Arthritic Nikon

[semi-ambivalent]

I have a Nikon F 70xxxxx that occasionally exhibits varying spacing between frames. A space is narrow then corrects with a larger space a frame or two farther on. I've only seen this happen once per roll and some rolls do not show this at all. All other functions are fine. Can this be indicative of something serious with the shutter, or is it likely just film advance mech. wear?

s-a

 

[Sirius Glass]

Time for a CLA. Enough dirt in the mechanisms can cause spacing problems.

 

[John Koehrer]

But in the end it's a fault in the transport, not the shutter.

 

[Leigh B]

But in the end it's a fault in the transport, not the shutter.

What does the shutter have to do with it? Nobody mentioned the shutter.

- Leigh

 

[Aron]

As long as you don't have overlapping frames, I wouldn't bother with a CLA and would just keep on using the F as it is now. Also, don't you (or some one else) like to tension the film inside the cassette with the rewind crank? In my experience this can introduce some irregularity in your frame spacing.

 

[mikebarger]

What does the shutter have to do with it? Nobody mentioned the shutter.

- Leigh

OP asked if it could be the shutter in the first post.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

OP asked if it could be the shutter in the first post.

Yes, I did, because the advance and shutter work in concert. I assume they share some sort of gear train. Enough so that spacing issues could indicate possible shutter problems. I also assume shutter problems are the more expensive of the two.

CLAs aren't free. I'll just keep using it and see if anything changes. Thanks all.

s-a

 

[semi-ambivalent]

As long as you don't have overlapping frames, I wouldn't bother with a CLA and would just keep on using the F as it is now. Also, don't you (or some one else) like to tension the film inside the cassette with the rewind crank? In my experience this can introduce some irregularity in your frame spacing.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I do do that. But only once, to verify film advance.

s-a

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Good working F's can usually be had for cheap. They won't be pretty looking, but, nothing that a set of small screwdrivers and spanner wrenches can't fix.

I'd considered getting mine overhauled to regain the use of the mirror lockup feature, but, then a friend offered his body, which is in nicer shape, for less than the overhaul.

With respect to tensioning the film, that's something mentioned in the instruction book anyway. Supposed to take up the slack when loading the camera, then verify that the rewind crank is turning when film is advanced.

-J