Nikon F and F2 Information
What's complete? (Updated 16 May 1998)
Notes on navigation of all index pages (all of the links below will throw you into an index page; the best places to start would be the "F Index" and the "F2 Index"):
The Nikon F was introduced in 1959 at the Philadelphia Master Photo Dealers and Finishers Association Convention as Nikon's first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, after a brief, distinguished tradition of rangefinder cameras. In fact, much of the F's styling derived from Nikon's top-line rangefinder, the SP. The two cameras shared similar wind knob/frame counters, shutter releases, shutter speed dials, rewind knobs, and self-timer levers. They were both designed with slip-off camera backs. They also shared the same shutter mechanism, a horizontally-travelling titanium foil shutter, which while tough, is not unbreakable (I managed to put my finger through one).Like most cameras of its time, the F was part of a system, meaning that it was meant to be customized with a line of accessories, including separate viewfinders, a pair of motordrives, and different backs. In the end, the F was successful (if expensive -- appox. $400 in the mid-60's, when $2000 would buy you a new car; in that light, the F5 doesn't seem expensive at all ...) with over one million units produced from 1959 to 1972. In fact, it has had the longest model run of any Nikon camera, except for the F3 (1980-present) and the FM2 (1982-present).
F Index | F Overview | F Body | F Finders | F Motors | F Backs
The F2 was introduced in 1970 as an upgraded F, with similar, if more rounded styling. With some modification, F prisms will fit on F2 bodies and the screens are interchangeable, so the F2 is really more of an improved F, with simpler (modularised) internal construction and various modifications that Nikon felt were needed, such as a simpler motordrive coupling, a hinged back, and a shorter-stroke, smoother advance lever. In addition, the F2 carried its batteries in the body, so its metered viewfinders were notably more compact than similar ones for the F. The F2 was just as (weighty) solid-feeling as the F, and it had a similar shutter mechanism, but a little speedier (top end 1/2000 and flash sync at a luxurious 1/80, as opposed to 1/60 for the F). The F2 also has provisions for shutter speeds up to ten seconds and it has stepless shutter speeds between 1/80 and 1/2000, meaning that if you wanted 1/365, you'd nudge the shutter dial between 1/250 and 1/500 and hope that the shutter mechanics were still fairly accurate.
The F2 also introduced its own line of motordrives, and backs some of which have yet to be re-released by Nikon for its later bodies, such as the MF-2 750 exposure back, which takes one-hundred foot (30 m) rolls of film. Again, the F2 was more expensive than most of its 1970's rivals, just like the F. It is also reputedly the last of the hand-built Nikons, something to consider before you get rid of that treasure in the attic.
F2 Index | F2 Overview | F2 Body | F2 Finders | F2 Motors | F2 Backs
The F and F2 shared quite a few items, including flashes, macro items, and miscellaneous accessories, which includes such items as cases and panorama heads. If just browsing doesn't turn up the specific piece you're looking for, please check out the items by part number page.
Flashes | Macro | Miscellaneous | Items by Part Number
Well, it's been better than a year since the first "ff2.html" site went up and, in a desperate attempt to prolong the agony that is graduate school, I am reorganizing and putting more information up on the web. Hence, please be welcomed to version two and I hope that you find it useful. I will, fingers crossed, graduate in June, 1998. MIT is probably going to remove the F and F2 pages in all forms, along with my account, sometime in September; this page was written mostly at the request of Leonard Foo, who will set up a mirror site in Malaysia. If you feel that the information contained here is worth keeping, I suggest that you either (1) save the information contained here on your own computer (2) check out the mirror site or (3) set up your own mirror site.
I would like to make a blanket thank-you statement to all who have made my life more interesting during this past year; between suggestions and corrections, you have been the ones writing these pages, and I think that you've all done a wonderful job. Thanks.
I am planning to withdraw from the 'net for at least a year after graduation, to get my life a bit more organised, and after that will see if I want even an email address after that. My feeling right now is leaning towards not continuing, as I miss the slightly scratchy feel you get running a pen over paper, the quiet dignity contained in a thoughtful letter, and the sense of worth missing from email. Yes, it's fast. No, the web is but a tool, one best used for information. Yes, I probably will wish I had a fast tool for communication -- but the telephone is good enough, and letters will do for me in the future. I will probably release a snail mail address at which I can be reached in the future.
Good day and cheers;
Michael Liu
Take me back to Mike's home page.