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Nikon F2 Camera Instructions

Because of its durability and reliability, the Nikon F2 is a manual camera that is still widely used by photographers. It is a basic camera that is suitable for beginning photographers seeking to learn the principles behind photography. Sometimes, however, the photographer's manual isn't always included in the purchase. If you have recently purchased an F2 sans manual, not to worry: the camera has a basic system of operation.

Loading The Camera
- The underside of the F2 will have a folding key on the very end of the camera. This is the O/C key. Unfold this key and turn it until the key lines up with the "O," which stands for open. The hinged camera back will pop open. Pull up the rewind knob, which is located on the topside of the camera across from the O/C key, as far as it will go.
  
  Insert the film roll so that the male end of the film canister is pointed down and the film leader points across the back of the camera. Push the rewind knob down again and pull the end of the film across the camera back. Insert the end of the film into the take-up spool on the other end of the camera. Pull the film advance lever, which is located on the top of the camera above the take-up spool, slowly until the spool catches the film's leading end and winds it around the spool.
  
  Close the camera back and lock it by turning the O/C key so the key is lined up with "C" (for closed). Advance the film by clicking the camera's shutter button, which is located next to the film advance lever, and pulling the film advance lever. Repeat twice more to advance the exposed film. Set the photo meter, which is located next to the shutter release button and film advance lever, to the ASA (film speed number) that corresponds to the film.
Unloading The Film
- Rewind the film back into the protective canister by pressing the film release button on the underside of the camera. Then pull the rewind knob halfway-up and unfold the lever at its top. Rewind the film completely by turning the knob in the direction of the indicator arrow located on the rewind button. Pull the rewind knob up as far as it will go and turn the O/C key to "O" to open the back. The film cartridge should drop free of the camera.
Settings
- The correct exposure for any photo is determined by a combination of film speed, shutter speed and aperture (or F-stop). Set your film ASA and set the shutter speed in advance for the given conditions of your subject, and then adjust for exposure by changing the aperture setting while taking photographs. The F-stop setting for an F2 may be changed by adjusting the ring on the lens, while the shutter speed can be changed by turning a ring on the side of the photo meter.
  
  Your light meter is built into your camera. It will help you to determine if the exposure of your photograph will be correct for the settings that you have adjusted your camera to. The light meter looks like an instrument with a swinging needle. A plus on one side indicates over exposure, while a minus on the other side indicates underexposure. To get a perfectly exposed photo, you want the needle to sit in the middle of the meter.

Photography