Old-school 'film' cameras...
Discussion
Does anyone still use 'film' cameras?
I ask because my late Father was a keen photographer but had long since decommissioned his darkroom and progressed to digital cameras, but now that I'm going through his photography kit with a view to disposing of it I've rediscovered his old Nikon F2 which was for many years his favourite camera and was definitely responsible for making him a Nikon fan-boy and all these years later it is still an amazing piece of precision engineering.
Everything appears to work and it is in remarkable condition, complete with the original leather case and a selection of lenses from very short to very long.
So the question is does anyone still use these or, rather is there still a market for them? Or is it a bit like turning up for a tennis match with a wooden racquet?...
I ask because my late Father was a keen photographer but had long since decommissioned his darkroom and progressed to digital cameras, but now that I'm going through his photography kit with a view to disposing of it I've rediscovered his old Nikon F2 which was for many years his favourite camera and was definitely responsible for making him a Nikon fan-boy and all these years later it is still an amazing piece of precision engineering.
Everything appears to work and it is in remarkable condition, complete with the original leather case and a selection of lenses from very short to very long.
So the question is does anyone still use these or, rather is there still a market for them? Or is it a bit like turning up for a tennis match with a wooden racquet?...
People do still use film cameras, sure. I still have mine, but I don't use it.
There's no substitute for practising how to set up a shot and take it once rather than snapping away on high-speed continuous mode in the hope that one of the shots will be decent. Though that works better for some subjects than others, of course.
I'm sure I read somewhere that a decent quality 35mm film SLR camera with a good quality film would require something like a 35mp sensor to duplicate the quality, though this was in an article published when sensors were just getting over 10mp.
There's no substitute for practising how to set up a shot and take it once rather than snapping away on high-speed continuous mode in the hope that one of the shots will be decent. Though that works better for some subjects than others, of course.
I'm sure I read somewhere that a decent quality 35mm film SLR camera with a good quality film would require something like a 35mp sensor to duplicate the quality, though this was in an article published when sensors were just getting over 10mp.
There certainly is a market for film cameras, especially the quality ones. At one end of the spectrum photography students use them, and at the other, there's an esoteric arty following in the same way that people prefer vinyl to CD. You can either keep it an enjoy it as a work of mechanical art, or stick it on eBay and let someone else enjoy it.
NB The lenses may be worth more than the body. They may not be autofocus but if Nikon/Nikkor will be good/very good optical quality. If selling, suggest you sell them separately.
NB The lenses may be worth more than the body. They may not be autofocus but if Nikon/Nikkor will be good/very good optical quality. If selling, suggest you sell them separately.
Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 3rd September 13:06
Definitely not autofocus. 
Yes probably ebay is the place, I just didn't want to be wasting time/money advertising something that no-one wants.
As for the lenses there are 3 Nikkor, 1 Vivitar (zoom) and 2 Tair (Russian made) big lenses, there are also some others but I think they are for the more recent Nikon digital camera although I believe the fitting is the same? but those are the ones that have the 'attachment' that links them to the built-in light meter.
Yes probably ebay is the place, I just didn't want to be wasting time/money advertising something that no-one wants.
As for the lenses there are 3 Nikkor, 1 Vivitar (zoom) and 2 Tair (Russian made) big lenses, there are also some others but I think they are for the more recent Nikon digital camera although I believe the fitting is the same? but those are the ones that have the 'attachment' that links them to the built-in light meter.
catso said:
Definitely not autofocus.
Yes probably ebay is the place, I just didn't want to be wasting time/money advertising something that no-one wants.
As for the lenses there are 3 Nikkor, 1 Vivitar (zoom) and 2 Tair (Russian made) big lenses, there are also some others but I think they are for the more recent Nikon digital camera although I believe the fitting is the same? but those are the ones that have the 'attachment' that links them to the built-in light meter.
What are the three Nikkor lenses out of interest....?Yes probably ebay is the place, I just didn't want to be wasting time/money advertising something that no-one wants.
As for the lenses there are 3 Nikkor, 1 Vivitar (zoom) and 2 Tair (Russian made) big lenses, there are also some others but I think they are for the more recent Nikon digital camera although I believe the fitting is the same? but those are the ones that have the 'attachment' that links them to the built-in light meter.
catso said:
As for the lenses there are 3 Nikkor, 1 Vivitar (zoom) and 2 Tair (Russian made) big lenses, there are also some others but I think they are for the more recent Nikon digital camera although I believe the fitting is the same? but those are the ones that have the 'attachment' that links them to the built-in light meter.
Without knowing what they are, the Vivitar should fetch in the low tens, never heard of Tair but postage may knacker the achievable price. The Nikkor ones should do better; quality and brand matter. The ones with the little metal gunsight are, I think, old 'AI' lenses but the forum expert on old Nikon lenses is Beano. They date from well before DSLRs, as indeed does he 
Post 'em up...
Those lenses with the metering prong (gunsight) could be AI or AIS. There are even lenses converted to AI that have those (AI'd).
F2 models vary too, depending on the exact type of metering (photomic) head. Would be worth checking it before you advertise, as people will ask. Meter heads are DP- something or other.
F2 models vary too, depending on the exact type of metering (photomic) head. Would be worth checking it before you advertise, as people will ask. Meter heads are DP- something or other.
One of those telephotos at the back looks like it might be an M42 mount... either way, it looks very slow.
The stars of the show are the F2 body with 'ever-ready' case and three Nikkor lenses. The light meter might be worth listing too. The rest, £20-£30 a lump I'd say (though you can never be sure!)
The stars of the show are the F2 body with 'ever-ready' case and three Nikkor lenses. The light meter might be worth listing too. The rest, £20-£30 a lump I'd say (though you can never be sure!)
Magic919 said:
F2 models vary too, depending on the exact type of metering (photomic) head. Would be worth checking it before you advertise, as people will ask. Meter heads are DP- something or other.
I think it's an F2 Photomic, at least that's what I recall my Dad calling it. If it matters, how do I find out what model it is?There's a number (model no?) on the top near the film rewind dial, says F2 7520966, does this mean anything?
droopsnoot said:
Simpo Two said:
One of those telephotos at the back looks like it might be an M42 mount... either way, it looks very slow.
That might interest me, depending on focal length, if you do decide to move it on.It means lots! (Re the Serial #)
I can't source a reliable camera database - but I reckon, by a process of elimination, that could be a '73 production or younger...(i.e. It might not be some rare, early collectable)
Bit more clued up on some of the lenses (not much) but there are databases available
I'd love something like an F2 - using film would be great. Although somewhat impractical for me. And I cured my "retroNAS" with a Df!!!
I can't source a reliable camera database - but I reckon, by a process of elimination, that could be a '73 production or younger...(i.e. It might not be some rare, early collectable)
Bit more clued up on some of the lenses (not much) but there are databases available
I'd love something like an F2 - using film would be great. Although somewhat impractical for me. And I cured my "retroNAS" with a Df!!!
K12beano said:
It means lots! (Re the Serial #)
I can't source a reliable camera database - but I reckon, by a process of elimination, that could be a '73 production or younger...(i.e. It might not be some rare, early collectable)
He bought (new) it on a trip to Japan in either late '78 or '79. I can't source a reliable camera database - but I reckon, by a process of elimination, that could be a '73 production or younger...(i.e. It might not be some rare, early collectable)
droopsnoot said:
That might interest me, depending on focal length, if you do decide to move it on.
The plan is to sell all the camera equipment as whilst I might think I would like to keep it I really don't have the time or inclination to use it and I've already got too much stuff knocking about in boxes and cupboards.So if there's anything of interest feel free to PM me before it goes on ebay.
No Bend said:
'Focal length'?? They focus all the way from 'close' (depending on the lens) all the way to infinity!!
Focal length is a function of the lens design - in that case maybe 300 or 400mm? But probably only f8.When/if he advertises these he'll need to include the focal length, max aperture (f-numbers) and mount. If it has a screw thread 42mm diameter, it's M42 not Nikon F-mount.
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