Sinar F1 vs F2 - How can I visually spot the difference?

[David McNiven]

Kev, who stuck the labels on for you?

[Bjorn Nilsson]

It's kind of nice to swap the metering back for the older non-metering back. Only the most perverse would still use the metering probe set-up.
...

While the metering back or rather a Booster 1 metering probe + Minolta meter isn't really neccesary for normal outdoors shooting, it's very nice to have available when shooting still lifes with studio flashes. I also have good use for it when using old brass lenses or petzval lenses, as e.g. my cinema petzval doesn't have an aperture scale. These old lenses arn't coated so there can be a lot of flare which can mess up both the exposure and the whole shot if you're unlucky, something which the metering probe will show.
Else, the non-metering back is lighter and there are less things which can break or hook onto something by accident.

//Björn

[kev curry]

Kev, who stuck the labels on for you?

My old driving instructor...he's great with this kind of thing.

[marcogiardini]

but wich of the 2 is the best one?

[erie patsellis]

The one you have at your disposal right now, as opposed to the one you want. Both are good cameras, I have an F1 and while an F2 would be nice, not enough to spend the money, at least for me.

[marcogiardini]

The one you have at your disposal right now, as opposed to the one you want. Both are good cameras, I have an F1 and while an F2 would be nice, not enough to spend the money, at least for me.

I mean if the vertical and horizontal shifts are the same and if the contols are the same on both models.
thanks anyway

marco

[Paul Kierstead]

I mean if the vertical and horizontal shifts are the same and if the contols are the same on both models.

The controls are not the same; the F2 offers more independent locks on the front movements.

I bought a used F2, looks like it has never been used, but did not have a metering back (thankfully!). On my P2, I had to mess with the metering back to allow a polaroid back to fit.

[rdenney]

but wich of the 2 is the best one?

Depends on what you need. If you like having a geared front focus in addition to the geared rear focus, and if having separate controls for swing and shift is really meaningful to you, and if you ever want to put a larger-format rear on the camera, you might prefer the F2.

But the F and F1 work just fine without those features, so only you can determine what those features are worth to you. F2's usually do get more money than F1's, if for no other reason because they are often newer.

Rick "who bought an F2 front standard for his F if that means anything" Denney

[Drew Wiley]

The distinction already noted between the way the front standard clamps down is
significant. The f2 is a lot more durable.

[Frank Petronio]

The clamp on the bottom of the F1 front standard and the older F model is metal held in a plastic channel. It holds up fine in most cases but I've seen them cracked too. In which case you need a little tape....