michael_owens4

Update - a couple of years later plus a few months. Well, my "collection" of FB-5 cases has reached over 100 (each with either an F, F2, or Nikkormat/Nikomat variant and extra lenses inside), almost even between brown and black leather. I still search for the ever elusive FB-8 case - with substandard leatherette and all.. to no avail. The case into which I've mounted the linear 3 Nikkor lens mount plate is still great but does not hold two bodies. So I'm thinking of building a leather case from scratch specifically for at least two bodies and the three Nikkor lens plate as the base. That's an extreme project, but for the life of me I cannot find an FB-8 ANYWHERE! Still a great post and thread. Sort of sad that it has been over 2 years since anyone (me) has added anything to it, but hopefully we are all busy taking photographs! Aloha folks! - Mike

Please excuse the momentary lapse of brain matter...I hadn't thought of the very big differences in the 2 systems. Of course the lenses are not compatible. Sorry about that. Carry on. :rolleyes: I wish there were some help section that could help me figure out how to delete a forum post.. then I would just delete my first post with the stupid question! But I guess that isn't possible.. so everyone gets to see mistakes.. Surely there must be a way to delete my own post...

Quick question sort of related.. I have an RB67 but do not have an M645. Are the lens mounts the same? Can I use a lens that is "for" the M645 on my RB? Thanks in advance for any help. Um.. never mind. I think I found my answer in that lenses for my RB have an "RB" mount. At least, just from looking at pictures of the two different lenses, they appear to be different bayonet mount designs.

I would agree with anyone above who has stated that Sover Wong's services are absolutely top quality. I have had him service about three or four DP finders and at least two F2 bodies for me. He was so professional as to tell me that, for a couple of F2 bodies I had sent to him, that it would not be economically wise to invest in his services for them as they had problems that could only be "patched', or temporarily "fixed", but that would no doubt return. To me, that is the sign of a true professional - someone who cares more about the work, and your satisfaction, than about making more money off of you. I will send more to him in a heartbeat. I think I am 14 months down in his waiting list, ha ha. When it comes to be my turn again I plan on sending him at least 4 more F2s! He also has created a modification or two for the DP finders that give you much more accurate spot metering and he's created a way to illuminate the finders which can come in very handy. He's a very active member of the Nikon F2 group on facebook and frequently shares tips and advice there. Sover Wong is the ONLY person to which I will send my Nikon F2 cameras! Now if I could only find just such a person for maintenance of my F models... One bit of info that has not been mentioned in this thread is the fact that Sover had the foresight to buy up ALL of Nikon's "spare parts" for the F2 years ago soon after they discontinued the model. Hence, he is the only person on the planet that has the factory fresh replacement parts for whatever your F2 might need. Others provide service on the F2, Sover is the only one who can replace CDS cells, or resistor rings or whatever might be needed that match the originals.

All things considered, I must agree with a few others here about the Nikkormat EL/EL2 being my possible favorite shooter. But the F2 is definitely my next favorite! I own close to 50 or more each of the Nikon F and every itteration of the F2 possible. Including all of the various viewfinders for them - "normal", waist-level, photmic metered prisms, etc. I have had the master - Sover Wong - service 5 or 6 of my F2 cameras and could NOT be more pleased with his work! I began collecting working 35mm cameras in 2004 and, while an owner and fan of some of the finest Minoltas, Pentaxes, Canons and other brands, Nikon has taken the top spot in my collection. It's going to be literallly painful to start selling most of them on eBay or in facebook groups. I have collected several hundred cameras (all now working) over the past 14 years and feel that it is time to start selling so that others can experience the magic of analog photography before it all goes obsolete. SO happy to get back active in this group!

For my personal choice, nothing beats the "feel" of a Nikon FA. For me it is like a fine Swiss watch and just makes me smile each time I advance a frame. But that's just my opinion. Interesting thread.

I see this thread as a stating place for gathering information and materials to aid in the repairs of Nikon equipment. I'm not talking about from the frame up restorations but rather "minor" repair experiences, advice or the possible exchange of repair manuals at no cost. My first issue is a Nikkor - H 300mm f4.5 (early manual focus) lens. I have one with perfectly clear glass and smooth focus, but the aperture ring doesn't change the aperture at all. I'm thinking a connecting lever or spring has become disconnected. I do not think it is due to oil on the aperture leaves as working the DoF lever does nothing - I cannot get the apeture to close down at all. I would think that if oil was the problem I would notice some change/movement. It remains at f4.5. I realize that I can just use it wide open, being that it's a fixed prime, but I'd rather attempt a repair. Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated! Thank you - Mike O.

<p>Hi folks, I know this is 5 years after the original post, but I just got off of the phone with Nikon support for Nikkor lenses and was told that they do not sell the meter coupling prongs or the screws to attach them to individuals. I need a few and the girl I spoke with suggested sending my lenses into their repair department and they could fix that issue... after laughing HARD, I told her that would be the worst thing anyone could do because of the costs involved. We then both agreed that the best way to get those prongs and screws is to find junk lenses and rob the parts off of those. - FlyingO</p>

<p>Nice article Mr. von Weinberg! I am one of those people who have been lucky enough to buy "a few" of the Nikon FB-5 cases on evilBay for under $40 or $50, sometimes less than $20. And I hate seeing the same cases being re-listed time and again on eBay in the $175 to $375 range. I have a very large collection of photographic and cinema equipment. Mostly won for decent prices on ebay and the Salvation Army auction site. At one time I also bought the base plate out of an FB-8 for $10 because it had three Nikon mounts in a row. I didn't know that it was from an FB-8 case until tonight when I saw the first FB-8 I've ever seen. I knew right away that I had the FB-8 base plate (which I have fitted to a different case) when I saw this case on eBay. My oh my! I could certainly see the advantage of the FB-8 over the FB-5 as far as practical use, not the covering, and am on a new mission - to get myself an FB-8! The one on eBay right now is in Sweden and has a $60 shipping price.. WAY to rich for my blood. I do appreciate the FB-5, but limiting to one body can be, well, limiting. I have been very lucky and fortunate over the past 5 years or so as I now own over 20 of the real Nikon FB-5 cases - pretty much one for every F and F2 body I use. My collection is "too big" I've been told, but I love it. I have an FB-11 and FB-15, but my true loves are the cases with lens mounts in the bottom. SO convenient. Anyway, thank you for the article and if anyone might know of an FB-8 or another FB-5, outside of eBay, let me know! Maybe we can negotiate a sale or something! Best wishes to all - Mike</p>