Kenneth Wajda Buying a Film Camera: NIKON F
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- Опубліковано 27 тра 2015
- Discussing the Nikon F 35mm camera.
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Kenneth Wajda, a professional commercial photographer who still shoots film, walks you through the ins and outs of buying vintage film cameras, which ones to buy, which to avoid, how much to pay and other tricks for making sure you get a working camera and a good deal!
Tips on Leica, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Minolta, Yashica, Fuji, Mamiya, Rolleiflex, Hasselblad, Praktica, Exakta, Zorki and more! - Навчання та стиль
Sorry to correct you Ken since this was made in 2015 the Nikon F came out in 1959. And when I first bought my Nikon in 1975 but it was a Nikkormat Ftn, in which it lead to make me buy my First Nikon F in 1976, and lead to get me another Nikon Ftn with the F36Drive, as I called the Frank B as it was a memory of my Co worker that told me get the F with the Motor Drive.. So I have taken my F to Japan, Denmark, France, and Hawaii as I will never part with it. Since then I got a Nikon FM, and EL, and the FG, Then in 2020 I got a F2 with drive, and a Nikon F100 as that decided to obtain all manual focus Nikkor lenses except for the 180mm that is still on my Christmas List... And holding a Nikon is not a camera, but a history of the F in where it has been... Really proud my gear... Now I still Piss Off that Nikon will be shipping all there camera facilities to Thailand, so the next time that you see a Mirrorless body, and lenses they will be Stamped MADE IN THAILAND... How SAD it was not when I purchase my F, it was more to see it stamp on the camera, Made in JAPAN... Oh Yeah in Closing, There Nikon Camera Museum in Tokyo, Really LAME..... :o( Now that Pass Sticker of the JCII Now there Museum is worth going too, that is the JCII Camera Museum in Tokyo is a place to spend a Lunch hour there....
I stand corrected. Thanks for the info and the museum suggestions, too!
Thanks for reviewing this one, I just bought one two days ago
The Full Metal Jacket camera.
Jesus Samaniego
The "Me So Horny" camera.
the FMJ "Me So Horny" scene's camera was a Nikkormat
The camera system that killed the Contarex.
The camera was literally designed around the pentaprism. The original design is the one with the small pentaprism top, which is partly why they are the more expensive version. Nikon still uses a stylized red triangle design which is a direct nod to the original triangle of those pentaprisms on the very 1st F cameras. NHK Japan did an interesting history of the F some time ago. It is available on UA-cam in 2 parts and is well worth the time to find and watch.
The original small pentaprism top was actually cheaper than the Photomic version (with the light meter). The Photomic version was sold as an extra-cost option.
It is only in the used market today that the Nikon F with the pentaprism is worth substantially more. I guess it's more desired because of the sleek looks.
Such a beautiful camera. I love your videos Kenneth! I've learned a lot about film cameras from your videos.
Super! Hope you have found some good gear and have fun shooting!
Just ordered a Nikon Ftn Photomic waiting for it to arrive. Just had to have one of these an iconic camera for sure. Can't wait to get it. This video is bookmarked along with several others about the Ftn for reference.
Excellent. The best SLR of its era! And now you have all it takes!
One of my favorite cameras.
Great video, bought one just like this a few years ago, hope to get some time to try it out. And yes there is the weapon factor.
Good luck with it.
Put thousands of frames through these in the early 70's; never let me down. It was the go-to camera for 35mm, when we weren't using medium format 'blads or large format Linhoffs at work. I still have and use two 55mm Micro Nikkors from that era... tack sharp and built like tanks.
And a pleasure to use! :-)
People leaving the Passed sticker on is like people leaving mattress tags on.
mr kenneth, you deserve more subs. keep uploading sir
Thanks!! I will.
I'd like to get a tripod that this is compatable with, but no idea what to look for. Any suggestions or info of the type of mount and such would be helpful.
My Ftn Photomic is circa 1971 with a Nikon/Nippon Kogaku 50 mm f/1.4 Nikkor 'S' lens. Recently attended my high school 50 year reunion (class of 1971) and brought along that camera because it was manufactured the same year I graduated high school. Had a lot of comments like 'wow, what kind of camera is that?' whereupon that started the conversation that it was made the same year we graduated high school and it was the same type used by a lot of photographers during the Viet Nam war. Wonderful tank of a camera it is somewhat 'clunky' to operate compared to the auto-focus/auto exposure/auto everything digital cameras but that is the charm of it. Taking photos with that camera is an immersive experience in photography.
It's a beast alright, but so cool looking!
That’s a great story. Will be looking for an iconic camera from 1983.
I shoot with a 66' black paint eye level prism F and the camera performs. I use a Nikkor-S 50mm 1.4, but have recently thought of getting the Nikkor-S 55mm 1.2 lens. Have you used the 55? I think I might just stay with the 50mm 1.4 as it does just fine.
They also have a waist level finder which is great for street photography.
I like them with a 24mm wide angle.
Great video~I got 2 Nikon F with FTn prism,black and chrome.They are very well made camera indeed,maybe better than Leica in my opinon. You will enjoy these cameras when you are not shooting photos.
Nice one!
I got around the 'no flash shoe' issue on my Ftn: I have a Sunpack flash handle/flash bracket that I can attach to the camera by screwing into the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera. The flash handle has a cord that plugs into the PC socket on the camera body. Mount the flash gun on the hot shoe on the bracket, plug the sync cord into the PC socket on the camera, and good to go.
Good setup. Thanks.
I have this exact model and you're so correct about the light meter. The two problems with it are that first, the two mercury batteries it requires are no longer produced, and replacing them with silver oxides of the same size does not work at all. The voltage is wrong and the meter goes haphazard. Step-down adaptors can be purchased though to allow hearing aid batteries or silver oxides to be employed, otherwise a Nikon technician can affix a diode inside the meter to allow silver oxide use. Second, the reason the meter may stop working is because it works via a needle floating over a carbon track. Should this carbon tracking wear away - well it has to happen sometime - that's the end of that, unless you are fortunate enough to find someone who can re-coat it. Good luck with that. However, my Ftn Photomic dates from 1970, and at time of writing the meter's working as well as ever. Fingers crossed!
Yes, hope it keeps working. I just use Sunny 16.
Hi Kenneth, great video. Do have any advice on how to adjust the film ASA? I have the same finder variant as in your video. I was expecting it would be like an F2 (shutter speed dial outer ring lifts up) but that’s not the case. Thanks.
Whoops, it is the same as an F2 (apparently I just wasn’t pulling hard enough).
I bought an F yesterday and by a weird coincidence and completely true Jimmy Page of Led Zep fame was at the market stall in Camden Market when I first walked up to it. That is rock god Jimmy Page who played guitar alongside Jeff Beck in The Yardbirds in the film Blow Up. Love it when things like that happen!
Sweet
thank you
Nice, didn't know these went to war. Thanks for the great video. I saw this one at Bay Camera in Savannah, GA. Just had to get one after I saw it. The one there was not for for sale.
They're so fine of a photographic instrument. Good luck with yours. Photograph a revolution!
@@kennethwajda I git one off of Ebay, pretty much shopped price a d condition. I watched some more of your videos and thank you for the other one on getting the meter off. I like to look them over before leaving fb. It's a tricky little sucker. I had got it back together and the shutter speed knob didn't engage so getting it off after misalighnment was frustrating. I will not be messing with that piece too much. Meter doesn't work and it looks like 2 diffrent batteries are in there. Does it take two diffrent ones ?
@@joelstolarski2244 I doubt it takes 2 different batteries. I just use Sunny 16 and guess exposure. You can get quite good at it very easily.
If you are going to buy a second hand film camera the first thing to check is that nobody has dropped it. Despite appearances, this can do profound and irrevocable damage which may only becomes obvious when a film is developed. Despite breathless avowals of their indestructible qualities, Nikons are as prone to damage from careless treatment as any other camera. Check the whole thing for dents, especially the end of the lens, that all the panels are square and true. Then the function of the charging lever. Check that the camera focuses to infinity when the lens is set to infinity. If it doesn't either the lens is out of adjustment or the the camera has lost parallax. Finally, check that the camera has not had water in it. Of all the cameras I have repaired water ingress and damage from being dropped are amongst the most common and the hardest to fix so beware.
how much should I sell it for?
The back coming off completely to load film is why the camera was nicknamed the armpit camera, because professionals used to tuck the camera back under their armpits to load film. Lovely camera
Ha. Those and Leicas!
@@kennethwajda agreed!
My F was made in 1965, and is still going strong, never been serviced either. People wonder how Nikon could have got their first slr so well designed and engineered all in one go. The reason was that Nikon had been making rangefinder cameras, similar to the German Contax camera, for many years. The first Nikon F was simply based on the rangefinder body, with a mirror box and prism added. The very first had some parts interchangeability with the rangefinders. So it was an evolution of an established and proven design. Pick up a modern slr, then pick up a Nikon F and you will find it is much heavier, made of brass and steel.
Right, they have good history. Thanks, Howard.
Great video! Love this camera. Is the half case that came with yours made from black leather? It's a bit hard to tell from the video. I can only find them in dark brown leather. Thanks in advance!
Yes, black. I've never seen a brown one.
Hey how much would one cost with the prism that you are talking about and a half case with the top??
A Nikon F with the eye level pentaprism will generally command a price at least double that of the same camera with Photomic finder. And the black version (especially with black eye level prism) is even more expensive.
I have always wanted one of these
Easy to get into.
I have film cameras, I have always wanted a Nikon F :)
Dear Sir, would you know of a reliable source for the 625px mushroom cell batteries these nikons take? My older batteries are Varta made in Germany and are becoming weak. Thanks for any help.
No, I would just use Sunny 16 and guess. ua-cam.com/video/uuH4hpAvEAE/v-deo.html - no need for a battery. I haven't used a meter in years for film!
Another great video, Ken. I have an F identical to yours, but the FTN meter is jumpy and it takes a few minutes to warm up before I can use it, even with brand new batteries. I believe these issues can be fixed so the meter works properly. Can you confirm? If so, is it an expensive repair?
+Frank DiCesare Expensive is probably relative, but I'd learn to not need it. Sunny 16 outside. 1/60 at f2 inside with ISO 400 film will get you 90% of all shots! Or can you get a new finder cheaper than the repair?
FTN meters are prone to dust issues. Remove the head from the camera and GENTLY blow a little canned air into the openings. Odds are good that will cure a jumpy meter. Good luck!
If the FTN meter fails, it would be cheaper to buy another used (working) one than to try to repair the bad one.
I have a Pentax K1000 but this is the one camera I want to have. I have no clue where to find one though and I feel that these are pretty hard to come by
+Kiefer S Not that hard. Ebay and Craigslist and yard sales. They're out there. Keep your eyes out. Also KEH.com or www.apug.org/forum/index.php?categories/classifieds.150/
Amazing review....I love those retro cameras...I would love to buy one
+billdiamond1990 Do it. They're great! Try mpex.com/film-cameras/35-mm/bodies-kits.html for a Nikon F. I heard them mention they had some on the Film Photography Podcast. filmphotographyproject.com/ Good luck!
what level photographer would you recommend this camera for thank you these videos have been great
Rielly Gillum Anyone who doesn't mind a heavy camera, it's a workhorse and will shoot forever. Full frame viewfinder, all mechanical. Battery only runs meter if it has a metered prism. Great camera. A legend.
@@kennethwajda The image quality of the non ai 50mm Nippon Kogaku f1.4, at lower print enlargement, rivals the Leica 50mm Summicron.
@@joelstolarski2244 Sweet! Sharpness is overrated anyway. Content, story matters!
will the asa and shutter speed dial still work without batteries? it'll only be the light meter that's not functional right?
Sure, you can still set everything manually.
Those Nikon F cameras are virtually indestructible. The only weak part is the Photomic light meter. They tend to go south rather early. But even with a dead light meter, the rest of the camera is mechanical and still works perfectly fine in manual mode.
Exactly!
Little known fact: this was the camera that David used with a long neck strap to kill Goliath. Also, Christopher Columbus used the Nikon F on the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria as boat anchors.
True dat! ;-)
Ey, Buscape!
The F just reminds me of "City of God"
What film do I buy for this camera ?
Any 35mm film. Tri-x or HP5 for black and white, Ektar 100 or Portra 400 for color.
In blow up David hemmings used a Nixon f without the photoghanic head in the eyes of laura mars fae dumney used an f3 with a motor dtive
Yay I just received my Ftn Photomic..couldn't be more pleased. In very good + condition. Everything works they way it's supposed to. Shutter sounds good at all speeds. Viewfinder nice and clear just a few particles of dust. Mirror clear no de-silvering. And a plus: came with batteries installed and the meter works properly and appears to be right on: Took a meter reading with my FM, made sure the ASA on the Ftn was set for the same as the FM, and the Ftn meter agreed exactly with the FM. The screen is just a plain ground glass with a round center area delineated. Anybody know what Nikon's designation is for a split-prism screen which will fit the Ftn? And where I might be able to find one? I can focus OK with the screen that is in it but prefer a split-image focusing screen. Now I want to look up F serial numbers and try to determine year of manufacture: serial number is 720xxxx. Looking forward to shooting some photos with my new treasure.
www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/michaeliu/cameras/shared/ff2screens.htm
Update: received 50 mm f/1.4 non-AI lens (Nikon/Nippon Kogaku) which is in 'excellent plus' condition (even still has JCII sticker on it) from about the same time period as the camera to go along with it. Went out shooting with it yesterday I was in heaven to be able to use an iconic all-mechanical manual SLR camera.
Gorgeous camera! I'm want one
Get one. A gem!
Im driving around Connecticut right now stopping by and checking for nikon f bodies. I just checked out a well-patina F3/T looked pretty good. Im heading to Hartford now...
+kenneth wajda the place in Hartford has a F2 and a F2A. The f2 and a f3 are both great... Now i need to take a few days and decide. Which would you suggest to an illustration student that likes tactile and well made photo equipment... Lol.....
The F2 is all mechanical, so no need for batteries in any weather except for the meter. I'd do that route unless the F3 was a better bargain, because it's a treat, too!
how do you open the compartment to change the battery for the meter?
+John Fraser Unclip the entire finder, the batteries (2) sit in a screw top chamber on the underneath. Oh dear, they are 1.3 mercury cells no longer made. I have heard stories of the meters being recalibrated to accept 1.5v alkaline 625s, but who on Earth does that work? Probably not Nikon, and Googling so far hasn't helped. The alternatives are to either buy a hand held light meter, or - like me - the mylightmeter iPhone app. But there's still a tinge of compromise I'm not happy with.
+Oldpigsass Sunny 16, and you don't need a meter. Good luck!
+Oldpigsass There's a thing called a Wein cell which stands in for the mercury batteries and delivers the same voltage, and I believe you can also buy adapters into which LR44 or similar common batteries can be inserted and will work. I have the same issue with my Spotmatics.
+Hooray for Pentax! Good info, thanks!
You make a good point about the mercury batteries, I have two Spotmatics ans one still has a mercury cell; the other has a cell I bought cheaply and is held in by a wein cell adapter as that expensive cell went flat very early one but I might be responsible for that. I now use a 1.5 v cell in the Spotmatic. I can't claim any knowledge for the Nikon range but many people claim the Pentax circuitry can compensate for the slightly higher voltage, so perhaps the Nikon can too but I.m NOT claiming that to be the case.
I have several Weston meters I use with my Leicas and remember film has quite a lot of latitude regarding exposure and used correctly are more than adequate for the job. if I had problems with obtaining the correct cellsI would quite happily use a hand held meter.
I found my Nikon F I have not used since I was in the Army in 1071. Like new condition without a meter. With a hard case. Only insure can not see thru view finder
Is the mirror locked up? Take off the lens and see if it's in the up position, or down at 45 degrees. www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/michaeliu/cameras/nikonf/fbody/fcontrol2.htm
Thank you so much.It worked! Think I will shoot a roll of film for old times sake. Do you know what it is worth?
@@raystronsky9981 $100-$150. Worth keeping and shooting a roll a year!
I was wondering how could you see your aperture ring when you have such a big top of the camera
There's a window in the viewfinder.
@@kennethwajda I don't see the lens aperture in the viewfinder of my Ftn..only the shutter speed selected in the little window to the right side of the meter needle. I'm using Nikon Nikkor AI/AIS lenses on my Ftn.
@@thomasmoje5926 Huh. I don't have an F in front of me, but look up into the prism from below, is there a little window over where the apertures would be? That's how it works, there's a window.
@@kennethwajda There's the 'ADR' (Nikon calls it 'Aperture Direct Readout') window in the prism housing of my FM, directly above where the aperture ring is on Nikon AI/AIS lenses. However I do not see any such window on the Ftn Photomic prism housing. The only 'windows' I see on my Ftn housing is the external meter match-needle/meter on confirmation window on top along with a white frosted portion immediately below the needle window. All I see in the viewfinder is the meter needle and shutter speed at the top middle of the viewfinder. No big deal..I can get used to rotating the lens aperture ring 'by feel' without looking at it in the right direction to get larger/smaller lens openings and checking depth of field with the depth of field preview button. I usually use lens aperture preference with setting up exposure anyway.
The Nikon F was introduced in 1959, not the late 60s as you mentioned.
i have one from 69' with some CLA it will go for another 1000 years :P
Sure will!
pure beauty
Certainly is!
Good luck with the batteries! This takes mercury cells. There is a mod that can me done on the FTn finder meter and there are individual cell adapter for silver oxide, but both are relatively expensive. There are a few other solutions but none are without some issues.
It is a great camera though, I have one.
I'll use sunny 16, and good to go!
Guess that you don't do any zone system work :) Seriously though that works pretty well.
If I could find a prism at a good price and condition I'd replace my FTn finder with it to make the camera less bulky.
I gotta get back into film, I have all the stuff for developing and printing.
Yes, film is fun, c'mon back!
Wonder if a good repair guy could upgrade the finder with a silicon blue cell.
Wein cells with the original voltage are about eight bucks as of today, less than the cost of a roll of film. I just bought an adaptor off eBay that allows you to use L44 hearing aid batteries, very close to the original voltage. Hearing aid batteries are about 7 dollars for a half dozen, and available at your local CVS or Wahlgreen's. The battery test button on the Photomic finders is your new best friend.
Andy
It came out late 50s
Came out in 1959
Noted.
1959 know your facts!
Yeah yeah.
The camera was introduced in 1959, the FTn meter head in 1968 and the actor in Blow Up was David Hemmings, not Bailey. Errors straight out of the gate.
Thank you for the corrections. Bailey was the inspiration for the character. www.anatomyfilms.com/david-bailey-age-cool/
@@kennethwajda Oh heck, I didn’t know about the Bailey connection. My apologies for my snarky reply.
@@tpf1952 :-)
I shot with one of these back in the day and hated it due to the whole back coming off. A real pain in the a$$ if you're a news photog. The F2 was way better.
Yes, that is a challenge when working quickly.
Maybe that’s why photojournalists carried five cameras at once.
Nikon F more repair issues than Pentax, BTW.
Huh.
This guy starts off wrong. It is documented over and over that the Nikon F was introduced in 1959! Not "the late sixties," as stated in this video. It continues with a decryption as if he has never seen Nikon F model and is trying to figure it out.
Perhaps.
Maybe he was thinking of the Photomic meter that was introduced in 1962. So the camera is probably 1962 or later.
Use it like a weapon🤣
Ha!