manel_soria Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Hi, I've just bought a Nikon F body, 67xxx, with no photometer. I have no experience with non-AI lenses. Can I use an AI or an AF lens with this camera ? As I understand, since there is no photometer the camera just ignores the maxium aperture of the lens. The rubber bumper for the mirror must be replaced. Are there other rubber elements to be replaced ? Do you know if it is a good idea to get the shutter speeds adjusted ? Is all that expensive ? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vick_ko Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 You can replace the foam yourself, it is easy if you can obtain the foam. There is also foam at the prism mount at the rear of the camera. Take the prism off and you can see the foam. AI lenses should be okay, I have no knowledge of AF lenses. You can try a test roll of film to check the shutter, or check it visually. The Nikon F is famous for continuing to work even though it is old and dry. Here are descriptive resources for the Nikon: www.cameraquest.com and look at the "Classic Camera Profiles" page. http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm ...Vick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_long Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 An "F" body without any Photomic meter of any sort has no meter coupling. As a result, you can mount any Nikkor (F mount)lens ever made on the body without fear of damage. You would need to use an external meter. Should you add one of the original Photomic meters, you will need a Nikkor with the external silver "prong" meter coupler mounted behind the aperture indicator for f5.6. Any non-AI, AI or AIS lens will work in this condition. I am not aware of any AF lenses that have the prong, so these would need to be used with the meter in a "stop-down" mode. I have seen some AF lenses that have small dimples where the screws for a coupling prong would go, so I assume a prong could be retro-fitted. Good luck, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanford Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Beware of varible aperature zoom lenses that change aperature as you zoom - you really never know what the actual aperature is at a given focal length. Also some of the lenses made for auto focus camera will fit and and work on the F but the focus changes some when zoomed. This is compensated for with auto focus cameras but is a pain to deal with on manual focus cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbq Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 You can use AI/AIS/E/AF lenses. G-type lenses will only be usable at the smallest aperture. Lenses designed for smaller coverage (both for APS film and for digital cameras) will either not mount or be of limited usefulness. Nice camera, with a fantastic viewfinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_lai Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 In addition to the previous replies, you should be aware that some AF lenses (the "G" lenses) do not have an aperture ring so they cannot be used with your camera. You could probably mount them, but you'd have no way to set the aperture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_lai Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Oops, Jean-Baptiste types faster than me! His answer is also more complete than mine so read his, ignore mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 I got my first used Nikon F in 1962 in just has a pentaprism. Some of us used unmetered bodies before; and only use a meter prism then for slide copying and macro. Here I have about 4 nikon F bodies; non has had a CLA yet. The foam is on some; and has been gone for a decade or two or more on others. The foam just makes the body softer in noise; and helps some with a motor drive. The foam has been gone before some folks were born; that now tell me "it has to be fixed". Where does this thinking come from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Currie Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 On the rubber bumper: Both my F's have deteriorated bumpers, with no problem except that they make a slightly louder clunk than the already loud clunk an F makes. If you do replace the foam, it must be very thin. If a little too thick the camera will work fine but the mirror lockup will not. The F's back uses a sort of rope caulking rather than foam, and it seems to last forever. Don't worry about it. I would not bother to have the shutter speeds adjusted unless you notice issues with exposure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manel_soria Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 Thanks for your help ! So in summary: -All the lenses with aperture ring work -If the foams are damaged the camera is noisier, but light does not reach the film (as I thought) so it shoud work OK. By the way, the camera has the name "PAUL J HARRINGTON" engraved on it, there is a Paul J. Harrington who was a military photographer and earned the "Military photographer of the year" award in 1974. Can this be a coincidence ? The camera is black, serial number block 67. Anybody knows the equipment used in US army about 1970-74 ? Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john schroeder Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Refoaming your camera is easy. Do a search on ebay for "The Complete Light Seal Kit" and look for "Interslice" as the seller. I have purchaced his kit several times and it is the best I've ever used. I always keep one of his kits in my camera store. We get alot of students with older camera's and it's no trick to replace the mirror foam for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 The refoaming concept is always interesting; since my Nikon F's have no foam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_harrington1 Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 Manel: How is the Nikon of yours working out?? By the way the camera was personal and had two and half tours in Vietnam. Yes it did get shot at once and while. paul harrington paulj1938@yahoo.com paul harrington former owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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