|
Post by kiev4a on Jan 21, 2006 12:22:28 GMT -5
Recently I have been getting back into Nikons. I currently have three--an F4s, F3 HP and an FM. These cameras are more shooters than a collection. Now I'm wishing I had hung onto several other Nikons I have acquired, then sold over the past few years. They include:
Nikkormat EL in mint condition. It was the first Nikon with an auto exposure mode. The F3 auto mode was based on the EL. Sold it to someone in Israel for half again what I paid for it.
Nikkormat FT3: Picked it up at a neighborhood yard sale for $10. Except for a ding in the prism housing it was nearly mint. Heavy but with a really nice feel and it used silver batteries rather than mercury. Sold it for $110 so I can't complain too much.
Nikon F100: Had a like new example but sold it on a whim to finance my F3HP, MD4 and an extra lens. Since getting the F4 I miss some of the more sophisticated features of the F100 (better ttl flash, more autofocus control, etc.)
45mm GN pancake lens: Had one that had been converted to ai with a factory kit. Very sharp and compact--ideal for the FM. Again, sold on a whim to finance a different camera.
I'm sure no one else has similar regrets:)
|
|
|
Post by sinedyar on Jan 21, 2006 13:09:38 GMT -5
Hi, Wayne:
I have an EL and like it very much - a camera ahead of its time.
My F100 is fighting with my F4s and F5 as to which is my favorite camera. :-) But, of course, the F100 is always the choice when wanting to go lite. But would never give up the F100, can't see how you could. :-)
Denis
|
|
|
Post by vintageslrs on Jan 21, 2006 16:50:35 GMT -5
Denis
did you mean "favorite" Nikon or "favorite" camera?
the Konicas in your stable wanna know? ;D
Bob
|
|
|
Post by sinedyar on Jan 21, 2006 18:30:21 GMT -5
Bob:
You know what? I just knew you'd ask that question. :-)
I love my Konica cameras, and I never go on a long photo trip without one, but those three mentioned Nikons (F4, F5, and F100) are so good with their meatering, and with my eyes needing AF more and more, the T3n has dropped a bit, and so, yes, I did mean favorite camera.
However, lenses are another matter. Although I'm needing AF more and more, most of those old Konica lenses are better, and I consistently get better pictures with them when taking lots of time with a tripod, and so on a long photo trip when really taking the time to get the best possible photo quality at some special location, I'll use the T3n and a Konica lens. So, it's more of the three Nikons fighting for first place, while the Konica T3n is in solid second place. :-)
Denis
|
|
|
Post by vintageslrs on Jan 21, 2006 19:34:17 GMT -5
Awwwwwwwww Denis. thanks for your honesty but................ you broke my heart.... but that's OK---I forgive ya..... oh forgive him oh Camera Lord...he knows not what he speakest.. ;D Bob
|
|
|
Post by sinedyar on Jan 21, 2006 20:17:37 GMT -5
Bob:
I can always use all the forgiveness I can get. Perhaps eventually I'll come back to my senses.
Denis
|
|
|
Post by vintageslrs on Jan 21, 2006 20:48:03 GMT -5
Denis
LOL. ;D
Bob
|
|
|
Post by kiev4a on Jan 22, 2006 0:05:39 GMT -5
I'm not sure why I gave up the F100 either unless it was total fear. I ran into the like new F3 HP in a store and I had always wanted that legendary camera so I bought it. My partner in life, however, was not nearly as impressed. Now I could have survived keeping both but I a rare burst of diplomacy I said I could probably live without the F100 and selling it would pay for the F3, a MD-4 and a lens. I really didn't miss it until I got the F4 and remembered how much more sophisticated the F100 was.
Given the speed with which film is vanashing from the shelves in local stores, however, I probably won't go for any more sophisticated Nikons -- like another F100. Another year or so down the road I'll hopefully be in a position to liik at a digital models that will mount my existing Nikkors.
BTW: I originally got the F100 in trade for a early Leica M3. At that time LN F100 were fetching about $800 and the M3 has some real cosmetic flaw so it wasn't worth top dollar. I had got the M3 by buying it's owner a new Kiev 88 outfit (about $400) To help finance that I had parted with my beloved 45mm Nikkor GN.
In all cases it seemed like a good idea at the time:)
Can't say a thing about Konicas. I have never owned one. In fact I'm not sure I ever have even examined one. Konica and Minolta are torally foreign to me.
|
|
|
Post by unclebill on Jan 22, 2006 8:00:28 GMT -5
Thats why none of my Nikons ever leave the collection, more just keep coming in. I just ran my "new F2 through its paces, pictures to follow of course, its one tank of a camera. Now letting that 45mm pancake lens go...Wayne...what were you thinking?
Bill
|
|
|
Post by kiev4a on Jan 22, 2006 10:51:40 GMT -5
Thats why none of my Nikons ever leave the collection, more just keep coming in. I just ran my "new F2 through its paces, pictures to follow of course, its one tank of a camera. Now letting that 45mm pancake lens go...Wayne...what were you thinking? Bill Bill: Obviously, I wasn't thinking. Note: The F2 is an "F" camera I've never owned (along with the F5 and 6. I have a friend who has gone digital who has an F2 I have listed after for several years. Unfortunately I gave him a good deal on a zoom for it so he now has reason to keep it around. The Nikkor GN pancake lens was awesome even it it does focus backwards.
|
|
|
Post by nikonbob on Jun 20, 2006 11:05:42 GMT -5
Luckily I have never sold a Nikon so I have no regrets at all. So far the better half has all the regrets for me not thinning the herd out.
Bob Hammond
|
|
|
Post by doubs43 on Jun 20, 2006 12:41:50 GMT -5
I bought my first Nikon - a Nikkormat FTn - last November while visiting my son and his family in Northern Virginia. It came from Penn Camera in Tyson's Corner. Since then I've added an FTN, EM, FM and FE in that order. Using only the Photomic head on the FTN, I got one of the most consistently well-exposed rolls of B&W film I've ever taken. All of the cameras work well and I have no plans to sell any of them...... or any of the Nikkor lenses I've managed to buy.
Walker
|
|
|
Post by mayokevin on Aug 10, 2006 15:49:07 GMT -5
I have a nasty habit of buying and selling Nikons. I have sold an F5, F100, F4, Ftn, F2a, F2s, FM2n, and a D70, I wish I still had the F5, F100, Ftn, F2a and Fm2n. I didn't really like the F4 or F2s and don't miss them. I sold the D70 to replace it with the D70s so that is a wash. I have a N90 and F3 right now they both work well but I use the digital most often.
|
|
|
Post by kiev4a on Aug 11, 2006 10:33:42 GMT -5
Different strokes for different folks. I love my F4 because it still has real contols instead of menus. The F5 just looks too frigging big. I would love to have the F2 AS. Of course I also love lobster. Why is the good stuff always expensive?
|
|
|
Post by mayokevin on Aug 11, 2006 13:23:39 GMT -5
Different strokes is so true I think one of the other focusing screen would help me with the F4. On the same vein everyone on the Nikon boards rave about the 35mm F1.4. I don't like the 35mm the angle of view doesn't work for me.
|
|