15 replies to this topic

[Danofmk84]

.... To go with my F2.

Had a look on ebay but slim pickings and what is there seem to be going for more than the camera is worth!

Any ideas of where to start looking?

Or does anybody have one they're looking to part with?!?

Thanks all

[Merco_61]

I'll just say good luck on your quest. The F2SB is the rarest version of all professional Nikons with a production run of only 8 months or so and the Photomic Dp3 seldom turns up, if at all.

[Danofmk84]

Rats!

I find the DP2 not particularly user friendly

Would any of the later post dp3 models be easier to come by? Presumably they meter in a similar way?

Thanks for saving me a lot of time looking for one!

[Merco_61]

They were made in much larger numbers and use the Ai ridge instead of the rabbit-ears. I think the DP-11 is match-needle and the DP-12 uses diodes but I am not sure. I sold off my F2 bodies some years ago.

[Danofmk84]

Am I right to think a viewfinder off an F3 wouldn't meter on a F2?

[Merco_61]

You are absolutely correct in that. The F3 finders aren't photomics as a starter and the metering electronics are down in the body.

 

What is it you dislike about the DP-2?

[Danofmk84]

Dislike might be over stating it a tad, but:

1 The red diodes aren't always the easiest to see- could be mine is on the go perhaps

2 You only get over, under or correct, with no idea how over or under you may be

3 The fact they both light up when you're metered correctly is a slight design flaw to me as you have to check for both the whole time. A minor point that one.

(I think that is the DP2 from what I've read online. I inherited the camera so can't be sure!)

[Merco_61]

To summarize the five Photomics for the F2:

DP-1 uses a needle,.

DP-2 uses two diodes.

DP-3 uses three diodes.

DP-11 uses a needle and is Ai.

DP-12 uses three diodes and is Ai.

 

The DP-3 and DP-12 meters down to EV-2, the others down to EV1.

 

Both the DP-11 and DP-12 can be used with pre-Ai lenses, but only with stop-down metering.

[Wayben]

Don't forget about the meter less DE-1 viewfinder and handheld meter option.  That is what I prefer, makes for a much more compact camera body.

[Danofmk84]

Sure, a smaller camera but an extra hand needed!

I've got a reasonable one on my phone but obviously that only really is practical in some circumstances

I've got a DE with a F3 with knackered electricals. The cost of repairs seems prohibitive given the risk it is beyond repair

Thabks for all the info. Really appreciate it

[Wayben]

I guess they bred that third hand out of people once we got meters in our cameras, lol.

 

Doesn't the F3 only have one shutter speed without electrical?  1/60th if I remember correctly.  I never tried using one with out a battery, might be kind of fun to play around with.

[Danofmk84]

Yes there is a mechanical back up but from memory it's a faff to use as you press something down by the lens mount rather than the shutter

Given I've got the F2 no point really in me playing around with the F3 but I'll stick it on ebay at some point so somebody else can!

[Danofmk84]

Ohhhh looks like I've found one at a sensible price!

Dumb questions time:

1. Will this work exactly as the DP2 in terms of coupling with the "bunny ears" on my lenses; and

2. Out of interest, is the metering reading the aperture of the lens through the mount, or is it through this "coupling"?

As always any help gratefully received

[Merco_61]

DP-1, 2 and 3 all use the rabbit ears. This makes it possible to meter the light without stopping down the aperture. The DP-11 and 12 use the Ai ridge on the aperture ring, so you would need to flip the coupling out of the way and use stop-down metering with unmodified lenses from before 1977.

 

The stop-down actuator didn't get a linear relationship to the aperture until the Ai-S lenses. That is the big difference between Ai and Ai-S. This was changed to make it possible to control the aperture from the body with the FA.

[Danofmk84]

Great, cheers

I might have a chrome F2 going spare now with the DP2, if anybody is interested....

[Danofmk84]

Got the DP3 in a straight swap for the DP2

Thanks for the help chaps mb