How To Load and Unload Film in the Nikonos II

[@WickBeavers]

I've owned several and each has its benefits and losses. The early ones get flooded (why should they if you keep O rings greased?), you just keep them in water , swap the water to fresh and rinse out the salt water. The later ones are fabulous for using like any other 35mm camera except who wants to pull out your $3500 camera in the driving rain on the deck of a slamming sailboat? The later versions have light meters and automatic mode but of course, don't let them get flooded because the electronics will need full replacement. Now HERE's THE TIP for using any version: PUT YOUR LENS on UPSIDE DOWN so you can just tilt the camera backwards to see the settings right side up. Thanks for reminding me how to pull these apart!

[@jdoggybizzle]

Thank you! Found one in an antique shop loaded with film!

[@HaiTran]

Enjoy it!

[@anzaeria]

Great tutorial on loading and unloading film with the Nikonos II. By the way, if the model II floods, it's not the end of the world. A great thing about the first three Nikonos models is that can be saved after flooding due to their manual, mechanical nature. I was chatting with a lecturer of Maritime Archaeology at University and it sounded like he's had extensive experience with Nikonos cameras. On more than one occasion, he's saved an old Nikonos model from flooding and it worked as good as new afterwards. The model V may be a lot more user friendly due to it's improved body design and electronics / automatic features. Though those electronics can also be a disadvantage if it's flooded. The chances of survival are stacked against it in such a situation. By the way, my brother got himself a Nikonos V a number of years ago, As for me, I'm interested in picking up one of the older models.

[@HaiTran]

They’re all great cameras. It just depends on what you’re looking for 👍🏽

[@stephenmills1280]

Dear Hai Tan, your visual training and the detailed explanations of each detail make this a masterful tutorial. A beloved friend just gifted to me his Nikonos II. We "grew-up" in photography when he was starting college and I was already a university assoc. prof. Our hikes and excursions into prairies, forests and lakes proved his Nikonos II a worthy image-maker. With my dear friend's gift and your tutoring, I will maintain to o-rings and load a test roll with neighbor kids so they begin to imagine how photography might be a part of their lives. Cheers!

[@HaiTran]

Enjoy 👍🏽

[@auditoryocular]

Thanks! Needed a refresher on this camera. I’ll add that you really need to pull up on the rewind lever for it to catch. I thought I pulled it up enough, but immediately didn’t feel any tension on a roll I was trying to rewind. I had to manually rewind the film.

[@HaiTran]

You’re welcome!

[@wayofthewheel3543]

Yep, I thought the gear drive inside was broken, nope, just not lifted enough. Good to hear they're all like that.

[@pedromeza2398]

Ha I, I just bought a Nikonos 2, with three lenses for $50 dollars and appreciated your easy to follow video; thank you.

[@HaiTran]

You're welcome and have fun with the camera!

[@gabrielpatriciovazquez6192]

thank you ! i have forgotten how to open it too many years without put my hands on my nikonos 2, is greatly advised to use silicon grease on o-rings to help in watertight of the camera an ease of remove the lenses an to open the camera

[@tellme1948]

Thank you , it was a big Help..

[@HaiTran]

Glad it helped!

[@bunadud]

Awesome tutorial thanks for sharing

[@HaiTran]

You're welcome!

[@Penafilm]

Awesome! Thanks for the help!! I had no idea how to open this thing lol

[@HaiTran]

Have fun with the camera!

[@kohutracing]

Great video thanks a lot :)

[@HaiTran]

You're welcome!

[@BagavanSmokey]

Got one at a thrift for 20 bucks. But it doesn’t come with the side levers to pop the top. I’m trying my hardest to pry it open but it’s such a pain. Any tips?

[@HaiTran]

If the levers aren't there then it's just a do what you gotta do situation. Use whatever you can be it a screwdriver or a pry bar.

[@BagavanSmokey]

@@HaiTran i managed to get it open but am realizing that it doesn’t shoot when the shutter lever is pressed. Perhaps it’s missing something

[@zeiss66super]

There is a shutter lock, maybe you still have it locked. You can google a pdf manual for your model and it will explain how to unlock the shutter.@@BagavanSmokey

[@peskymacaw9033]

Nice video. I'm interested in getting a Nikonos and I have 2 options; a II and a IV, which one should I buy? Thanks.

[@HaiTran]

That's ultimately up to you. Find the manuals/spec sheets and learn about the cameras' features. See what works for your needs.

[@drfaustens4504]

I have couple Nikonses and shoot often with each (one Nikonos III and two model Vs) never have had a problem with either that wasn't me. The only issue I have had is 0-rings. While they can be found on e-bay and occasionally Amazon but they can be expensive approaching half or more the cost of second hand Nikonos. Nikonos V rings are more common than o-rings for the model 1 through 3 Nikonos. As far as I am concerned the Nikonos is the best dive camera there is or has been. It is a shame to obsolete these cameras for want of a 50 cent part. I'll get to my point. Do you know what the specs are for the o-rings of your Nikonos II. The specification ought to be the same for all the first three Nikonoses. The original ring kit had three rings: body, flash port, and the lens plus a tube of grease. I think older rings will oxidize over time leaving particles in the camera. If I keep the o-rings lightly greased they seem to last longer and make getting the camera apart for loading and cleaning a lot easier. I use the lug levers to loosen the body then push up on the screw inside the body just below the top finder assembly; I've seen a few damaged just using the lug levers.

[@HaiTran]

I don’t not know the specifications of the o ring. eBay would be the first place that I go to find them. Other than that, I know there is a shop that still repairs them so they may have some available. Google it and you may find it. I haven’t looked in awhile so can’t give you a direct link.

[@anzaeria]

I'm surprised a mere O-ring would be so expensive. I assume we're talking about O-rings made specifically for the Nikonos cameras? Surely, there would be companies that make generic O-rings in all sorts of sizes that may have one that fits and would be hell of a lot cheaper too? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@zeiss66super]

@@anzaeria Yes the ones made specifically for the Nikonos cameras are expensive and hard to find as they are not made anymore. I feel pretty sure that there are generic o-rings that will work and be cheaper. You would need to get a tool to measure a set of original Nikonos o-rings to figure out the correct sizes for the generic ones and then test to see if the do make a water tight seal.

[@zeiss66super]

This is a good point about being cautious when using the levers and that you can crack the top assembly. The other issue with using them is you can forget to remove the lens first and then try to get the camera apart and that can bend or crack the top asssembly. Bob Warkentin recommended not using the levers at all for these reasons and to rubber band them in a way to make them not usable to remind the user not to try using them. You can remove the lens and push from the inside to get the camera apart.

[@wayofthewheel3543]

Nice.

[@HaiTran]

Thanks!