Nikon F Review and How to. Waist Level Viewfinder!!

[@jeffzbar]

I'm 53 and took out today for the first time in 20 years the Nikon F my father bought for me used when I was about 14 years old. I loaned it to a friend for his son to use in photo class, but this video reminds me how beautiful, elegantly designed, and plain solid this camera is. Think I might get back into amateur photography again. My DSLR Nikon just doesn't bring the same mood and feel that my workhorse F brings...

[@TheSaladTozzer]

I'm 22 and I got into photography from a film camera and eventually upgraded to a digital but I totally agree about digital not having the same mood

[@henrikpersson4698]

I'm 37 and I just bought my first F2

[@skeetwoodmac]

This was really helpful! As a beginner I was having such a hard time finding videos breaking down how to use it, only videos about it. Thank you so much!

[@DaveMontejano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@henryrogers5500]

Great informative video! Better than most. I have a 1972 model year Nikon F, overhauled and refurbished. I love that silver Ftn prism head on the black body. A pure joy to shoot with!

[@thomasmoje5926]

Just picked up an Ftn in 'very good plus' condition. Took it out for first photo outing the other day just love using it; can't beat the satisfaction of using an iconic film SLR. Just a beautiful tank of a camera; no extra buttons or gizmos to fiddle with: set for the film ASA, focus, set for correct exposure center the meter needle with lens aperture and shutter speed and take the photo. Everything else required for a good photograph is up to the photographer.

[@DaveMontejano]

thomas moje couldn’t agree more!! Thanks for stopping by. Have fun shooting!!

[@christophevw2241]

Thnx dude, I just bought one. Cant wait till it arrives an shoot it. This video helped me out to test it when it arrive. Thnx!!

[@joaquinbendezu]

Great video! What model of battery are you using for the light meter?

[@TyM783]

I’m curious, I’m pretty sure the one I’ve got is the F2 (I’ll have to check when I can) but what waist level viewfinder part do I need for that one? What would I need to search for?

[@kylewood8327]

I opted for the F3 but the F started it all and is an awesome camera too!

[@charliem1832]

Stupid question. Struggling to find a waist level viewfinder. Can you use it without??? Just like how it is at 8:46??? Great video - thanks!

[@DaveMontejano]

Yeah you could. It’s not the easiest to see though. But you could use it that way.

[@andrewhowarth4578]

@@DaveMontejano I need the magnifier to focus accurately, but I'm old! I used to do it with just the screen and a hand for shade. Andy

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

does this model shoot video?

[@upcomingcloudrapperluca7645]

My advance lever is kinda shakey up and down, is this normal?

[@lunchroomdad]

Can the aperture hook thing be bypassed? Mines not hooking correctly and I just want to use my lens aperture normally, but my aperture blades are wide open unless I hold the preview button. Can I just hold this button to take a pic each time?

[@DaveMontejano]

I’m not exactly sure what you are asking. The lens stays wide open until you take a picture. It’s so that you can have the brightest view when focusing. If you think your aperture blades are not working correctly you can test by setting camera to bulb and holding the shutter button down while looking at the lens. It should close down at different sized openings for each aperture setting. If it’s not working then I guess you could hold down the depth of field preview button. But I’ve never shot that way.

[@lunchroomdad]

@@DaveMontejano just answered part of it thank you. My damn viewfinder doesn't hook into the aperture rabbit ears, the button retracts when it's slid back and forth. I can poke it out with something but retracts back in when slid, it's frustrating 😭

[@DaveMontejano]

@@lunchroomdad oh I see what you’re saying. Have you tried pulling it out and sliding it all the way to the right if you’re facing the front of the camera. Otherwise that links only purpose is to connect your aperture settings to the light meter. The camera will work correctly without the link. You would just need to guess or use an external light meter. I hope that helps.

[@lunchroomdad]

@@DaveMontejano yes, for example, I'll have it all the way to the left (facing the camera) and I'll pull it down/out. I'll attempt to slide it all the way to the right but as soon as I start it will retract. I tried to hold something there to prevent it but it's forcing itself back inside. I was pretty jealous when I saw yours snap to the lens. My goal is to shoot completely manual and not rely on the light meters on these old cameras. Thanks again!

[@igutierrez0984]

Would this camera be a bargain at 150$ including 4 lenses. I believe they range from 28mm to 85mm. It's in like new condition.

[@DaveMontejano]

Isaac Gutierrez that sounds pretty good with 4 lenses. Especially if all the lenses are Nikon Nikkor lenses.

[@andrewhowarth4578]

Not to sound like a boomer, but I've had F's since the 1960s. This is a great intro, but you are mixing up the Self Timer, Depth of Field preview button (upper), and Mirror Lock Up button (upper). To lock the mirror up, you twist the mirror lock up button, fire a shot (no need to use the self timer), advance the film, and take the shot. You waste one shot every time you lock up the mirror. Nice stuff on the waist level finder, which is a very under-appreciated feature. I've reconstructed and expanded my 1960s/70s outfit to include waist level and Ftn finder, and 20, 24, 28, 35, 50 (1.4), 105, 200, and 300mm lenses. I love my Pentax and Rolleiflex SL35 outfits, and my Barnack Leicas as well, but the F is my favorite 35mm outfit and gets the most use by far. Great to see younger people rediscovering the pleasures, "feel", and anticipation of film photography! Andy

[@Mme.Swisstella]

You're full of yourself.

[@Mme.Swisstella]

2:45 he correctly describes how and where to use dof button, self timer, mirror lockup.

[@Jon6sic6]

New to photography and I just got this camera. What is the point of the mirror lock function?

[@alex.fxto404]

Basically is to avoid the movement the mirror causes on the camera when you take a photo. Its used on long exposure photos.

[@DaveMontejano]

The mirror lock is to prevent any vibration from the mirror moving up when the shutter is fired. It’s most useful for slow exposure or long exposure photos. You setup your shot and your focus. then you lock up the mirror. Then you fire the shot.

[@srfurley]

Buster Photo It was also necessary to lock up the mirror and use an external viewfinder when mounting certain specialised lenses, such as the early fish-eyes, which protruded a long way back into the body.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I want the F but with the eye level viewfinder. I want a nice one I can take apart and paint.

[@HazyDaisy716]

your serial number starts with 717 it was produced between October and December of 1970.

[@DaveMontejano]

I always thought the first two were the year. Thanks for the info!

[@upcomingcloudrapperluca7645]

It would be 1977

[@HazyDaisy716]

you're welcome. I had searched nikon/Nikkor f serial numbers and was on a link for destoutz.ch . My camera is from 73 but looks just like this. you actually helped me tons. this camera was a gift from my grandpa that took my baby pictures 27 years ago

[@DaveMontejano]

That’s awesome! What a great story to go with your camera! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m glad my video helped you out. Happy New Year!

[@DundieBernard]

Hey, can you still change the ISO somehow when only having the waist level finder?

[@DaveMontejano]

If you only have the waist level finder then you don’t have a light meter. So there is no metering which means there is no iso to change.

[@rock3times]

what is the hole on the left upper front of the body used for ? You did mention early on something like " flash "...

[@maybona]

flash sync port for cold shoe flashes

[@DaveMontejano]

It's for physically connecting a flash to your camera via a small cable so that the flash can sync with the camera shutter.

[@99woodcutter]

Very useful video, thanks. Is the waist level finder pretty much a shade hood, or are there any other optics in there? (apart from the little flip down magnifier)

[@ernestovargas1254]

That's correct it is a shaded hood.

[@fluoresceeie5]

Do you need to worry about the ISO when using the waist level viewfinder?

[@DaveMontejano]

No because the waist finder doesn't have a light meter. So the films iso has no effect on its operation. You would need to guess your settings or use an external light meter. Thanks for stopping by!

[@fluoresceeie5]

@@DaveMontejano thanks man!

[@fluoresceeie5]

One more question, I also have a photomic FTN viewer but I don’t have a red triangle that shows me where to set my ISO (I’m shooting with 400speed film and using a 50mm 1.4). I lift the ring but not sure where to leave it

[@DaveMontejano]

@@fluoresceeie5 ok so on the silver dial on top for your finder there should be the film speeds. On the outer ring it should show 2 / 1 / red triangle /. If your red triangle is missing then your selected film speed should fall between those last two dashes.

[@fluoresceeie5]

@@DaveMontejano hmm I think I got it. Mind if I shoot you an email with a photo of my ISO ring attached?

[@robertriley1991]

I just bought a Nikon F and this is the most helpful video I have found. Just to clarify, are you using regular 1.5 volt batteries and you didn’t have any problem with exposure? Again thanks for this video.

[@DaveMontejano]

robert riley I mostly shot black and white and never had any issues with my pictures using the 1.5 batteries.

[@georgehuman7253]

The waist level viewfinder does not have a light meter. Is that correct?

[@DaveMontejano]

That is correct.

[@qiuhongyu1274]

@@DaveMontejano so all F models with WLF loses the meter or AE function right?

[@Kodachrome40]

That’s awesome!

[@alexcarrillo5510]

I still have my F had it since when was in City College in SF which it is dated from 1968, also that since I love my F that I got 2 more F's as they were from 1968, and 1969 as one with the Motor Drive coupling, and then l Converted one of the F's to be a Stretch F by placing Black Photographic Paper Tape, and it works along with trimming very carefully placing the thin strips of Paper Black tape onto the viewfinder screen as the metering still has no problem of the metering area... And frankly that I prefer the 50mm F2.0 why? due to that it is the most sharpest lens that I have as I have 3, and one of them is the first issue 5cm 2.0 as I use it onto my digital models... I do not like the 50mm 1.14 to soft contrast, and not as sharp at the edges... And as of 2021 The Nikon F6 is no longer Made...

[@andrewhowarth4578]

Nice to hear that some of us senior citizens still use this wonderful camera! Personally, I think the f1.4 shot at f2 is equal, and gives better focusing in low light, but I can't disagree with much! Andy

[@Peace-qm2sp]

so cool!!!!

[@martianvee5934]

For 40 bucks you can’t go wrong come on bro Lens alone will worth more so please less of the try avoid pawn shops 🤦🏾‍♂️