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Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Film Cameras
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The Nikon F SLR. Classic. Iconic. Legendary. This camera was released at a turning point within the Nikon folklore; it was their transition in 1959 from their very successful (and now highly sought after) rangefinder models into the SLR camera design. The Nikon F represents the cornerstone or ‘ground zero’ of all modern day DSLR’s produced by Nikon. Note the red triangle on the grips of Nikon DSLRs of today; that plays homage to the triangular shape of the prism housing on the Nikon F. The Nikon F form factor is also carried through. The rectangular body, the triangular shape of the prism housing and the removable lens system. Every Nikon SLR and DSLR produced since 1959 follows this form; the shapes themselves are such important elements of Japanese design and aesthetics. So why buy a used one today ? Today’s Digital SLR’s are wonderful machines. You turn it on, point it at a subject and press the shutter. If the camera is in auto mode (and you took the lens cap off) you are pretty well guaranteed to create a half decent image. But consider what the camera did. In a split second, it auto-focused, analysed the lighting conditions, selected an appropriate aperture, shutter speed and ISO setting and opened and closed the shutter, processed (developed) the image and displayed a preview on the LCD display for you to peruse. They are quick, efficient and very convenient and a lot of people from all walks of life use them. Maybe though, you have wondered what it was like before all of the computerised smarts arrived in todays cameras. Film is still readily available believe it or not, in many formats, colour and black and white. You can either learn to develop the film at home, or find a local processing lab who will do it for you. Used film cameras, both manual and automatic are available in abundance on sites like eBay. For me, even though I started out with film many years ago, I found I was now relying too much on the smarts in my Nikon D80, then D90 and eventually my current D7100. Even using Aperture priority mode, I was just accepting the settings the camera chose as gospel - and most of the time the camera didn’t do a bad job at all. I still felt I was getting deskilled as a photographer - I felt I needed to go back to basics and remind myself of the fundamental mechanics of photography. I wanted to get back to re-learning how to a create a decent photograph without the aid of digital trickery. The best way to do this I felt was to get a ‘new’ fully manual camera; as basic as they come. No metering, no computerised wizardry just pure mechanical genius. Being a Nikon enthusiast I could not go past the beautifully engineered and designed Nikon F. Basic. Simple. Iconic (I said that already) and of course, fully manual. Many old school SLR cameras, including the Nikon F, were very well built (how many DSLRs will be around and fully working in 50 odd years time?). Just pick up an old SLR - see how heavy they are compared to the DSLRs of today. The Nikon F I just purchased via eBay was released in 1971 - 45 years ago and looks as perfect and works as good as it did the day it left the factory. Armed with a standard manual focus Nikkor 50mm lens and maybe a 28mm wide angle you are good to go. Now when I go out on a shoot with my computerless Nikon F, it is I that needs to assess the lighting conditions, select the appropriate aperture (considering the available light and the DOF I want to achieve) and shutter speed - all in my head! So, do you want to add another photographic arrow to your quiver ? Trawl eBay, find a fully manual SLR camera that takes your fancy, maybe even try the Nikon F, buy some cheap B/W film, load up and see what happens. It might take a few rolls before you get the hang of it all, but once you have re-gained the knack that was stolen from you by your DSLR, I think you’ll feel quite good about your self and your future photographic exploits. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The shutter speed isnt reflected on the LCD. As you try to adjust it, the LCD inside the eyepiece will sporadically change to different numbers, messing up the light meter reading. The only way to shoot is if you use shutter priority and I usually shoot in manual. Not happy. Now I have to find a camera repair shop that will HOPEFULLY fix this annoying problem. Wish I knew about this problem before I bought this camera. Very misleading
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
First off, it's an absolute clunk, weighing in with a photomic finder and its hard case at almost 3 1/2 pounds,and being once called "too great a burden for one man to bear alone" at the start of a chapter entitled "Striking pictures with a blunt instrument" in Ivor Matanle's excellent and entertaining book "Collecting and Using Classic SLRs." It's awkward to use, with the aperture ring too close to the camera body, tucked under the finder's protruding forehead, and things are unexpectedly backwards, like focusing and lens removal. Having said that, the camera exudes a palpable aura, like standing before a shrine. It changed the photographic world, put Japan firmly on the map as the premier optical instrument maker, and spelled doom for the German camera industry. It was the camera that replaced the Speed Graphic for news coverage, the Exakta for scientific usage, documented the Vietnam war, saved lives by literally stopping bullets, and survived, along with its film, being dropped in seawater. The precision of the camera has to be felt to be appreciated, the smoothness of all the controls makes most others seem crude. The non-AI lenses introduced with it are generally superb, even by current standards, represent quite a bargain, and as I understand, can be used to this day on Nikon's digital offerings. An example certainly belongs on the shelf of every collector, but as a user, it's hopelessly outdated with its simple match needle metering. In anything less than mint condition one can be obtained quite reasonably. A sibling which shares the same solidity, build quality, and much of the heft in a considerably more convenient (and still cheaper) package is the Nikkormat FTN. First used as a backup by many pros, they soon made it their primary camera. Staying with the F series, the F2 and F3 are also much more usable than the original F. But in the end, anyone with an interest in historic cameras should own, or at least hands-on experience a Nikon F. (In my size/weight rating, more stars means more weight...)Read full review
The Nikon F camera is perhaps the best film camera ever made. It is relatively easy to use, offers thousands (literately) of lenses through the Nikon System and is still supported by the original manufacture today (how many products can you say that about). The Nikon F is great for collectors but it is also great for beginners. In today's world of fully automatic digital cameras, the Nikon F offers a excellent way for those who want to learn the basics of photography a chance to do so with a professional level camera. If you don’t speak Japanese or can’t travel to Japan to visit Nikon headquarters, don’t worry. There are numerous authorize vendors here in the US that can service or repair a Nikon F. Additionally there are a number of Nikon groups, online forums, etc where you can chat with die hard Nikon supports, ask questions, get copies of manuals, etc. If you still need more there are various books that have been written which will tell you everything you need to know about the Nikon System (a philosophy started by Nikon that encompasses thousands of lenses and accessories for your Nikon F). Did I mention that lenses you buy for your Nikon F can be used on new Nikons, even newer digitals! (granted you will be back to manual settings and focus but it can be done). Overall the camera is easy to use, offers a great way to get back to basic photography principles, and has a great history not to mention it is fun to just shoot film!Read full review
A simple and easy to use 35mm camera that will stand the test of time, its fully manual so you wont have to worry about any electronic problems. that is unless you may have a broken photomic meter witch was not my case, Its a joy to use brings you back to simpler days, in all great camera but it like anything you ether like it or you don't. Sorry for not going in to deep details, not the best at those id recommend doing your own reseach as i did befor buying anyways. Keep shooting.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
