NOMENCLATURE Finder mounting clam ps Shutter-speed dial Maximum aperture indicator Extra-long exposure scale EE aperture control contacts Shutter-speed scale Threaded sync terminal Mirror lockup lever Neckstrap eyelet Depth-of-field preview button Self-timer Timer index Timer scale Lens mountin Motor drive shutter-release coupling Motor drive film-advance coupling Film rewind button Memo holder 2 Lens mounting index Lens release button EE aperture control coupling Reflex mirror Meter coupling pin
F ocusi ng ri ng Depth-of-field ind icators Aperture/Distance scale index Meter coupling prong Distance scale Finder release lever Aperture ring ASA film-speed scale External "correct exposure" indicator Ready-light contact ASA film-speed index ring Shutter-release button Film rewind knob T-L fingerguard Film rewind crank Frame counter A ccessory shoe Shutter-speed dial lock Hot -shoe contact Film ad vance lever Finder release button Illuminator switch Eyepiece shutter control Viewfinder
CONTENTS Foreword ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Preparation for use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing the batteries . . . . . . . . ..... Checking the batteries. . . . . . . . . . . .. Loading the film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , Prior to shooting ... . . . . . . . . . . . .. Memo holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting the film speed . . ..... . . . . .. Operation of camera controls . . . . . . . .. Setting the shutter speed . . . . . . . . . . . Setting the aperture . .
FOREWORD The Nikon F2SB 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 F2SB Photomic, study the instructions carefully and practice using the controls before you load any film in the camera.
PREPARATION FOR USE Insta ll ing the Batteries Checking 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. To 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-ox ide (buttoncell type) batteries in the chamber, making sure that the plus (+) side of each unit faces out.
place a nd insert the end of the film leader into a ny of Loading the Film Fold out t he OIC key at the baseplate of t he camera a nd the slots in the film take-up spool. If necessa ry, release 0 turn it counterclockwise 180 until the arrow po int s to th e shutter and, then, stro ke the fi lm-advance lever slowthe "0" (open) mark and the camera back pop s open.
PREPARATION FOR USE- continued Prior to Shooting Fo ld out the rewind crank a nd turn it gentl y in the direction of th e engraved arrow until you fee l a slight tensio n; t his tension indi cates t hat th ere is no more slack in th e f ilm ca rtr idge. (Be sure not to rewind the f ilm back into th e ca rtridge.) Adva nce th e film a nd ma ke two b la nk ex posures to di spose. of th e i.nitial po rtio n of th e f ilm exposed during load Ing (for ·fllm advance operat ion, see page 11) .
Setting the Film Speed Memo Holder A special holder is provided on the camera back for con- The camera's exposure meter must be adjusted to the venient storage of information pertinent to the photo- speed of the film in use to ensure correct measurement; graphy. A piece of paper or the end-flap torn from the thus, a film-speed scale (ASA graduations) and an index film carton can be inserted to serve as a reminder of the ring are provided on the finder.
OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS Setting the Shutter Speed The Nikon F2S8 Ph otom ic camera can be set to the de~ired shutter speed either before or after the shutter is wound. Speeds of from 1 second to 1/2000 second are set via the sh utter-speed selector f itted on the finder; the se lector is a lso provided with a "8" setting for longer time exposures.
Film-Advance Lever Frame Counter The film-advance lever simu ltaneously 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 built-in locking device prevents the shutter from being released unless it is fully cocked and the film advanced a full frame.
OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS-continued T-L Fingerguard Self-Timer The shutter-release button of the Nikon F2SB 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 shu tter 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.
UNLOADING FILM When the frame counter indicates that the last exposure After open ing the camera back, pu II the rewind knob up has been made, or when the film-advance lever can no as far as it will go and remove the film cartridge. Note longer be stroked, the roll of film has been fully exposed that as the film advance lever is stroked for the next ex and it shou Id be removed.
HOLDING THE CAMERA Camera shake is one of the most common causes of unsharp pictures, especially at slow shutter speeds. Learn to hold the camera 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 fi lm-advance lever.
SHUTTER RELEASE OPERATION For sharp pictures, correct shutler releasing is just as important as steady camera ho lding. After adva ncing the fi lm to a fresh frame, the camera is set for shutter re lease via the button provided at the upper right.
FOCUSING Focusing isdone at full aperture with Nikkor lenses fitted with an automatic diaphragm . This technique provides the brightest possib Ie images on the focusing screen for easy focusing and composing. It also minimi zes depth of field so that the image snaps in and ou t of focus distinctly. The Nikon Type K screen comes with the camera as standard equipment.
Ou t of foc us In foc us 17
FOCUSIN G-continued I nfrared Photography The plane of sharpest focus for infrared light is slightly more distant than its counterpart for visible light as seen through the camera's viewfinder. Thus, for sharpest focus in infrared photography, adjustments must be made. To compensate for this shift in focus, first focus the image sharp ly through the viewfinder. Then, turn the focusing ring counterclockw ise until the point focused is aligned with the red dot (or line) provided on the lens barrel.
DEPTH OF FIELD Depth of field refers to the zone of acceptable focus extending in front of, and behind, the plane of sharpest focus. Within this zone, image blur is negligible and everything may be considered as being in sharp focus. Three factors greatly influence the depth of field : the focal length of the lens in use, the camera-to-subject distance, and the taking aperture. The smaller the aperture and the shorter the focal length of the lens, the greater the depth of field.
DEPTH OF FIELD-continued Depth-of-Field Indicators Depth of field can be read directly from the distance scale in meters or feet with the aid of the color-coded depth-of-field indicators engraved on the lens barrel. Each pair of colored lines on either side of the central distance scale index line corresponds to fjnumbers of the same color on the aperture scale. To find the depth of field at a particu lar aperture, first focus the lens on the su bject while looking through the viewfinder.
Lens at f/8 : Depth of fie ld extended in front of/behind the mai n subj ect. Lens at f/16: Sharp focus is extended to encompass the entire foreground and backgrou nd .
EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT The exposure meter of the Nikon F2SB Ph otomic camera's finder features a center-weighted TT L metering system coupled to the shutter speed and aperture controls. Th e meter reads the light over the entire focusing screen but favors the central 12mm-diameter area. This allows you to make precise readings of the se lected subject area, and results in more balanced overall ex posures.
EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT-continued Exposure Control Metering Range The amount of light reaching the film plane is determined by a combination of the lens aperture and the shutter speed. Since the two are interrelated, different combinations will give the same exposure. A 1-step change in the shutter speed, or a 1-stop change in the aperture setting, will either halve or double the exposure.
Extreme Low-Light Metering The meter built into the Niko~ F2SB camera is capable of metering low-light levels requiring slow shutter speeds of up to 10 seconds. To meter at low-light levels, perform the following: Set the lens' aperture ring to the desired aperture setting, and the shutter-speed selector to "B"; then, depress and hold the shutter-speed dial lock and turn the selector until the center LED exposure indicator (0) illuminates to indicate correct exposure.
EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT-continued Eyepiece Shutter Operation High-Contrast Lighting Situations The camera's Photomic finder is fitted with an eyepiece shutter for special unmanned shooting situations (e.g., remote control, automated shooting with motor drive and aperture control unit) requiring protection against the entry of stray light through the viewfinder eyepiece.
- '!::"~...... - - - - - - , I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ---- - f 5.6 - -+- 0 - =-- 60 -- -- -- _______ ..J f5.6 0 - 60 + • Metering with a bright area in the center will cause underexposure of the main subject. • For correct exposure, f irst measure the main subject; then, recompose and shoot.
STOP-DOWN EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT With some Nikkor lenses, full-aperture exposure measurement is not possible, either because the lens has no automatic diaphragm, or because the lens does not couple with the finder's meter; with certain accessories, too, lens/finder coupling is not possible, thus, preventing fullaperture measurement. However, the camera's Photomic meter can still be used for exposure measurement via the stop-down method.
For automatic diaphragm lenses with no coupling prong, su ch as the Zoo m-Ni kkor 200 -600mm f/9.5 lens a nd sup er-te lephoto lenses using Niko n foc using un its, se t t he camera to th e des ired shu tter speed; t hen, depress th e d ep th-of-ficld p review b u tto n to stop-dow n the lens di aphragm a nd, whil e ho lding th e bu tto n depressed, adjust th e a pertu re rin g until t he ce nter LED indicato r comes o n. Bc su re to release t he de pth-of-fic ld butto n pri o r to mak ing th e ex posure.
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS Adjustments for Focusing Screens Light transmission properties vary somewhat with focusing screen type, thus occasionally requiring exposure correction to compensate for the combined effects of the lens/screen combination in use. The numbers listed in various blocks of the table on the opposite page denote the amount of correction necessary in f/stops.
Fisheye Widungle NOfmdl Telephoto Zoom Renex TeJcpholo h~=
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS-continued Adjustments for Film Compensation Some exposure correction may be necessary when certain types of films are used for copying or photomicrography applications; the amount of correction requ ired, however, will depend on the type of fi lm and the specific ap plication. The fol lowing table li sts the exposure corrections in f/stops required for various film/shooting requirements.
MULTIPLE EXPOSURES MIRROR LOCKUP Intentional multiple exposures for creative effects can be made with the Nikon F2SB Photomic camera. To take a mUltiple exposure, perform the following: Make the initial exposure, depress and hold the rewind button on the camera's baseplate, and stroke the film-advance lever to cock the shu tter for the nex t exposure on the same frame; for each additional exposure on the frame, repeat the same procedure.
FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION The N ikon F2SB Photom ic camera is designed to synchronize with most types of flashbulbs at almost all shutter speeds and with electronic flash at speeds to' /80 second . The table below shows which shutter speeds may be used with different types of flashbulbs. Fl ashb ul b ~ r---;;;MF 2000[i000[S00 l.
READY -LIGHT FINDER ILLUMINATOR The camera's Photomic finder has a ready-light built in for use with N ikon Speedlight U nits. This unique feature provides for greater ease of operation during flash photography, as the photographer need not remove his eye from the eyepiece to check if the Speedlight unit is ready for the next exposure; this built-in lamp lets the photographer know the condition of the flash (either "ready" when on, or "not ready" when off) at all times even while viewing.
TIPS ON CAMERA CARE Good camera care is primarily common-sense care. Treat your Nikon F2SB Photomic camera as you would any other precision optical instrument and it will provide you years of trouble-free service. Although ruggedly constructed, your camera may be damaged by shock, heat, water or misuse. By observing the following tips, you will be assured of the longest possible service life.
• • • • situations, always dry the camera thoroughly (and slowly) at room temperature and, then, store in a cool, dry location. Remember that failure to dry out the camera may result in the growth of fungus on lens surfaces- a condition that will render your camera useless. Should your camera be accidently dropped on the floor or in water, take it to your dealer immediately for servicing. Thorough servicing can be guaranteed only at an authorized dealer.
CHANGING THE LENS To remove the lens from the camera, press the lens release button and, holding the button depressed, twist the lens to the right as far as it will go . The lens will come loose and can be lifted out. To mount a lens, position it in the camera's bayonet mount so that the mounting index on the lens and the camera are aligned; then, twist the lens counterclockwise until it clicks and locks into place. While mounting the lens, shade the camera from the sun with your body.
Maximum Aperture Indicator As the lens' aperture ring is turned to the maximum aperture position at the completion of lens/finder coupling and indexing, the finder displays the lens' maximum aperture via the indicator (see figure below). For example, a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 will cause "2.8" to appear in the finder's maximum aperture indicator when properly coupled. The scale is provided with numbers (and dots for intermediate settings) of from "1.2" to "5.6" as depicted.
CHANGING THE VIEWFINDER In addition to the F2SB Photomic finder included with the camera, six other interchangeable viewfinders are available. To remove the F2SB Photomic finder to mount one of the other units, press the finder release lever inward and rotate toward the front (this action releases the mounting clamps); then , depress the finder release button at the rear of the camera body and lift the finder out of the camera.
CHANGING THE FOCUSING SCREEN Nineteen d ifferen t types of focusing screens are avai lab le for use with the Nikon F2SB Ph otomic camera, each designed to meet specific focusing requ irements. The N ikon Type K screen comes with the camera as standard equipment. To change the focusing screen, first remove the finder as described on the preceding page. Then, turn the camera body upside-down and press the finder release button a second t im e to release the screen.
CHANGING THE FOCUSING SCREEN-continued Focusing Screen Selector Guide Typ e A. L Type A: Matte Fresnel field with 3mmq>.circul"r split-image rangefinder spot and 12mm¢circle. Rapid and accurate focusing. Excellent for general photogra phy. Type L: Same as Type A screen but witll split-image rangefindCI line at a 45 ° anglc . Bcst for subjects with horilontal lines. Type B: Matte Fresnel field with 12mm¢ fineground matte focusi ng spot in the center.
Focusing Screen Selector Chart = Excellent = Acceptable The image is brilliant from edge to edge, but the central rangefinder, micro prism or cross-hair area is dim. Focus on the surrounding ' matte area. • = Acceptable Slight vignetting or moire phenomenon (in the case of the microprism) affects the screen image. But the image on film shows no traces of th is. • = Acceptable Incompatible with any lens having a maximum aperture larger than f/2.
ACCESSORIES Lens Hoods The use of a lens hood is recommended at all times to prevent extraneous light from striking the lens surface and causing flare or ghost, and to protect the lens against damage. Nikon lens hoods come in four types, depending on the lens: screw-in, snap-on, slip·in and built-in. They are calculated precisely for each focal-length Nikkor lens to provide maximum protection against stray light.
Eyepiece Correction Lenses Finder Eyecup The nine eyepiece correction lenses are designed to permit nearsighted and farsighted users to view and focus without their glasses. Available in - 2, - 3, - 4, - 5, 0, +0.5, +1, +2 and +3 diopters, each representing the combined dioptry of the lens and the finder. Simply screw into the finder eyepiece. The soft rubber finder eyecup screws directly onto the finder eyepiece to prevent extraneous light from entering the viewfinder.
FEATURES/SPECIFICATIONS Type of camera: 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) Picture format: 24mm x 36mm (35mm film format) Lens mount: Nikon F mount (bayonet type) Lenses available: Nikkor 50mm f/l.4, f/2 or 55mm f/l.
THE NIKON WARRANTY The Nikon Worldwide Service Warranty Registration Card which identifies your F2SB Photomic camera by its· serial number is your guarantee th at the camera ·you buy is a new one. Wh en you return this card to a Nikon distributor you will receive your Nikon Worldwide Service Warranty Certificate, which entitles you to a one-year warranty anywhere throughout the world, subject to the conditions listed in the certificate.
