I was all wrong ... About NIKON! 

I learned photography on a Nikon F2 in the early 90s. I may be bias but the Nikon just feels good to me. For the last 20 years I've mostly used my collection of vintage nikkors on digital cameras, but this week I loaded some Porta 160 into the camera and I'm picking it up from the lab tomorrow. I hope the 50 year old nikon still works.

Welcome to the dark side 🖖

The FM3a is enough to crown Nikon as the greatest SLR maker. Watched the whole video and I'm so glad you got to try the f3 and fm3a, I had the f3 first and my first reaction after holding the fm3a was "what is this shit". The f3 looks and feels better but the fm3a is perfomance at its best.

I shoot both the F3 and the FM3A and although the shutter advance is smoooooth on the F3.... the FM3A is my desert island camera, hands down!! Stepless electronic shutter to 1/4000s AND fully mechanical for when the electronics die. yes please.

As a Canon shooter, I dove into the Nikon pool last year. After some late night eBay shopping sessions (fueled by multiple glasses of chianti, merlot, or cabernet of course) I now have; F3, F4, F5. They are awesome in the hand; like holding a tiny M1A1 Abrams tank that takes pictures. You definitely need to grab a good-condition F3 before they're discovered by internet influencers, and the prices skyrocket. ;-)

Coming from Leica and getting into Nikon recently, what I also love is the profusion of very good glass, of all eras, for very decent money… I mean… even the rare lenses are not THAT expensive, and the regular ones are excellent deals.

When I got into photography cameras were a little expensive. I wanted an F2 but the price was up there. Luckily while serving in the USAF, I got stationed at Yokota AB, not far from Tokyo. That is when I got my F2A and FE2. Both fantastic cameras. They were a lot less expensive since there was no duty placed on them. They were cheap. That was then. Today I am all digital and not looking back. Now I sport the Sony A7R3 which is my Nikon F2 and the a6700 which is my FE2. I do get film once in a while but the trouble of driving to the store and getting it processed is more than a pain. Also, the results were very disappointing. If I do B&W, I'm developing myself. These guys did a terrible job. Kodak did a fantastic job back in the day, all their processing of negative and positive film was first rate. I miss Kodachrome. Only now can I get the brilliance and vibrance in a color picture with my Sony as I did with my Nikon using Kodachrome. I don't care what camera you use Kodachrome was the absolute best for color photography.

My first really good camera was a Nikon FM given to me by a family friend about 10 years ago. He was the original owner and custom ordered it with his name engraved on the bottom. A few years later he died of cancer. So even though I don't shoot with it much anymore (mainly due to a light leak I'm too lazy to fix), I could never get rid of it. It has too much sentimental value. It is a fantastic camera too, especially when paired with the Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 lens. I've taken it backpacking in the Sierras a few times and found that combo perfect for that environment.

I used to love canon until I started to learn camera repair and got to play with Nikon slrs. Fast forward a couple of months, I bought and f5 in April and an f2 arrived today 🤣

The F3's film advance is pretty much the greatest film advance of any camera I've ever used.

Happy to see you enjoy the Nikons! If built like a tank and fully mechanical is your thing try and get your hands on F2. You lose the automatic modes but man its a nice one to shoot. Or if you really want mechanical, manual, and inexpensive look at the Nikkormat FT models. They're rock solid and can still be had cheap these days. Also just wanted to say I loved the photos with the fisheye. Really a great setting for that lens and the photos were awesome.

I started out with an F and have used all the pro film cameras in the line as well as some of the mid line like the FM2n. All excellent. 57 years of use so far and the original f is still used on a regular basis.

Nikon cameras has as much flaws as fan boys/girls.........

I've recently been giving some love to my Nikon F (the original) and FM lately. They're not very glamorous but they're a lot of fun, and it's nice to use an SLR after a long time of mostly just using rangefinders. Definitely a great system, and the lenses are pretty affordable. Definitely recommend the F or the original FM if you want fully mechanical!

I have the F2, love it to bits and I don’t think I’d ever sell it. Don’t have to worry about banging it around and made me love shooting film. Doesn’t hurt that the shutter sounds great and it takes amazing photos too!

You should try the F4. The f4 is a beautiful ass camera. All the things you would want in a film camera. The fact that you could TECHNICALLY still use the newer f mount lenses is really underrated, instead of buying of old and quite expensive ai lenses, you could use the cheaper and newer lines of the f mount lenses. The fact that it meters with matrix on both old and new is just *chef’s kiss* Only downside is that it weighs quite heavy but is that really a downside when ur working out?

People who hate nikon started out on a Sony

C'mon Caleb - HP5+ pushed to 1600 (with a just in case ND ready in your pocket) is the perfect film stock for abandoned buildings. You should know this by now! ;-)

Naturally when visiting Ohio, the first place you need to go is Michigan 👍

Yes. Yes. Nikon yes. Intercompatibility yes. From film to digital. Good SLRs yes. Be a Nikonian. One of us. One of us. One of us. One of us. One of us.

What makes Nikon a wonderful experience in my book must include the era. Starting out as an enthusiast with a Nikon F2A + Motor Drive over 45 years ago was great, especially when it is still working today. Although I rather shooting with my Z9. 🙂

I like the fm2 so much that i just got my second one. The biggest drawback imo is that the viewfinder is only 93% coverage. The F3 is 100%

You better get Jason a bouquet of film or something… 😂😂😂 And love The DarkRoom Lab!

My first camera and my film go to is still a Nikon F301. Underrated manual focus shooter with lightning fast shutter speed options and really solid metering. It’s also a bit of a chameleon in terms of being able to accept lenses. You can score them super cheap too compared to F3 and FM3 models.

Yessssssss Welcome to the Nikon family, Caleb! We're so happy you've joined. Your previous transgressions are forgiven 😆

Nikon (and Canon) are surely very capable camera makers. I'm photographing for around 50 years now, I've never used a camera of those brands, though. In analog times it was Praktika, Minolta and Olympus (the Olympus OM-1 is the one analog 35mm SLR I've kept) in digital times it was Olympus, Pentax and Sigma (the latter my present choice of camera). Somehow, Nikon and Canon didn't and still don't appeal to me.

Mamiyamigos live at the Fox Theater! Haha! Totally did a double take. The F3 is a rad SLR---I really enjoy mine. I keep the Voightlander 40mm glued to it for simplicity sake. That fisheye lens was SO COOL. Omg, it took me back to 1990s music videos and skate tapes. Killer vibes with that one every time, especially in the abandoned interiors.

I'm glad that one of the film influencers is finally (re)discovering SLRs and how they're so versatile to shoot compared to point and shoots. Hopefully P&S demand will go down, but better snap up those Nikon bodies and lenses now. I bet their prices are next to go up.

Nope, cannot succumb to the dark side. The holy trinity (Canon EOS-1V, EOS-3 and EOS-1N-RS) would never forgive me. Plus they're just too mega sexy. 😛

dude , i have to stop ...im at minute 2 and i still have to stop to write you that i love it . this kid with the Helm and the Pancakes is absolute amazing :D

Nikon f2 = daddy

Try an F/F2 or a S2/3!! No they aren't convenient, but they feel great! And inspire you to take them out!

the road of a nikon shooter is an arduous one.. or so i've heard, i don't shoot nikon

I'm a new SUB.....My son and I shot with Nikon F3 and F4......Great video.......Time for you to shoot with a Voigtlander Prominent now....

Graffiti quotes are always nice. Also, owner of an F4. Not a fan of the body but my original intent was to shoot sports with it and the AF is clutch to have. Love the F3 bodies much better. Love the Lomo 800 from this video and my own experience as well! 7:06 wow! Love that building. I had a 14mm for a bit for my Nikon and it was a blast, love the downtown wide shots especially the FOX. Trev really knew all your favorites, what a guy. Also, I use the darkroom for all of my film and love it. Having the mobile app is awesome.

I'm at 99% of my dream setup for film + Digital with my FE, D850, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, nifty fifty and a samyang 14mm 2.8 ultrawide lens. The only real space for growth is getting the FM3a which is my dream film body. But he only reason to get it over the FE is that it's 20 years newer. All lenses compatible with both cameras 😍

I’ve had FEs and FE2s and I only like shooting them motorized. I don’t like their advance mechanism and the feel of their shutters going off. But my F2A is so silky and smooth and it’s fully mechanical. Perhaps that’s what you want, not an F3.

Well that's the weekend set then, Searching for a FM2N and the drive to go shoot some C41! Have a great weekend sir!

Well, many young people are unaware that Nikon was the absolute king of professional SLRs and manual focus lenses for more than 40 years (1959-2000...) and now they are discovering it. I would prefer it to be our secret, but it is no longer. These young people who are now discovering Nikon have grown up with Canon, some because it is what they had in their homes, since Canon was more for domestic consumption than professional, and others because they have become hooked on Canon in the digital age, when Canon made a leap when it came to making an SDLR also a good camcorder and it made all the difference. Until Sony arrived with its mirrorless to mark the new paradigm.

How can you not like Nikon? It doesn't make sense. Digital? No. Film? Yes. I love them. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful thing.

This is my third time watching this enjoyable video. I have learned a lot. RS. Canada

I grew up in a Nikon family. My grandfather had an F and an F2. My dad has an FM and an FE. My first 35mm camera as a kid was an F55 (very basic "modern" SLR), and my most used SLR is my FE2. I haven't felt more comfortable with a camera than when I've got a Nikon SLR in hand. (And honestly? Some of their point and shoots kinda slap as well!)

I was freaking out over your shots with the cat labs, and looked into them. I thought they were beautiful, totally my aesthetic. Then I continue to watch and you say that they sucked. I once again feel like I know nothing lol

I had the F3 too like you but it was too heavy. I bought a black.fm3a instead with a Voigtlander 40mm F mount

16:39 WHAT! did u compose the soundtrack to perfectly fit that little line u sung or vice versa?

The prices on Nikons went up 15% in real time as I watched your video

I was interested in Nikon but then I heard they were all just rebranded and rehoused CVS disposable cameras so now I’m not sure

Jason used that bathroom after some sweet sweet Taco Bell.

Where is your how to refoam a camera video. I have an f3. That would be handy to know.

The bromance is real, and I’m here for it!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat, you were in Michigan and you didn't even say hiiiiiiii? Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Drop by any time, for some reason we're a hidden gem and I can't imagine why, it's so beautiful here. Maybe it's the roads...

That 16mm fish eye was sick! What lens was that??

Mamiyamigo. Knew something looked familiar

Bro. This video was a step up. Well done.

As a Nikon Connoisseur that you "insulted" when you reviewed my camera collection with Jason for having too many Nikons. Welcome to the dark side. a Also what is that on the sign at 10:16?

I’d the Nikon versions that have the waist level view finder

Wait shit you guys hit up Detroit? Yo! I do love how many cool spots there are still to take around here, though they do seem to be on a big ole teardown spree lately on the older buildings. Always wished I could get into a few places like the former world headquarters of K-mart. It's just sitting north of Detroit a few miles rotting for the past 20 years, but always too nervous to get in there haha Edit oh and obligatory I'm a big nikon fan boy, mostly just cause I keep finding the bodies for dirt cheap and most of the lenses even cheaper 😂 Oh also stupid me, if you ever want a nikon body that is still very cheap but has an excellent full-auto program meter mode, the FA is a great option. Comes in fairly cheap, never had it fuck up exposure even in crazy weird lighting. I've always thought of it as the diet F3 lol, it's still the one I trust the most exposure-wise and since it's not a brick I don't worry too much about throwing it around. Always good to have a camera you're not too concerned is gonna implode lol

I have a lot of Nikons but they're not my regular carry, that is the Canon F-1 New with the AE finder.

That "Nikon cult" is called professionals. Ever saw a war photographer with a Canon? 😅

I never knew there was an abandoned zoo in the metro Detroit area.

Nikon't believe my eyes..... h..hue... hue... get it? Very cool video though man, and some amäzing shots in there! I like the nicer Nikons too but I'm so invested in the Canon system with lenses and all so it doesn't really make sense to start fresh. Well... getting more camera gear always (and never) make sense, but I'm just not ready to sell my bum on the streets just yet. That F3 with the little grip bit looks kinda schexxy tho..

Nice video. Thanks RS. Canada 🇨🇦

Ima be honest, the Fish eye photos just are Not for me

Kindly annoy all Americans by calling the brand by the Japanese pronunciation of Knee Khon with a long ee and silent k.

You're ;) LOL

This is exactly why I never jumped on the brand loyalty train! With digital, I shoot mostly Canons because I know my way around the menus and a Fuji for the slow-mo video, but when it comes to film I like to keep it diverse. I'm a proud owner of a Nikon F3, two Polaroid SX-70s (one alpha, one not), and a Zenit-3M. My digitals include a Canon Rebel SL1, a Canon R8, and a Fuji X-H2S.

I would love some Nikon glass, also LOVING this Trev Lee romance storyline… I wonder what dramatic twists we shall see next!… JK lol

what lens was the 16mm?

I've photo'd nikon for 20+ years. digital D100->D70->D2H->D2X->D3->D4/D750/Z6/Kodak SRLN. For Film: F5, N80, N2020 It's just what I started with and what I have lenses for. If I started with Canon, I would have stuck with canon.

Hated Nikon. Bought a Minolta SRT as my 1st serious camera but soon traded it off for a Nikon FM because Nikon was the best, right? But compared to the Minolta, the FM felt at once clunky, stiff, and insubstantial. Gravitated toward rangefinders exclusively for years. Later picked up an old Nikkormat, but it felt as nasty as the FM. Flash forward even more years and i was now shooting only medium format film cameras. Looking through some boxes of old gear and stumbled across a beautiful black Nikkormat FT2 that seemed to work flawlessly. Somehow this Nikon felt strangely natural in my hands. The controls were smooth and precise. Long story short, I am buying lenses and 35mm film. I am officially a Nikon fan

I wonder when “Mamiyamigos” is going to be playing in my town??? ;)

I sell film cameras for a living in England. I've had the opportunity of using everything you can think of after doing this for almost 7 years. I try keep my personal collection very small. A Leica M2, a Rolleiflex 2.8 and my SLR of choice is a Nikon F3 that looks like it's been hit with a hammer a few times and lived in a swamp for a while before it came into my live. As with most Nikons, it simply refused to die.

shot at 4:27 might be one of your best.

I have mixed feelings about this video. On one hand I want to welcome you to the cult of which I'm apparently (and happily) a member. On the other hand please stop making videos about how great Nikons are, I like the prices where they are.

after using the F3, I'd give nikon my money for a mirrorless zDf3--guts of a Z, EVF with a split prism focusing simulator that works, and the identical exterior of the F3. Even put the film advance lever on it for kicks.

I just started film photography and I got myself the Nikon F2 and I'm loving it I wanted to get the F3 but I really didn't see why it was much better then the F2 plus for the price

Just stay away from the EM...

I wish I would’ve know you were in Detroit, I would meet you guys to shoot with my Olympus OM 2n. Awesome job. Great video!

Waiting for the day you step to the dark side and try out Minolta's heavy hitters...XK, XE7, and the venerable XD11. One day...

I bought an f3 with a 28mm pc nikkor lens for $100 on OfferUp got it home loaded batteries in it cleaned it all up and fired a roll of film…. Been hooked on it since then

Those white dots on the grey background made me think my eyeballs were failing. Minor panic attack watching this.

only in ohio bruh

Where did this disdain towards Nikon come from in the first place?

The hipster is strong in this one.

Worst kept secret in photography: Nikon cameras.

FA is the best

In 1980, all my non-Nikon cameras had broken from use. I was deciding between Nikon and Canon. Had to have a less-expensive model, so it was between the AE-1 and the FE. AE-1, did not have a multiple exposure lever, FE did. Been with Nikon ever since; best photography decision I ever made.

You have some good digital compositing skills in addition to your great photography. Just wanted to point that out!

Wait to try an De-1 f2 nikon

Next you need to grab a Nikon SP and a Leica R6.2. Start rocking that Nikon rangefinder / Leica SLR combo like god intended.

I'm curious about the voigtlander 28mm skopar . I have the nikon 28mm 2.8 ais on my nikon f3, I wonder how it compares to the voigt.

I'm still loving my FM2n ... probably the most reliable camera I own

got both f3 and fm3a. the latter feels really good to my hands. perfect size + the aperture priority when i'm feeling lazy lmao.

I had the F3, the FM2 and the FM3A but in the end I sold them all, I guess they didn't resonate with me. My go to slr for 35mm is Canon EOS3 now, with 20-35f2.8 and a 70-200f4 USM. Also M6 with a broken light meter. Testing Kowa super 66 after cla at this moment and Loving it.

Nikon didn't make the FM10. It was a badge engineer made by Cosina.

My favourite Nikon is the FE. Works with all lNikon F mount lenses even Non ai back to 1959.

First off, its not 'Nycon', its 'Neekon', or 'Nickon'.....enough already! As for the FM3a, I've had mine since new, my wife keeps telling me to sell it because its worth more than I paid for it, so sadly I've had to put my precious keep sake up for sale.....the wife, not the FM3a! Great vid, really enjoyed the humour too.

I have accumulated so many Nikon cameras over my lifetime, and I love them. I would be very hard pressed to pick a favourite between my FM3a and F3HP. That film crank on the F3 is ball bearing smooth. By far my fav film advance. The FM3a is mechanical genius. The Nikkor, Voigtlander F mount glass is good enough to adapt to 45MP mirrorless, so it is amazing for shooting on film. Maybe not quite Leica good, but far more accessible, dollar wise. Don’t even get me started on my F2, FA, F100 , Nikkormat EL etc etc. So fun! I really really liked your Detroit Fisheye shots….I definitely need to add one to my collection!

Love my FM2N with a Rokinon 14mm or the Helios 44-2.

As someone who got caught in the Nikon web, I will never recommend Nikon to anyone. Salespeople killed it for me. They held up my career selling me their get these off the shelf fast cameras, which they didn't yet have the lensed that were "coming soon", but soon was too late and by that time newer cameras were out. UNACCEPTABLE! Nikon has no respect for professional photographers. They prefer serving biotech.