Nikon's pro F2 with DP-3 silicon-cell prism — centre-weighted TTL, mechanical, Nikon F, 1976.
The Nikon F2 Photomic SB, introduced in 1976, matched the professional F2 body with the DP-3 metered prism, which used silicon photodiode metering in place of the earlier CdS cells. It formed part of Nikon's flagship F2 line of the mid-1970s and served working press and documentary photographers. The F2 continued the Nikon F bayonet mount, a system whose long life carries across many generations of Nikon bodies.
This is a mechanical 35mm SLR on the Nikon F mount, with a horizontal-travel titanium-foil focal-plane shutter offering timed speeds to 1/2000 second plus B and T. The DP-3 prism provides centre-weighted TTL metering using a silicon photodiode with an LED readout in the finder, giving faster response than CdS. Exposure is manual; the shutter is mechanically timed and fires without a battery, the meter head being the only battery-dependent part. The finder is interchangeable.
The F2 Photomic SB suits photographers wanting a mechanical professional body with the more responsive silicon-cell metering and LED display. It is heavy and modular, built for demanding use with a full system of finders, screens and drives. A plain prism can replace the meter head if the electronics fail, keeping the body usable.
On the used market, check the DP-3 meter and its battery; the silicon-diode design is less tied to mercury voltage than earlier CdS heads, but verify readings and LED function. Test shutter speeds to 1/2000 and look for capping, inspect the prism for desilvering and foam haze, and try advance and rewind. Foam seals are minimal. Pre-AI F-mount lenses fit; later AI and AI-S optics may need care.