Nikon F2, D200 & Coffee

[sean_buerger]

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[cyclohexane]

Why is my F2 so much more compact than a D3?

Because bigger is better! If "wider is better" worked for Pontiac, then why can't "bigger is better" work for Nikon? Oh yeah, the really bad U.S.-made Godzilla movie tried that slogan to market its toys...

Take it on the lighter side...

See above. =)

In some seriousness, I'm thinking of getting my junker-off-of-eBay F3 fixed, as the non-HP viewfinder is just gorgeous. I mean, I can shoot with it just fine, but I'd like the in-camera meter to work...

[sean_buerger]

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[cyclohexane]

What film do you use with your F3? Is Fuji still making 135?

Yes, Fuji's still making 135. Good thing too, as I use Fuji.

I tend to use what's marketed as "Superia X-Tra", found at local grocery stores in 200 and 400 speeds. It's marketed differently by regions, but the "Superia" bit stays the same. I hear the 100 and 400 versions look best, but I haven't seen the 100 speed for sale anywhere I've checked both at home and in LA. Of course, I haven't asked Samy's...

Superia provides good color, and last time I checked was the choice of most Camels not shooting pro films.

My dad likes Kodak Gold but I'm not a huge fan; also, I've got some rolls of some Kodak Portra something or another that I need to try in the freezer, as well as a roll of undeveloped 120 film from heavens-knows-when.

[sean_buerger]

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[cyclohexane]

When I was in high school, I occasionally stuck a piece of paper with stick figures on it into the film reminder window so I could pretend to chimp while those familiar with cameras around me looked at me all funny.

That, and I could still miss shots while "chimping". =)

[Loa]

Hello,

I'm not that young that I don't know what film cameras look like, but the photography bug bit me rather late...

Quick question: why are film camera viewfinders so much brighter?

Loa

[cyclohexane]

why are film camera viewfinders so much brighter?

The size and the better light transmission of the focusing screens used contribute, as does the type of viewfinder. A pentaprism viewfinder (D3, D2H/X, most film Nikons before the AF consumer bodies) will be a lot brighter than a pentamirror (D70, D50, AF consumer film bodies).

[Park]

Our world marvels in miniaturization and the new business model is replacement for the sake of change.

[FranklinCampbell]

I'm sitting here with an FE-2 film camera and a D200 digital camera sitting on my desk. I just put the old split screen focusing screen in the FE-2 to try to decide whether to go that route with a Katz Eye focusing screen for the D200 or get a custom plain screen from Katz Eye. In my FE-2 and F3 I preferred a plain screen (with grid lines) since I never really liked the split image, but the Katz Eye person said the split image would give me the best focusing capability in the D200. The split image area is supposed to mess a bit with some form of metering which I assume wouldn't be a problem with a plain (non-split image) screen.

Decisions, decisions. Anyway, I am going to see what I think of my old FE-2 split image screen tomorrow. Funny that even the top level digital cameras don't have user changeable focusing screens. That's something I really loved about the F3.

[sean_buerger]

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[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by FranklinCampbell

Funny that even the top level digital cameras don't have user changeable focusing screens.

...hope is here: Canon has introduced user changeable focussing screens in their consumer grade 40D DSLR, the Canon professional 1-series, film and digital, ( ?? like the Nikon D1/D2/D3 ?? ) have had user changeable focussing screens from day 1

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[sean_buerger]

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[poor paul]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

I've got some rolls of some Kodak Portra something or another that I need to try in the freezer.

Since we're instructed to keep this thread light, here's an attempt at doing so with a pecularity of our languqge. I'm trying to picture Michael in the freezer, shooting his old film. (No, no, I'm just joking, so don't get "frosted".)

On subject, and from the perspective of a life long amateur, I've noticed this focusing question as well. I recently purchased a D40 because it will accept my bag full of non-AI lenses. The old glass sure seems sharper than the D40 kit lenses, but when trying to focus with the non AI stuff, the D40 just is not as certain as the old Photomic was. I had three focusing screens for it, preferring the split image version.

Still, using the old glass on the D40 has the great advantage of forcing me to pay attention to what I am doing, and beginning ever so slowly to learn a little bit, while also being able to take many shots of one subject until it comes out right. Could never afford to experiment like that with film.

[kevgermany]

Sean, which film did you finally use? The Reala Superior 100 is the best of the bunch. Remember also that you're at the mercy of the lab's printing.

[cyclohexane]

I'm trying to picture Michael in the freezer, shooting his old film.

Ahahahahahaha. Well, since I don't fit in the freezer, the word "try" is key. =)

That's what happens when I don't reread before posting. No worries, always good to look out for my mistakes. =)

[sean_buerger]

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