arhphotographic

Making comparisons is odious at the best of times. So too with cameras. I like to think that cameras are just different with different skill sets. So while I may make references to my Nikon F, review here, they are to highlight the differences and not their deficiencies.

At 700 grams, without a lens, it is still a substantial camera. With a more rounded Nikon F chassis, comfortable has become more comfortable. Mirror lock up and depth of preview functions have been merged into one control, top left in the photo below. The self timer has a very useful timer indicator of up to 10 seconds on it. The shutters top speed is now 2000th of a second

My F2 has the DP2 head thus making it the F2S. The meter head is smaller than its predecessors due in part to its featuring two LED’s indicating over and under exposure rather than a mechanical match needle. Another factor is that the head no longer houses the two 625 equivalent batteries. The two smaller 1.5v silver oxide batteries have been moved into the base of the camera. These LED’s can be seen through the viewfinder as well looking down at the head from above. The ‘Nikon shuffle’ is still used to calibrate the lens with the light meter. The aperture window indicating the maximum setting of the lens attached is a little more discreet.

The top plate sees the film counter relocated to the front of the film advance button, which has also been moved to the more familiar location, the front of the top plate. The film compartment no longer has to be removed to load a film, as is the case with the Nikon F. Instead the compartment is opened via a latch on the base of the camera, unlocking the hinged film door.

Even the base plate of the camera looks good.

This week we had an unusual snow shower lasting a couple of hours from start to disappearance. Even so I managed to capture a few images, made all the easier with my F2S.

All of the photos were taken with one of my favourite lenses, a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 fitted with a close up filter. I can get quite close with just the lens but the filter allows me to get that little bit closer.😊

The DP2 meter head wants to overexpose by about 2 stops. To correct this I have been getting the two LED lights to illuminate using aperture/shutter speed controls and then moving either aperture or shutter speed by two increments, so that the left LED light only is on.

I do like it when I can see both aperture and shutter speed when looking through the the viewfinder, as is the case with the F2S.

So the Nikon F FTN has seen a lot of ‘nips and tucks’ to produce the F2S.

Which camera is better? Neither.

Which camera do I prefer? Either.😁