Please give me a detailed list (in functionality) of differences between the Nikon Photomic F2, F2s en F2as.
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The Nikon F2 Photomic series consists of professional SLR cameras introduced in the 1970s, each featuring interchangeable prisms with different metering capabilities. Below is a breakdown of the key functional differences between the Nikon F2 Photomic, F2S, and F2AS models.
1. Nikon F2 Photomic (1971–1977)
- Finder: DP-1 prism
- Metering Type: Center-weighted TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering using a CdS (Cadmium Sulfide) light meter.
- Maximum Aperture Indexing: Uses Nikon’s pre-AI (Aperture Indexing) “rabbit ears” system for coupling lenses.
- ISO Range: 6 – 6400
- Meter Display: A match-needle system visible in the viewfinder.
- Power Source: Two 1.35V PX625 mercury batteries (or modern equivalent like 1.5V silver oxide cells).
- Compatibility: Pre-AI Nikkor lenses (requires manual indexing when changing lenses).
- Limitations: Slower CdS metering response, less accurate in low light.
2. Nikon F2S Photomic (1973–1977)
- Finder: DP-2 prism (upgraded from DP-1)
- Metering Type: Still center-weighted TTL but now uses silicon photodiodes instead of CdS.
- Maximum Aperture Indexing: Still pre-AI with “rabbit ears.”
- ISO Range: 6 – 6400
- Meter Display: Still a match-needle system but with faster response time.
- Power Source: Two 1.35V PX625 mercury batteries.
- Improvements Over F2 Photomic:
- Faster Meter Response: The silicon photodiodes are quicker and more reliable than the CdS cells in the DP-1.
- More Consistent Readings in Low Light: More stable meter readings, especially in dim conditions.
3. Nikon F2AS Photomic (1977–1980)
- Finder: DP-12 prism (final and most advanced in the F2 series).
- Metering Type: Center-weighted TTL using silicon photodiodes.
- Maximum Aperture Indexing: AI (Aperture Indexing) system introduced. No need to manually align the lens with the meter.
- ISO Range: 12 – 6400
- Meter Display: Uses a + 0 – LED readout instead of a match-needle system, making it easier to use in low light.
- Power Source: Two 1.5V SR44 silver oxide batteries (or equivalent).
- Improvements Over F2S:
- AI Lens Compatibility: Automatically reads aperture settings from AI lenses without needing to manually adjust indexing.
- Faster Meter Response: Improved over DP-2 (F2S) with even quicker silicon photodiodes.
- LED Display: More modern and visible in dim conditions.
- Backward Compatibility: Can still use pre-AI lenses with stop-down metering.
Summary of Key Differences
| Model | Finder | Metering Type | Lens Compatibility | Meter Display | Power Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F2 Photomic | DP-1 | CdS cells | Pre-AI (manual indexing) | Match-needle | PX625 mercury (1.35V) |
| F2S Photomic | DP-2 | Silicon photodiodes | Pre-AI (manual indexing) | Match-needle | PX625 mercury (1.35V) |
| F2AS Photomic | DP-12 | Silicon photodiodes | AI (automatic indexing) | LED (+ 0 – readout) | SR44 silver oxide (1.5V) |
Which One to Choose?
- F2 Photomic: If you want the earliest F2 metering version and use pre-AI lenses.
- F2S Photomic: If you want improved metering speed but still use pre-AI lenses.
- F2AS Photomic: The best choice if you use AI lenses and want the most modern metering system.
Would you like a more detailed explanation on AI vs. pre-AI lenses or metering methods?