The Nikon F2 is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) in Japan from September 1971 to June 1980. It used a horizontal-travel focal plane shutter with titanium shutter curtains and a speed range of 1 to 1/2000 second (up to 10 seconds using the self-timer) plus Bulb and Time, and flash X-sync of 1/80th second. It had dimensions (with DE-1 head, see below) of 98 mm height, 152.5 mm width, 65 mm depth and 730 g weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black. (Wikipedia)

The motor drive MD-2 is designed for use with the Nikon F2-series cameras. It winds the film and cocks the shutter automatically each time you press the shutter release. You can also set it for completely automatic sequence shooting at speeds of up to five frames per second. And you can also operate it by remote control with the use of cables, timers or radio. The MD-2 rewinds a 36 exposures roll of film in about seven seconds. In combination with Nikon's camera back MF-3, it provides for automatic film rewind stop- with a LED indicator lighting up to indicate completion of rewind.

Easily regarded as one of the more important accessory behind the lenses and flash unit in any 35mm professional SLR system and an indispensable tool for those who often cover sports, action and news coverage. The Nikon motor drive system is built around the professional grade motor drive MD-2 which can, in fact, be considered as the basic building block for the photographer with flexibility and versatility in mind.

While most photographers well acknowledged the benefits of an automatic film advance device provides, especially for improving responsiveness on location shooting; the MD-2 alone is really a class above its rivaling brands as it has the capability to accept all the many system accessories, in addition to providing many unique features of its own. That makes working professionals think the MD-2 is indispensable.

Naturally, the MD-2 was one of the fastest motor drive available off-the-shelf during the seventies, with a maximum firing speed of 5 fps. Other than the fast firing speed factor, many enhanced features incorporated within the battle tank-liked construction made it a clear favorite among many working professionals during its era. (Mir)

two Nikon F2 Photomic with DP-1 finder     compared with a 1933 Leica III     Cordless Battery Pack MB-1 holds ten penlight batteries, or two NC Battery Units MN-1, which are available as optional accessories.   camera and motor drive MD-2 separately     film reminder an AS-1 flash coupler     We can see the screen if we remove the prism     open shutter curtain     motor drive battery check dial

film reminder motor drive MD-2 and Nikkor AI 200     compared with Nikon FA with motor drive MD-12     right to left: rewind button lever, countdown timer knob, firing rate control, rewind engagement lever and locking button, and back-opening lever AS-1 flash coupler enables all non-F2 be usable with any the F2 series SLR camera models   DP-1 finder with meter needle and ASA film-speed index     tripod socket at the bottom of the MB-1     AR-2 cable release     firing rate control