The Iconic F2 Mechanical Nikon Camera
Benjamin Perlin is a Nashville photographer who employs traditional film cameras in capturing unique moments that convey a specific mood and atmosphere. Among the vintage cameras that Benjamin (Ben) Perlin has obtained over the years are a Zeiss Ikon Contessa and a Nikon F2. Produced from 1971 to the early 1980s, the Nikon F2 defined the state-of-the-art among mid-range, mechanically operated 35mm SLR models. The original Nikon F came out in 1959 and proved a worthy competitor to the LEICA with its combination of reliability and quick handling. The F2 improved on that popular model by replacing the rangefinder with a single lens reflex lens system and through other developments fueled by research for NASA’s SkyLab and Apollo mission. One of the F2’s key differentiators was a continuously variable shutter speed of between 1/90 and 1/2,000, which allowed for photography in a wide range of conditions. Requiring no batteries, the cameras were known for their accurate framing and focus, with interchangeable focus screens and finders creating a unified system for serious photographers. Nikon’s F2 production run came to an end in 1980 when the company introduced the electronics-equipped F3, but many die-hard owners eschewed the new models in favor of the classic.