11 replies to this topic

[transvision]

hi everyone this is my first post. first of all i know nothing about cameras. i collect vintage stuff. and came across two vintage cameras in my local charity shop.one is a f nikon in its leather case . there is a serial number on top 6518222. i think it dates from the 1960s the lens has inscribed nippon kogaku japan no 374920 nikkor_s 1:1.4 f=50mm i paid 35 pounds for the two.any help on this would be great

[Merco_61]

Your lens is made in the late 1963-early 1964 time frame from the serial number. What finder is on the F? Can you take a photo of your find and share with us?

[Brian]

Great price on the camera. The 50/1.4 is an early one, replaced the 5.8cm F1.4 lens.

 

The Camera- as stated, a picture would help. Your camera would have come with a "Prism finder" (small) or "Photomic Finder" with a large CDS cell in a window. But- Nikon upgraded many of these cameras to take the later finders. So, you never know.

 

nikonf4 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

 

nikon_f_photomic by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

[transvision]

hi thanks for your help.the whole camera is black. according to the ref number it was made between august to december 1963.it has a small lens that protrudes from the upper left of the lens.

[Merco_61]

hi thanks for your help.the whole camera is black. according to the ref number it was made between august to december 1963.it has a small lens that protrudes from the upper left of the lens.

 

This means that it has the correct metered prism for the time and the lens is contemporary to the body. Like Brian said, they were sold with either the standard prism or the Photomic that yours has. The black F-s age beautifully as the brassing on the edges give a nice patina to the used camera body.

[Brian]

hi thanks for your help.the whole camera is black. according to the ref number it was made between august to december 1963.it has a small lens that protrudes from the upper left of the lens.

The Black Photomic "Bullseye" meter is uncommon. You got a great price.

 

The protruding tube is the "Spot Meter" attachment for the metering cell. The Photomic Bullseye comes with an Incident metering disk, as shown on mine. The "Tube" restricts the field of view to that of a 135mm lens. Both unscrew, and store by screwing into the battery cap.

 

Using the Tube: there are two sets of ASA numbers for setting film speed. Use the numbers in Yellow (Hence the Yellow stripe on the Tube) for setting with it in place. Use white numbers for the incident and bare cell. Post a picture of the camera, there are two versions of this meter: one with a Push Button (mine) and one with a "Flag", a cover for the cell.

[transvision]

hi thanks for all your help.

[transvision]

The Black Photomic "Bullseye" meter is uncommon. You got a great price.

 

The protruding tube is the "Spot Meter" attachment for the metering cell. The Photomic Bullseye comes with an Incident metering disk, as shown on mine. The "Tube" restricts the field of view to that of a 135mm lens. Both unscrew, and store by screwing into the battery cap.

 

Using the Tube: there are two sets of ASA numbers for setting film speed. Use the numbers in Yellow (Hence the Yellow stripe on the Tube) for setting with it in place. Use white numbers for the incident and bare cell. Post a picture of the camera, there are two versions of this meter: one with a Push Button (mine) and one with a "Flag", a cover for the cell.

hi was there a choice of black or chrome?

[Merco_61]

They usually looked like Brian's nice chrome one. The black bodies and meters were made in much smaller numbers. Apart from the smaller production runs, they were mostly used by pros so few have survived.

[transvision]

They usually looked like Brian's nice chrome one. The black bodies and meters were made in much smaller numbers. Apart from the smaller production runs, they were mostly used by pros so few have survived.

thanks for that. it has survived in very good condition.thanks for your help.

[Brian]

You are a very lucky Nikon F Owner!

 

Be sure to check the battery compartment, this camera was made to use a PX-13 or PX-625 1.35v mercury cell battery. You can use a 1.5v alkaline or silver battery in it, just set the ASA (ISO) of the meter Lower by ~2/3rds of a stop. Be sure to check for corrosion, clean out if any is there.

[Ron]

I sure wish that current Nikons looked as nice as an F with the standard prism. That was/is a beautiful camera.

 

--Ron