Nikon F - The Legend // Old School Photography Ep.01

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This was my first 'grail' camera, the 35mm film camera that I wanted to own the most, when I started out. Nikon's first and arguably best SLR ever started an obsession with collecting film cameras.
Filmed With:
GH5
B&H: bhpho.to/39ps3ka
a7 III
B&H: bhpho.to/3bxncyR
Deity D3 Pro
B&H: bhpho.to/3bxkYzC
Music:
Birocratic - Glowtalk / birocratic
Birocratic - Haunted / birocratic
Birocratic - Throwing Sadé / birocratic

[@calk12345678]

4:43 this camera is so powerful that he pressed the shutter in UK and got a photo of Hong Kong.

[@theworldofdio]

Yeah, he jumped in hyperspace with Nikon F.

[@paulterl4563]

lol

[@rolandrickphotography]

Calvin k. 😂😂😂🍾🥂

[@theworldofdio]

@@wylie_photo Pretty much.

[@LibraChan1002]

lmao

[@johnger850305]

Actually watching this on my Nikon F lol.

[@GentHoChan]

L M A O

[@nicolasyang7457]

Hol up

[@anonymousperson3596]

Me too

[@MeTheDroidor]

LOL

[@wombat1238marsupial]

you've got to love Nikon for backwards lens compatibility

[@tomassantos4299]

An advantage and disadvantage simultaneously

[@tomassantos4299]

That was its ruin in af performance

[@Astro_Aladfar]

The great thing about Nikon F mount is that you could use fully manual modern lenses on a 50+ year old Nikon body. For example, I have used my Samuang/Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 on my Nikkormat FT2 to take some incredible landscape and astrophotographs.

[@JBubbs]

Until they fucked everything up by not making FTZ adapter with small motor and aperture coupling. No one will prove that wasn't possible...

[@adrianadrian255]

That was the key to their success. Both Canon and Pentax changed their mounts, Nikon promised they never would. For newspapers and magazines that supplied their photographers and maintained vast lens 'banks' of exotic lenses for special assignments, going with Nikon was a no brainer, a newspaper might own hundreds of lenses

[@TimGanderPhotographer]

Your closing comment is so true. I bought a black Nikon F2 a couple of years ago. It was in beautiful condition so I had Sover Wong CLA it. It came back in even better condition! But I didn't spend all that money just to look at it in a cabinet. I've shot quite a few rolls of Tri-X with it, using it for a landscape project and other work, and it's already showing brass. I've fallen over in a river with it, banged it on a rock, and it still came up smiling. So it's a tiny bit dinged now and showing it's been used, but it's become part of me now. The seller even knocked £100 off his asking price because I told him I'd be using it rather than having it as a collector's piece, and I have kept to that promise. One tip Sover would also have you know, and that is not to leave the shutter cocked overnight. Make sure you fire it before putting the camera away because it knocks the shutter speed precision out if you leave it stressed for more than a day. PS. I think it's a crime to buy one of these just to sit it on a shelf. I'm sure Nikon has a pristine copy of every camera they ever made, so let them be the museum, not you.

[@pigletyet]

Kai, I just wanted to say that it was you and Lok that really got me into film photography (around 2010-2012 I think, DRTV days). It opened my eyes to a new world of photography. And I'd like to thank you for that! ☺

[@Quietconvospod]

I love this. I just gor my first film camera-an F4.

[@IdleSummer]

Those monochrome photos are actually some of my favorites that you've taken.

[@Ruylopez778]

I would say the X-Pan review in HK, and GR in Venice were also up there

[@TheLokCheung]

Dog on push trolly, sadly it is pretty common sight in Hong Kong. You don’t “walk” your dog like that... Can’t remember who said “customers don’t know what they need until they see it” (Steve Jobs? Jonathan Ive? James Dyson? They probably had all said that at some point). I’d say customers also don’t know what they don’t need! Remember there was a time people wore their Nokia around their neck, and the phone keep bumping on their stomach when they walk. Nice sensation.

[@haparcheledupwar]

how did he mount that voigtlander light metering on that Nikon F body? there's no mounting area for that? unless he tape it? Thanks Lok :)

[@throughmyeyes9940]

Lok Cheung: are you sure the phone was bumping into their stomachs, lol

[@HyattChan]

Finally after looping the F Word vid on the F4 for like a dozen times

[@oliverbevan2575]

Lmao same and the gr one

[@eddiegarcia9206]

More film related vids plz!

[@dannygnaniah7552]

Absolutely LOVED this episode mate! Make more for this segment!

[@ikoyDaPnoy]

YESSSS KAI! This was my 2nd film camera & I love it. MORE OF THIS CONTENT PLEASE!

[@gerardbisignanoarclux4535]

Have my F sitting next to me while watching the video. Bought my 1st in 1973. Still gives me goosebumps. Thanks for the memories!

[@ChDe]

I was waiting for a video like this from you Kai. Ever since I started my photography 2 years ago I've been an avid viewer of your content. Your Nikon F4 video convinced me to get one, and now I'm watching this video with the complete Nikon F line (with the exception of the F6). Thank you for always providing quality content Kai. Hoping to see more in the future!

[@dehoyosrudolph8885]

Christian Rey Destura I’ve got the trilogy of Nikon F cameras too, with the exception of the F6. My old boss has a new in box F, I need to get it from him!

[@andrewd.584]

Just ordered a NIkon F from 1969, and it gets here Friday. I'm so excited to use it.

[@joshuapaolino2199]

I bought my F a couple of years ago and it soon became my favourite SLR. The ease of use and how sharp the old school Nikon lenses were/are were selling points. I just got it back from the shop after some minor repair and a CLR and I'm taking the 52 year old machine out for its first proper shoot in a few months. Thank you for posting this as it's really an underrated game changing camera that I wish more people were aware of. I also own a black F2 that is amazing as well, but there's nothing like the original.

[@markuss9229]

Yes!!! Thank you Kai, very excited for this series!!!

[@tonywhitmarsh]

Really love the start to this series, looking forward to more Kai!

[@curiouslizard]

The F is a glorious camera, great video. I always loved the FM series and I own an early FM but my go to film camera is a black FM3A, so beautiful!

[@oliverlison]

I love my Nikon F3. It is so beautiful to use. I am in the process of getting a another one as spare because I love it.

[@hertsman5]

One of the best camera reviews I have seen you do !! Brilliant !

[@EmilePs]

Tempted to get the mini light meter. Love how these videos give mini tips on top of the main review.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

Nikon was originally Nippon Kogaku (日本光学). The name was shortened to "Nikon" to make it easier to pronounce, and to remove the word "Nippon" (Japan) which did not have such pleasant connotations in the earlier post-war years. The correct pronunciation is "nee-kon," though North Americans insist on calling nai-kon, and Brits call it "nick-on." I love the F, and usually have at least a couple on hand, but my favorite Nikon is the SP rangefinder.

[@Andz200zx]

I have a Nikon F and I love it, it’s the only film camera I use. Mine has the big chunker viewfinder with the light meter but I don’t have the right lenses to make it work

[@nodrogkam]

I loved seeing your old photographs. Inspired me to bring out an old film camera and even my first DSLR - the D40. Thanks as always for your great videos and hope you're keeping well.

[@TXGRunner]

When my dad was stationed on Okinawa in the '60's, he bought a Nikon FT with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. It cost him almost two months of his pay. Growing up, that was the only camera I knew. About 4 years ago, he gave me the camera. Texas humidity, heat, fifty years had taken their toll. Some of the foam was deteriorating and there were some other issues. I arranged a trip for a 24 hour layover in Tokyo two weeks apart so I could leave the body and lens with a company in Tokyo specializing in refurbishing and fixing Nikons. Most of the folks there are semi-retired engineers and technicians who used to work for Nikon. They won't take work from overseas, but they are among the best at working on early Nikons. The camera is as good as new now. They did replace a couple of small worn/oxidized pieces, and replaced the rewind lever cap lost decades ago (they have a massive selection of parts). It was worth every penny and the effort.

[@xray111xxx]

My favorite of all time. Everything else happened because of this and other key cameras. Still love the F4 video. Love the part of forgetting to rewind the film before opening the back door. Yikes! Kai, you kill me man! You and Lok are it!

[@siskokidd]

When I began shooting 35mm on a manual Minolta with a built in light meter set to the aperture setting (suggesting shutter speed), plus developing the negs and printing the pictures, I learned quickly to appreciate each shot taken, and how small adjustments affected the results. All that I learned then at age 19 set the stage for a lifetime of taking pictures. Those old school manual cameras are a great place to start. Used to this day in photography schools, I understand.

[@TyChokdee]

Now, a story on this legend wouldn't be complete without an homage to it's daddy - the Nikon SP/S3

[@jonlouis2582]

That was a fun overview. I have had quite a few of these pass through my hands, and they all had wobbly advance levers. The best ones IMO are the very late models with F2 strap lugs, the only real weak spot on the F. I sold the minty ones and kept the beaters, one actually has a chunk taken out of it and most of the paint missing. They all work fine after service.

[@mariosoljan9351]

Nikon F forever!

[@cfperwil]

Your best video in a while! Loved it 👌🏻

[@justAfisherman1187]

that was beautiful Kai. I absolutely loved it.

[@LucisPictor]

Great video. Again well done. I do have an F that "served" in the Vietnam war and it's still fully working. I am ever so happy about it.

[@vicibox]

Takes me back to 1973 and I used to stop by the Poole Pro shop on the way home after work and stick my nose on the shop window lusting after his shelf of Nikon Fs (not sure about the weird Swiss Alpas on the shelf below). Not a chance of ever affording one so I bought a Rolleiflex SL35 with Zeiss lenses instead. Still I was now a fan and in 1990 I sold my Rolleiflex and bought a Nikon FM2n which I still use ;-)

[@thomasmoje5926]

I picked up a Nikon F with Ftn Photomic finder a few months ago, then purposely looked for and bought a 50mm f/1.4 Nikon/Nippon Kogaku S lens (pre-AI) to go with it. Both are in 'very good plus' condition and I thoroughly enjoy using it; makes me feel like I'm using a piece of history. Just a very solid and elegant photographic instrument.

[@dalediese]

I love picking my f3 up and hearing that amazing slapppp.

[@gimiked8685]

Yea f3hp is my personal film camera goat. I'm never gonna sell it.

[@bondgabebond4907]

I bought a Nikon F2A in Japan in the early 80s while stationed at Yokota AB. It's still with me. I've taken literally tens of thousands of pictures with it. Still going strong.

[@shutterbug00]

I've still got my fathers late 60's F with the FTN photomic meter (which still works!) and run a roll of HP5 plus through it occasionally. Absolute tank, the 50 1.4 on it will outlive any digital system I've ever used. They truly don't make them like they used to.

[@jayse1195]

Been watching your vids for years and this is my first comment. Was really cool to finally see some of your own photo shots instead of crap test photos. Good stuff. Stay safe mate.

[@codyallen3729]

Loved this video Kai! I just bought a meterless prism for my F after the photomic ftn prism I got for it was broken (meter) and now it's one of my favorite cameras I owned. Thanks for making a relevant video as a tribute to this piece of history! Next, do my second favorite camera I own, my Canon P rangefinder ;)

[@johnemersondona2707]

New guy here, I watched a few videos of you and really appreciate how genuine you are with your reviews. You really inspired me to go purse film and just have fun, just like how you enjoy yours. I really hope to be successful one day even if I don't have anything yet, and if I acquire my first camera I'll come back here and send the video,hopefully. Thanks Kai!

[@shred3005]

I learned photography on my older brother’s Pentax Spotmatic back in the day. Somewhat a contemporary of the Nikon F, so I know the simple joys of all manual film

[@cooloox]

No different to all manual digital shooting, except for the vastly inferior image quality of 35mm film.

[@dangerpowers123]

Really enjoyed this. Totally agreed about the points made on the Nikon F. Really is a true classic. Aged well, it's like the e-type Jag of old Nikon film cameras

[@everythingphotographyandar9970]

My friend has a Nikon F3, and I have Minolta X-370, X-570, and X-700, that we bought in mid 80's. These film cameras still worked great today and take wonderful pictures. You have a nice classic Nikon F.

[@natriumxide]

Enjoying my Labor Day morning watching your new video... Feeling awesome!

[@kg6itc]

Thanks for your service to the soul of photography.

[@aitorboadabenito1362]

Love this series!

[@filmbyhari]

I think this is the start of an amazing series. Looking forward to more. :-)

[@rosswingo8714]

*Laughs in Nikon F2* Seriously though id love to have an F. My F2 was my first film camera and propelled a collecting and film obsession, but the original F is just so legendary

[@Purp1eP3nguinZ]

I had an F2 first, and it was such a perfect mechanical camera. Then I got and F as a backup because it was cheaper than a de-1 for my F2. It's less "perfect" than the F2 in my opinion, but it just felt right. So right I sold my F2 within a year and the F is still my #1 camera today.

[@jeffirish3402]

I started down the Nikon trail fifty years ago with an F with an FT meter. Sold it for an F2 in '75 (which I still have and love) but put together another F ten years ago- bought the body, FTn meter and case seperately and used the 50 1.4 from my original F. It's currently loaded and waiting for my next outing.

[@alexcarrillo5510]

@@jeffirish3402 Yes that is true, but in 1958 the Zunow was the first SLR that was like the Nikon F, as their 50mm Zunow lenses were consider the Leitz Glass lens type, But in 1954 in Dresden Germany by Zeiss Jena Works as they came out with the Praktina SLR system as they also came out a East Germany SLR model with interchangeable prism heads, All Zeiss lenses, and also a Body couple Spring Motor drive. As I have this model the Praktina FX with 4 lenses Zeiss, and drive....

[@justinpatterson4164]

Hope to see some old school point-and-shoot’s in this series! Just ordered a Nikon L35AW and I’m really excited to shoot it when the world is open again.

[@Americas_Laziest_Photographer]

I love my Nikon F! I've gone through three F3's, my F has outlasted them all!

[@woseleyphotography]

Things of beauty and well made by a team that love of photography...Living now in Barbados, but miss Windsor

[@tomscameras]

YES !!! Can't say how happy I am to see this video !!! I always LOVED LOVED LOVED my Nikon F which was my main camera to get me started in serious photography and traveled with me to many many places. Can't help it but it's just sooooow much more camera than the Leica M's and still it looks every bit as good. Just as you said !!

[@SamsonArnettRoughley]

excited for this series about analogue !

[@chandrasekharpalepu1379]

I absolutely love my canon AE1. What I love about the old cameras is even the most rudimentary pinhole cameras can take stunning pictures with a little care. Gotta spend a good amount of cash to get into digital.

[@TeddyCavachon]

Learning SCUBA in 1969 motivated me to by my first camera, a Nikonos II only to get hooked on photography, sell the diving gear to buy a new black Nikon F with the Ftn metering pentaprism with 85mm f/1.8 and used Nikon F with 35mm f/2 and a Honeywell 1° spot meter to do photo journalism in college using Zone System exposure/development/print making methodology adapted to roll film by using polycontrast paper. I sold the Ftn body to buy a 2.8 Rolleiflex to shoot wedding but still have the Nikonos II, F body and lenses. A trick for changing film with the removable back is to hold the camera by the lens with the pinkie finger hooked around the back to hold it.

[@rayliu7762]

Damn it, now under the lock down, Im going to be hunting for one online. I already have a Nikon FE and I love that to bits, along with an Olympus OM1N, and I love film cameras.

[@faisaltreshah]

Thank you Kai - was great filming with you!

[@ppripper1]

Nice start for a new series. Can hardly wait for Canon F1, and Nikon F2.

[@TheKingAdRock93]

Can’t wait for more film videos!

[@DokukuDreams]

Kai giving some film so love! More

[@jakeweeks]

You're right that not many people wax lyrical of the F, but I consider myself one. I bought mine, with the Photomic FTn finder and 135mm f/2.8 lens, for $70 in 2011 for a photography class. It's been essentially my only camera since, along with a small collection of prime lenses. Every button, switch, and ring on both the body and the incredibly-built Nikkor lenses clicks confidently as if to assure you that they're made to a standard of quality that no longer exists. Once you get your filters and films dialed, the images are magical. This is the camera that went everywhere and did everything, and never made a fuss. An F can be a friend to you all your life, and will probably outlast you.

[@mjones410]

great vid, I know it's not in the same league but I love shooting with my FA, the metering on it is astoundingly good

[@MrRom92DAW]

I’ve had a Nikon F for over 20 years and shoot it regularly, the camera is a veritable beast. So long as you don’t need to shoot a 12FPS burst (and what film shooter does?) it’ll handle anything. I’ve traveled to countless countries with it in my bag, taken it everywhere, it’s been to mountains, volcanos, beaches, snowstorms, out on the ocean, you name it. We’re talking about a 60 year old camera here folks. There’s a reason why this was the choice of professionals everywhere once it launched! Forget about protection from a weapon, I wouldn’t hesitate to use the camera AS a weapon in a pinch. The camera’ll be okay, my hypothetical attacker won’t.

[@northstar1950]

I have one, not immaculate by any means and the one curtain was pin holed but I 'repaired' it with some back paint! The Voightlander meters are lovely and don't forget they offer around four or more aperture shutter speed combinations at any one time.

[@JeffDelMusic]

Watched this when it came out and thought "how cool would it be to own one". My family just moved my grandfather into an assisted living facility and I just now inherited his that he probably had locked away for 40 years! Thanks for the advice on the CLA. I would have totally just stuck film in it and hoped for the best.

[@DNdavidsonsnation]

I just bought a FE2 this week! I love it 😍

[@mattc3295]

Old school photography series? Yessssssssss

[@catey62]

I have one and treasure it. still works perfectly and takes great shots.

[@cmtravels]

Some really nice images there Kai! Nice work...

[@streets28mm]

Finally a good video, back to basics!

[@OlleyThorpe]

Great Video Kai This Nikon Looks Decent!

[@makerspace533]

I was in the USAF from 1969 to 1973. We used the Nikon F with FTN finders as our 35mm cameras. The FTN finders were notorious for failing. So when I bought my own camera, I bought a Canon F1, they were only $255 with a 50mm f1.4 at the BX. I'm back shooting Nikons. I still have a Graflex XL. I really liked shooting the MF XL.

[@johnathansawyer8736]

Just what I needed, ANOTHER thing to collect! lol Love it. Thanks for the vids!

[@ernestthomas9406]

glad you did this video because I shoot film at times with my Nikon Fm3a with & Kodak tri-x B&W film

[@adrianalfordphotography]

I started off with a Canon AV-1 but now shoot Nikon with digital (D850). Thanks for showing the early Nikon, was interesting to watch 👍🙏

[@pauldigiacomo134]

“As rare as rocking horse poo” 😂🤣😂

[@b.c.d.9543]

I msg'd that to several friends when he said that......love it

[@dalejrose1287]

Another one is rare as hens teeth

[@pauldigiacomo134]

There is a similar expression in French: “rare comme de la marde de Pape” which translates to “as rare as Pope’s poo”. 🤣

[@steven1000000000]

Nice one. Love the analog reviews.

[@chunkychon]

Can't wait to see the photos you took once you get them back! Please make a video on it!

[@mills179]

Hi Kai....I found a Nikon F2 a Photomic in a local junk shop in 1977 . The guy wanted £55 for it !! So I had many years of good use with this wonderful classic and eventually passed it on to a young photographer in the late 90's. Great camera......

[@joseph.irvin.photography]

Great town, I spent a few days there 3 years ago. I bought an F and an F2 earlier this year and I would have to say that I prefer the F2: faster shutter, better light meters in both performance and the batteries it takes, AI coupling, film door on a hinge, better ergonomics, you don't waste a frame on the mirror lockup, and there are no real downsides, it took everything that was good and improved it. I hope you'll look at that one too. The F is very, very good; the F2 is damn near perfect.

[@thangamminh8765]

Man, when Kai doesn't review modern camera but these oldies SLR, he looks and sounds so professional

[@xiaoabrose]

Finally.... A good video from you. Very good. Thanks.

[@DJFoucher]

Totally awesome camera and beautiful place to tested out... Thanks 🙏

[@ayol1011]

This is a cool series Kai! Old school camera!

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

My first “grown up” camera. I LOVED this camera. I no longer have it but miss it. It was like a hockey puck, took a beating and kept on shooting! I do have to make a correction to your video…the first “system” 35 mm camera was the German made Praktina (not Praktina) FX launched in 1952-1953. The Nikon F was launched in 1959. My dad had a Praktina and he would let me use it from time to time.

[@rockvalenz]

Greetings from New Zealand! You are fantastic Kai!

[@donchever1000]

I did a "365 pic per day "photo series with an F2 Photomic and after the year was up I felt physically uncomfortable without that camera. The weight, the sounds, mechanical action were addictive.

[@theslowsoundtracker]

I bought my Nikon F in 2015 and have been using it for travel and everyday photography. Ran about over 200 rolls of 35mm through this beast and will probably continue using it for many more years to come. The perfect setup for this camera is the Normal prism attached with a Nikkor 50 f/2 lens. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be. With the photomic FTn finder, the camera weighs a bit more and can take on a larger lens like a Nikkor Q 200mm F/4. The best way to use this camera is by loading some Ilford HP5 or Kodak 400TX and photography without a light meter. Try out the Sunny - 16 exposure method and learn what works and what doesn't. It's one of the best ways to learn about photography. PS - Kai, you should do a video on Large Format Photography. Like a shooting some landscapes with a Crown Graphics 4x5.

[@DavidDatura]

I’ve got a Nikon F too, with the (very chunky!) Photomic viewfinder for TTL metering. It was my fathers, his dream camera when he was young. Overall mine is in near mint condition too. Likely because my father pampered it and I don’t use it anymore. And they are indeed built like a tank! Except for that film wind-on lever, which seems more vulnerable than other parts of the camera. Trivia fact...I believe the F was the first camera to use a titanium shutter curtain.

[@Jeff-rs7xd]

Fantastic video!

[@ifitworksproductions]

I still can't decide if I like the F or F3 better. They're both amazing cameras, and I like them for different reasons. Both will stay in my collection.

[@mizuhokusuha]

Thanks for a great video kai!

[@andrewhowarth4578]

Kai, your social commentary is as entertaining as your videos are informative. I love my Nikon 20mm lens, but it's not the retrofocus design, so I can use the reflex viewing - they're not terribly expensive, at the moment, but like everything Nikon F, they're increasing rapidly in price. Andy

[@13squier]

Loved this one, do more vids about film!

[@AgnostosGnostos]

For my older film SLR and TLR cameras I use iPhone light metering apps. There are really good.

[@jonweinraub]

I’ve been toying with getting a newer F. I’ve always wanted an F5 after befriending a pro as a kid and as I got older and he switched to digital he went to Canon. And now I’m considering moving to Canon EOS R5. But I recently dug my old N60 out of my closet. Still with a roll of film. And a few brand new rolls in the canisters. Going to have fun this weekend. Just wish I had better lenses for it.

[@peterlamont5948]

Actually bought my Nikon FM2 from Aperture London in 2018 after watching one of your Digital Rev videos. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@MarkMcNeill22]

quality video kai enjoyed this

[@orlando1a1]

Great video. Thank you, Kai.

[@OFBCyclingWorld]

All I ever wanted growing up was a Nikon film camera, all I wanted. On a trip to Hong Kong with my parents in the 70's all I could afford was a Fujica ST 801. I totally loved it built a darkroom in mums laundry and got busy for many years. I never really got over the fact I couldn't buy the Nikon. Thanks for reminding me.