[Nikon] F2 | Film Cameras | September 1971
F2
The Nikon F2 is a professional-level, interchangeable lens 35mm film SLR camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optical company Nippon Kogaku K.K. (now Nikon Corporation) in Japan from September 1971 to 1980. It features a horizontal-travel focal plane shutter with titanium shutter curtains and a speed range from 1 to 1/2000 second (up to 10 seconds with the self-timer). It also offers flash X-sync at 1/80 second. The camera's dimensions are 98mm in height, 152.5mm in width, 65mm in depth, and weighs 730g. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all-black. The F2 became popular among both casual and professional photographers, particularly photojournalists covering the latter half of the Vietnam War.
The F2 is the second model in Nikon's F series of professional 35mm SLR cameras, following the Nikon F (manufactured from 1959 to 1974). Subsequent models in the series included the F3 (1980–2001), F4 (1988–1996), F5 (1996–2005), and F6 (2004–2020). The F series cameras do not share major components except for the crucial F-mount lens system.
All Nikon professional F-series cameras are system cameras, meaning the camera body itself serves as a modular hub.
The F2 is a metal-bodied, mechanically controlled (springs, gears, levers), manual-focus SLR with manual exposure control. The camera itself requires no batteries, but the prism light meter (and motor drive if added) requires them. The F2 replaced the Nikon F, adding many new features such as a faster 1/2000-second shutter speed, a swing-open back for easier film loading, a wider range of detachable viewfinders and metering heads, a 250-exposure film back, and a larger reflex mirror to prevent vignetting. It also offered a detachable motor drive, which was previously only available as a custom modification for the F model. The F2 was the last all-mechanical professional-level Nikon SLR.
The F2 accepts all lenses with the Nikon F-mount, but there are limitations depending on the F2 version. The F2A and F2AS Photomic models support lenses with Automatic Indexing (AI) introduced in 1977. AI lenses have a "meter coupling ridge" on the aperture ring that interacts with the camera's "meter coupling lever" to transfer aperture information. The earlier F2, F2S, and F2SB versions require lenses with a "meter coupling shoe" or "rabbit ears." These lenses require "stop-down" metering.
The standard lens for many photographers was the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4, while others preferred the Nikkor 35mm f/2 for a wider field of view. The Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 was renowned for its sharpness and bokeh and was a favorite for portraiture.
The F2’s interchangeable viewfinders were one of its standout features, allowing users to customize the camera to their needs. The base viewfinder, the DE-1, was a plain pentaprism with no built-in light meter. However, other viewfinders with light meters were available, making the F2 a versatile option for professionals. The F2’s compatibility with a variety of viewfinders and focusing screens made it a highly customizable system camera.
