Nikon F cameras - Identifying early models

Early Nikon F cameras are significantly more valuable than those built later. We run through the main differences to help you identify.
Jonathan Harris - Worldwide Camera Exchange Ltd

[@flyingo]

For the past 25+ years I’ve been replacing light seals and doing small repairs to Nikon F and F2 bodies with plans to get them to new owners soon, hopefully to young photographers on a budget, for much less than current prices as I’d love for these to continue producing great images and help people learn the magic of film photography. At last count I had around 75 to 100 of them, many are the very early models. Great workhorse cameras!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Excellent!

[@markgoostree6334]

Today is 10/14/2024. I expect to receive my Nikon F by weeks end. I was told it is a 1967 version. I am pleased and excited to add an "F" to my small collection. Looking forward to putting a roll through it and learn a little about the workings of this famous camera. I always look for your videos when I start thinking about a camera model. You always give us good info. Thank you.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - appreciated. Enjoy your Nikon!

[@robertodeleon-gonzalez9844]

Excellent! The Nikon F is an excellent camera, strong and reliable. I owned one, and only parted with it because my photo needs grew in another direction. I did ask its new owner to run some film on it from time to time... 🥲

[@simonkeslake2782]

Love the F, I have a black Nippon Kogaku logo one, serial number not early but its all brassed from heavy use over the years..beautiful!!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Looking how they should look! And ironically it's often the most heavily worn mechanical Nikons that feel the best.

[@John_Krone]

I am currently searching for an F model and this video proved very valuable. Thank you

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you - happy to help

[@johnk6749]

I bought my Nikon F in 1974. The serial number is 657xxxx. From research I have done this would be from late 1964 to early 1965. I used to have a Nikon S2 rangefinder with the complete outfit, but I sold it in the late 1990's.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Love S2s …. beautiful cameras.

[@ronaldsand3000]

Great helpful video Also thought worth mentioning that the underside of the rewind crank on the early models were the same as the rangefinder cameras being hollow on the underside whilst the latter models were solid- just another quick identification

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting - always appreciated

[@ronaldsand3000]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange your videos are really interesting and very refreshing compared to other channels Many thanks Ron

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you!

[@thomasfx3190]

Great stuff I’m interested in Nikon F models because some photographers in the Vietnam war used them and I find it fascinating.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Fantastic cameras. Find a decent example and get it serviced and it’ll last forever.

[@chrisstorey605]

Screw thread Leica’s and now the mighty Nikon F, thank you, great, very informative.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you

[@bikebeerrun1960]

My camera is sn 6485135 with the nippon triangle mark. I bought it used back in 1987.it had the FT meter prism. I remember paying $200.00.Also bought A period 50mm 1.4 with focus in meter numbers only on the barrel for $100.00. Just recently got A plain prism for $50.00. After all these years it looks and WORKS LIKE NEW.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Always good to hear!

[@jeffreygoldammer1741]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Hope it was useful!

[@JonnyEnglish-gu1cs]

Thanks I am a Nikon addict love to see any info on early Fs I have not added one yet to my collection

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Happy to help

[@catey62]

Get yourself one. they are wonderful to use. and will last forever with a little bit of care.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Many thanks. Looking for standard pentaprism for early F. Or working photomic with cad. Sulfide eye and both needles working. Thanks for any help.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Both are becoming quite rare in good condition but I’m sure you’ll find something with patience. Nikon sold them in big numbers!

[@alessandroveronese601]

Hi! thanks for helping me. I am fairly new to this world and i was wondering whether there is any difference at all between nikon f and nikon ftn. Thank you

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The FTn has an updated metering system (lots of information online). The Nikon camera bodies are the same.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

The ftn is a pop on version of an F focus finder. Most have exposure needles on top and through the view finder.most are broken or need batteries. You may luck out and find one that works but odds are against this. Mine is not functioning. I can still take pictures but the exposure lattitude needle is dead. All I have to do is use a hand held meter. Luna pro is a good meter but eats batteries. Weston uses selenium cell photovoltaic cells and needs no batteries. Weston also used to work on light meters in Hollywood CA. I don't know if they still do. But back in 1980 or so I sent my dads old master 3 to them for repair and an invercone. They fixed it perfectly and sent the incident light plastic inverter no problem. They were very nice to do business with. Those are the best meters I would recomend if you cant get the ftn prism meter working again. And maybe Weston could repair your ftn pop off prism for you. It's worth asking I am considering this myself. Hope this helps, bye😅

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

@user-do5hd7zb4x thanks for commenting - always appreciated

[@afafxz9268]

Also there's a difference between the advance levers- Later models are solid aluminum and earlier models are hollow if you look on the underside

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, thanks for commenting. Always appreciated.

[@s_kelly]

The original F is such a cool camera, tactile and mechanical in all the right ways. The side mounted strap lugs are a bit annoying in that they cause the camera to be nose heavy with pretty much every lens except the 45mm pancake.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

I suppose 99% perfect isn’t bad for a first attempt!

[@richardravenclaw318]

that's the way it hangs with the straps from the case when the top section of the case is detached. if you remove the case entirely and run a cord through the small suspension eyes built into the body i believe it hangs level with 50mm lens.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting

[@thomasmoje5926]

I know the F's with the Nippon Kogaku trademark on the top of the camera body by the prism are the older ones. My F is one of the newer ones with 'Nikon' trademark on the camera body: circa late 1971/early 1972 from the serial number. I do have a 50mm f/1.4 Nippon Kogaku 'S' lens which is probably a few years older than the camera body both are in excellent condition. A great 'tank' of a camera.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, great cameras!

[@gracekiteba]

Thank you for such details ....so helpful

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you. Very kind.

[@gracekiteba]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange you are welcome!🤗 Suppose i come across 6400101 How much can it cost…

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

@@gracekiteba impossible question to answer - depends upon condition, provenance, international exchange rates et cetera.

[@gracekiteba]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Thank you for the kind reply、i just came across this camera here in Japan…

[@rojoelscrymgeour6995]

I have what looks like an older model. There is no number except the serial; FE 3969624. Can I know from that what model it it? Clues anyone?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

It’s a Nikon FE!

[@catey62]

another way to tell the earlier backs, from what I've learned, is that 'M' in 'made in Japan' has slanted legs. but on the later backs the legs on the 'M' in 'made in japan' are straight up and down. I have a mid 60's silver F at the moment and I'm about to buy an all black F from my favourite camera shop near where I live. that one has a fully working meter also, something that is a rarity these days...it also has a minty F1.4 lens as well. next addition to my F collection with be an 'Apollo' F. they use the plastic tipped film advance lever and self timer lever from the F2. they were made as the F was being phased out the the F2 was being introduced, and so shared those parts as the supply of original F parts had been used up.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for your input . Always appreciated.

[@catey62]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Your'e welcome ☺

[@livingthehartslife6538]

I have both and I am very happy with them. My numbers start with 693 and the other camera starts with 700

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, agree, fantastic cameras

[@davidsharp3675]

Canny video but little vague. Early? I have a late ‘63 which is Nippon branded but finders where branded Nikon from late ‘61. There are lots of changes in the parts as stamping wore due to the restamping that was done to achieve the accurate engineering. Any F is good. Id say go for condition

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you for commenting - it’s always appreciated. There are lots of Nikon F variants - Jon only covers a few of the more common. And, yes, any F is good and I’d recommend buying later/cleaner cameras if you are using (the earliest cameras tend to be bought by collectors). This video was about identifying the earliest cameras rather than opening an early vs late debate.

[@Slyguy96]

what kind of value does an early version get?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

We sold a stunning early model with titanium shutter and correct box for £4000 recently.

[@Slyguy96]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange okay cool the one im looking at is an early 1959 model with cloth shutter. is it more valuable?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The cloth version will be very, very expensive and almost impossible to find.

[@davidsharp3675]

My comment was a little rushed… apologies but i dud enjoy it overall 👍😎

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - much appreciated.