Nikon F2-AS Instruction Manual
NIKON
F2AS
Photomic
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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NOMENCLATURE
Extra-long exposure scale
Shutter Speeed dial
T-L fingerguard
Shutter-speed scale
Mirror lockup lever
Depth-of field preview button
Self-timer
Timer Index
Timer Scale
Lens mounting flange
Motor drive shutter-releasecouplling
Motor drive film advance coupling
Film rewind button
EE aperture control contacts
Coupling lever release
Threaded sync terminal
Neckstrap eyelet
Lens mounting index
Lens release button
Meter coupling lever
Reflex mirror
Tripod socket
Battery chamber
O/C key
Memo holder
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Depth of field indicators
Aperture/distance scale index
Distance scale
Aperture ring
Aperture direct readout scale
Meter couplling ridge
Finder release lever
Film rewind knob
Accessory shoe
Film rewind crank
Hot-shoe contact
Finder release button
Ready-light contact
Eyepiece shutter control
External”correct exposure”indicator
Focusing ring
Meter coupling shoe
Aperture ring
EE servo coupling post
ASA film-speed scale
Shutter-release button
Frame counter
Film-advance lever
Meter ON index
Shutter-speed dial lock
ASA film speed index ring
Illuminator switch
Viewfinder eyepiece (w/ready-light)
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CONTENTS
Foreword...........................................................................5
Preparation for use...........................................................6
Installing the batteries ..........................................6
Checking the batteries ........................................6
Loading the film..................................................7
Prior to shooting..................................................8
Memo holder.......................................................9
Setting the film speed..........................................9
Operation of camera controls..................................... 10
Setting the shutter speed.................................. 10
Setting the aperture.......................................... 10
Film-advance lever.......................................... 11
Frame counter.................................................. 11
Self-timer......................................................... 12
Unloading film.............................................................. 13
Holding the camera.......................................................14
Shutter release operation..............................................15
Operation via cable release...............................15
Focusing.........................................................................16
Infrared photography........................................18
Film-planeindicator..........................................18
Depth of field.................................................................19
Depth-of-field preview lever............................19
Depth-of-field indicators..................................20
Exposure measurement................................................22
Determining degree of exposure......................22
Exposure control..............................................24
Metering range ....................................................24
Extreme low-light metering.................................25
Time exposure......................................................25
Eyepiece shutter operation...................................26
High-contrast lighting..........................................26
Stop-down exposure measurement......................................28
Exposure compensation adjustment..............................30
Adjustment for focusing screens.........................30
Adjustment for film compensation......................32
Multiple exposures...........................................................33
Mirror lockup....................................................................33
Flash synchronization ......................................................34
Ready-light.......................................................................35
Finder illuminator..............................................................35
Tips on camera care...........................................................36
Changing the lens..............................................................38
Coupling lever lock/release operation.................39
Changing the view finder...................................................40
Changing the focusing screen.............................................41
Focusing screen selector guide............................42
Focusing screen selector chart.............................43
Accessories. .. . . . . . . . .. . . ..............................................44
Features/Specifications.. ...................................................46
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FOREWORD
The Nikon F2AS Photomic camera offers the serious photographer the ultimate in quality, performance, convenience and
versatility. At the same time, it is engineered to take the guesswork out of photography with automatic features anyone can
learn to use in minutes. To get the most out of your Nikon
F2AS Photomic, study the instructions carefully and practice
using the controls before you load any film in the camera.
Keep this book, let handy for ready reference until you have
mastered its basics, and follow the suggestions for camera
care given on page 36. The few moments you spend familiarizing yourself with the camera will guarantee you the best
results and increase your picture-taking enjoyment many times
over.
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PREPAR ATION FO R USE
Installing the Batteries
The exposure meter in the Photomic finder is powered by
two high-performance silver-oxide batteries mounted in the
battery chamber in the baseplate of the camera. T o install the
batteries, first remove the battery chamber cover (turn it 90°
counterclockwise using a coin or similar object); then, place
two 1.5V silver-oxide (buttoncell type) batteries in the chamber, making sure that the plus (+) side of each unit faces out.
After inserting and properly seating the batteries, replace the
cover and lock it to secure the assembly.
Note: Remove the batteries when the camera is not to be used for a
long period; this will prevent leakage within the camera. Also, keep
the camera as warm as possible when operating under cold~weather
conditions; otherwise, the batteries may fail to function. (See “Tips
on Camera Care” on page 36 for additional i nformation.)
Checking the Batteries
The camera’s film-advance lever serves as the ON-OFF switch
for the Photomic finder. To check battery power, perform the
following: Pull out the lever just far enough to uncover the
red meter ON index on the top of the camera; then, look within
the finder to see if any of the LED exposure indicators are
illuminated. If any of the indicators are lit, battery power is
sufficient for proper operation. If none of the LED s light,
battery positioning should be checked; then, if the LED s still
fail to light, replace batteries.
Caution: Whenever the camera is stored, be sure that the
filmadvance lever is set in the meter OFF position (i.e., flush
to the body); failure to observe this precaution can result in
total battery drain in a matter of days due to continuous illumination of one or more of the finder’s LED indicators.
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Loading the Film
Fold out the O/C key at the baseplate of the camera and turn
it counterclockwise 180° until the arrow points to the “O”
(open) mark and the camera back pops open. Pull up the rewind knob as far as it will go, and drop a standard film cartridge or a special Nikon reloadable cassette into the lefthand film chamber with the film leader aligned along the
film guide rails.
After positioning the cartridge and film leader properly, push
the rewind knob down to hold the cartridge in place and in-
sert the end of the film leader into any of the slots in the film
take-up spool. If necessary, release the shutter and, then, stroke
the film-advance lever slowly to make sure that the leader
winds smoothly on the spool and that the film edge perforations engage with the film sprocket roller. When satisfied that
the film is properly feeding and is traveling correctly along
the film guide rails, close the camera back and return the O/C
key to its normal storage position. (Also, see “Tips on Camera Care” on page 36.)
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PREPARATION FOR USE - continued
Prior to Shooting
Fold out the rewind crank and turn it gently in the direction
of the engraved arrow until you feel a slight tension; this
tension indicates that there is no more slack in the film cartridge. (Be sure not to rewind the film back into the cartridge.)
Advance the film and make two blank exposures to dispose
of the initial portion of the film exposed during loading (for
film advance operation, see page 11). While advancing the
film, check that the rewind crank turns in the direction opposite the arrow . Crank rotation indicates that the film has been
loaded properly and is being advanced. Then, fold the crank
flat for storage.
After advancing the film two frames to dispose of the initial
portion of the leader, the frame counter at the upper right of
the camera will indicate “O”; now, advance the film one more
frame to prepare the camera for taking the first exposure.
when loading film
1st blank exposure
2nd blank exposure
for 1st exposure
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Memo Holder
Setting the Film Speed
A special holder is provided on the camera back for convenient storage of information pertinent to the photography. A
piece of paper or the end-flap torn from the film carton can
be inserted to serve as a reminder of the film type, film speed
and number of exposures.
The camera’s exposure meter must be adjusted to the speed of
the film in use to ensure correct measurement; thus, a filmspeed scale (ASA graduations) and an index ring are provided
on the finder. To adjust, lift the milled ASA film-speed index
ring and turn it until the red index triangle is aligned with the
ASA value for the film in use. The meter is sensitive across
the full range of from ASA 12 to ASA 6400. The film-speed
dial has two dots between each pair of numbers for intermediate settings such as 64, 80, 125, etc.
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OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS
Setting the Shutter Speed
The Nikon F2AS Photomic camera can be set to the desired
shutter speed either before or after the shutter is wound.
Speeds of from 1 second to 1/2000 second are set via the
shutter-speed selector fitted on the finder; the selector is also
provided with a “B” setting for longer time exposures. T o set
the shutter speed, turn the selector until the desired speed is
aligned with the white dot; when aligned with settings of
from 2 to 2000, the actual shutter speed will be a fractional
value of from 1/2 second to 1/2000 second. The red line provided between the 1/60 sec. and 1/125 sec. settings indicates
1/80 second—the fastest shutter speed providing X synchronization for use with electronic flash units. When more precise settings are required, intermediate shutter speeds of from
1/80 sec. to 1/2000 sec. are usable. At the “B” setting, the
shutter speed remains open as long as the shutter-release button is depressed. (See “Flash Synchronization” on page 34
for additional information on flash photography.)
Setting the Aperture
The ring fitted at the base of the lens adjusts the size of the
aperture (or opening) in the iris diaphragm. T o preset the lens
aperture, turn the aperture ring until the desired f/number setting on the scale is aligned with the index mark provided on
the lens. The iris diaphragm can also be set to intermediate
apertures between the clickstop settings for more precise exposures.
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Film-Advance Lever
Frame Counter
The film-advance lever simultaneously advances the film,
cocks the shutter and operates the frame counter. It also
switches on the exposure meter in the Photomic finder. To
advance the film, stroke the lever with the right thumb in a
single stroke (or series of strokes) totaling only 120°. A builtin locking device prevents the shutter from being released
unless it is fully cocked and the film advanced a full frame.
At the completion of film advance, release the lever and it
will return to the 20° standoff position ready for shutter release.
Note: Do not apply pressure to the film-advance lever while making an exposure.
The frame counter operates automatically to show how many
frames have been exposed. When the camera back is opened
for loading, the counter is reset to the “S” (start) position, two
frames before “0”. Once the camera is loaded and the back
closed, each film-advance/ shutter-release sequence will cause
the frame counter to advance one position until the maximum
20 or 36 frames have been exposed. The dial of the frame
counter is calibrated with dots (for odd numbers) and figures
(for even numbers), and with settings of “S.” “12,” “20” and
“36” in red.
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OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS - continued
T-L Fingerguard
The shutter-release button of the Nikon F2AS Photomic
camera is fitted with a fingerguard that also doubles as the
shutter operation mode selector. Set to the middle position,
the fingerguard provides for normal shutter release via the
shutter button. To lock the shutter to prevent accidental
release, lift up and turn the fingerguard until the index dot
aligns with the “L” (lock) marking. For time exposures
preset via the camera’s built-in selftimer, lift up and turn
the fingerguard until the index dot aligns with the “T”
(time) marking. (See “Time Exposures” on page 25 for
details.)
Self-Timer
The built-in self-timer can be used to trip the shutter after a
delay of from 2 to 10 seconds. The numbers marked on the
timer scale indicate the delay in seconds. To take a picture
using the self-timer to fire the camera, first set the aperture
and shutter-speed controls, advance the film, and cock the selftimer by turning its lever downward until the index line (on
the lever) aligns with the figure (on the scale) corresponding
to the desired number of seconds delay; then, simply press the
small button just above the timer to start the countdown, with
shutter release occurring at the completion of the cycle. Note
that the self-timer can be set either before or after advancing
film; also, if you decide not to use the self-timer after setting
it, simply use the shutter button in the normal way to make
the next exposure and to release the self-timer for resetting to
the off position. The self-timer may not be used at the “B”
shutter-speed dial setting.
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UNLOADING FILM
When the frame counter indicates that the last exposure has
been made, or when the film-advance lever can no longer be
stroked, the roll of film has been fully exposed and it should
be removed.
To unload the camera, first press the rewind button on the
camera baseplate; then, unfold the rewind crank, pull it up to
the first detent position and turn it in the direction of the
engraved arrow, using a smooth, even pressure. When no
more tension is felt and the film advance indicator (the colored dot on the rewind button) stops rotating, the film leader
has left the take-up spool and the camera back may be opened.
After opening the camera back, pull the rewind knob up as far
as it will go and remove the film cartridge. Note that as the
film advance lever is stroked for the next exposure, the rewind button will be released to engage the film-advance
mechanism.
Caution: Be careful not to push the rewind button during filmadvance
operation. Should this occur, the film transport will temporarily stop
and double exposure may result.
Note: The camera back can be removed from the body by
depressing the locking catch on the hinge. Removal of the
camera back is necessary when the camera is used with any
accessory back such as the 250 Magazine Back MF-1 or the
Camera Back MF-3, both for motorized photography.
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HOLDING THE CAMERA
Camera shake is one of the most common causes of unsharp
pictures, especially at slow shutter speeds. Learn to hold the
“mere correctly and practice steady shutter squeezing. The
photos show the best ways to hold the camera for sharp pictures.
Wrap the fingers of the right hand around the camera body
so that the index finger rests comfortably on the shutter-release button and the thumb fits between the camera body and
the film-advance lever. Position the camera so that the eye
looks through the center of the viewfinder. Cradle the camera in the left hand for additional support, with the left thumb
and index finger grasping the focusing ring. From this basic
stance, the camera can be properly supported and easily
switched from horizontal to vertical format shooting. As a
general rule, the slowest shutter speed you should use with
the camera hand-held is equal to the reciprocal of the focal
length of the lens in use (e.g., for a 500mm lens, use 1/500
sec.; for a 105mm lens, use 1/125 sec.). However, as the ability
to hold the camera steady may vary with each individual, we
recommend that you experiment. In general, the higher the
selected shutter speed, the sharper the picture.
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