C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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The Nikon F2 Photomic is the launch configuration of the F2 system, introduced in October 1971 as the direct successor to the Nikon F. It pairs the all-mechanical F2 body with the DP-1 Photomic finder, which adds a CdS center-weighted metering head (60/40 weighting) to the bare F2 chassis. The body itself operates entirely without battery; the DP-1 prism requires two PX625 cells (or modern equivalents) only for meter function. The titanium horizontal-travel shutter runs from 10s (via self-timer) through 1/2000s and syncs at 1/80s. It replaced the Nikon F Photomic FTN as the professional standard, offering a hinged film door (replacing the F's removable back), a refined mirror damping system, and a more precise shutter.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
The original F2 system camera: mechanical shutter to 1/2000s with a CdS center-weighted meter in the DP-1 prism.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Nikon F (pre-AI; not AI-coupled) |
| Years | 1971-1976 |
| Shutter | 10s - 1/2000s + B + T, mechanical titanium horizontal |
| Flash sync | 1/80s |
| Meter | DP-1 prism, CdS center-weighted 60/40 |
| Meter coupling | Match-needle via galvanometer |
| Exposure modes | Manual only |
| Battery | 2x PX625 (prism only); body needs none |
| Weight | ~730 g body; ~900 g with DP-1 prism |
| Finder coverage | 100% |
Nikon announced the F2 in 1971, nine years after the F's launch. The F2 Photomic with DP-1 was the first production finder for the new body. In 1973, Nikon introduced the DP-2 prism (F2S variant) with a silicon-photodiode meter and LED display, which made the CdS DP-1 feel dated. The F2 Photomic was effectively superseded within Nikon's own lineup by 1973-1976, but remained in production while Nikon wound down older stock. The final F2 variants - the F2A (DP-11) and F2AS (DP-12) - added AI coupling for newer lenses. The F2 Photomic with DP-1 represents the original non-AI era of the F2 system.
The F2 Photomic was the professional workhorse that leading press agencies issued from the early 1970s. Its CdS meter, while slower to respond in low light than the later silicon-photodiode finders, was adequate for assignment photography. More importantly, the underlying F2 body - which is identical across all finder variants - introduced a reinforced mirror box, an improved shutter tensioning mechanism, and a hinged back that the Nikon F lacked. These mechanical improvements made the F2 the most reliable camera then available for sustained professional use. The DP-1 variant is the historically important first chapter of the F2 story: the camera that made Nikon the dominant professional system of the 1970s.
Nikon F mount, pre-AI. Accepts all pre-AI Nikkors natively with metering. AI and AI-S lenses mount mechanically and can be used in manual exposure (with stop-down metering or manual exposure calculation); the DP-1 prism lacks the AI coupling ridge. For full AI metering compatibility, the DP-11 or DP-12 finder is required. Motor drives: MD-1 (requires MB-1 battery pack) at ~4 fps; MD-2 full-frame motor drive. Interchangeable finders include the DE-1 eye-level prism (no meter), DW-1 waist-level, and DW-2 6x magnifier. Standard focusing screen is the B (matte), with optional K (split-prism + microprism collar), D, and others.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
View profile →Nikon F2 Photomic
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