I recently added a Nikon F2 to the stable and loaded it up with Kodak Portra 400. The following shots were taken over several days in several locations with two lenses: the pre-AI 105/2.5 and the 35/2.
These first two were from a birding trip I made to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge near Ridgefield, Washington (USA). My primary camera while birding is the OM Systems OM-1 fitted with a 2x TC and the M.Zuiko 300/4 Pro lens. This rig gives me pretty good reach and so far, I’ve been much happier with this set-up for birding. On this occasion I tossed the new-to-me F2 into the car and took some shots at the refuge.
I loved the way the red algae contrasted with the water. Although there are a few ducks in this shot, they obviously were not the subject. In this next shot I happened to be too close to get a full body shot of the bird with the OM-1. I was focusing on the neck, but it looks like I must have missed focus?
A few days later I took the F2 into downtown Portland on a trip to Powell’s City of Books. Since I had 400 ISO film I thought I’d see how it did in the stacks.
I have no complaints so far. The F2 handles much like the FE that I wrote about a year ago here. Initially I was having some trouble adjusting to the meter within the view finder and eventually settled on using the meter indicator on top of the DP-1 view finder. Because the F2 is completely mechanical, the shutter speed is continuously variable. With a set aperture you can adjust the shutter speed to exactly center on what the camera believes to be the perfect exposure for that aperture so for example you don’t have to worry if 125 is too slow while 250 is too fast because the F2 allows you to set your shutter between what would typically be the normally set speeds.
More shots were taken with the 105/2.5 although nothing to compete with the Afghan Girl.
I then switched to my 35/2 that (based on the s/n) was likely built between 1977 – 1981. The thing with old Nikkor lenses is there are often several variations of the build over the years. I have been relying on info from both The Thousand and One Nights (Nikon site) and a site in New Zeeland that my browser thinks is un-secure. The camera then went to the coast (I also took the Rollei 3.5B loaded with Lomo Turquoise more on that later).
This is a secluded spot that neither my wife (lived her whole life in Oregon) nor I had ever visited. It is a short hike through the woods to the cove. As you can see there is quite a bit of washed-up driftwood from recent storms. The above view is looking southwest while this next view is looking northwest.
We usually also stop in Cannon Beach. We were a few days too early to catch Puffins at Haystack Rock but there are always plenty of gulls.
I’m not sure that I squeezed everything possible out of this first roll through the F2. The camera is a real brick weighing in at 1.6 pounds with the DP-1 finder and no lens. That said, it is comfortable to handle and felt similar to the FE and my Canon FTb. All of the shots above are as scanned however I did resize them to avoid bloating Hamish’s server. The Portra 400 is a little too grainy for my taste in color and I might have done better with more sun.
I was quite happy to pick up the F2 for $200 USD on eBay and happy that the meter, shutter and aperture all seem to be working as per spec.
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Andrew on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
Lovely pictures! I would like to ask a general question of you and all the other frequent contributors to this site. Many of the articles are inspiring stories something along the lines of “this is a camera I picked up from x, here is the first roll I put through it…..”
Such stories inspired me to get my old Nikon F501 out and put a roll through it. But what a disappointment- the light seals had gone. I know that a few Nikon cameras had cotton rope seals (and I think the F2 may be one) and these will last for ever. But surely every one else with a camera from the 70s-90s with foam seals is finding they are end of life?
Was I just unlucky, or are all you other contributors fitting new seals first before you put a roll through?
As for me, I will first have to replace the seals, or have them replaced, before I can take another film photo….. :-(
Thanks for comments!
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
Jeffery Luhn on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
Nice shots! I'd like to see more. I'm a big fan of Nikon and Oregon beaches! Good combo. Bandon Beach is a favorite, especially during storms. The tide pools at Gold Beach can be amazing when the starfish are there. Endless choices in Oregon! When I was 16, back in '68, I had my driving license for a couple of weeks and took a two week road trip from the SF Bay Area to the Oregon coast and then to Crater Lake...with a Nikon F and a Rollei 3.5. Maybe I'll dig out some negatives and post some images. That trip made me fall in love with Oregon. Nothing in the world quite like it. Keep shooting!
Gary Smith on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
Walter Reumkens on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
I own a Nikon F2A Photomic, the version with the AI coupling, but otherwise identical. The FE was also my first Nikon, back in 1978, so I’ve been using various Nikkor lenses for decades. This includes the 105/2.5 and 35/2. I haven’t had the F2A for very long, but I can understand that this camera marked the end of rangefinder cameras for professional photographers. It was already heralded by the Nikon F. Whether you want to hear it here or not.
You’ve chosen another great subject. But you’re wondering whether you’ve got the most out of it. Here’s my humble opinion, especially as I’ve never actually used Kodak Portra 400 myself. It’s too expensive for me, and as an alternative I used to use Fuji Superia X-Tra 400, but that’s no longer available. I’ve replaced it with the affordable Kodak Ultramax 400.
From what I’ve found out here in Germany, the Portra 400 is considered the finest-grained and sharpest film among professional films. My lab recommends ASA 320 for the best results. As it is softer than less sensitive films, it can certainly be used at midday (when there’s plenty of contrast in the sunshine). Perhaps on that particular day – as you also mention – there was a bit of a lack of sunshine, and hence a lack of contrast and sharpness. As I said, these are just my thoughts on the matter, not an irrevocable conclusion.
All the best, Gary.
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
Tony Warren on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
I can recommend "The Nikon Compendium", ISBN 1 897802 02 1, the first English edition from 1993 covering everything upto the F90. It is incredibly comprehensive, serial bumbers included.
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
Comment posted: 22/05/2026
Oliver G. on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 23/05/2026
I’m a Nikon F2AS user myself. I wanted to get back into analog photography and chose this model because of its mechanical operation.
Yes, it’s relatively large and heavy, but it gives you the feeling that you have a camera for life. Everything feels very solid.
I’m always on the go with a Nikon F2AS, the Nikon Nikkor Ai-s 50mm f/1.8, and the Ai 28mm f/2.8. I was also lucky enough to get a +0.5 diopter correction lens so I can shoot without glasses.
I love black-and-white film photography—Ilford HP5 and FP4—which is very different from digital black-and-white shots.
I have the film developed and scanned here in Germany at a specialty lab in the Eifel region.
I wish you many more wonderful photo moments with this great camera.
Best regards,
Oliver
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Comment posted: 23/05/2026
cdlinz on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 23/05/2026
Comment posted: 23/05/2026
Simon Foale on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
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Comment posted: 24/05/2026
Leon Winnert on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
Thank for the article. You say you used Non Ai lenses on your FT which is an Ai camera. There are compataibily problems. Web search results
Can i use a Nikon non Ai lens with a Nikon Ai camera?
In most cases, no. Attempting to mount a non-AI lens onto a standard AI camera can permanently damage the camera’s metering tab. However, compatibility depends strictly on the exact camera model, as some bodies feature a folding tab to allow safe mounting (Such as the Nikon Df.)
The Core Issue
Nikon's non-AI lenses (manufactured before 1977) have a solid, uninterrupted metal ring at the back of the lens. When Nikon introduced AI (Automatic Indexing), they added a small metal tab/lever to the camera body that couples with the lens to tell the camera the aperture setting. If you mount a non-AI lens onto most AI cameras, that solid metal ring will crash into the camera's meter coupling tab, crushing or snapping it.
The non Ai Lens can be converted to Ai standard.
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
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Comment posted: 24/05/2026
Leon Winnert on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
Ibraar Hussain on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
The only birding I did was back in the day in night clubs and bars! hehe!
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
Niall Keohane on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
Comment posted: 24/05/2026
Michael Jardine on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 25/05/2026
Your photos are a real testament to the quality of the film, the lenses which I guess (I never seemed to have the disposable $$ to get into slinging Nikon gear with the exception of a delightful enlarging lens for 6x6) represent the peak of the art of designing and making them, and the legendary brick that is the F2.
All power to your finger on the shutter release!
Comment posted: 25/05/2026
Eric Rose on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 25/05/2026
Comment posted: 25/05/2026
Omar Tibi on Nikon F2 – A few from the first roll
Comment posted: 26/05/2026
I'm also a big fan of the 100/105 FL teles, I love using my C/Y 100/3.5 on my Contax bodies. I think it's just such a flexible FL, it has all of the best qualities of 85s and I feel it can replace 135s in most applications. I don't shoot many portraits either, but I like using it for architectural details/abstractions, and also landscapes like your first photo. Looking forward to seeing more from your 105/2.5!
Comment posted: 26/05/2026