Nikkorex F

awty · Jan 4, 2017

While perusing the camera cupboard at the local pawn store, noticed this old thing minus the lens for $20.

Why not?
Took it home giving it a tidy up and everything seems to work including the light meter.
Slow shutter speeds were a bit too slow but after plenty of shots seem to be coming good.
The speed dial on the meter is a bit lose and comes disconnect, should be able to fix.
Shutter button has stuck a couple of times, but should come good I hope.
A few dings.
Optics are clean as well.
Think it may be a keeper.

Anyone know anything much about them? From the net seems to be a budget Nikon F.

Leigh B · Jan 4, 2017

Selenium exposure meters like that will degrade over time, eventually becoming inoperative, if left exposed to light.
This problem is commonly encountered with both hand-held and in-camera meters.

The solution is to store the camera in a closed cupboard or drawer where it's dark, or in a closed camera bag.
If carrying it around outdoors, it's desirable to have it in a closed case. You may not be able to find one.

- Leigh

Theo Sulphate · Jan 4, 2017

Leigh B said:
Selenium exposure meters like that will degrade over time, eventually becoming inoperative, if left exposed to light.
...

My efforts to preserve the selenium meter on numerous cameras (e.g. Rolleiflex) consist of making custom covers that fit over the meter when not actually in use.

The Nikkorex F has a place in history: it was used by James Altgens to make a historically significant photo on Nov. 22, 1963. It was the first photo I saw that day.

awty · Jan 4, 2017

View attachment 170229

Leigh B said:
Selenium exposure meters like that will degrade over time, eventually becoming inoperative, if left exposed to light.
This problem is commonly encountered with both hand-held and in-camera meters.

The solution is to store the camera in a closed cupboard or drawer where it's dark, or in a closed camera bag.
If carrying it around outdoors, it's desirable to have it in a closed case. You may not be able to find one.

- Leigh

Thanks for the info.
Briefly tested it and doesnt seem too far off the mark, will try in the day time.
There happened to be an old Nikkorex case on ebay going cheaply so I bought it.

The wind on lever is jamming every so often as is the firing button, probably needs a drop of lubricant.

ronnies · Jan 4, 2017

Made by Mamiya for Nikon:
https://www.cameraquest.com/nfrex.htm

Ronnie

bdial · Jan 4, 2017

My memory of them was that they were considered inferior to the Nikkormat which is what replaced it.
@ronnies, thanks for posting that bit of history, I always presumed it was produced by Nikon.

Jim Jones · Jan 4, 2017

A second-hand Nikkorex I bought in the late 1960s worked well enough for a little while. A post-mortem indicated that it was a poor predecessor to the funky, but reliable, Nikkormat. Nikon repeated the Nikkorex fiasco with the FM-10. Several features on one I bought new for a friend failed before it finally became unusable.

wiltw · Jan 4, 2017

The Nikkorex has a Copal Square focal plane shutter, as you can see simply by looking at the shutter curtains from the open film door in back. It is a vertical travel shutter somewhat more similar to the modern dSLR shutter. As a result its X-synch shutter speed was faster than the usual 1/60 of horizontal travel shutter curtains, and you can synch with electronic flash as high as 1/125.

mweintraub · Jan 4, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
My efforts to preserve the selenium meter on numerous cameras (e.g. Rolleiflex) consist of making custom covers that fit over the meter when not actually in use.

The Nikkorex F has a place in history: it was used by James Altgens to make a historically significant photo on Nov. 22, 1963. It was the first photo I saw that day.

Wow, I just read about James "Ike" Altgens on Wikipedia and what an interesting story. I've always been "fascinated" with the JFK assassination and now living in Dallas, I can be closer to the story.

flavio81 · Jan 4, 2017

ronnies said:
Made by Mamiya for Nikon:
https://www.cameraquest.com/nfrex.htm

Ronnie

The interesting thing is that the early (1959-196?) "Porroflex" porroprism for the Mamiya C and C2 TLR cameras was made by Nippon Kogaku (now Nikon). It is clearly marked.

Nick Merritt · Jan 4, 2017

mweintraub said:
Wow, I just read about James "Ike" Altgens on Wikipedia and what an interesting story. I've always been "fascinated" with the JFK assignation and now living in Dallas, I can be closer to the story.

I know they say to not speak ill of the dead, but "JFK assignation" is pretty accurate, considering his hound dog tendencies.

Anyway, regarding the Nikkorex, have fun with it! Just know that it's not going to be as bulletproof as a Nikkormat.

mweintraub · Jan 4, 2017

Nick Merritt said:
I know they say to not speak ill of the dead, but "JFK assignation" is pretty accurate, considering his hound dog tendencies.
...

Typo fail! Thanks.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 4, 2017

mweintraub said:
Wow, I just read about James "Ike" Altgens on Wikipedia and what an interesting story. I've always been "fascinated" with the JFK assassination and now living in Dallas, I can be closer to the story.

When I was in Dallas, I duplicated his photo as best as I could in regards to framing and position. Years later I put the photo on the wall of my cubicle at work - occasionally people would look at it and remark that it seemed familiar to them, but they couldn't quite place it.

Nick Merritt · Jan 4, 2017

mweintraub said:
Typo fail! Thanks.

No worries -- you gave me a good laugh!

awty · Jan 4, 2017

You guys are too harsh on the old clunker.
Given it a clean and all seems to be working ok now.
Tested the meter against a Sekonic and its spot on in good light, no good at low light.
The screen is bright and clean and is easier to focus than my f2 or f3, about the same weight as an f2. Its not as smooth as the Nikons, but its not that bad for a 50+ year old camera. Similar vintage to me and Im not as sprightly as I used to be.
The mirror lifts when using the timer to negate the clunk of the mirror slap, good feature.
Nothing more to do than load up some hp5, put on the Fedora and go out and take some snaps.

outwest · Jan 4, 2017

At one time I had a Nikkorex just picked up as a backup for my F;-). Of course, the Nikkorex is the one that died at an inopportune time and required backup.

Les Sarile · Jan 4, 2017

ronnies said:
Made by Mamiya for Nikon:
https://www.cameraquest.com/nfrex.htm

Ronnie

Interesting tidbit.

Incidentally, the Ricoh Singlex "F" mount will mount Nikon made lenses but Nikon F will not mount the Ricoh made lens due to the difference in the opening "A" and "B" as shown below.

The Ricoh Singlex is the largest and heaviest fixed VF camera I have.

Nikkorex F

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