The F2a I own is a rock. It's been to hell and back with nary a problem. I have beat the crap out of this baby, and it just keeps on going.

The winding mechanism.
Slow synch speed for flash
Cloth shutter curtain
Motor Drives are lacking

This camera knows no equal. Perhaps Nikon will start producing them anew again. Wouldn't that be something?

Customer Service

None necessary.

Similar Products Used:

There is nothing that compares to the F2

a fine mechanical body unmatched in construction and dependability with all the features a professional needs.

it's discontiued and parts are expensive, hard to find.

as a photo enthusiast, i look for a camera that is solid and dependable. fast autospeed performance and modern automated features is an overkill and can give you bad habits. if you're interested in photogrpahy and is looking into a nikon, think about the following requirements for a body: full metering compatiblity with all old and new nikon lenses, 100% viewfinder, versatility in accessories, and a dependable shutter. the only body that meets all of the above, surprisingly, is the F2. this camera is a solid base for a great 35mm outfit and a testament to nikon's longevity.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

F3HP, FM2n, FE2, F4

Strength! Reliability, Nikkor lenses, mirror lockup, replacable finders, replacable focusing screens, fast motor drive, no batteries required, 2000th/sec - 8sec, 100% frame coverage...

I love this camera to death, but I have got to say, my F2AS with MD2/MB1+nicads and 180ED f2.8 is pretty d*** heavy. I am more than willing to live with this for this camera, but I wish it were all titanium so I could have the strength without the weight.

Awesome machine that is a masterpeice of mechanical engineering. I can't see myself replacing my F2AS until digital really does take over completely, which I hope is past my lifetime.

BTW, it is hard to take a low profile with this camera, people see you and stare, and if at first they don't notice, rest assured that the MD2 will fix that when you open fire. I was browsing a trendy home wares store in Bondi Sydney with my F2AS and was quickly asked if I could take photos for their catalog. These people were complete strangers to me, who have never seen any of my photos. People see this camera and assume that there is a pro connected to it. I am a quiet kind of person that does'nt really like much attention, so firing this thing in public often make me feel a little awkward. I guess some might be thinking pro and others might be thinking wanker. The photos and reliability is what I am after ultimately though, people can think what they want. I can't see digital beating a roll of Scala or Velvia any time soon for sharpness, so while 35mm is around, the F2AS is for me.

Customer Service

Never required. However, my first camera, a Ricoh XR10, was complete crap, as was the service. I traded it along with power winder and Rikenon (Ricoh) 70-300mm lens for a second hand FE2 with 50mm f1.8. The switch to Nikon was the best move I made. If I ever buy another camera make, it would have to be a major upgrade to something like a Rolliflex 6008.

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All Nikons, FE2, F3HP, F4S, F801, FM2.

Ergonomics are superb; feel, fit, finish, controls are buttery smooth; shutter is a legend, with intermediate mechanical speeds; the only camera one really needs

none. Even by today's standards, an F2 will do 95% of what a serious photographer will need. Unless you are strapped to the underbelly of a formula race car using 1600 ektachrome, and need 1/8000th of second or some other foolish thing.

For travel photography there is no finer machine for $250-350 than an F2 and a working photomic or AS meter. Without batteries it will do everything (including 10 s timed exposures) but meter. I always take one on overseas trips w/85mm lens in case my pair of FA's die or get stolen. A beginner can grow with this one camera from beginner to pro: start with cheap non-AI lenses; add a or as finder and switch to modern AF lenses; then buy AF if you feel the need.

Customer Service

Mr. Newberry in Arlington VA can fix anything with a shutter for $65 bucks

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Nikon F, Canon F1, Pentax Spotmatics (early 70's)

Solid strength, easy to read meter, simple operation..rugged

None that I can think of

This is a great, easy to use, understand and fall in love with machine...execeptional optics and meter all my pics have come out sharp to this day, shot and developed a roll of B&W last week...love it!

Customer Service

I got in high school in the mid 80's was my step father's camera who had it during the latter part of the 70's and to my knowledge has not been back for service except for cleaning.

Similar Products Used:

FA, F3, F5, F5 N90s

Flawless design. Intuitive and simple dials and buttons, so you pretty much get the results you expected. 100% viewfinder is so important. Precision old school construction only surpassed by Smith&Wesson semiautomatics. A wide selection of accessories to modify/enhance the body.

It's now a piece of jewery, a collector's toy. So now I can't get simple little things like a rubber eyecup or original release cable.

When I first saw this I had no idea what it was, except it looked very well made. After using it a few times I realized this was the camera that everybody copied from ever since, like the "midrange" FM2n which was my original camera. Boy I never felt so solid and secure with the F2 in my hands. It feels like a gun. Really.

I'm a graphic designer and I'm not a serious photographer. I shoot mostly random shots for collage and background materials, at first with my FM2n and then a digital camera. I never thought too much about photography in and of itself. But after using the F2 I started to really enjoy old fashioned photography like I used to back in high school. It's the straightforward mechanics and rare quality that reminded me of how jouralistic photographers used to work and think.

Customer Service

None so far, and I doubt I will ever need it.

Similar Products Used:

FM2n, Canon A-1

Just fantastic.Make you fill as a pro ,after all thise years!!!

Maybe viewfinder DP 11 would need some repares,but I think it can work if you insteed of real film speed increase the NR. (try to experiment with other reference light meter)

By this camera if you would like to be the part of people which made the history of modern photography!Pleasure to work with , silky smooth operation.Love this camera!
If you seek for the best Customer service , contact Chris' Camera first (fantastic people).

Customer Service

Not yet,hope I don't need in the future.

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OM 4

Rugged, dependable and reliable.

NONE

Even though the Camera is 30 years old.
I still use it as my main camera, due to the 100% viewfinder.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F, Photomic T, Nikkormat FT-2,
Pentax SP-1000, Konica Hexar, Konica
Auto S-2, Minolta xg-7,9, SRT-101 and
X-700. Canon Elan II, Voigtlander Vito B,
Zeiss Ikon Icarex 35S, Rollei 35S, Pentax
S-3, SV,Canon TX and Olympus OM-1.

It's a brick with a lens mount. Superb ergonomics, good balance, extremely easy to use. Millions of lenses available.

C'mon...This would be like discussing the shortcomings of the 1970 Porsche 911.

Anyone interested in photography should own an F2 once in their life, if for no other reason than to experience a camera done right. Furthermore, it's amazing how good it makes you feel to just hold it. Regardless of the price, it's cheaper than therapy.

Customer Service

DP-11 meter cleaned last year for $65.00. Otherwise it's been trouble-free.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F, FM2n, F3, N80, N70.

Mechanical shutter, superb optics, sturdy construction and availability of accessories. Owned this camera for more than 20 years and still works fine!

Photomic head! Don't forget to bring a handheld meter!

The ultimate camera for the serious photographer! Couple this with a 24mm 2.8, 55mm 3.5 micro-nikkor and the legendary 105mm 2.5 and that's it!

Customer Service

Never did!

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM-1N, Pentax MX, Nikon FE, Nikon F-50