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Advice Needed: Mint (and I mean MINT) Nikon F2

Colin Corneau

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
2,365
Location
Winnipeg MB Canada
Format
35mm RF
Hi all,
A friend asked me to help her sell a Nikon F2 and 50/1.4. This thing has not a mark on it - it's literally the cleanest camera I've ever seen. Shutter speeds all sound 'on' - it's a jewel.

She has no idea what to ask for it, and to be honest neither do I. I have found varying prices in all the places my admittedly limited experience has led me.

Can I ask (if it's appropriate) what a ballpark is for something like this? It's black body, for what it's worth. Still has the instructions and metal lens hood. Did I mention it's flawless?

Thanks for any advice....
 
I believe it's the metered prism.
 
If it's got the standard Photomic DP-1 finder, in the condition you describe, and 100% functional, the the body alone might fetch between $300 - 500 USD. Clean black bodies bring a higher price than chrome. If it's got a later finder like the DP-12, seen here, then that'll push it to the higher end of the range. Often, the F2 meter heads need service after many years, so even if it looks pristine it's common for the meter to be inaccurate or non-functional. These usually cost a few hundred to have serviced.
If the lens is also in similar condition to the body, optically and mechanically, an early non-AI lens might run around $100 and a later AIS lens between $150-200.
The only case in which the value's going to be significantly higher is if the camera is truly new, with the original box, instructions, etc. Then you've got collectors who are willing to pay more for one of these - maybe up to $1000?
 
Despite its cosmetic condition, it's roughly 40 years old and the lubricants should be replaced - the usual CLA.
 
Despite its cosmetic condition, it's roughly 40 years old and the lubricants should be replaced - the usual CLA.

I'd let the new owner take care of that. Since the camera is going to be sold, the Seller will not recoup the full price of a CLA.