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Nikon's Best Film Cameras

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Started 3 years ago by NSXType-R
Latest reply from SkintBrit
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NSXType-R

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Yeah, we had this discussion in the digital forum, sooner or later it had to be made.

And besides, there are only 7 threads in this part of the forum. :D

Keep in mind, I have very limited knowledge in film cameras, but I do have slightly longer experience in digital cameras, but not by that much more (only about a year's worth of experience total :D ).

I've only shot 4 rolls, only 3 of which have been successful. But boy is it fun. :D

So my picks-

Nikon FM2- ruggedness that is unparalleled, operational without a battery. Just a classic.
Nikon F6- last of a legend. I doubt there will be a replacement, unless Nikon was off its rocker.

Of course, I'll just sit back and listen to you guys on this one, I don't know too much about film camera bodies.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Ha Ha thread idea stealer......Ok lets play. I vote

Nikon S3
Nikon SP
Nikon F Photomic
Nikon FM2/T
Nikon FE2
Nikon F4S
Nikon F3HP
Nikonos I,II,III and RS (actually any of the Nikonos)
Nikon TW2
Nikon F501
Nikon Auto 35
Nikon F100
D70 and D700 (I'm sneaking them in)

Oh and the transforming Nikon Nuvis S and Nikon 35Ti with those cool analog dials on top.
Ooh, ooh, and the Nikon Pronea S just because it looks like nothing before or since.

Ok I'll stop now :^(

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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F3hp for SLRs, Nikonos V for UW and 35ti for coolness (I agree NikoDoby).

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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f100 - an all-around camera for professionals

Posted 3 years ago #
tai

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F100, f5, f6, FM2, and I'm putting in the F4 for the fact that it mounts and meters with every f-mount lens ever.

Also special mention to my adorable FE and the FE2, sure, the FM2 is better, but you get everything other than the batteryless operation for a lot cheaper

Posted 3 years ago #
fotografz

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F6.

Used them all over the years, but this is a mind bender of a camera. If Nikon totally goes out of the film camera business, it'll indisputably be on top IMHO.

Posted 3 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Nikkormat. Made Nikons name.

FE2 and FM2n Best in their class..

F100 Best all round NOW!

F6 The Best technically !

Posted 3 years ago #
JDeV

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I loved my F4s...now my son has it in his room with a bunch of antique cameras :D. I think the most dependable camera I ever had was my old Nikkormat

Posted 3 years ago #
QuadraPixel

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Got an N65 a couple months ago for $40. Best Nikon 35mm I have lol!

Posted 3 years ago #
S2694878

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FM3A.

I was looking for an Nikon FM2n (with a flash synchronization of 1/250), but it seems so hard to find even in second shops nowadays.

Finally, a chain of photo shop cum studio in Manila changed their studio cameras to a DSLR. (I heard they are getting a Canon hehehe). I just saw rows of Nikon FM3As with a Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 HF Macro being sold. They are selling it for AUD 175.00, I got one and am using it as a fall back camera to my Nikon D40. Now, I'm searching for AF-D lenses for this body here in second hand shops in Brisbane.

Film (and mechanical manual) cameras are simple to operate. It just takes four steps: focus, set aperture, set shutter speed, and press the shutter! And no one can beat the view of their viewfinders - its big and bright!

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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The risk of buying used bodies used commercially, is that the shutter mechanism may be worn out.

High end SLRs used to show up on the used market looking perfect, no cosmetic imperfections. The cameras spent their lives on camera stands with motor drives. A great looking camera, not a very useful device.

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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A bit of a bump, but just wondering, has anyone every used any of the Nikonos film SLRs?

And are there any plans of a digital version?

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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I used to dive with a Nikonos V and the basic kit 35 and flash. It was cumbersome, even with the single flash, but the results were terrific. I also used the Nikonos as a very bad weather camera and was very happy with it (river rafting too). A digital, underwater with D90 sensor and 10-24 built-in lens would be a dream.

With film on the best underwater dives you'd go down with a full 36 exposure roll, but after 30-40 minutes of visual wonder, it was hard to ration the exposures for the future wow shot. Typically shot 32-34 per roll. Now, you'd just load a 32Gb card. I've heard no plans or a better U/W camera, the housings work, but are heavy and costly. I think it's an underserved niche market.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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There was a "small" rumor a while back about a digital Nikonos in development, but haven't heard anything about it since.

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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I don't think the market is large enough for a digital Nikonos, but I think Nikon could sell a waterproof camera like the one made by Pentax and Olympus. There is room for lots of improvements to that kind of camera, better seals, stronger door, If you look at the Olympus camera the door area is by far its weak link.

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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The nice thing about digital is that you would only need one opening in the camera housing for the battery and memory card. I would think this much easier than a film compartment.

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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So I'm guessing the Nikonos line uses a totally different lens mount right? I thought it was F mount for a second there.

It'll be cool if Nikon launched a digital Nikonos.

Posted 3 years ago #
mb

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Nikon's Best Film Camera, original Nikon F without a doubt, everything later was just a slight improvement.

Posted 3 years ago #
nikkornut

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Still shooting my FM2n & F5. Shifted recently to DSLRs...hmmm. Shooting film is still a different kettle of fish. I'm glad that my lenses are compatible between cams due to the F-mount.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Welcome to the forum nikkornut! What kind of film do you shoot?

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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Just curious, white balance is adjusted by using filters right, when shooting film?

And welcome nikkormut!

I need to buy a couple rolls of film. I haven't tested out the Mamiya SLR my uncle gave me yet.

The camera is in good nick, it's just that the lever for the self timer sort of broke off.

The rest is fine though. I don't like the fact that it has a cloth shutter though. I love the honeycomb shutter of the FM2.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Yeah, I think you use filter for WB on film. Have fun with the Mamiya! :^)

Posted 3 years ago #
nikkornut

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@ alphanikonrex & NSXType-R- Thank you for your warm welcome. I happily came across NR recently. There is so much to learn (again) about photography! Recently I've shot Kodak Tri-X Pan 400 & Fuji Neopan 400 film again. WIll be trying out Ilford HP5 400 & Ilford SP200 400 soon.

It's been awhile since I shot film regularly. It was 2001 when I stopped, having given in to my family's request for a digicam. The newer Nikon Pro D1x DSLR cost an arm & a leg. I settled for a Coolpix 775 digital P/S. At 2MP, it cost as much as my FM2n w/c I bought bnew 15 years earlier. At the time, I had wanted a F3HP but it was way beyond my means as a student. The Coolpix felt like a toy in my palm vs the tank-like build quality of the FM2n. In 2005, I 'upgraded' to a 7MP Sony. I missed using my Nikon SLR.

It was June of this year when I took the plunge & went for a D90 kit. Here finally was a digital cam that could take the quality pics I longed for with the advantage of using my old AI-s lenses. PP is a totally new thing for me. I tried shooting in monochrome. That's when I noticed (at least for me) that something was missing. Sharpness at 12MP was there. No question about that. It was the tonal range coupled with the smooth grain only film could provide that I missed.

I also noticed the rise in popularity of Full-Frame DSLRs. They are very costly, as are the new lenses for them. Factor in the loss of 'reach' coming from a crop sensor, then things get complicated & very expensive. I decided to try film again. After all, film cams are full-frame. I happily stumbled on a mint F5 going for the price of a 'consumer-level' nikkor. I bought my dream Nikon film cam. I now have the luxury of using the same AF lenses for both my digital & analog Nikons. I just have the negs developed and I scan them to my computer. I am looking forward to trying developing my B/W negs. I know it's a 'backward' step for most modern photographers, especially here at NR. I hope the other members understand & forgive me, as this is my way to go full-frame on a budget and am having lots of fun at the same time. Regards to all.

Posted 3 years ago #
nikkornut

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Sorry for double post.

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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I totally understand. I started out with digital, but I like film as much as digital, perhaps more. If it weren't so expensive, I'd definitely be shooting more film.

Posted 3 years ago #