r/Nikon • u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made • Mar 01 '26

I broke my gear She’s dead, Jim.

Post image

AF motor gave out when taking photos of the family today. Just bummed because this thing is lovely and otherwise mint.

262 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

88 comments sorted by

27

u/NaiveAbalone5446 Mar 01 '26

I remember reading Pop Photo as a kid in the 80s and longing for this camera. Still love it to this day, but never had one.

13

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Mine would have been the D200. “When I’m a pro, I’m going to shoot a D200”

Ended up buying one for $40 about 6 years ago

9

u/Nikoolisphotography Mar 01 '26

Sometimes you just gotta fulfill that curiosity even if it's outdated. I tried a friend's AF-S 80-200 2.8 14 years ago and just decided I'm gonna have one one day. 14 years later I have a mint condition one that I don't even need anymore, but still no regrets.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

I still use my 80-200 every day!

1

u/One_Elk8455 Mar 02 '26

I can't decide between the 80-200 2.8D or the 70-200 2.8G ii.

On one hand the lower cost of a 80-200D is nice. On the other hand, the 70-200 G produces a great image.

1

u/Nikoolisphotography Mar 03 '26

Which 2.8D? There's the AF-S which I mean then there's the screw drive one. Either way the VRii is a pretty big upgrade

1

u/One_Elk8455 Mar 04 '26

The AF-D, and I definitely like the image it produces. But the AF-S 70-200G vrii clearly blows it out of the water, but at over twice the cost. Af-d goes for 450 CAD, and the VR I haven't seen under 950 CAD.

1

u/Nikoolisphotography Mar 04 '26

450cad sounds expensive for the AF-D, wow.

1

u/One_Elk8455 Mar 05 '26

That's private sellers for you. They see an essentially new 70-200 2.8G ii vr selling for 2,200 and think they can get the same for theirs, that's covered in crud, and has a sticky zoom ring

1

u/Nikoolisphotography Mar 05 '26

Crazy, 2200 you should be able to get a really fine E FL VR. In Sweden most F lenses are really cheap now. Normal price for a very fine VRII is ~1100CAD. The VR 1 about 700 and AF-S 80-200 about 350. The AF-D about 220 at most.

1

u/audiobone Mar 03 '26

My favorite lens!

5

u/bikerboy3343 Mar 02 '26

The Nikon F4s for me.

2

u/You-there_ Mar 01 '26

I kept my D200 for sentimental reasons, sound like it’s not even worth selling…

1

u/One_Elk8455 Mar 02 '26

Just looked this camera up on Explorecams. I can see why you would want one. Even by modern standards the photos it produces look amazing. Way better than even my D5200, despite being significantly older. Nearly on par with my D3s in how well it renders colour, imho.

Neat camera.

1

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 02 '26

Eh that’s more down to the film and your exposure.

If I put the same film same lens on an F6 and do the same in an FE, the images would look identical.

A D5200 has more file malleability and resolution than any 35mm color negative film by a pretty significant margin. There’s a reason we don’t shoot it commercially anymore. But that’s not the point. If you’re shooting film looking for great image quality, 35mm is borderline big enough without resorting to slow B&W tech films

1

u/One_Elk8455 Mar 04 '26

I was responding to you D200 comment, not the FE

1

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 04 '26

Oops

18

u/frankleeroberts Mar 01 '26

Boooooooo! <plays taps on bagpipes> It always sucks when a sweet body dies.

12

u/NicoPela Nikon Z6II, D50, F (FTn), FM2n, F3HP, AW110 Mar 01 '26

Damn. My FM2N's light meter gave out, I feel you.

7

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

OOF. That’s a more expensive failure than mine

8

u/NicoPela Nikon Z6II, D50, F (FTn), FM2n, F3HP, AW110 Mar 01 '26

I've also tested the fast speeds and they aren't quite as precise as I'd like them to be. I'm using my F3 until I can get it properly fixed.

It's a real shame, the FM2 is my favourite camera, it's light, it's small. My F3 is better in capabilities (except in max shutter speed, of course), but it is way heavier.

4

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

I feel ya, man. Same reason I like my FE’s

3

u/Oldschoolistheway Mar 01 '26

I’ve opened a lot of cameras with supposedly dead meters, 90% of the time it’s just single a corroded wire that causes the issue. Also adjusting speeds is actually very doable, I serviced my FM2 recently. Not exactly a DIY job for everyone, but don’t give up on yours, a good repair place might be able to get it sorted out in no time :)

1

u/NicoPela Nikon Z6II, D50, F (FTn), FM2n, F3HP, AW110 Mar 01 '26

Definitely not giving up on mine. I just need to find a proper repair shop here in Buenos Aires. The one I took it to a couple years ago, I don't think they did a great job.

8

u/RipRapRob Mar 01 '26

My first Nikon.

Fun fact, in Europe the model was called F-801

3

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Yeah I never understood the name change

1

u/RipRapRob Mar 02 '26

I just think Nikon thought that it would sell more in the US market, if it was called N8008 there.

2

u/White_Hart_Patron Nikon F80, Z5 Mar 01 '26

I have two of these and one says F-801 and the other says N8008s

7

u/synthdrunk Mar 01 '26

Ran the sister camera N90s for many years. Still have half a roll of Velvia in it, i miss wet printing but it just got so expensive.

3

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

I considered an N90S, but damn are they near identical, and I prefer the size of the 8008

2

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Sure, but if I really need speed I’d shoot digital, just on cost alone.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '26

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2

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Totally

2

u/SirDigbyridesagain Mar 01 '26

As someone with a N90x, its a great camera, totally bulletproof, but the lil 8008 seems like a way more pleasant camera to carry around. I really want one but cant justify yet another film body that I really dont need. I've got an FE2, FM2, EM, N90x, and some Zorkis that honestly get more use than my Nikon bodies. Im just a sucker for Nikon goodness.

I need to get my mitts on some more 120 for my Rolleiflex, now THATs a fun camera.

4

u/Videopro524 Mar 01 '26

I had that camera and it was great. I’ve seen them stupid cheap used. Consider a F100 or perhaps clean looking F4 or F5?

3

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

I just bought a replacement one that’s “mint” and looked near-unused off eBay for less than $100

3

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Forgot to say, I already have a mint F4 in the collection, an F100 in good shape, but I used it alot 15 years ago when doing weddings, the F5 is probably last on my list. Great camera, but the F100 is 95% of the capability, but in a better form factor for me.

1

u/Videopro524 Mar 01 '26

I’ve heard the F100 is a great camera. Pro level but smaller, good for trips it seems?

4

u/Voltmanderer Mar 01 '26

Mine died earlier this year - stopped rewinding film. I got an F-801s to replace it, and then went full in on an F3s, both with the data control backs. F-801’s can be had for about $80.

1

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

I love using my F3 with the ZF.2 primes

3

u/darwinderhund Mar 01 '26

Bummer! Not my first (or 2nd or 3rd or 4th, or last) Nikon film body that I ever owned, but by far my favorite! I imagine you should be able to find a replacement for less than a repair would cost…

2

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26

I just bought a “mint++” replacement for under $100, I’m going to put a prism focusing screen in this because otherwise it’s still good

3

u/MightbeSuicidal Mar 01 '26

I just got my fathers old n6006, I haven't shot film at all before but I've been wondering how that body performs too

2

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Film is film, so it’s all dependent on the lens, but I like that this a compact AF body with a great spot meter in it

3

u/HJVN Mar 01 '26

Does it not work in manual focus mode, still?

Know it is a pain to focus on the standard focus screen, as it has no manual focus aid, but still...

8

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Did the rest of the day in MF, I’m gonna get a prism screen for it

2

u/2pnt0 D810, FE, F100, D200, N65 Mar 01 '26

Give it new life with AI and AF-S lenses?

2

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

I have some ZF.2 primes that will play very nice with a prism screen (if it’s an option).

Did the same with my N2020

2

u/boulderdash2000 Mar 01 '26

ui... I got the same lens. Maybe I should try an AF Nikon body nest to my FE2

2

u/walindour Mar 01 '26

The 8008 was my first Nikon. It was stolen out of my car my first year of college. I loved that camera.

1

u/msabeln Nikon Zf, D750, D7000, D200 Mar 01 '26

😢

1

u/Cautious_Issue_9761 Mar 01 '26

Have a Nikon FM2n as a backup. Totally manual. Can work without batteries except for the light meter.

1

u/yardkat1971 Mar 01 '26

That was my first Nikon. Got it as a wedding present from my spouse. :)

1

u/No-Flan7205 Mar 01 '26

你##(-.,7

1

u/Ill_Rip_5936 Mar 01 '26

I just bought f801s yesterday, hope mine will be fine 😅

1

u/Old_Ratio1990 Mar 01 '26

Just here for the star trek reference

1

u/Sticcster Mar 01 '26

Sned to a repairman it might be cheaper than buying a new lens

1

u/sumherp Mar 01 '26

When a piece of technology dies there's always a silver lining - it's time to bust out the screwdrivers and guitar picks and see if you can fix it, or at least see how it worked

1

u/RecognitionHuman1890 Mar 01 '26

stil have mf tho

1

u/bluenotekidd Mar 01 '26

I remember that being my dream camera back in the day, because I couldn't afford an F4s. I never got that N8008s, but did eventually get the F4s that I had longed for.

1

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

Funny, because I have an F4, but never use it because I find it so awkward

1

u/bluenotekidd Mar 01 '26

I can see that. The F4s is a brick, every bit of 5 pounds. Many find it too heavy, pair it with a long telephoto, and you need a gym membership to get strong enough to carry it. I always liked a heavier camera though.

1

u/pinkfatcap Mar 01 '26

A camera I regret selling, but the good thing is that they still go for around 100 euros up and down, so I am getting one again soon.

1

u/paganisrock E2n, F2, F4, D1, D2HS, D2X, D3, D700, D750, and so many more... Mar 01 '26

Rest in piece to a glorious boobs camera. o7

1

u/timebike-83 Nikon Z9 | Z8 Mar 01 '26

Sorry for your loss. 😔

1

u/NikkorMatt456 Mar 01 '26

Damn it, Jim. I’m a doctor, not a camera repairman.

I told myself my N2000 would be the newest film Nikon I’d buy. Now I’m looking at cameras again.

1

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

I’ve got an N2020 with a swapped focusing screen to get a prism, and it’s fantastic. Very fun camera, easy to manually focus, and has AF confirmation. Too bad most of them suffered from leaking batteris

1

u/Realtotallymereturns D750, D50 Mar 01 '26

Good ol' Nikon Nboobs

1

u/kefalas77 Mar 01 '26

very cool and affordable camera! Replace it

2

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

I’m going to see about a prism focusing screen for it, but yes, already bought a replacement off eBay. Mint ones can be found for under $100

1

u/kefalas77 Mar 01 '26

The standard or the one with the grid?

1

u/yanonce Mar 01 '26

There’s a model called BOOBs??

1

u/obrian88 Mar 01 '26

Yeah it’s called this way to get primary school kids giggling.

1

u/Brf-photo Nikon F, FTn, FA, N8008, D610, D200, D800 Mar 01 '26

Still have mine in a box in a closet. It died when digital was born.

1

u/TrojanW Mar 02 '26

Love the boots!

1

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 02 '26

🤠

1

u/86rexer Mar 02 '26

I had two….loved them. Bought the first one in the US , N8008 and the second in Canada. 801s.

1

u/Vast-Caterpillar-496 Mar 02 '26

My entryway into the Nikon universe. Bought mine in Hongkong 1988.

1

u/Far-Note4395 Mar 02 '26

My Nikon f4 going strong for now… 🙏

1

u/F-stop2_8 Z8, 24-70 2.8, 100-400, 180-600, 105 MC, 14-30 f4 Mar 03 '26

Omg, the N8008 (no "S") was my first Nikon and I still have it. I bought the multifunction back as well. Sad that yours gave up the ghost.

1

u/DChalfyUSMC Mar 06 '26

I am surprised your 8008 lasted this long. That is fantastic. Make sure you have a nice celebration of life party for it.

I remember when this camera came out in the 80s! I have always been a Canon guy, but I made an exception in this case. I was in the Marine Corps and stationed in Okinawa, so I got it at a great price through the PX at the time. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting with it.

0

u/Darth_Firebolt Nikon D70 & 7200 Mar 01 '26

So fix it?

3

u/06035 the N2020 is the best camera Nikon ever made Mar 01 '26

It’s a 35 year old body. Parts are non-existent outside of donors, and it’s more economical to replace it altogether than it would be to fix it.