The next finder after the vastly improved DP-2 which came with a F2 model designation of F2S mentioned in earlier section; Nikon introduced another new exciting metered prism known as DP-3 a few years later in 1976. When mounted onto a Nikon F2 camera body, it is generally referred to as the "Nikon F2SB Photomic". It was the most scarce in number, because it was only briefly marketed for barely a year between 1976/1977. It was quickly replaced with an AI-version prism DP-12 (companion prism for Nikon F2AS Photomic) in 1977.
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Credit: Image of this early non-Ai Nikon F2SB with DP3 metered prism coutesy of: Russell Gough® <rpg@daytonadvd.com>". Russell also has a EBAY STORE on his own. All images appeared herein are Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
The Nikon - F2SB Photomic (With DP-3 Finder) (Instruction manual for DP-11 Photomic Finder )
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The F2SB Photomic (and F2AS Photomic) were the two most sophisticated metered prism ever offered to Nikon F2 bodies. Although the two varying AI coupling system used (AI & non-AI) made a lot of difference even reflected by differences of the prices on the used market but these finders not just "lived" for investors but rather they incorporate some very sophisticated metering circuitry you can find on the market during that era. It was also the first metered prism to use SBC cells (Silicon Blue Cell) which has a far more sensitive light-gathering behavior than photo cells used on other Nikon prisms. The cells are coupled with a five-stage lighting-emitting diodes (LEDs) display to provide exposure guidance which was very similar to the system employed in all Nikon FM series models. |
Designed to fit any F2 Nikon camera body, the DP-3 incorporates the Nikon Photomic thru-the-lens metering method that concentrates 60% of the reading within the 12mm-diameter central portion of the view-field; thus, metering is quick and precise for varied lighting situations, and covers virtually 100% of the picture image frame as visible on the focusing screen.
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The improved sensitivity has also enable both F2SB and F2AS to read light at its lower scale down to a marked shutter speed settings of 10 sec. ! The finder has a metering range from EV -2 ~ 17 at ASA 100 (8 sec. at f/1 .4 to 1/2000 sec. at f/8.0 at 1/2000 sec. with 50mm f/1.4 lens). |
Additional sophistication
employed in the metering system include a monolithic IC for exposure detection and
indication, and a metallic thin-film resistor (the Functional Resistance Element
or FRE); both of these devices help to ensure the most dependable operation under
demanding picture-talking situations.
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The DP-3 has three LED exposure indicators visible within the finder view field ("+" for overexposure, "o" for correct exposure, and "-" for underexposure); thus, the DP-3 is capable of providing easy-to-read exposure information in five steps, even at low-light levels. Additionally, the selected shutter speed and lens aperture settings are visible for maximum ease of operation. for setting the desired exposure. |
If the plus (+) indicator lights, increase the shutter speed or decrease the aperture until the center (O) indicator just comes on and the (+) turns off; if the minus (- ) indicator is lit, decrease the shutter speed or increase the aperture until the center indicator lights.
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Other merits of the DP-3 include the display of shutter speed and aperture settings with in the finder, the built-in finder illuminator, and the ready-light for use with flash units. The top panel of a DP-3/DP-12 shares many similarities.
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The built-in Illumination activates via a switch on top by sliding it. There is also a correct exposure indicator window so in situations like mounting on waist OR ground level, you need not peep through the finder to check exposures repeatedly after setup.. |
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Finder Illuminator |
To solve this problem, the, DP-3 is fitted with a finder illuminator. To operate, slide the illuminator switch at the top of the finder toward the rear of the camera; with this action the shutter speed and aperture settings will glow red. Other than LEDs, the DP-3 also has incorporated an eyepiece shutter which can be used when the camera is fired remotely or in self timer operation to minimize extraneous light affecting its accuracy in exposure measurement. Further, The DP-3 works with either the DS-1 or DS-2 automatic aperture control unit for shutter-priority operation.
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Coincidentally, the remarkable Olympus OM-2 that has brought TTL flash and direct metering to the photographic world for the first time (announced in late 1973, marketed only in 1975) also used a pair of the similar sensitive photo-diodes at the camera base to handle OTF (Off the Film) direct metering (Exposure measurement is via another pair of Cds cells near the eyepiece). With the SBC cell, camera makers had found an new alternative technology than the commonly used Cds cells which was a common source during those era. |
Credit: Image of this early non-Ai Nikon F2SB with DP3 metered prism coutesy of: Russell Gough® <rpg@daytonadvd.com>". Russell also has a EBAY STORE on his own. All images appeared herein are Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
| Previous | Next | 8/17 Other issues and some personal comments
| Back | Main Index Page - Interchangeable Viewfinders
System
Accessories:
Motor
Drives
/ Prisms / Screens / Macro / Film
Backs
/ Flash
Other Accessories:
DS-1 / DS-2 / DS-12 / eyepiece / DH-1 / cases / Cable releases / Miscellaneous
| History
& Background
| Semi-FAQ | Various Features and Functions - 6 Parts |
| Message Board | for
your favourite Nikon
F2 Series SLR model(s)
| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Nikon/Nikkor Photographic
Equipment
| Back | to Main Index Page of Nikon F2 Series SLR models
| Back |
Main Index Page of Pictorial History of Nikon SLRs
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The Eyes of Nikon:- |
Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm |
Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm |
Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm |
35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm |
100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm
Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E
Nikon F
| Nikon F2 |
Nikon
F3
| Nikon F4 |
Nikon
F5
| Nikon F6 |
Nikkormat / Nikomat |
Nikon FM
| Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models
MIR Supports for Photographic Community: Various Message Boards/Community
Forums
Nikon
F-series|
Nikon
F2-series|
Nikon
F3-series|
Nikon F4-series| Nikon
F5-series|Nikkormat/Nikomat-series
Nikon FM-series|Nikon
FE-series|Nikon
FA|Nikon
Digital
SLR
series|Various
Nikon
Models|Nikkor
Optic
-shared
Others:- Free Trade Zone - Photography| Free Trade Zone - Business Community |Free To Zouk - Photographic Community
Apple's Mac Public Community Message Board | Windows based PC &
Apple/Mac
Public Community Trade Exchange Centre
Recommended links to understand
more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
About this photographic site.
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HOME - Photography in Malaysia |
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Copyright © 2000. leofoo ®. MIR Web Development Team.
In
memory of my friend Com.
Augusto Staut,
Brazil, 1971-2000.
Credit: Chuck Hester, US for his patience, encouragement
and help to setup the various content in this site; Robert Johnson for some of his original
images on the F2H-MD appeared in this site; my ex-staff, KiaSu for his superb
3-D logo appeared in this Nikon F2 site; Marc Vorgers from Holland who
generously provide me with some of his images of F2AS; MCLau®, who has so much time with me to
re-edit the content in this site and not to mention buying a Nikon Coolpix 990 just
for this site. Keat Photo,
Kuala Lumpur for providing
their Nikon F2A to take some images for this site; again, Mr Edward Ngoh the
great camera collector who provides us his collection of F2AS with MD-2; hawkeye.photographic.com
for their images on the Speed Magny film backs; Sean Cranor for his image
on Nikon F2 25th Anniversary Model; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous
flow of input on some of the early Nikon bodies; CYLeow ® , photo editor of the Star
newspaper, Malaysia for some of his images used in this site. Ms Rissa Chan, Sales manager from
Shriro Malaysia who has helped to provide some of the very useful input. HiuraShinsaku®,
Nikomat ML, Japan for some of his images on various F2 models; my staff, Wati, Maisa, Mai and my nephew, EEWyn®, who volunteered and helping me
did so many of the film scanning works. Contributing photographers or resellers:
Jen Siow, Foo KokKin, Arthur Teng, Mark Fallander, John
Ishii, Ed Hassel, YoonKi Kim, Jean-Louis, M.Dugentas (Dell Corner.com.), Mr "Arsenall" and a few images mailed
in from surfers with no appropriate reference to their origin. Dedicated to KU Yeo, just to express our mutual regrets over the outcome of
a recent corporate event. Made with a PowerMac, broadcast with a Redhat Linux powered server.
