Calling Nikon F Users! film advance question

[ColinGarrard]

I've just bought a Nikon F, in great aesthetic condition. However, can experienced users help me with a few questions:
1) The film advance lever does not spring back; I have to re-cock it with my thumb. It this a fault or could it a design quirk from early models?
2) The prism housing has slight looseness; I've double checked the security of the release button and screws, and they look fine. Is this normal or could it be a future problem?

I really hope these aren't future problems waiting to happen, as I payed £395 for this. I suppose if in doubt, I'll have to send it back.
I hope you guys can help me out.

All the best, Colin.

 

[Les Sarile]

Both are faults. The film advance on all of my F's spring back without assistance and all my prisms have no noticeable play.

 

[Kyle M.]

Same here the advance on my F springs back quite swiftly, and there is absolutely no play in the prism to body connection.

 

[Aja B]

The film advance lever does not spring back...

...to the closed position (flush against the shutter release guard) or back to the stand-off position? It ought to return to the latter. Prism looseness is a problem. Are you certain the prism has been seated? Give it a firm press down, right above the two arms that grab the pins on the body and on the rear of the prism. For that price you ought to have an A-1 body.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

...to the closed position (flush against the shutter release guard) or back to the stand-off position? It ought to return to the latter. Prism looseness is a problem. Are you certain the prism has been seated? Give it a firm press down, right above the two arms that grab the pins on the body and on the rear of the prism. For that price you ought to have an A-1 body.

Indeed. It should be 'as-new in box' for that price.

 

[Ap507b]

I have an eyelevel finder on mine. I wouldn't say that it is loose, but there is a small amount of movement, maybe 1mm if I push down on it. It is as if the springs on the prism are a fraction too tall. It has never caused a problem though. There is a small felt seal at the rear under the eye piece. Is yours still there? If that has gone then that could allow some play perhaps?

Wind lever on mine snaps back as described by the others. For what you paid for it I would think about sending it back sadly.

 

[DCB12]

My advance springs back firmly and no movement in my eye level finder.

Peace