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Nikon

EL2

Produced 1977–1978Nikon EL2 family
Research Quality: 40% complete

Provisional entry — research in progress

This page was generated automatically from cited public sources and hasn't completed the full research pass yet. Every specification shown carries its source; more detail is added as research completes.

The Nikon EL2 is a 35mm SLR camera introduced in 1977. The Nikon EL2 uses aperture-priority automatic exposure. The Nikon EL2 supports Nikon F-mount lenses with AI compatibility.[1][2][3]

Nikon logo
Fig. — Manufacturer logo, not a photo of this toolWikimedia Commons (see file page for license)
  • Plate 01Nikon EL2: Full Size in Every Sense of the Word - Camera Talk

    Camera TalkWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 02Features and using the Nikon EL2

    Jules Vuotto's Photo FocusWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 03Nikon El2 35mm film camera

    carl bozzaWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 04WAJDA PHOTO - Gear Talk--Real World Experience: Nikon EL2 with 24mm f2.8 Lens

    Kenneth WajdaWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 05My first professional camera –Nikon FE2, Nikon EL2 and four lenses

    Matti SulantoWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 06Nikon EL2 - 35mm film slr camera overview

    Todo TodoWatch on YouTube

Produced

1977–1978

Power

One 4LR44 6v battery[2]

Optics

Can use non-AI lenses[4]

What it is

The Nikon EL2 is a 35 mm SLR camera.[2][1][3]

The Nikon EL2 was introduced in 1977.[2][1][3]

How it works

The Nikon EL2 uses aperture-priority automatic exposure with full manual control.[2][1][3]

The Nikon EL2 uses a vertically traveling metal focal-plane shutter.[2][3]

The Nikon EL2 uses TTL center-weighted metering.[2][1][3]

The Nikon EL2 supports AI lenses and also works with pre-AI lenses by stop-down metering.[2][1]

Applications

The Nikon EL2 is used for 35 mm single-lens-reflex still photography.[2][1][3]

The Nikon EL2 is used with interchangeable F-mount lenses.[2][1][4]

What do the numbers mean?

Power & electrical1

Power source
One 4LR44 6v battery[2]
Accurate?

Optics & imaging4

Non-AI lens compatibility
Can use non-AI lenses[4]
Accurate?
Camera type
35mm SLR[2]
Accurate?
Exposure mode
Aperture-priority auto-exposure[1]
Accurate?
Lens mount
Nikon F-mount with AI compatibility[2]
Accurate?

Dimensions & facilities3

Metering
TTL center-weighted metering[2]
Accurate?
Weight
Approx. 780g body only, with batteries[2]
Accurate?
Dimensions
145mm x 94mm x 55mm[2]
Accurate?

Configuration & options8

Meter coupling specification
AI (Automatic Maximum-Aperture Indexing)[4]
Accurate?
Introduction year
1977[1]
Accurate?
Backward compatibility
Compatible with Pre-AI lenses with stop-down metering[2]
Accurate?
Shutter
Electronically controlled, vertical-travel, metal focal-plane shutter[2]
Accurate?
Shutter speed range
8s to 1/1000s + Bulb[2]
Accurate?
Mechanical backup speed
1/90s[2]
Accurate?
Metering cells
Twin Silicon Blue Cell (SBC) light meters[3]
Accurate?
Flash sync speed
1/125s[2]
Accurate?

Vintage & configurations

  1. 1977Production start[1]

    The Nikon EL2 was introduced in 1977.

  2. 1978Production end[3]

    The Nikon EL2 was replaced by the Nikon FE after one year.

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What does it need to run?

Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.

  • Power sourceOne 4LR44 6v battery[2]

Where are the manuals?

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

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Frequently asked questions

What exposure mode does the Nikon EL2 provide?

The Nikon EL2 provides aperture-priority auto-exposure and full manual mode.[2][1][3]

What lens interface does the Nikon EL2 use?

The Nikon EL2 uses the Nikon F-mount with AI compatibility.[2][1][4]

Can the Nikon EL2 work with pre-AI lenses?

The Nikon EL2 can work with pre-AI lenses by stop-down metering.[2][1]

What shutter type does the Nikon EL2 use?

The Nikon EL2 uses an electronically controlled vertically traveling metal focal-plane shutter.[2][3]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the EL2 are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the EL2 are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the EL2 are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the EL2 are on record.

    Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician

  • The process node or technology generation of the EL2 is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

  • No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the EL2 are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer

No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.

Sources & citations

Sources (4)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]camera-wiki.org — camera-wiki.orgcamera-wiki.org
  2. [2]casualphotophile.com — casualphotophile.comcasualphotophile.com
  3. [3]mikeeckman.com — mikeeckman.commikeeckman.com
  4. [4]en.wikipedia.org — en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
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Last updated Oct 9, 2026.

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