Nikkormat EL Meter Repair Question

[russljames]

Happy 2015!

Might anyone know of a tech who works on meters for this camera? Mine only reads accurately in bright light (when a meter isn't really needed). In dim or indoor light it still thinks it is outside, giving readings of 1/60 and 1/125 of second on ASA 100.

Thanks for any referrals you can make,
Russ

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Hey Russ! Happy 2015 to you too!

Not sure how successfully those meters can be refurbed at least at any cheap price. KEH has a slew of EL bodies black and chrome from as-is for $9, BGN for $20-40 or so and EX ones for $50-69. With 60 day warranties and 14 returns policy I'd grab one of the BGN ones if you want to still go with an EL for likely much cheaper than fixing that meter would cost. Keep the old one for parts or sell off for $10-20 making your net cost even lower for another one with a working meter.

Or consider this a good time to grab an FE/FE2, FM/FM2 or even an F3. Those all are better build quality and go for less than what a meter refurb would likely cost on your EL too. The EL was Nikon's first camera with an electronic shutter which is making it very long in the tooth and its heavier than most of those others I listed there. I got my FE2 for $20. Looks like crap, works great. Got a perfect EX FM2 for $100 and my F3, ugly but perfect functionality, for $110 with HP finder.

Probably not telling you anything you might have already considered and perhaps that EL has sentimental value. Just suggestions...

 

[russljames]

Richard,

Thanks for the suggestions. I use my EL primarily for Non AI lenses and I desire to be able to shoot on the "auto" mode with them without metering issues in dim light. I have other Nikon bodies that will accept the Non-AI lenses but they are either stop-down or match needle metering.

Perhaps I will explore the KEH option. In my experience though, their BGN and EX ratings apply more to the cosmetics than the performance of camera bodies.

Russ

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Richard,

Thanks for the suggestions. I use my EL primarily for Non AI lenses and I desire to be able to shoot on the "auto" mode with them without metering issues in dim light. I have other Nikon bodies that will accept the Non-AI lenses but they are either stop-down or match needle metering.

Perhaps I will explore the KEH option. In my experience though, their BGN and EX ratings apply more to the cosmetics than the performance of camera bodies.

Russ

Then grab an F2!

Yeah but if the meter does not work and KEH does not represent such you can return or they will fix, perhaps? If you do find someone to fix the EL meter please do report back the cost. I'm curious.

 

[elekm]

There are also some nice Nikkormat FT(n/2) bodies out there that will let you meter correctly with your non-AI lenses.

 

[gone]

Know what you mean about the use of AE w/ the EL. I had one of those cameras and loved it, except for the "ping" it made when you fired the shutter. Not real loud, but noticeable. My other Nikkormats simply went "snick" w/ that great Copal shutter sound.

You've run into the usual problem w/ old cameras. It's just too much money to have them repaired when, as suggested, you could get a replacement w/ a warranty for much less than a CLA would cost. And even w/ a CLA'd camera, it's an old camera. Something else might, eventually will, go wrong w/ it. If you're attached to your particular camera I'm sure it could be fixed, but not so cheaply. I'd simply buy another one.

Here's a cheap one. Tested, but not fully.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Estate-Niko...864?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae2b01e80

This one's been tested and works as it should. You couldn't get yours fixed for this price. It's a real beauty too. I have no relationship w/ the seller. If I were looking for a clean and tested EL, this would be it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-NIKKO...569?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43d538fcc9

My Nikkormat FTn is a GREAT camera, but for AE have an modified FG that can shoot non AI lenses shoot in that mode w/ stop down metering. Nice small package, took 2 minutes to hack it.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I have 2 ELs and one failed the same way as the OP. I was advised that it was more cost effective to buy a new body. I did at the local camera show and brought it home. It was a beauty and in full working condition. It failed the same day though, and I hurried back to the camera show just in time to catch the vendor. He happily returned my money with an apology after he tested the camera himself.

So, this appears to be common and appears to be a worthless fix. Get a new body!

PE

 

[russljames]

Thank you, everyone, for the great suggestions. There are bodies a plenty out there and I will seek that route for the solution.

Russ