Seeking Info on these 2 Nikon Cameras

[evita1]

Hello Everyone, I am new to this site so forgive me but I am trying to help a

co-worker of mine find more information about these 2 cameras that he has

acquired from his father. He said that the cameras have been used but not for a

very long time. He's looking to bring them to a camera store to have them

checked out and see if they are in need of repair or cleaning. Here's a photo of

the cameras.<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9689806@N03/2202803867/" title="IMG_0138

by deliciousivy13, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2202803867_01090a7f1f.jpg" width="500"

height="334" alt="IMG_0138" /></a><br>

Thanks, Evita

[lex_jenkins]

Looks like a nice Nikkormat and Nikon F. Both appear to be in good condition and well worth using.

 

If the cameras have not been used for a long time, even to cycle the shutter without film, they probably could use a CLA (cleaning, lubrication and adjustment).

 

A qualified repair tech will probably charge somewhere between $100-$250 each, depending on what work needs to be done.

 

Before doing that, however, shoot a roll of film through each camera, testing every shutter speed and all functions (self timer, etc.). Take note of the exposure settings and check for obvious discrepancies in the results. For example, if the appropriate exposure for a given scene is, let's say, 1/250th second at f/4, the same scene could be photographed at 1/500th second at f/2.8, 1/125th at f/5.6, 1/60th at f/8, etc. Same amount of light being transmitted, just different shutter speeds and apertures. Each exposure should be comparable. If the photos turn out significantly different, it's possible the camera needs servicing.

 

If the camera seems to work okay, I'd just keep using it. But if there's an indication of a problem, such as a sluggish shutter, etc., the camera might be damaged by repeated use.

[Kent Shafer]

It appears the lens on the Nikkormat might be a 105mm f/2.5. If so, it's one of Nikon's best ever.

[walterh]

Evita do not be tempted to sell theses at the store before you have an idea of the current value. Write down the lens technical info from the front of the lenses including the serial numbers. The serial numbers of the bodies may not tell too much but still may be worth while to post. From these you will get detailed advice here. At least the Nikon F on the right could very well be a collectors item.

[evita1]

Reply to Lex Jenkins: I have recently began a photography course but am still in the early stages. I'm still learning about aperture and shutter speed but I will keep in mind what you said. I'll take some pictures with both cameras and try to figure out if they need servicing like you stated above. <br>

<br>

Reply to Walter Schroeder: I don't think he plans on selling these cameras, although he did say he will give me the Nikon F for helping him. So I'm ecstatic about that. I've heard that these cameras are great for beginners so any information/advice would be greatly appreciated.<br>

 

Here are close-ups of the Lens:<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9689806@N03/2203791856/" title="Nikkormat Lens by deliciousivy13, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2203791856_7f6a8fbb4b_o.jpg" width="378" height="349" alt="Nikkormat Lens" /></a> <br>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9689806@N03/2203806680/" title="Nikon F Lens1 by deliciousivy13, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2203806680_f440b4cd80_o.jpg" width="378" height="317" alt="Nikon F Lens1" /></a>

<br>

Thanks, Evita

[josephwalsh]

The first two digits of the F's SN are the year it was made.

[ellis_vener_photography]

The larger camera is a NIkon F withthe FTn photomic metering head. This was the top ofthe line professional 35mm SLR camera in the late 1960s to early 1970s. The lens was a good one in its day; the 43-86mm f/3.5. They look to be from the late 1960s or early 1970s.

 

If these cameras have not been used in a while they definitely need to be serviced

[Matthew Currie]

The F in the picture is a Photomic T or Tn. That's a through-lens meter, either averaging or center weighted, depending on which it is. It uses mercury batteries, but can be recalibrated for silver-oxides, or can be used with zinc-air Wein cells as is (assuming it works). Of course a CLA would be a good idea for any camera that old, but it would not be unusual to find an old F like that ready to roll without it, and given the cost of the work, I'd follow Lex's suggestion and just try it.

 

A quick assessment of how healthy the shutter mechanism is can be made by setting it to 1 second. If it goes "bzzzzz-click" without pausing or changing speed, that's good. If it goes "bz-zzz-zz---click" or just "..click" that's not so good. Sometimes just doing it over and over again will limber it up, but it's telling you something. If it stalls or seems to jam, stop right there and don't try anything more.

 

I can't tell what sort of Nikkormat that is, but if its a Nikkormat FTn, it will also have a through-lens meter, center-weighted, using one mercury battery - a nice camera too! The FTn version of the Nikkormat has slightly more convenient lens indexing (setting meter and lens to work together) than earlier ones, and than the F shown.

 

Both these cameras will work fine manually even if the meters are dead.

 

I still use an F (FTn meter) and love it. There are more modern cameras out there, but the F is a wonderful combination of classic and functional workhorse, capable of doing just about anything you need it to do.

 

The zoom lens shown is considered by some to be one of Nikon's less worthy efforts. The 105 2.5 P, one of the best.

[hugh_davis]

The Nikkormat may be an FT-2, since it appears to have a factory hotshoe. From the photo, it also appears that the Nikkormat rewind knob has lost the fold-out arm used to rotate the assembly when rewinding. Not a difficult repair if the necessary part(s) can be located. The advice given above is good. You'll be fortunate if the lightmeters are 1) working and 2) accurate, given the age of the cameras, but they are capable of working without them, as noted. Good luck, HWD

[g._v.]

The Nikkormat will have letters on the top plate such as FT or FT2 to designate which model

it is. Both cameras look very good cosmetically in your pics.

 

The FT2 was my first Nikon and I still own a couple of mint Nikkormats. The FT2 is my

favorite Nikon body.

[walterh]

Does the F not have foam - rubber light seals and mirror damper?

These need replacement if this was not done some time ago.

I cannot remember the F-days were so long ago :-)

If the body is basically ok it is always worth it to send it to a good repair shop. Say where in the world you are and you will get suggestions where to send it. Together with the 105mm lens this combo rocks for portraits. You will love the results if you use a good BW film or a portrait CN film. Yes it is a great camera to start photography. You can get many cheap lenses for very little money if you ever want to expand and built up a system. A good old fashioned hand-held light meter should also be cheap to get.

[Matthew Currie]

In answer to Walter above: the only foam in an F is a thin little strip for the mirror, and even if that goes it doesn't much matter as long as the bits don't get into the mechanism.

 

There are a couple of competent repair places here in Vermont which know their way around an F, and would be good candidates if it does need repair.

 

A second look at that Nikkormat shows that it is indeed a later one than the FTn. Hard to tell from the photo whether it's an FT2 or 3, but I'm guessing a 2. The FT2 and later models all take silver oxide batteries, rather than mercury, a definite convenience.

[john_cox7]

Evita, The camera on the right of the photo is a Nikon Photomic T. The wide slot below the engraved "Nikon" name and the small red light meter buttonon top (without an engraved "N" beside it identifies as such.

 

As I am not familiar with the other one (the Nikkormat) I cannot comment further. Both cameras are worthy of keeping, even if they require maintenance repairs. The 105/2.5 lens is one of the best Nikon ever made, however the 43-86/3.5 zoom was unimpressive.

 

If you can aquire the Nikon F Photomic with the 105/2.5 lens then you will not be disappointed with the resulting photos such a combination can produce, especially with portraiture.

[evita1]

Thank you all very much for your comments and suggestions. I will relay your advices to my co-worker and see what he decides. Thanks!

 

Evita