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Nikon F, finally!

2K views 22 replies 9 participants last post by  AtomicTom 
#1 ·
One of my remaining camera wishes was (yes, was) a Nikon F Photomic. This was the camera that put a professional level SLR into the hands of 'the man in the street' and established Japan as the home of high quality photographic equipment. To be more specific, the three big ones: Canon, Nikon and Olympus.

Many, many years ago I saw someone using a Nikon F in the airplane I was travelling in en route to Beirut (1979). I was absolutely blown away by it. I've been trying to buy one for over a year now but either they were too damaged or just the body. The lenses fetch more money so most of them are just offered as a camera body. And 'slightly used' on eBay usually means: scratched, paint worn off to bare metal (brass) and parts missing.

This one however seems to be in great nick and is very complete. As soon as it came up (I had a saved search with email alert running) and I bought it right away. It was less than 170 Euro including shipping from the US which is an absolute steal. I promised Anne that this will be my final camera purchase. It will be unless that Leica M3 with 'goggles' will become available at a price I can afford which will be never :D This Nikon is a T-series from 1965.


 
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#3 ·
I must confess that I threw away every case that came with a camera. They are permanently displayed (oh, the dust :D) and don't need a case as I don't operate them. Yes, this was a very lucky find indeed! Thanks.
 
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#5 ·
This one is somewhat of an effort to capture the Nikon F Photomic look and feel, a 1970 Exakta:


 
#6 ·
Really don't know much about cameras at all Frans. But can't thank you,
and the guys enough for the look, along with lesson here ! :smileyface_hand_cla

Can just feel the excitement that you guys have for this, and it makes
me want to learn more about these marvels, and cameras in general. :)
There is something about these vintage cameras that is just the best !
It's very similar to the feeling of seeing a vintage watch. ..Can't put my
finger on it, but it's fantastic !

Really appreciate you taking the time to show this Frans, and all of
these actually guys !!! ..So so cool ! :clap2:
 
#9 ·
I hope it will arrive soon. It was shipped 17 May but still hasn't left the US. From one hub to another because it is was sent using the eBay global shipping program. Touted as 'convenient and fast' but not to the recipient. Not cheap either. Ah well, patience is a virtue as they say.....
 
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#11 ·
I’m afraid that I am neither. It’s usually my blinding enthusiasm that get’s the better of me and when in the ARMY I ordered a Canon A1 with all the bells and whistles. Plus a Metz Mecablitz 35 flashgun. I used Ilford 400 ASA black and white film whilst in Lebanon and shot about 5 rolls. Just the local population in small villages. I used colour film in the compound and while on patrol. All the black and white films were somehow lost and thus never developed. When my tour of duty was over I lost all interest and sold the lot at a local camera shop. It was still almost brand new and the guy in the store couldn’t believe what an oaf like me was doing with two cases full of high end equipment :D

I can see myself buying a Gretsch G6120 Chet Atkins (homage) just to put on a wall but I won’t because Anne would divorce me on the spot! :D No kidding :D
 
#12 ·
^^^^ With homage I mean cheap copy. The real deal is an homage to their own guitar and will set you back over 8K.......
 
#13 ·
My experience in photojournalism started with the Nikon F in highschool in 1973 with a borrowed setup from my brother in law. It served me well on the yearbook and school paper staffs. The addition of additional bodies both F and Nikkormat and a phalanx of lenses helped to make my later years more effective. In 1975 the addition of a Canon F-1 truly opened my eyes to the technology offered by the top 2 companies offering 35mm equipment at the time. Until the advent of digital photography I used both brands side by side. Interchangeable pentaprisms and compact motordrives among other features made my job much easier. To this day I find myself enjoying the use of 35mm photography in spite of its inherent challenges. B&W having always been my preference and the Beseler 23c enlarger more valuable than my left leg to me for years. Simple yet priceless. Digital photography has proved to be a marvelous technological advancement. My core belief has always been that the most important part of the art is the photographer not the equipment. The technique, the art, the picture is born in the minds eye. I have taken photos with pin hole shoeboxes that were superior to ones taken with a Leikaflex SL2.
I love the Nikon F but perhaps things are different in the US. In my part of the N.W. U.S., pawn shops do not even accept 35mm equipment for loans any more at all. There is a small niche market of collectors/35mm photographers, and that is us !
 
#14 ·
My experience in photojournalism started with the Nikon F in highschool in 1973 with a borrowed setup from my brother in law. It served me well on the yearbook and school paper staffs. The addition of additional bodies both F and Nikkormat and a phalanx of lenses helped to make my later years more effective. In 1975 the addition of a Canon F-1 truly opened my eyes to the technology offered by the top 2 companies offering 35mm equipment at the time. Until the advent of digital photography I used both brands side by side. Interchangeable pentaprisms and compact motordrives among other features made my job much easier. To this day I find myself enjoying the use of 35mm photography in spite of its inherent challenges. B&W having always been my preference and the Beseler 23c enlarger more valuable than my left leg to me for years. Simple yet priceless. Digital photography has proved to be a marvellous technological advancement. My core belief has always been that the most important part of the art is the photographer not the equipment. The technique, the art, the picture is born in the minds eye. I have taken photos with pin hole shoeboxes that were superior to ones taken with a Leicaflex SL2.
I love the Nikon F but perhaps things are different in the US. In my part of the N.W. U.S., pawn shops do not even accept 35mm equipment for loans any more at all. There is a small niche market of collectors/35mm photographers, and that is us !
Thank you for your elaborate and insightful reply. I fully agree on your belief that the art itself is more important than the equipment. Putting lipstick on a pig so to speak :D One of our leading photography magazines (now long gone) once gave a small point and shoot camera to an award winning professional photographer and a very expensive rig to a beginner/starting amateur. They taught him first how to operate the camera but the outcome was stunning. You don't need an expensive camera to capture a scene but a creative and trained eye.

With regards to analogue 35mm cameras it's the same over here although lately there is a beginning revival of 35mm film. The only people that are still toting analogue cameras are hipsters but I suspect to them it has become a fashion accessory :D
 
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#15 ·
Frans:
I'm certain the fate that is befalling Gibson Guitar Co will never occur with Nikon
(Poor upper Management IMO) cameras.
Gibson is on the ropes. So they hired a new CEO. I hope he saves Gibson from
mediocrity (Jury is out on that one) A Mr. Henry.
Part of the Gibson plight was the 2010 flooding of their plant in Nashville, Tn
That ended the producing of Gibson Banjos. That and the myriad of competitors.
Chet favored Gretch and Goya (Classical) guitars. I bought an Epiphone accoustic
just 3 weeks ago. The Gibson J45 is the Valjoux 7750. The Epiphone is the Hamilton
of guitars. Epiphone is owned by Gibson.
Hope the Nikon arrives soon!!!

Lou Snutt
 
#16 ·
The Nikon arrived today, well packaged in a box that previously contained cookies so it smells amazing :D After some cleaning and touching up with aluminium black (I use this to get rid of visible bare metal scratches. It oxidizes aluminium and doesn't show at all), it turned out great. There are some scratches on the base and around the strap eyelets but that is unavoidable. Do you remember I first saw this camera in an airplane in 1979? Well, look at the repair sticker I found inside:





 
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#18 ·
I see you did the same Google search as I did :D I don't know, he runs an eBay store. Even with shipping it was well over $100 cheaper compared to a local seller. I'm very, very happy with it. Now I'm going to search for a lens hood for it. Screw in type. The lens on it is equally high class: 50mm 1.2. Very light sensitive and that for 1966! I have traced back the serial number and the camera was produced in the third quarter of 1966. The build quality is astounding. Anne is less astounded :D :D
 
#20 ·
Frans:
I looked into my camera cubby hole. I erred. That was an Argus C3 camera
my dad gifted me back n tha day. But there was a Mercury 35mm in there too.

Wish I loved cameras as much as my true loves. 1 Accoustic guitars and 2
watches.

Doting on my last guitar purchase. an acoustic Epiphone all solid wood gui-
tar. A knock off of their 1931 issue Masterbilt model.

Lou Snutt
 
#21 ·
Wow, looks even more spectacular in your pics here Frans !!! :smile1::cool2:

You know there is something about technology from years ago
I think sir. ..Just seems like there was more thought, and effort
put into everything, and like the craftsmanship was terrific. I
mean you can almost feel the weight, and quality. It's not some
clone-like, cookie cutter lightly made thingamabob like we see
today. That will just be put in a draw in a couple years, and
forgotten about. :eek:

It's a real camera, but also example of quality, and workmanship.
A piece of art just as much as a camera ! :) ..Holy cow, and that
neat sticker adds even more charm on top of everything !

So so nice Frans. Big congratulations to you there on this !!!
 
#22 ·
Wow, looks even more spectacular in your pics here Frans !!! :smile1::cool2:

You know there is something about technology from years ago
I think sir. ..Just seems like there was more thought, and effort
put into everything, and like the craftsmanship was terrific. I
mean you can almost feel the weight, and quality. It's not some
clone-like, cookie cutter lightly made thingamabob like we see
today. That will just be put in a draw in a couple years, and
forgotten about. :eek:

It's a real camera, but also example of quality, and workmanship.
A piece of art just as much as a camera ! :) ..Holy cow, and that
neat sticker adds even more charm on top of everything !

So so nice Frans. Big congratulations to you there on this !!!

Yes, this is truly a small dream come true. Up to this one they were a tad expensive when in this condition or without a lens. And a separate lens is more expensive than a camera body. The camera is 53 years old but that doesn't show. Yes, there are signs of usage and it has been repaired but the overall condition is very good. And still from an era the bodies were made of yellow brass. A few years ago I bought the three volume and definitive work on the Nikon F by Uli Koch, just to warm up. I bought it in the Leica Shop (online) for, I think 45 Euro. The price on Amazon must be an error because that's just insane. Uli is a world renowned Nikon collector and his Nikon F collection spans everything Nikon has ever produced for that camera. I really admire that kind of dedication although I realize that one has to have deep pockets.

I don't know if the camera still operates although the shutter and mirror sound snappy. Thanks for putting up with my non watch related babble :D
 
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