The Nikon F2 with DE-1

Kaitokuroba · 06-06-2022, 05:26 PM - **1 Like**

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I just got a black Nikon F2 with DE-1, but I am not sure about the difference between early and late versions.

I think it's a early DE1 but the serial number of the body started with 77xxxxx.

Not a Number · 06-06-2022, 05:51 PM - **1 Like**

Some info I found Nikon F2 Questions (FAQ) by Michael Liu :

"My serial number is 76xxxxx. What's significant about it?

The Amazing Kreskin (the amazing who?) says ... you have a chrome F2. Amaze your friends! Awe your coworkers! Tell them that if the serial number's second digit is an even number, the camera is chrome; if odd, the camera is black. The legend that the camera was made in the year shown in the first two digits is thus probably false, unless you think that Nikon made only one color per year. The major exceptions to this are the titanium versions of the F2, which begin with serial number 92xxxxx and have a black pebbled finish, much like the F3/T in black finish.

"Moose" Peterson says that early (71xxxxx and 72xxxxx) F2's have a small problem with the take-up spool ".....these can supposedly cause some frame overlap when using a motor drive (but should be fine if you wind-by-hand)...". I've received information in the past weeks that there do exist chrome 73's and black 74's. Perhaps Nikon changed the serial numbering with the 75's and later (which I do believe follow the even = chrome / odd = black system)."

If you are asking about the viewfinder, information there may be sparse.

**TwoUptons** · 06-13-2022, 05:10 PM

For the record, reading this made my Nikon F get a year older

-Eric

Wheatfield · 06-16-2022, 08:23 AM - **1 Like**

My first F2 was a black body, serial number 74xxxxx. I eventually sold it to help fund the purchase of a medium format camera. A number of years ago I decided I wanted an F2, primarily to be a shelf princess. I acquired a black 73xxxxx.

I bought my first F2 in 1974, and the common wisdom back then was that the first two numbers designated the build year of the camera. I saw numerous bodies, both black and chrome that don't fit the theory of even number is chrome, odd number is black. It would be a very useless designation anyway as the camera finish is pretty obvious by looking at it, but the build year is not.
Either way, the F2 is the best 35mm mechanical SLR to come out of Japan.

Edit:
Here's a black F2 with a 75xxxxx number:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/165506107736?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=706-8909...BoCvbMQAvD_BwE

And a black 72

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/165507626028?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=706-8909...hoCMRAQAvD_BwE

Last edited by Wheatfield; 06-16-2022 at 12:47 PM.

06-06-2022, 05:26 PM - 1 Like	#1
Kaitokuroba New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 1	The Nikon F2 with DE-1 Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I just got a black Nikon F2 with DE-1, but I am not sure about the difference between early and late versions. I think it's a early DE1 but the serial number of the body started with 77xxxxx.

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06-06-2022, 05:51 PM - 1 Like	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 9,712	Some info I found Nikon F2 Questions (FAQ) by Michael Liu : "My serial number is 76xxxxx. What's significant about it? The Amazing Kreskin (the amazing who?) says ... you have a chrome F2. Amaze your friends! Awe your coworkers! Tell them that if the serial number's second digit is an even number, the camera is chrome; if odd, the camera is black. The legend that the camera was made in the year shown in the first two digits is thus probably false, unless you think that Nikon made only one color per year. The major exceptions to this are the titanium versions of the F2, which begin with serial number 92xxxxx and have a black pebbled finish, much like the F3/T in black finish. "Moose" Peterson says that early (71xxxxx and 72xxxxx) F2's have a small problem with the take-up spool ".....these can supposedly cause some frame overlap when using a motor drive (but should be fine if you wind-by-hand)...". I've received information in the past weeks that there do exist chrome 73's and black 74's. Perhaps Nikon changed the serial numbering with the 75's and later (which I do believe follow the even = chrome / odd = black system)." If you are asking about the viewfinder, information there may be sparse.

06-13-2022, 05:10 PM	#3
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,540	For the record, reading this made my Nikon F get a year older -Eric

06-16-2022, 08:23 AM - 1 Like	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 14,844	My first F2 was a black body, serial number 74xxxxx. I eventually sold it to help fund the purchase of a medium format camera. A number of years ago I decided I wanted an F2, primarily to be a shelf princess. I acquired a black 73xxxxx. I bought my first F2 in 1974, and the common wisdom back then was that the first two numbers designated the build year of the camera. I saw numerous bodies, both black and chrome that don't fit the theory of even number is chrome, odd number is black. It would be a very useless designation anyway as the camera finish is pretty obvious by looking at it, but the build year is not. Either way, the F2 is the best 35mm mechanical SLR to come out of Japan. Edit: Here's a black F2 with a 75xxxxx number: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/165506107736?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=706-8909...BoCvbMQAvD_BwE And a black 72 https://www.ebay.ca/itm/165507626028?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=706-8909...hoCMRAQAvD_BwE Last edited by Wheatfield; 06-16-2022 at 12:47 PM.

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