Hello fellow filmheads!
I'm starting a new topic on the Nikon F exposure meter, in particular all that suit the original Nikon F 35mm SLR body (1959-1973), with regard to preferred models and their pros + cons.
My F which I recently bought, after a long while dreaming of one, )a serial number 708xxxx, dating form between 2/1970 - 4/1970) came fitted with a Photomic FTN finder in excellent condition, although I am yet to put a roll of film through the body to test it's accuracy. Whilst this is an excellent finder/exposure meter unit in general, it is quite bulky and makes the camera tricky to hold in some shooting circumstances I have encountered. (I am predominantly a street photographer.)
I am looking to fit the camera with a standard and or waist level finder, and an external exposure meter for general street use, and save the Photomic FTN for portraiture and planned exposures on the tripod.
I have consulted W.D Emanuel's handy 'Nikon F Guide: Fourth edition,' and have not found the information I am looking for, this being the pros/cons of the model 2 vs model 3 exposure meter for the F.
From what I can tell, I am leaning towards the model 3, due to being more user friendly, a bonus in the hectic situations I sometimes come across, and being possibly lighter owing to the smaller light cells. However, it is this fact, the seemingly smaller light cells that has me intrigued as to whether the model 2 is more accurate in it's readings. I cannot remember which specific cells each model uses and how this might affect the performance of each model respectively.
I'm fairly new to the world of the F, coming of a mint Nikkormat FT with complete kit which I inherited (very much a user-centric photographic experience, with no where near the ability to fine tune the equipment for the circumstance), and I am slightly bewildered the seemingly endless combinations of accessories for the F, just trying to figure out what is going to suit my specific situation the best. Despite being aware of the many accessories produced for this model...
Any information on either of these models, or others that might be more suited to hectic city streets would be appreciated.