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 F2AS pairs the F2 body with the DP-12 Photomic AS finder, introduced in 1977. The DP-12 is the fourth and final finder produced for the F2 system; it adds two key upgrades over the earlier CdS-based Photomic finders: a silicon photodiode (SPD) meter for faster, low-light-capable metering, and AI (Auto-Indexing) coupling that allows AI-era Nikkors to transfer their maximum aperture to the prism automatically without stopping down. The finder displays exposure information via LED indicators in the viewfinder rather than a match-needle galvanometer. The underlying F2 body is mechanically identical to the 1971 launch model - titanium horizontal-travel shutter from B to 1/2000s, 100% viewfinder coverage, full interchangeable-finder system - but the DP-12 makes it fully compatible with the AI lens generation released from 1977 onward.
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 definitive F2: the last and most refined finder revision, with SPD silicon meter and AI lens coupling.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Nikon F (AI-coupled via DP-12 prism) |
| Years | 1977-1980 |
| Shutter | 10s - 1/2000s + B + T, mechanical titanium horizontal |
| Flash sync | 1/80s |
| Meter | DP-12 prism, SPD center-weighted |
| Meter coupling | AI Auto-Indexing; LED display in finder |
| Exposure modes | Manual only |
| Battery | 2x SR44 / LR44 (prism only); body needs none |
| Finder coverage | 100% |
| Weight | ~730 g body; ~900 g with DP-12 prism |
The F2 system launched in 1971 with the DP-1 CdS Photomic prism. Nikon iterated three more finders before closing the F2 line: the DP-2 (F2S, 1973) brought silicon photodiode metering and LED display; the DP-3 (F2SB, 1976) refined the LED display with directional arrows; the DP-11 (F2A, 1977) added AI coupling with a CdS meter. The DP-12 (F2AS, 1977) combined the silicon SPD meter of the F2S/SB line with the AI coupling of the F2A - making it the fully resolved final configuration. Production of all F2 variants ended in 1980, when the Nikon F3 (designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, with electronic shutter and aperture-priority AE) took over the professional lineup. The F2AS is the last iteration of the all-mechanical Nikon professional system; no subsequent Nikon professional body has been fully mechanical.
Among film photographers in 2026, the F2AS holds a specific reputation: it is the recommended configuration of the F2 for anyone who wants AI lens compatibility without compromising the all-mechanical body. The DP-12 SPD meter is faster in low light than the earlier CdS finders, the LED display is clearer to read in the field than a match-needle, and the AI coupling means the full range of AI and AI-S Nikkors - from the 28mm f/2.8 to the 300mm f/4.5 - meter correctly at maximum aperture without stop-down guesswork. The titanium shutter of the F2 body is widely regarded as the most durable mechanical shutter ever fitted to a 35mm camera. The F2AS is the apex of Nikon's pre-electronic professional line. Don McCullin, Steve McCurry, and Sebastião Salgado are all documented using F2 bodies (various finder variants) through the late 1970s and into the 1980s.
Nikon F mount with AI coupling. AI and AI-S Nikkors meter at full aperture via the DP-12 prism's AI-indexing ridge. Pre-AI lenses require the aperture tab to be filed or a conversion ring fitted for metering; without conversion, stop-down metering is possible. AF Nikkor lenses (1986+) mount mechanically and can be used in manual focus at manual exposure. Recommended glass: Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI, 85mm f/2 AI, 35mm f/2.8 AI, 105mm f/2.5 AI, 28mm f/2.8 AI. Motor drives: MD-2 (uses MB-1 battery pack, up to 5 fps); MD-3 (with MB-2). Interchangeable finders include the DE-1 eye-level (no meter), DW-1 waist-level finder, DW-2 6x magnifier, and DA-1 action finder. Focusing screens: K (split-prism + microprism collar), B (plain matte), D (full matte with microprism central spot), E (grid).
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 F2AS
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