interchangeable focusing screens	19 + others by third parties
Interchangeable viewfinder heads	Yes - (DE-1 as standard)
Interchangeable backs	MF-10 (36exp) MF-1 & MF-11 (250exp)
Film advance method	Single stroke lever
Motor drive or Auto winder availability	MD-1 (5 fps) - MD-2 (5 fps) - MD-3 (2.5 fps)
Film rewind method	Manual folding crank
Self Timer	Yes - 2 to 10 seconds
Battery type and number required	None with DE-1 plain pentaprism viewfinder
Body weight without lens attached	730g with DE-1 viewfinder fitted

Nikon
F2

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